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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Two Canadians favorites in the semi-finals for Holland America Line’s “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Championship Cruise

***Update***

Brenton Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, representing ms Nieuw Amsterdam, danced his way to victory on Holland America Line’s “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champions' Cruise aboard ms Westerdam in the Caribbean.

After a few missteps while doing the samba, Ian Alldritt of Ottawa (Nepean), representing ms Zuiderdam, finished second.


The opening dance at the semi-final competition of Dancing with the Stars: At Sea. (Jim Fox photo)
   By Jim Fox
   AT SEA IN THE CARIBBEAN — Two Canadians are the judge and fan favorites after the semi-final competition at Holland America Line’s “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champions Cruise aboard ms Westerdam in the Caribbean.

   Ian Alldritt of Ottawa (Nepean), representing ms Zuiderdam, and Brenton Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, representing ms Nieuw Amsterdam, wooed the judges who gave them perfect scores of 30 in the semi-finals – and they continue to be the onboard fan favorites.

   A third Canadian – Caroline Chan of Vancouver, British Columbia – representing ms Zaandam, was eliminated heading into the semi-finals from the original field of 15 contestants representing one of the 15 ships in Holland America Line’s fleet.

  They were selected via the onboard “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” dance competitions held throughout the past year on every sailing.
 
   Ian Alldritt of Ottawa (Nepean) danced up a storm in the semi-finals (Barbara Fox photo)
   The 15 guests and their professional shipboard dance partners are performing and competing in the main show lounge for guests, as well as dance pros and celebrities from the hit ABC television show “Dancing with the Stars,” who are onboard the Champions Cruise.

   The winning couple will receive the coveted Holland America Line “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea Mirrorball Trophy” and title of Holland America Line’s “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” Champion.

   “The talent we’ve seen this year during the ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ guest competitions has been incredible and the Champions Cruise is going to be a week filled with intense and exciting competitions,” said Richard Meadows, Holland America Line’s executive vice president, sales, marketing and guest programs.

   “The Champions Cruise is the perfect finale that allows us to showcase the hard work and dedication of everyone involved with the ‘Dancing with the Stars: At Sea’ program over the past year, and we look forward to crowning the next champion.”
Brenton Mitchell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, did a flawless Foxtrot in the semi-finals. (Barbara Fox photo)
   The other semi-finalists who competed were: Kelly Cooper of Concord, Calif., representing ms Oosterdam; Frances Manzo of Woodlands, Texas, representing ms Volendam; Matthew McGloin of New York, N.Y., representing ms Eurodam; and Ritchie Valenzuela of San Diego, Calif., representing ms Westerdam.

   The three semi-finalists who will advance to the final competitions will be announced on Friday (Dec. 12).

   The other dancers eliminated so far were:
·         Simona Tsives of San Carlos, Calif., representing ms Amsterdam.
·         Elaine Jordan of Meeker, Colo., representing ms Maasdam.
·         Maurice Van Melick of Arnhem, Netherlands, representing ms Noordam.
·         Jacoba Wendrich of Barendrecht, Netherlands, representing ms Prinsendam.
·         Jamie Freedman of Boca Raton, Fla., representing ms Rotterdam.
·         Marie Liza Rodriguez of Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, representing ms Ryndam.
·         LeeAnn Valero of Bulingbrook, Ill., representing ms Statendam.
·         Summer Knowlden of Lehi, Utah, representing ms Veendam.

   Joining the Champions Cruise to perform in a special production show were two-time “Dancing with the Stars” champion Kym Johnson and pro dancers Sharna Burgess and Artem Chigvintsev. Celebrities set to perform include actress Sabrina Bryan and television personality Carson Kressley.

   The “Dancing with the Stars” talent dazzled the audience with dance numbers from the television series performed in the main show lounge. Additional events on the cruise include a special fashion show featuring the glamorous show costumes and a chance to meet the dance pros and celebrities, ask questions and take photos with them.

   The Champions Cruise visits the eastern Caribbean sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., with calls at Half Moon Cay, the line’s award-winning private island in the Bahamas; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos.

   Holland America Line’s partnership with “Dancing with the Stars” features the shipboard program through the 2015-16 sailing season, culminating with another Champions Cruise guest dance-off competition on the Jan. 10, 2016, western Caribbean sailing of ms Westerdam.

   The 2015 schedule also will continue to feature “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” programming on every cruise throughout the year, in addition to six special “Dancing with the Stars” theme cruises featuring the show’s professional dancers and celebrities. Celebrities and professional dancers for 2015-16 will be announced in the coming weeks.

For more information about the “Dancing with the Stars: At Sea” theme cruises, consult a professional travel seller, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com or the Plan a Cruise tab at www.Facebook.com/HALcruises.


Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link on the home page at www.hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; four annual Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in February 2016.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds. 

World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations. Visit us at
www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.

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