Fly-Cruise Offer! Swing and Sway Aboard Oosterdam’s Big Band Cruise

When the horns start to sound and the saxophones playfully project their syncopated rhythms, cruisers aboard Holland America Line’s Big Band Cruise in 2016 featuring the Harry James Orchestra will be swinging, swaying and jiving!

Sing & Swing Across the Atlantic Ocean

Departing March 21, 2016, from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Oosterdam is sailing a transatlantic voyage to Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy. This unique 13-day itinerary is perfect for fans of that classic Sinatra big-band sound. After crossing the Atlantic, the ship will stop at Funchal, Madeira; and Cadiz (Seville) and Cartagena, Spain, before disembarking at Rome.

The Harry James Orchestra will perform up to four sets a day on Oosterdam’s Big Band Cruise.

With a total of nine days at sea, guests will have plenty of time on the dance floor. This one-of-a-kind experience highlights the most popular music of the 20th century with up to four performances a day in various venues on the ship. The world-class musicians of the Harry James Orchestra will take cruisers back to the post-World-War-II era with show-tunes, standards, love songs and music from the golden age of swing. Check out the video below for a preview of what Big Band cruise guests will experience.

Explore Onboard Activities Between Big Band Sets

Time flies aboard a Holland America ship where there’s no shortage of onboard activities. In between sets, cruisers can take a breather and explore all that the ship has to offer.

Our Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine is a venue that appears on every ship in the fleet. A “world class show kitchen at sea,” attending a show at the Culinary Arts Center will transport you to your favorite television cooking program featuring a show kitchen & celebrity chefs to boot.

A day at the Greenhouse Spa is the epitome of paradise. Enjoy a pampering massage; exotic skin, body, hair and nail treatments; a dip in a warm, bubbling hydrotherapy pool of seawater or lounging on a heated ceramic throne overlooking the vast sea.

Active cruisers love our fitness classes and facilities while others enjoy a good book or board game at the Explorations Café powered by the New York Times. Guests also can polish up on their tech skills and learn to edit cruise photos at a Digital Workshop powered by Windows. Guests love to top off every evening with high-quality dining, and dazzling shows.

When in Rome … Sleep Where the Romans Do at Two Local Hotels!

Once the ship arrives at Rome April 3, guests will enjoy a complimentary overnight in one of Rome’s finest hotels: either the Visconti Palace Hotel or the Hotel Giulio Cesare.

After Big Band cruisers disembark at Rome, they will have the chance to explore its many beautiful landmarks like St. Peter’s Basilica, Trevi Fountain and Colosseum.

Perfectly located in the heart of Rome’s historic and cultural center on the bank of the Tiber River, the Visconti Palace Hotel is bright and welcoming with an understated elegance. Within walking distance to St. Peter’s Basilica, the Roman Forum and more, the hotel also is home to the Rooftop Terrace, the perfect place to sip, dine and enjoy a perfect sunset.

Located down a tranquil street of Rome’s Prati district and a few minutes away from St. Peter’s Basilica and Piazza del Popolo, the Hotel Giulio Cesare awaits you in the elegant, upscale setting of an ancient patrician villa, dating back to the end of the 19th century.

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Special fares for the Big Band Cruise include a nonstop return flight from Rome to Miami including transfers from Miami to Fort Lauderdale and from the ship to the airport in Rome, or a nonstop return flight to Miami and a complimentary hotel stay in Rome the evening of April 4.

With amazing live music surrounding a journey to the Eternal City, all in Holland America Line’s signature refined style, the Big Band Cruise featuring the Harry James Orchestra will be the vacation of a lifetime.

Take Advantage of View & Verandah Savings!

If you’re interested in the Big Band Cruise, we have great news! This dream vacation just got even dreamier — as it’s part of the View & Verandah promotion featuring stateroom upgrades, up to 10 percent off shore excursions and up to 25 percent off Collectors’ Voyages on 2016-2017 sailings when booked by Feb. 29, 2016. So don’t delay and book now!

Thanks to the Harry James Orchestra for providing all photos and videos included in this post.

Love that Big Band sound? Tell us some of your favorite songs in the comments below!