HAL Adding Activity Specialists & Facilities To Enrichment Program

by Bruce Parkinson
Last updated: 8:30 PM ET, Sun March 5, 2023

Holland America Line is adding a full-time art and craft instructor and a sports director to each ship. These new permanent shipboard team members will be introduced across the fleet between March and April 2023.

In addition to the new positions, HAL will also add new art studios, sports facilities, game rooms and libraries throughout the fleet over the next few years.

"Activity experts have been a highlight of our long-cruise programming for years," said Michael Smith, SVP guest experience and product development. "As we look to enhance the guest experience on every cruise no matter the length, we're excited to expand many of those programs to all ships, all the time."

Pickleball on HAL — Playing pickle ball on HAL's Koningsdam. (Holland America Line)

Sports directors will help get guests of all ability levels moving, offering Holland America Line's "Tai-Chi for Everyone" sessions each morning at sea. As part of the line's partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association, sports directors will host tournaments and provide instruction for beginners.

Sports directors will also run games and tournaments for a variety of sports, including basketball, ping-pong and cornhole. Classic cruise games, such as ladder ball and shuffleboard, will be part of the program as well.

The art and craft instructor, supported by content creators, will lead painting, drawing, and colouring in a new art studio. The expanded program will also feature new sessions in crafting and needlework and the addition of a "Yarn Wall." Painting classes will be available with and without libations to encourage artistic expression.

Accompanying the new sports and art facilities, modern libraries are being added throughout the fleet in 2023 and 2024. A curated collection of over 250 titles comprised of a wide range of contemporary popular fiction, mystery, young adult and short stories fill the more than 1,500 book collection on each ship. Board and card game rooms will also be expanded with more games and puzzles for guest enjoyment.