SEATTLE, WASH. – Holland America Line is introducing a new slate of shows that will anchor the entertainment on Grand Voyages, starting with the 2025 Grand World Voyage and Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole. When the two cruises depart in January 2025 on simultaneous sailings, 15 new shows will make their debut on both ships throughout the monthslong, globetrotting journeys.
Developed by acclaimed producer Blackburn International, each Grand Voyage will feature a cast of eight accomplished singers and dancers who will perform in the 15 new productions. Each show will feature a distinct theme, including tributes to pop and rock greats like Carole King, the Carpenters, Eagles, Fleetwood Mac and more. With titles such as “The Sounds of Summer,” “Solid Gold” and “Crossroads,” Holland America Line will offer a variety of performances over the duration of each cruise.
“Holland America Line has never introduced this many shows at one time,” said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment for Holland America Line. “The Grand Voyages are the longest itineraries we offer and it’s important to keep the entertainment fresh for our returning guests. The new shows are a diverse collection of music genres to appeal to a wide variety of tastes.”
The 15 new shows will join an already robust entertainment and enrichment program on the Grand Voyages. Comedians, headline entertainers, and performers sourced locally are mixed in with Holland America Line’s production shows and resident musicians, including a classical trio and dance band on both ships.
Guest chefs who specialize in the cuisine of the region where the ship is sailing will join select segments of each Grand Voyage to share their culinary expertise. The chefs will offer a live cooking demonstration for guests, participate in an informative “coffee chat” and their cuisine will be featured at an exclusive, reservation-only dinner at Pinnacle Grill. Signature appetizers and main dishes from the guest chefs also will be highlighted on the Dining Room menu while they are on board.
Guests can expand their horizons with enriching activities on a Grand Voyage, including dance classes like ballroom or beginners’ ballet; arts and crafts classes that include watercolor painting, origami and creative writing; pickleball lessons from the ship’s sports director; tai chi on deck and more.
Dining is elevated on each Grand Voyage with menus that change daily and are seldom repeated, featuring local ingredients and regional cuisine. Select theme parties, such as the Masquerade, have a matching dinner menu in the Dining Room to elevate the festivities. Brunch on sea days in the Dining Room is a grand affair, with an extensive roster of rotating menus featuring regionally focused dishes, as well as tasting menus so guests can sample a variety of brunch favorites. Festive gala balls and dressy nights create memorable moments, along with a Captain’s Grand Voyage Dinner.
In 2025, Zuiderdam will sail the 124-day Grand World Voyage, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship departs Jan. 4, 2025, and will circle the globe on a westwardly route, visiting 49 total ports in 30 countries across six continents. Volendam sails the 133-day Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole, also roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. The ship departs Jan. 25 and follows a south-north-south route, down the coast of South America to Antarctica and then up to the Arctic, visiting 69 total ports across five continents and 26 countries.
During the Grand Voyages, Zuiderdam and Volendam will rendezvous April 24 in Barcelona, Spain. The historic meetup will be commemorated with a Catalan-themed dinner on each ship and parties on deck, and guest reunion opportunities will be available as the ships overnight in port.
Segments on each Grand Voyage make taking a smaller portion of each itinerary possible. The Grand World Voyage has six segment options:
The Grand Voyage: Pole to Pole has seven segments for guests to choose from:
The article Holland America Line introduces new “Grand Voyage” entertainment starting in 2025 first appeared in TravelDailyNews International.
