A UK film crew is putting the finishing touches on a new television series that promises to take viewers behind the scenes onboard two Holland America Line ships as they sail three voyages in various parts of the world.
The “Secrets of Supercruisers” project is a partnership between Crackit TV, an independent production studio based in Manchester, England, and the UK’s Channel 4, a public service broadcaster.
Filmed aboard Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam, both Pinnacle-class ships that accommodate 2,600 guests in double occupancy, the 8-part series details the onboard and shoreside experiences guests enjoy while sailing in the Caribbean, South America, North Africa, and the Canary Islands.
The name of the series might imply that the show focuses on guests who spend all or most of their time living on cruise ships, but that is not the case. Rather, the ships themselves are the “supercruisers.”
They are also labeled as luxury cruise ships, although in industry parlance, Holland America Line is a premium line, not a luxury line.
It isn’t just the guest experience that is highlighted in the hour-long episodes but also the hard work of crew members as they strive to deliver first-rate service to passengers.
“Crackit TV have brilliantly captured the life and activities on board a supercruiser. The series will take viewers on a journey to some of the world’s most beautiful places but also giving them insight into all the hard work it takes to deliver the holiday of a lifetime to thousands of guests,” said Deborah Dunnett, Commissioning Editor at Channel 4.
It was not revealed when the series, which is scheduled to air sometime in summer 2025, was filmed since Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam are currently sailing British Isles and Northern Europe itineraries.
Nieuw Statendam, which launched in 2017, is operating cruises of varying lengths roundtrip from Dover, England, and Rotterdam, Netherlands. Rotterdam, which entered service in 2020, is sailing 7- and 14-night cruises roundtrip from Rotterdam and between Rotterdam and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Along with the onboard experience, the series showcases some of the land tours and activities guests were offered, such as horseback riding in the Bahamas and rum tasting in the Dominican Republic, for instance.
“If you think you know cruising, then prepare to be dazzled by the next-level experiences these sensational supercruises have to offer,” said Elaine Hackett, CEO of Crackit TV.
Channel 4 is accessible to viewers in the UK and Ireland. Cruise enthusiasts in other parts of the world might be able to watch the show if it is streamed on the channel’s website, Channel4.com, or if it becomes available on other streaming platforms.
Cruise Films Can Be a Help — or a Hindrance
There is no shortage of TV shows focused on cruising. On YouTube alone, viewers can watch hundreds of cruise ship-based films and videos that depict life onboard, including reviews by amateur travel influencers and professional industry journalists.
Read Also: What Are the Best Cruise Lines for Families?
Sometimes a cruise film brings unwelcome publicity. Most recently, Netflix aired its unflattering documentary, “The Poop Cruise,” which is one episode in the network’s “Trainwreck” anthology.
The film recounts the aftermath of an engine room fire aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Triumph in 2013, when the ship lost power and drifted for days in the Gulf of Mexico. Without power, toilets didn’t work and the sailing became known as “The Poop Cruise.”
Following the airing of the film on June 24, 2025, Carnival Cruise Line issued a statement noting that it has invested millions in fire protection and suppression systems since the unfortunate voyage. Also, since then, the name of the ship was changed to Carnival Sunrise.
For some cruise lines, having social media influencers onboard their ships can be a good thing. Take Royal Caribbean as an example. It operated the Ultimate World Cruise aboard Serenade of the Seas in 2023-24, which was chronicled by multiple guests on TikTok and attracted huge numbers of viewers.
