Holland America Line is upgrading its entertainment programme across the fleet, with new live music performances, refreshed World Stage productions, and a revised onboard entertainment team structure. 

The updates are being introduced throughout 2025 and are already available on six ships, including including Nieuw Statendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Volendam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.

Holland America Line has indicated that the new entertainment experience will be available across the fleet by the end of the year.

“Our live music is second to none, and guests have asked for more, so we’re delivering on this with higher energy, more authentic local music and more variety in entertainment on every sailing,” said Michael Smith, Senior Vice President, Guest Experience and Product Development, Holland America Line.

“It’s all about enriching the journey and creating unforgettable experiences for our guests, no matter where they sail,” he added.

The new entertainment line-up includes Vivace, a string duo or trio performing classical music. The Dam Band, a new live music group, now supports both production shows and guest performers on the World Stage. The entertainment schedule has also been expanded to include nightly performances, surprise cabaret acts, and additional live music in venues such as the Crow’s Nest, Lido Pool and Ocean Bar.

A regional soloist programme is also being introduced, offering performances inspired by the destinations visited – such as folk guitar in Alaska, steel pan music in the Caribbean, and mariachi in Mexico. 

Cruises to Canada and New England will feature Breton Thunder, which returns in an expanded capacity with both stage performances and informal pop-up shows.

By August 1st, 2025, over half of the fleet will operate under a revised entertainment structure. The Cruise Director role will become a more visible presence on board, supported by an Assistant Cruise Director and an expanded entertainment team. Activities will include classes, cooking demonstrations, tastings, game shows, and themed events.

Travel Guides will return later this year, providing destination talks, Q&A sessions, and tailored advice for ports of call. The Activities Crew will oversee additional programming such as trivia contests and art classes, with full implementation expected across all ships by the end of 2025.

In June, Eurodam introduced Welcome Aboard, a first-night production that previews entertainment and enrichment options for the duration of the voyage. The show will be rolled out across the fleet and is scheduled to be on all ships by summer 2026.

World Stage Productions

A number of stage shows first presented during the 2025 Grand Voyages are being added to the entertainment programme on Volendam, Zaandam, and Nieuw Amsterdam. These include:

Curtain Up – Musical numbers from Broadway and London’s West End, featuring songs from Jersey Boys, West Side Story, Hairspray, and Chicago.

Dance! – A showcase of global dance styles including Tango, Charleston, Rumba, and Cha-Cha.

Rock Britannia – A celebration of British rock hits from the 1960s to the 1980s, featuring music by Rod Stewart, Dame Shirley Bassey, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, and John Lennon.

Solid Gold – A selection of 1970s hits from artists such as the Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, Elton John, and Donna Summer.

Crossroads – Country and folk hits from performers including Dolly Parton, Neil Diamond, Glen Campbell, and Johnny Cash.

It’s A Swing Thing – Swing-era classics such as Dancin’ Fool, Beyond the Sea, The Lady Is a Tramp, and Feeling Good.

Live music continues to feature nightly at Billboard Onboard, Rolling Stone Lounge, and B.B. King’s Blues Club on Pinnacle Class ships. Destination-focused presentations remain part of the programme, with cultural talks, port briefings and, on Alaska sailings, wildlife experts and National Park Service rangers providing commentary during Glacier Bay transits.