Holland America Holds Royal Ceremony for Rotterdam – Cruise Maven

Holland America’s newest ship, Rotterdam held the naming ceremony in the ship’s namesake metropolis, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.  Following custom, godmother to Rotterdam was none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

Currently, Holland The us Line’s flagship Rotterdam obtained the royal treatment in a ceremony abundant with Dutch heritage.  Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands,as godmother, officially named the ship in entrance of invited dignitaries and friends.

Upon arrival, Princess Margriet was welcomed at the gangway with a white floral bouquet offered by seven-yr-old Nora van Dijk, daughter of Nathalie van Dijk, who has been with Holland The usa Line for 15 years.

All through the daytime naming celebration, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald, Holland The usa Team President Jan Swartz, Rotterdam Captain Werner Timmers, Lord Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb and Mariner Ambassadors David and Gisela Gere joined Princess Margriet to formally welcome Rotterdam to the fleet.

“Our heritage is rooted in this article in the Netherlands, and we are deeply honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet as godmother of her fifth Holland America Line ship,” reported Gus Antorcha, president of Holland The united states Line. “When Rotterdam was delivered in 2021 we postponed its naming ceremony so we could hold it in Rotterdam, due to the fact there is no superior spot to title a ship than in the town it was named just after. After a difficult couple of yrs, we are enthusiastic to celebrate this unforgettable instant in our company’s historical past.”

Next the ceremony, a gala luncheon was held onboard for invited attendees. The festivities ongoing into the evening with a gala evening meal and the chance for guests to pour champagne above the ship’s bell. The blessing of the ship’s bell is a Holland The united states Line tradition when welcoming a new ship to the fleet. 

Also in attendance at Rotterdam’s naming ceremony was Stein Kruse, senior advisor to the chairman and CEO, Carnival Company Keith Taylor executive vice president, fleet operations Holland The united states Team Randy Weisenburger, board member, Carnival Company Nico Bleichrodt, vice president, international profits, Holland The usa Line and Seabourn Jaap Smit, commissioner to the King and Boudewijn Siemons, COO, Port Of Rotterdam and Chairman of the Cruise Coverage Board. Antorcha was unable to show up at the ceremony.

The Geres were being selected as Mariner Ambassadors for Rotterdam to honor Holland The usa Line’s appreciation of its faithful friends who are very long-time cruisers. Because 1st sailing in 1988 aboard Rotterdam V, the Geres have sailed approximately 2,500 times on Holland The us Line, together with various cruises on Rotterdam VI.

What is a Holland The united states Royal Naming Ceremony?

Holland America Line’s relationship to The Residence of Orange goes again practically a century to Prince Hendrik.  He released Statendam III in 1929. Since then, it’s become tradition for customers of the Dutch Royal Household and they’ve launched 11 further Holland America Line vessels all through the decades. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet also named Prinsendam (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam II (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997) and Oosterdam (2003).

Extra customers of the Dutch Royal Relatives who are godmothers include Queen Máxima, who named Koningsdam in 2016 and Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010. Then-Queen Beatrix served as Eurodam’s godmother in 2008. Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Then-Princess Beatrix named Statendam IV in 1957 and Prinses Margriet in 1960. Nieuw Amsterdam II was released by Queen Wilhelmina in 1937.

Rotterdam History

The 3rd vessel in the Pinnacle Class sequence and the seventh ship to bear the title for Holland The united states Line, Rotterdam accommodates up to 2,668 visitors and characteristics a lot of of the well known venues released with her sister ships.

All through the ship, Rotterdam showcases Holland The united states Line hallmarks that push a person of the highest visitor repeat rates in the sector: exquisite delicacies guided by 7 of the world’s top cooks gracious, award-profitable provider and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, together with loved ones and one accommodations.

Rotterdam delivers the best reside tunes at sea with an exceptional selection of globe-course performances nightly at Rolling Stone Rock Space with classic rock hits Lincoln Centre Stage, featuring chamber new music Billboard Onboard, where by stay musicians entertain the crowd with chart-topping hits and the preferred B.B. King’s Blues Club, bringing the best of Memphis audio to sea. With the 270-degree LED projection at World Phase, Rotterdam immerses guests in panoramic visual and seem consequences.

In addition to the amazing Dining Room, company can delight in specialty dining places Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie Tamarind, checking out traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan Nami Sushi with delicious sushi and Asian spirits Pinnacle Grill, the ultimate steakhouse at sea Canaletto with spouse and children-design Italian eating and Club Orange completely for company in the Club Orange system.

Rotterdam Spends the Summer in Northern Europe

Rotterdam’s special seven-working day “Rotterdam Naming Celebration” cruise departed May 29 and sails roundtrip from Amsterdam, Netherlands.  Ports frequented include things like Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flåm, Norway, with scenic cruising in Sognefjord.

Following the cruise, the ship will shift to homeport out of Amsterdam for seven- and 14-working day Norway cruises, as very well as explorations to Scandinavia, Iceland and the Northern Isles.

Rotterdam Background

On Oct. 15, 1872, Rotterdam I, the very first Holland The usa Line ship, embarked on its maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. Precisely 150 many years later on Oct. 15, 2022, Rotterdam VII will yet again depart from Rotterdam as Holland The united states Line recreates this historic 150th Anniversary crossing. 

The ship will call at Plymouth, England New York and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship will then cruise the Caribbean roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale for the winter season months.

Resource:  Holland America

Sherry Laskin

I’m the editor and creator of CruiseMaven.com, a solo traveler cruising the environment on waves and wheels, collecting recipes alongside the way.  I hope my posts and images entertain, suggest and inspire you to vacation the world with no traveling.  Just take a breath…stop for a local food and a glass of wine together the way.