Trade conventions bring the latest, most relevant information to just about any industry, drawing thousands of attendees and exhibitors from around the world.  In the world of cruise travel, that’s the annual Seatrade Cruise Global convention, this year held at the Fort Lauderdale Convention Center. Interesting content aside, this is a typical trade show, complete with crowds, lines, limited parking, high-priced convention style everything and one very interesting dining option.

 

 

Just before the Seatrade convention began, Holland America Line debuted their “Dive-In” food truck, serving the signature hamburgers, hot dogs and fries we see at the Dive In grill,  poolside on their ships. Had they stopped right there, it would have been a unique promotional tool, that could have gone from place to place around the country, promoting Holland America Line cruises.

That’s not what this is.

 

 

Instead, Holland America Line positioned that truck at Port Everglades, in a secure area only crew members can visit to benefit Seafarer’s House.

If you’re not familiar with Seafarer’s House, it’s a safe, friendly place with free Wi-Fi, where mariners can connect to their families far away.  They can also relax, ask questions about the community, and get emergency help if needed.

That event kicked off several days of fundraising for the maritime charity with the “Dive-In” food truck

“Seafarers’ House is a valuable resource for our crew and every seagoing mariner, and we thank them for the support they provide the cruise industry and the maritime community.” -Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line

After The Dive In food truck served free lunch to crew members of any cruise line in support of Seafarer’s House, it relocated to the Seatrade convention parking lot.

Convention attendees stepped outside for a while, enjoying the same cuisine for a donation of $10 to Seafarer’s House.

The $10 price tag included fries and a drink, making the meal come in at about half the cost of the same in the convention center. That was delightful and easy to swallow in and of itself.  That the $10 donation would go directly to benefit crew members was simply delightful.