HAL amps up entertainment with Billboard, Lincoln Center Stage

In addition, HAL will extend its relationship with the B.B. King Blues Club, now in its second year, to offer the hit program on Koningsdam, where the act while be housed in the Queens Lounge by night.

The details were unveiled during a packed news conference at Cruise Shipping Miami Tuesday, when the B.B. King Blues Club played a rousing set.

Billboard Onboard will mix it up with many styles of music, while Lincoln Center Stage will offer a piano and string quintet performing classic works in an intimate setting.

Koningsdam will also debut a new main entertainment venue, The World Stage, for performances in traditional theater style or in the round, incorporating a surrounding two-deck high LED screen. 'This will bring a whole new type of production to sea,' said Bill Prince, director of entertainment.

Both Billboard Onboard and Lincoln Center Stage will be aboard the new Koningsdam in 2016, but Billboard Onboard first will appear in a new venue on Eurodam while Lincoln Center Stage also will be on Eurodam starting in January 2016 and Oosterdam in April 2016. Aboard Koningsdam, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard will be part of the previously announced Music Walk complex.

The new additions follow the successful relationship with the B.B. King Blues Club, which is being extended. The concept will go on Rotterdam next month, followed by Koningsdam when it debuts in April next year.

The B.B. King Blues Club gave HAL 'a whole new twist on entertainment,' Prince said.

Going forward, HAL—noted for its live music—will have even more musicians on board by adding five to seven performers for about 22 to per ship, Prince said.

He added that the partnership with Lincoln Center Stage is expected to 'expand our net' to people who never though of cruising before.