Holland America Line is giving a whole new meaning to the “cruise to nowhere” concept. This weekend, the cruise line will set sail exclusively on social media, taking fans on a virtual week-long cruise to Norway.
The trip aboard the Nieuw Statendam “departs” this Sunday (Aug. 16) and follows the success of a similar virtual voyage to Alaska in June. Guests on the brand’s Facebook page (along with Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne’s page), can follow the “Norse Legends” itinerary and experience live events, scenic videos, vivid imagery and interactive activities.
Fans can join in on Facebook throughout the day, starting with breakfast on the verandah or coffee at Grand Dutch Café leading up to an after-dinner performance from Step One Dance Company or viewing of the Midnight Sun. Each evening at “turn-down” service, the When & Where daily program will be posted on Facebook, outlining activities for the following day.
The virtual voyage can also be followed on Twitter and Instagram.
Participants will sail roundtrip from Amsterdam and will “make calls” at Eidfjord, Ålesund, Geiranger and Bergen, where Holland America Line will conduct shore excursions and show off local customs, immersing fans in the country’s unique Scandinavian culture.
Stunning videos of the scenic fjords and waterfalls are a highlight of the virtual experience.
On select days, fans can join Wayne for live events, including Tuesday Trivia, Norwegian lessons, an Aquavit tasting, towel animal folding demonstration, cocktails with a local, and a reading of a Norwegian children’s story.
Additional non-live, interactive activities include “coffee with the ship’s engineers,” a downloadable word search, Lincoln Center Stage performance of an Edvard Grieg piece (the Norwegian composer is from Bergen), Port-to-Table recipes, and more.
HAL@HOME
In addition to the Virtual Voyages to Alaska and Norway, Holland America Line continues to offer HAL@HOME, a virtual e-cruise initiative that began in March. Fans can experience the brand’s onboard entertainment, culinary scene, destination highlights, and more, with cooking demonstrations, musical performances and enriching videos, all from the comfort of their computer.
HAL@HOME editions are released weekly, with plans for the series to continue through fall. Examples include O, The Oprah Magazine: Discover Your Best Life workbook; Lincoln Center Stage: Married musicians Kelley and Jesus perform “Concerto for Two Violins”; Talking Wine with James Suckling: Cork versus Screw Cap; Master Mixologist Dale DeGroff Makes a Blue Florida Cocktail; The Golden Age of Cruising; and Cooking with Master Chef Rudi Sodamin: Scallops and Citrus Salad.
At the same time, Seth Wayne continues to host ‘Tuesday Trivia’ sessions on his Facebook page, with thousands of fans tuning in each week to play along. Topics have ranged from food fun and world holidays to world landmarks and music.