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Holland America Line Marks 150th Anniversary in Rotterdam with Royalty, Citywide Fanfare and Dual-Ship Events

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Holland America Line Marks 150th Anniversary in Rotterdam with Royalty, Citywide Fanfare and Dual-Ship Events

Image Source, Holland America

Rotterdam, Netherlands, April 18, 2023Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, this morning following a 150th Anniversary crossing that departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 3. The ship’s arrival on the exact date of Holland America Line’s 150th birthday kicked off all-day celebrations that included royalty, local dignitaries, port officials and guests who commemorated the special day.

Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha was joined by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and descendants of Holland America Line’s original founders for a celebration at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s original headquarters from 1901 to 1977.

“The celebration of 150 years is about more than our history, it’s about how we are building on the legacy of a great brand to make it relevant for the next 150 years,” said Antorcha. “From those first early days, we built our reputation on the care we provided to every person who stepped on board. And through the decades, whether that person was an immigrant, a titan of industry, a soldier or a vacationer, each of them was treated as though they were a guest in our own home. It is still a hallmark of our brand.

“The fabric of history is woven from the threads of millions of stories, and at the heart of each of those stories is a person,” Antorcha continued. “I am certain that there are many chapters still to be written. And I hope that decades from now, those who come after us will gather on this very spot at Hotel New York to share them.”

From the ship’s arrival through an overnight stay, memorable moments marked the milestone. Inside a room that once collected luggage for immigrants in the early 1900s, Holland America Line presented a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell to be permanently displayed at Hotel New York. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet poured champagne over the bell, which is a Holland America Line tradition usually reserved for a new ship launch.

Holland America Line worked closely with PostNL, the postal office of the Netherlands, to design a collectable 150th Anniversary gold-foil stamp that was revealed by Bob van Ierland, director of mail, Netherlands, at the ceremony. The stamp, designed by Frank Janse, features an illustration of two iconic ships from the company's long history: Rotterdam VII, Holland America Line’s newest ship, and Rotterdam I, its first ship. The limited-edition stamp is available for purchase throughout the Netherlands.

In addition, members of one of Holland America Line’s founding families presented an original company share that will be kept as part of a special collection in the Rotterdam City Archives. Attendees at the Hotel New York ceremony included Holland America Line team members and more than 60 of the line’s top Mariners, guests who have sailed at least 1,400 days on the line’s ships.

Following a Gala dinner on board Rotterdam VII, Antorcha invited the ship’s guests to a party around the Lido Pool where he toasted to Holland America Line’s anniversary alongside ship’s Captain Bas van Dreumel and Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam and the ship’s madrina.

“To the builders, architects, visionaries and explorers who have brought us to today. To our generations of crew who have seen our guests from shore to shore. And most importantly, to all of the passengers and guests who have trusted us along the way. Cheers to 150 years and many more to come,” toasted Antorcha.

As a finale to the evening’s events, the city of Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge was illuminated with a special light display honoring Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary. Following the lighting of the bridge, Antorcha made his way to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and joined Zuiderdam and Grand World Voyage guests around the Lido Pool to commemorate Holland America Line’s birthday. The additional nine ships in Holland America Line’s fleet also held anniversary parties on board for guests.


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Holland America Line's Rotterdam Arrives at New York City on Historic Maiden Call

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Ship to overnight in celebration of the cruise line's 150th Anniversary

SEATTLE, Oct. 26, 2022  /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line's Rotterdam arrived at New York City this morning on its maiden call to the city following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 15. The ship is nearing the end of a 15-day cruise that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America Line's first ship — Rotterdam I — that departed Rotterdam 150 years ago Oct. 15, 1872.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially declared today, Oct. 26, an "honorary day" for Holland America Line to recognize the occasion and the historic contributions of the company to Manhattan throughout its 150 years.

To celebrate the milestone, an event is being held on board tonight for invited guests. A highlight of the evening will be the performance of a musical piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg, written exclusively for Holland America Line's anniversary to accompany a special short film about the cruise line's journey. The composition will be performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America Line's Lincoln Center Stage musicians.

In addition, the premium line will introduce a partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to celebrate the cruise line's 150-year journey from immigrant carrier to consumer ocean liner fleet. The partnership features on-board video content across Holland America Line's entire fleet produced by an Ellis Island researcher, as well as a curated exhibit launching in 2023 at Ellis Island detailing the brand's historical prominence in bringing one in 10 immigrants from Europe to the United States.

"We are excited to be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in such a vibrant city with our newest ship on a rare overnight call," said Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line's president. "There's nothing like sailing into New York under the Verrazano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Standing on deck, you can't help but think back to more than a century ago, feeling the emotion of arriving in America for the first time. Recreating our first voyage has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

During the crossing, guests indulged in exclusive menus that showcase Holland America Line's 150-year history with entrées each evening reminiscent of dishes served as early as the 1920s. One special 150th Gala Menu only featured items — from appetizers to desserts — from a previous Holland America Line voyage.

In addition to the cuisine, special programming included a "Throwback Happy Hour" that rolled back time with drinks priced as low as 25 cents, Dutch High Tea, presentations that relived the history and roots of the company and anniversary-themed trivia.  Holland America Line also introduced a limited-edition Pilsner beer — HAL Pils — in a commemorative can adorned with the iconic Jan van Beers advertising poster of 1898 showing a woman holding a Holland America Line steamship above her head.

For travelers looking to continue the celebration, many of the same special culinary and enrichment programs will be offered on another 150th Anniversary Transatlantic departing April 6, 2023, from New York, ending at Rotterdam April 18, the cruise line's 150th birthday.


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