As long-time fans of Holland America Line, we were excited to learn about new features and entertainment that the cruise line will offer on its newest ship.
Holland America Line’s new 2,650-passenger ms Koningsdam cruise ship will set sail in April, 2016. Photo courtesy of Holland America Line.
Holland America Line announced the new entertainment venues to be featured along the Music Walk complex on the company’s forthcoming ship, the 2,650-passenger ms Koningsdam, to be launched in April, 2016.
Billboard Onboard will be the place to be to enjoy popular music on the new Koningsdam cruise ship. Photo courtesy of Holland America Line.
Through a partnership with Billboard, Holland America will offer a new live interactive music experience called Billboard Onboard to showcase the talents of live musicians – including two pianists, a guitarist and a DJ – who will take turns rocking the crowd with chart-topping hits and performing dynamic shows centered around the interesting facts and figures of the music industry as chronicled by Billboard. Between the nightly sets and songs, guests can sing and play along with trivia questions presented on screens throughout the room.
“Our guests love music that spans all genres, and Billboard Onboard is the perfect way to showcase a wide range of popular hits under one roof,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We’re thrilled to partner with Billboard to debut a venue that will cater to all ages and nationalities.”
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?
Lincoln Stage Center on the new ms Koningsdam cruise ship to be launched by Holland America Line in April, 2016. Photo courtesy of Holland America.
For cruisers who love classical music, like my father, Holland America has signed an exclusive partnership with the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Through this agreement, the new Lincoln Center Stage venue will showcase an ensemble performing chamber music. These world-class musicians will perform multiple programs nightly, as well as afternoon recitals during sea days.
Lincoln Center Stage has a scheduled debut on three Holland America ships:
- the ms Eurodam in January 2016,
- the new ms Koningsdam as part of the Music Walk complex in April 2016,
- and on the ms Oosterdam in April 2016.
The Lincoln Center Stage programming is planned for additional Holland America ships, to be announced in the future.
“Classical music has been one of the many hallmarks of a Holland America Line cruise, and to partner with an organization as esteemed as Lincoln Center takes our program to an entirely new level,” said Ashford. “We are excited about this opportunity and look forward to bringing the best of this musical genre to our guests.”
B.B. King’s Blues Club on Holland America Line.
The popular B.B. King’s Blues Club will play in the new multi-level Queen’s Lounge, bringing the best of Memphis music to sea.
The new World Stage main showroom at sea brings 270-degree LED projection to the main showroom, enabling new concepts for showtime performances and immersing the audience in a panorama of sight and sound.
The ms Koningsdam sets sail on April 8, 2016
Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy, the ms Koningsdam represents a new Pinnacle Class of ship for Holland America Line. In addition to new entertainment options, guests enjoy several alternative restaurants including Sel de Mer, a new French seafood brasserie; a new immersive farm-to-table dinner experience in the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine; a re-designed casual Lido Market with themed serving stations; a stunning main dining room; and favorites such as Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto Italian restaurant and pan-Asian Tamarind. The ship also will feature Holland America Line’s first purpose-built staterooms for families as well as single staterooms among its 1,331 guest accommodations.
Holland America Line tapped Adam D. Tihany, one of the world’s pre-eminent hospitality designers, along with maritime designer and architect Bjí¸rn Storbraaten, who worked with the cruise line on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam, to create an interior that blends fresh, contemporary styling in harmony with the line’s classic elegance.
Watch this video from Holland America to get a better sense of the new ship, and its new entertainment options
Have you sailed on Holland America Line? Are you excited about the features and programming planned for the new ship? Please share your thoughts in comments below.
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