Holland America Enhances Onboard Experience with New Fleetwide Live Music Entertainment Program

Holland America Line has initiated an extensive overhaul of its onboard entertainment across several ships, with plans for a full fleet rollout by early 2026. The enhancements will feature new live music venues, revamped World Stage productions, culturally immersive programming, and a restructured entertainment team.

Currently, six ships—Nieuw Statendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Eurodam—are implementing a classical music ensemble called Vivace, which consists of either a string duo or trio. This marks a revival of classical music on board. Additionally, The Dam Band will support World Stage shows and other guest entertainers, ensuring guests can enjoy continuous evening entertainment. Surprise cabaret acts and additional musical performances will also take place in popular venues like the Crow’s Nest, Lido Pool, and Ocean Bar, all at no extra charge.

A new regional soloist program will introduce culturally themed performances based on the ship’s itinerary—for example, folk guitar in Alaska and mariachi in Mexico. On sailings to Canada and New England, the Celtic group Breton Thunder will have expanded performances on the World Stage and throughout the ship.

The entertainment leadership will become more interactive, with over half the fleet set to feature a redesigned Cruise Director role by August 1, 2025. Enhanced engagement activities will include cooking demonstrations, themed parties, and games, creating a lively atmosphere aboard. Travel Guides will also return for Port Talks and Q&A sessions, along with an expanded Activities Crew leading art classes and cultural presentations, with a complete rollout planned by the end of the year.

In June, Eurodam introduced a new Welcome Aboard show that showcases various entertainment offerings available during the cruise, ensuring that guests are informed about stage productions, enrichment talks, and signature events like the Orange Party. This show will soon be implemented across the entire fleet.

Notably, popular World Stage shows such as Curtain Up, Dance!, Rock Britannia, Solid Gold, Crossroads, and It’s A Swing Thing have made a comeback on ships like Volendam, Zaandam, and Nieuw Amsterdam due to guest demand.

On Alaskan cruises, wildlife experts will accompany guests to enhance wildlife sightings, and live narrations by National Park Service rangers will occur during trips through Glacier Bay National Park. Established venues such as Billboard Onboard, the Rolling Stone Lounge, and B.B. King’s Blues Club on Pinnacle Class vessels will continue to offer nightly live music along with enriched cultural programming and storytelling related to the destinations.

For more information on Holland America, visit Holland America Line. Discover entertainment updates and more at CruiseMapper News.

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