Holland America Line is celebrating its Dutch heritage by launching the first ever floating Rijksmuseum.
Reproductions of some of the most famous masterpieces from the most visited museum in the Netherlands, which is home to The Night Watch by Rembrandt and The Milkmaid by Vermeer, will be installed on the cruise ship Oosterdam during its dry dock in April.
The Rijksmuseum at Sea will move fleet wide over the next few years.
The paintings will be displayed in a special space that will also allow passengers to discover their own creativity through art workshops. Entry to the gallery and the painting sessions will be free.
Guests will also be able to view videos about the celebrated Amsterdam museum on the TV in their cabins, and cultural presentations by Rijksmuseum staff will be available on selected cruises. Museum merchandise will also be on sale in Oosterdam’s shops.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, said: “Great works of art have always been the centrepiece of our onboard decor, and we’re excited that this partnership with the Rijksmuseum will add some spectacular reproductions to our collection of more than 1,300 pieces fleet wide.
“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.”
New foodie experiences on Koningsdam
The cruise line has also formed another new partnership to enrich passengers’ culinary experiences on its new ship Koningsdam being launched in April.
The Dutch “microgreen” specialist Koppert Cress will be supplying unusual varieties of cress, with flavours such as cucumber, garlic, mustard and liquorice, which will be on display in a glass-enclosed growing area and used in dishes served in the ship’s show kitchen, the Culinary Arts Centre.
Michael Smith, the line’s senior vice president, guest experience and product development, said: “Rather than being used as a garnish, the microgreens will be used as integral ingredients in the recipes. Our guests will be able to watch them grown during the cruise and then savour them freshly harvested during their dinner in the centre.”
For more information visit www.hollandamerica.co.uk.
