Holland America Line is adding dedicated poolside live music venues to Oosterdam and Zuiderdam, with permanent bandstands set to become part of the two ships’ Lido Pool areas during their forthcoming major refurbishments.
The new performance spaces will host entertainment ranging from solo musicians to full live bands, while also giving Holland America a dedicated outdoor venue for some of its biggest onboard celebrations.
Both Oosterdam and Zuiderdam are 82,305-gross-ton Vista-class ships and are among six vessels being extensively upgraded through Holland America Evolution, a multi-year programme representing an investment of more than $500 million.
Oosterdam will be the first of the pair to receive its new Lido Pool bandstand, with the venue debuting following the ship’s Evolution transformation in 2027. Zuiderdam will follow as the second ship in the programme, returning to service after its own refurbishment in spring 2028.
Live Music Moves To The Lido Pool
Rather than simply being used for occasional temporary performances, the new bandstands are being designed as permanent entertainment spaces on the pool decks.
Holland America says programming will include both individual performers and full bands, giving the cruise line another location in which to stage live entertainment outside its existing theatres, lounges and music venues.
The bandstands will also become focal points for events including sailaway parties and Holland America’s Orange Party.
Typically held once during a cruise, the Orange Party celebrates the company’s Dutch roots and encourages passengers to wear orange for an evening featuring music, dancing and Dutch-inspired food and drinks.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been on a journey to expand and elevate our entertainment offerings across the fleet,” said Beth Bodensteiner, president of Holland America Line. “The new Lido Pool bandstands are another step in that effort.”
One advantage of placing the stages alongside the Lido Pools on Oosterdam and Zuiderdam is that both areas are covered by retractable glass roofs.
The roofs can be closed when weather conditions deteriorate, meaning performances and parties will be less dependent on sunshine and warm temperatures than they would be on a completely open pool deck.
The move also fits into Holland America’s wider effort to increase the amount of live entertainment available aboard its ships. Earlier in 2026, flagship Rotterdam emerged from dry dock with additional locations for live music as part of its own series of onboard improvements.
Passengers will first be able to experience Oosterdam’s completed Evolution upgrades when the ship returns to service on 2nd December 2027.
Holland America has opened bookings for its first post-refurbishment cruises, beginning with a seven-day Western Mediterranean voyage sailing round-trip from Barcelona. Oosterdam will subsequently cross the Atlantic and spend th
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