Holland America Line and Back in Time for Bed to host family ship visit

Tuesday, Feb 17, 2026 0

Holland America Line and Back in Time for Bed (BITFB) have announced they will host a family ship visit onboard Rotterdam.

The event, designed specifically for parents working in the travel industry, will take place on April 3, in Southampton, from 10am-2pm.

Attendees will be able to experience a range of activities, including a preview of the onboard Kids’ Club, which features three programmes that vary depending on age:

* Kids’ Programme, for ages 3 to 6
* Tweens, for ages 7 to 11
* Teens, for ages 12 to 17

During the event, a ‘scavenger hunt’ will take place, so that families can explore the ship together and win Easter prizes. In addition, it will include lunch with menu options from the ship’s Lido Market, Dive In Burger or New York Pizza & Deli.

There is space for up to 75 people, who will be hosted by the Holland America sales team. It is the first time the line has organised a family ship visit in the UK.

BITFB is a support network for working parents across the UK travel industry. It was launched in February 2023 by Vicky Billing, director of trade and partnerships in the UK and Ireland at Riviera Travel, and Anna Perrott, chief commercial officer at Panache Cruises.

Vicky Billing said: “Anna, the BITFB board, and I are absolutely delighted to be partnering with Holland America Line for our upcoming family fun day. These events mean so much to our community, as they bring together working parents from across the industry and provide the chance to share something special with our children.

“I know my little girl, Ellie, can’t wait to step onto another ‘big ship’, and I’m sure many of our members feel exactly the same. It’s going to be a fantastic day for families, and as always, the travel industry shows just how much of a big family it truly is. We’re extremely grateful to Holland America Line for making this opportunity possible. Keep an eye out for the registration link; it’s going to be a whole lot of Easter fun.”

Karen Farndell, associate vice-president of sales and marketing for the UK and Ireland at Holland America Line, said: “We’re excited to be working with Back in Time for Bed to host our first-ever onboard family ship visit in the UK. From the imaginative world of Club HAL to our spacious family facilities, every detail is designed with togetherness in mind. Our Pinnacle Class ships even feature five‑berth family ocean‑view staterooms, giving larger families room to relax, play and explore in comfort.

“We can’t wait to welcome everyone onboard and create experiences they’ll talk about long after the day ends.”

For more details on the event, go to www.backintimeforbed.com