Life in the time of COVID-19 with Holland America Line and Seabourn’s Anastasia Kotanidis

This week, Travel Weekly caught up with Anastasia Kotanidis, who recently scored a new gig at Holland America Line and Seabourn, to find out how she’s been faring since the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

What are you reading?

The Wealthy Gardener by John Soforic.

What are you watching?

Call My Agent! and Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.

What are you listening to?

Silk Sonic.

What are you cooking?

Kreas kokkinisto – it’s a humble Greek stew, but it’s taken nearly two years of lockdown to master!

How are you staying fit both physically and mentally?

Early morning walks and listening to podcasts have been my ‘me time’ during lockdown here in Melbourne.

What’s something positive you’ve witnessed or experienced since the coronavirus hit?

For me, it’s the significance of kindness – it really does go a long way. Whether it was a phone call from a friend just checking in, to handmade cards and beautiful hampers left at my door, we all tried to make each other smile during this time.

What have you learned about yourself amid the crisis?

I’m a planner, so I have learned to slow down and go with the flow. That was a very difficult concept for me!

What’s your advice for others in the industry on coping with the crisis?

One of my favourite quotes is: “Tough times never last, but tough people do.” There is no industry like travel – the energy is exhilarating, and no other industry has the same level of passion and commitment, and the people are charged with resilience.

I’m so excited to be back for the restart of travel to work and reconnect with our trade partners here in Victoria and Tasmania.

Where is your favourite domestic travel destination?

Noosa is my all-time favourite. I was very lucky to have enjoyed a family trip just before COVID hit in March 2020.

What is the one international travel memory that’s been keeping you going through this time?

Cruising the Mediterranean, drinking champagne and enjoying the spectacular sunsets of Santorini.

Where do you want to travel now that international travel restrictions are starting to ease up?

The list is very long. First up would be Alaska with Holland America Line – I’ve always wanted to go and they are the Alaskan specialists. Then Hawaii – my kids are obsessed with Moana, and the Disney resort there looks like fun!