Dancing with the Stars At Sea’s first season came to a close aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam earlier this January. 15 contestants, the highest scoring finalists from each ship in the Holland America Line fleet, gave it their all on the stage of the Showroom At Sea. As the January 12th sailing sailed on, the final 15 were narrowed to 10, then 6, and finally 3. Finally, on the final night of the Nieuw Amsterdam’s western Caribbean sailing, a champion was crowned.
Dancing with the Stars At Sea launched aboard the February 16th sailing of the Eurodam from Port Everglades. A first at sea, the entire ship was abuzz over the launch of the contest and the posse of Dancing with the Stars celebrities wandering the promenade of the Eurodam. The very first dance class of the fleetwide program was packed. Hosted by Joey Fatone and Sabrina Bryan in the Queen’s Lounge, hundreds of guests showed up to learn the latest dance moves from the real pros. As Joey and Sabrina welcomed the crowd of guests, the ship’s crew frantically searched for another venue to host the overflow from the Queen’s Lounge. Finally, another venue was found and the ship’s guests swayed and jived along with the motion of the ocean. Later in the sailing, Mark Ballas won the hearts of almost every female guest in a live acoustic show. While docked in San Juan for a late night departure, Sabrina Bryan, Kim Johnson, Mark Ballas, Joey Fatone, and a number of ship’s dancers showed off the latest costumes from Dancing with the Stars during a Puerto Rican deck party. Finally, on the last evening of the sailing, the show’s celebrities dazzled the Eurodam’s Mainstage with an awe-inspiring performance, leading to a standing ovation. For Holland America Line, the program was off to a phenomenal start.
As 2013 danced along, the buzz over Dancing with the Stars At Sea grew throughout the cruise industry. Each week, guests were competing in dance competitions throughout the Holland America Line fleet, eyes and heart set on the Nieuw Amsterdam in January 2014.
Throughout the year, the stars and celebrities from Dancing with the Stars At Sea boarded Holland America Line ships throughout Alaska, the Caribbean, and the northeast. Guests learned their favorite dances from their favorite dancers, enjoyed star studded performances, and danced their hearts out for a chance to earn a spot on the Championship sailing.
Shortly before the new year, Holland America Line selected 15 finalists for the Championship sailing. The highest scoring champion from each ship was notified and invited to compete on Nieuw Amsterdam’s January 12th sailing to the western Caribbean – the Champions Sailing.
The Championship sailing soon approached and 15 finalists boarded the Nieuw Amsterdam with their hearts and minds set on the mirror ball trophy. After a number of exciting and heart stopping rounds, the judges narrowed the contestants down to a final three: Kristin from the Noordam, Todd from the Amsterdam, and Allyse from the Westerdam. Finally, on the final evening of the Championship sailing, Allyse brought the house down with her romantic and awe inspiring performance of the Tango with her dance partner Tiago. Receiving a standing ovation and a roaring applause, Allyse was crowned the first Dancing with the Stars At Sea champion.
Dancing with the Stars At Sea: 2014
Holland America Line’s second season of Dancing with the Star At Sea is already underway across the fleet. Guests will have a number of opportunities to sail on Dancing with the Stars At Sea theme cruises this year throughout Alaska and the Caribbean. The second Champions cruise will take place aboard the Westerdam on December 6, 2014.
Dancing with the Stars At Sea Finale Highlights
