Holland America Line announced today the roll-out schedule for its popular Microsoft Digital Workshops. The successful program begun last April has already been implemented on five of the ships, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Eurodam and ms Noordam. Installation on 12 of the 14 ships will be completed by May 27, 2009. While ms Prinsendam and ms Rotterdam are not currently scheduled for implementation due to itinerary lengths, Holland America Line aims to ultimately apply the program to the entire fleet.
“The Microsoft Digital Workshops have become among the most popular activities for all ages on our ships,” says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The relationship with Microsoft has been fantastic and we are looking forward to having this well-received program across most of the fleet.”
“We are thrilled that passengers of Holland America Line are finding value in the Microsoft Digital Workshops,” said Chip Wood, group manager, Consumer Segment Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Providing guests with a comfortable environment where they can learn how to create, edit and share digital memories is a fun and unique way for Windows to enhance the cruise experience.”
The complimentary onboard workshops led by Microsoft-trained “techsperts” showcase state of the art technology, enabling all levels of camera and computer users to take better photos, make movies, edit and create scrapbooks and share digital memories. Guests learn how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking allowing friends and family to participate in their cruise experience even before they return home.
The program has its own dedicated space on each ship. Guests can choose to attend all or just some of the multiple workshops which are held daily. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called “Techspert Time,” is available for more than 20 hours each week.
The various workshops offer photo tips and introduce resources and Microsoft maintained technology available on the cruise. Guests can learn to download, crop and color-correct digital images as well as how to create panoramic pictures, photo cards and scrapbooks with Windows Live Photo Gallery. There are also sessions on how to produce and publish videos onto a DVD using Windows Movie Maker and how to create personal webpages or blogs with Windows Live Services and Windows Live Writer.
Microsoft Digital Workshops will begin with the cruise dates and ships listed below:
ms Zaandam, Jan 21, 2009 in Hawaii
ms Maasdam, Jan 30, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Zuiderdam, Feb 17, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Ryndam, Mar 5, 2009 in Mexico
ms Veendam, April 27, 2009 in Panama Canal
ms Statendam, May 10, 2009 in Alaska
ms Volendam, May 27, 2009 in Alaska
