The 10-year-old black Labrador retriever from Holland America Line was presented with the Platinum Medallion on October 26 during a formal ceremony on board the Rotterdam ship of the cruise line.
The highest award given by Holland America Line for the number of sailing days is the Platinum Medallion, which is given to passengers who have spent more than 700 total days aboard the cruise line’s ships. Joska has spent more than 700 nights at sea with her owners Cornelia “Connie” Marinussen and her husband Cornelis, who are both legally blind. Joska has accompanied her owners on trips to places including Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean.
Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, said, “Joska is the first service animal to achieve this lofty rank, and we wanted to recognize her with an occasion that shows her how valuable she is to everyone in our company.” “All passengers are welcome to bring their certified assistance animals, and Joska has integrated herself into our family. She not only lifts everyone’s spirits on board, but she also enables Connie to indulge in her greatest passion: globe travel and cruising.”
Joska’s ceremony was attended by Antorcha and Rotterdam’s Captain Werner Timmers, who also gave the dog a medallion, which she wore with pride. Joska also received her 5-Star Mariner status, the top tier in the cruise line’s loyalty program, along with the prize.
The Platinum Medallion members now make up the whole Marinussen family. Prior to Joska, Connie and Cornelis had completed 700 days on Holland America Line ships and had already been awarded Platinum Medallions.
Since they first embarked on cruises with Holland America Line in 2013, the couple has taken close to 60 voyages. 2014 saw Joska enter the Marinussens’ lives, and the two quickly began traveling together. The Lab is one of the most traveled dogs in the world, according to the cruise company, and has traveled on more than 50 Holland America Line itineraries.
