Dutch Masterpieces Head to Sea with Holland America Line’s New Rijksmuseum Partnership

Program to feature ‘museum at sea’ with art reproductions, cultural activities and more

Seattle, Wash., Jan. 13, 2016 — Holland America Line is celebrating its Dutch heritage in a new partnership with Rijksmuseum, the most-visited national museum in the Netherlands. Through the collaboration, the “Rijksmuseum at Sea” created by Rijksstudio will be installed on ms Oosterdam during its scheduled dry dock in April 2016 and then move fleetwide over the next several years. The line has also become a new sponsor of the Rijksmuseum.

Reproductions of some of the museum’s most famous masterpieces will be showcased throughout the ship and a dedicated space onboard will invite guests to explore their own creativity through guided art workshops. Guests will be able to view videos about the museum and its collections on the in-stateroom television, while enrichment programs and presentations by Rijksmuseum staff will be available on select cruises. Guests also will have the opportunity to purchase special branded Rijksmuseum merchandise in the onboard shops.

“Great works of art have always been the centerpiece of our onboard décor, and we’re excited that this partnership with Rijksmuseum will add some spectacular reproductions to our collection of more than 1,300 pieces fleetwide,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Through art, like travel, we see things differently; we open our eyes to the world around us and see things we may never have experienced before.”

The new Reijksmuseum was announced at an event in the Netherlands and London. Pictured from left: Holland America Line’s Nico Bleichrodt, managing director, sales and marketing — North and Central Europe; Joe Slattery, senior vice president, global sales and marketing; Michael Smith, senior vice president of guest experience product development; Rob Baan, founder of Koppert Cress; and Wim Pijbes, general director of the Rijksmuseumm.

Rijksmuseum was founded in The Hague, the Netherlands, in 1800 and offers a representation of Dutch art and history, as well as European and Asian art from the Middle Ages to today. Rijksmuseum moved to Amsterdam in 1808 and was first located in the Royal Palace; it moved to its current location in 1885. In 2003, the main museum closed for a 10 year renovation and reopened in April 2013. Today the museum hosts nearly 2.5 million visitors.

“Both Rijksmuseum and Holland America Line are historic brands with proud Dutch heritage. We’re grateful that through our new partnership, Holland America guests from around the world will be able to experience our impressive collection at the Rijksmuseum at Sea, created by Rijksstudio,” said Wim Pijbes, General Director of the Rijksmuseum.

Rijksmuseum has a collection of a million objects dating back to 1200, with 8,000 works currently on display. Guests visiting the museum can see masterpieces by Dutch painters including Rembrandt, Frans Hals, Johannes Vermeer and Jan Steen.

For more information about Holland America Line, consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Editor’s note: Photos are available at https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/znyqsnuo.