BBC Earth Experiences Rolling Out Across Holland America Line Fleet

BBC Earth Experiences Rolling Out Across Holland America Line Fleet

Cruise News – Nov. 29, 2016

Guests on Holland America Line ships can experience more of the world’s natural wonders, test their knowledge of our planet, and participate in family-friendly competitions through the cruise line’s exclusive partnership with BBC Earth. These unique performances and interactive programs, which are currently available on ms Koningsdam, ms Noordam, ms Rotterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Zuiderdam, and ms Eurodam, will be rolled out to the rest of the fleet (except ms Prinsendam) by March 2017.

“Since announcing the BBC Earth partnership, we have been looking forward to launching the programming on board; and now that it’s rolling out across the fleet it’s even more engaging and visually powerful than we imagined,” says Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Our guests are destination seekers with a desire to learn more and know more when they are cruising with us. ‘BBC Earth Experiences’ bring them to the most remote corners of the world in an incredibly innovative way.”

The new offerings immerse guests in BBC Earth’s award-winning experiences including “Frozen Planet Live,” a groundbreaking concert based on the BBC Earth “Frozen Planet” television series. “Frozen Planet Live,” on each ship’s main stage, features live musicians playing a specially orchestrated musical score by award-winning composer George Fenton as the images unfold on screen, taking guests on a journey into the wilderness of the polar regions.

Additional activities include “Inside Earth” documentary films; “What on Earth!” family game show, which uncovers all that’s weird, wonderful, and obscure in our natural world; and BBC Earth’s countdown fact shows, which are specially developed “BBC Earth for Club HAL Tweens.”

Guests who want a deeper BBC Earth experience can join select feature cruises with producers, cameramen, and presenters who will host master classes and question-and-answer sessions in their field. In 2017, four BBC Earth feature cruises have been scheduled. Featured guest talent will be announced at a later date. Feature cruises include:

• January 29, ms Koningsdam — 7-day Eastern Caribbean, roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale
• April 7, ms Oosterdam — 18-day Panama Canal transit from Tampa to San Diego
• July 8, ms Maasdam — 7-day Canada and New England cruise from Montréal to Boston
• October 27, ms Volendam — 14-day Taiwan and Japan sailing from Shanghai to Hong Kong

In addition, to celebrate Holland America Line’s 70^th anniversary of exploring Alaska, a new BBC Earth Alaska show will be developed for the 2017 Alaska cruise season. Show details will be revealed in early 2017.

^{Photos: Holland America Line/Renato Granieri}