Holland America Line held its coin-laying ceremony at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy. Following Italian shipbuilding tradition, Mai Elmar, CEO of the Port of Rotterdam Cruises in the Netherlands, served as the ship's godmother.
During the ceremony, Dutch coins, minted in 1872 to honor Holland America Line's first Rotterdam, were soldered to the ship's exterior deck to bring good fortune, followed by a blessing from the shipyard chaplain. Those in attendance included Antonio Quintano, director of the Fincantieri Marghera shipyard; Cyril Tatar, vice president of newbuild services for the Holland America Group; and Nico Bleichrodt, vice president of international sales for Holland America Line.
“We are delighted to celebrate the tradition of the coin ceremony, which marks less than a year until the delivery of Rotterdam,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “With a name like Rotterdam, there is no one more ideal than Mai Elmar to serve as the ship’s godmother. Mai’s name is synonymous in the cruise industry with the port city of Rotterdam, and she has been a tremendous advocate for our brand for decades. We are thrilled that she is taking on this special role.”.
On October 7, the Rotterdam dry dock will be filled with water and the ship will be floated out to begin the next stage of construction. The Rotterdam is scheduled to be delivered on July 30, 2021.
Mai Elmar, godmother of the Rotterdam, has dedicated much of her time to the city and port of Rotterdam for many years. Since 2000, she has grown the Port of Rotterdam Cruises from zero to 102 cruise ships visiting annually. From 2011 to 2013, she was director of the ss Rotterdam, the renowned hotel ship and former flagship of Holland America Line. In 2005, Elmar received the Wolfert van Borselen Medal from the mayor for her contributions to the city of Rotterdam. In 2016, she was made a Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau, which is awarded for long and meritorious service to society, the state, or the Royal House.
The Rotterdam VII is the third in the Pinnacle Class series, accommodating up to 2,668 passengers. Measuring 99,800 gross tons, it will feature highly successful amenities and innovations, including the 270-degree World Stage surround screen, Rudi's Sel de Mer, and the Grand Dutch Café. The Rotterdam will showcase the hallmarks of Holland America Line, which drive one of the highest passenger repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine overseen by eight of the world's leading chefs; friendly, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations. The Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the Holland America Line name and the seventeenth ship built for the brand by the Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which recently built the Nieuw Statendam.
Following Rotterdam's maiden voyage on August 1, 2021, the ship will spend its inaugural summer season in Northern Europe.
