Koningsdam Entertainment Announced.
We already know that Holland America Line‘s new ms Koningsdam will introduce a variety of unique features and a new class of cruise ship.  Holland America’s first purpose-built staterooms for families as well as single cabins are new among its 1,331 guest accommodations.  A re-designed casual Lido Market with themed serving stations and a stunning main dining room will redefine standard fare.   A new immersive dinner experience in the Culinary Arts Center Presented By Food & Wine Magazine add to an impressive list of new offerings, building on a solid foundation of excellence.   Applying a similarly sound yet original focus, Holland America Line has raised the curtain on Koningsdam entertainment venues and we like what we see.

Koningsdam Entertainment: The Queen’s Lounge, Home Of BB King’s Blues Club

Already a hit on three Holland America ships with three more coming in the future and in place at the debut of Koningsdam, BB King’s Blues Club is live a live entertainment event in the ship’s Queens Lounge five nights a week.  The new design on Koningsdam expands the space, now rising two floors high.

After each evening’s performance, that same space takes advantage of the largest dance floor on the ship, featuring live music, state-of-the-art sound and special LED lighting effects

Earlier in the day, the same comfortable space will host presentations, speakers and other activities, as well as special entertainment events.

Koningsdam Entertainment: Lincoln Center Stage

Partnering with New York’s Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, Lincoln Center Stage will be part an impressive amount of space devoted to the Music Walk complex on Koningsdam.  As part of the exclusive partnership, Lincoln Center Stage will showcase an ensemble performing chamber music, with multiple programs 6 nights a week.  On days at sea, an afternoon recital will be featured.

On our wish list:  An afternoon recital with tea time seems a natural pairing.  Or a wine tasting somewhere in there, before or after the performance.  There are a number of interesting possibilities.   After all, the entire Music Walk space looks to be a perfect fit for fans of Holland America Line.

“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,” – Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

Better yet, in our hunt for cruise line efforts to differentiate themselves from one another,  the Music Walk should also be a big point in favor of choosing a Holland America sailing over other lines for those with whom world-class music resonates.

But it is not all about classical music, strictly blues or a vibrant late night dance party scene on the Koningsdam entertainment menu.  Billboard Onboard is Holland America’s answer to dueling piano bars, cover bands and trendy if not howling music venues which have experienced extraordinary success with other cruise lines.

Koningsdam Entertainment: Billboard Onboard Brings Quality Audience Participation

Billboard Onboard promises an interactive music experience based on 50 years of chart-topping hits.  The huge net cast by that focus will obviously rely heavily on how flexible, well-versed and in touch performers are with the audience at hand, every night, to be even moderately successful; what we might expect.  To match the potential entertainment value of Lincoln Center Stage and BB King’s Blues Club, the content delivered will have to touch guests in an entirely different, effective way.

To maximize the chances of that happening, the Koningsdam entertainment programming people at Holland America Line have what looks to be a good mix of talent in place.  Two pianists, a guitarist and a DJ will take turns performing shows centered around Billboard-sourced facts and figures of the music industry.  Still, more than an edumusical effort it will take to put this venue over the top.

Taking a cue from Holland America’s, if not the cruise industry’s,  well-polished onboard programming choreography that, if bought into hook, line and sinker produce amazing travel experiences, the Billboard Onboard experience begins with guests singing and playing along as trivia questions are presented on screens throughout the room.   Koningsdam Entertainment Fun and games?  Yes.  Serious business? Also yes.

“Billboard is the authoritative voice in the music industry. We are excited to expand our influence to interesting concepts that make sense for the brand,” said John Amato, co-president, Billboard and The Hollywood Reporter of the Koningsdam Entertainment partnership. “The inherent trust we have with our audience brings credibility and power to this new music venue and allows artists another platform to share their talents.”

 

Not Really About Koningsdam Entertainment But Also Interesting And Related:
Koningsdam deck plans bring something new to Holland America Line, interesting music-themed names for decks four through seven.  Gone are names like Lower Promenade, Verandah, Upper Verandah and Lower Verandah in favor of classical Beethoven, Schubert and Mozart with a nod to more the more contemporary with the Gershwin deck.  Also of interest for travel agents and those who enjoy tiny tidbits of fact, the two letter working abbreviation of Koninsdam: KO