Holland America’s Rotterdam Receives Royal Naming Ceremony
Holland America’s newest ship, Rotterdam held the naming ceremony in the ship’s namesake city, Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Following tradition, godmother to Rotterdam was none other than Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
Today, Holland America Line’s flagship Rotterdam received the royal treatment in a ceremony rich with Dutch heritage. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands,as godmother, officially named the ship in front of invited dignitaries and guests.
Upon arrival, Princess Margriet was welcomed at the gangway with a white floral bouquet presented by seven-year-old Nora van Dijk, daughter of Nathalie van Dijk, who has been with Holland America Line for 15 years.
During the daytime naming celebration, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald, Holland America Group President Jan Swartz, Rotterdam Captain Werner Timmers, Lord Mayor of Rotterdam Ahmed Aboutaleb and Mariner Ambassadors David and Gisela Gere joined Princess Margriet to officially welcome Rotterdam to the fleet.
“Our heritage is rooted here in the Netherlands, and we are deeply honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet as godmother of her fifth Holland America Line ship,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “When Rotterdam was delivered in 2021 we postponed its naming ceremony so we could hold it in Rotterdam, because there’s no better place to name a ship than in the city it was named after. After a challenging couple of years, we are excited to celebrate this memorable moment in our company’s history.”
Following the ceremony, a gala luncheon was held onboard for invited guests. The festivities continued into the evening with a gala dinner and the opportunity for guests to pour champagne over the ship’s bell. The blessing of the ship’s bell is a Holland America 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 Corporation; Keith Taylor executive vice president, fleet operations Holland America Group; Randy Weisenburger, board member, Carnival Corporation; Nico Bleichrodt, vice president, international sales, Holland America Line and Seabourn; Jaap Smit, commissioner to the King; and Boudewijn Siemons, COO, Port Of Rotterdam and Chairman of the Cruise Policy Board. Antorcha was unable to attend the ceremony.
The Geres were selected as Mariner Ambassadors for Rotterdam to honor Holland America Line’s appreciation of its loyal guests who are long-time cruisers. Since first sailing in 1988 aboard Rotterdam V, the Geres have sailed nearly 2,500 days on Holland America Line, including several cruises on Rotterdam VI.
What is a Holland America Royal Naming Ceremony?
Holland America Line’s connection to The House of Orange goes back nearly a century to Prince Hendrik. He launched Statendam III in 1929. Since then, it’s become tradition for members of the Dutch Royal Family and they’ve launched 11 additional Holland America Line vessels throughout the years. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet also named Prinsendam (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam II (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997) and Oosterdam (2003).
Additional members of the Dutch Royal Family 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 launched by Queen Wilhelmina in 1937.
Rotterdam Background
The third vessel in the Pinnacle Class series and the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line, Rotterdam accommodates up to 2,668 guests and features many of the popular venues introduced with her sister ships.
Throughout the ship, Rotterdam showcases Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by seven of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.
Rotterdam delivers the best live music at sea with an exclusive collection of world-class performances nightly at Rolling Stone Rock Room with classic rock hits; Lincoln Center Stage, offering chamber music; Billboard Onboard, where live musicians entertain the crowd with chart-topping hits; and the popular B.B. King’s Blues Club, bringing the best of Memphis music to sea. With the 270-degree LED projection at World Stage, Rotterdam immerses guests in panoramic visual and sound effects.
In addition to the impressive Dining Room, guests can delight in specialty restaurants Rudi’s Sel de Mer, a French seafood brasserie; Tamarind, exploring traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan; Nami Sushi with tasty sushi and Asian spirits; Pinnacle Grill, the ultimate steakhouse at sea; Canaletto with family-style Italian dining; and Club Orange exclusively for guests in the Club Orange program.
Rotterdam Spends the Summer in Northern Europe
Rotterdam’s special seven-day “Rotterdam Naming Celebration” cruise departed May 29 and sails roundtrip from Amsterdam, Netherlands. Ports visited include Kristiansand, Stavanger and Flåm, Norway, with scenic cruising in Sognefjord.
Following the cruise, the ship will move to homeport out of Amsterdam for seven- and 14-day Norway cruises, as well as explorations to Scandinavia, Iceland and the Northern Isles.
Rotterdam History
On Oct. 15, 1872, Rotterdam I, the first Holland America Line ship, embarked on its maiden voyage from Rotterdam to New York. Exactly 150 years later on Oct. 15, 2022, Rotterdam VII will again depart from Rotterdam as Holland America 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 months.
Source: Holland America
