• by Tanya Gazdik , August 13, 2012

Holland America cruise line is launching a Facebook sweepstakes that will award one fan a seven-day dream cruise.

The sweepstakes, "Summer 2013 Dream Cruise," has a top prize of an ocean-view stateroom to Europe, Canada/New England or Alaska. The sweepstakes runs through Oct. 31 with the winner selected upon the close of the sweepstakes.

Holland America also is promoting the contest on Twitter and the Holland America Blog.

"There's no doubt that Facebook has become an essential way for us to interact with our fans and for our fans to stay connected to Holland America Line and each other," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, in a release.

All Holland America Facebook fans have the opportunity to share their travel desires on Facebook. By choosing from 12 images, fans get to showcase their top three cruise destinations for 2013 and share these favorites with friends via their Facebook wall. (Doing so is not a requirement for entry to the contest.)

To enter the sweepstakes, Facebook users must "like" Holland America Line's Facebook page, while current Holland America Facebook fans will click on the "win a cruise" icon­. The entry form must be completed for a chance to win the cruise. (The sweepstakes is limited to legal residents 18 years of age or older from the United States, District of Columbia, Canada except Quebec and the United Kingdom.)

The sweepstakes is just one of the cruise line's latest Facebook initiatives. To encourage interactivity, Holland America Line has enhanced its “roll call” tab, making it easier for fans to connect and stay in touch with fellow shipmates who are traveling or have sailed on the same cruise.

New enhancements include improved cruise search functions and the ability to "roll call" for up to three months after the cruise to re-contact new cruise friends met on board and share stories and photos.

Guests click on the Roll Call icon, enter the month of their cruise and the ship name to "join" and begin getting or giving advice, asking questions about what to do while on their cruise, and sharing the excitement. Roll Call cruisers may also set up an exclusive shipboard "meet and greet" in advance through the line's onboard events team.