Holland America Line's flagship, Rotterdam, received royal treatment in a ceremony steeped in Dutch heritage on May 30, 2022, in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands served as godmother and officially christened the ship before dignitaries and guests.
During the naming ceremony, Carnival Corporation President and CEO Arnold Donald, Holland America Group President Jan Swartz, Rotterdam Captain Werner Timmers, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, and Mariner Ambassadors David and Gisela Gere joined the Princess Margriet to officially welcome the fleet to Rotterdam.
“Our heritage is deeply rooted here in the Netherlands, and we are profoundly honored to have Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet as godmother of Holland America Line’s fifth ship,” said Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line. “When Rotterdam was delivered in 2021, we postponed its naming ceremony so we could celebrate it in Rotterdam, because there is no better place to name a ship than in the city that gives it its name. 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 on board for the 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 a new ship joins the fleet.
The christening ceremony of the Rotterdam was also attended by Stein Kruse, senior advisor to the president and CEO of Carnival Corporation; Keith Taylor, executive vice president of fleet operations for Holland America Group; Randy Weisenburger, member of the board of directors of Carnival Corporation; Nico Bleichrodt, vice president of international sales for Holland America Line and Seabourn; Jaap Smit, commissioner to the King; and Boudewijn Siemons, director of operations for the Port of Rotterdam and chairman of the Cruise Policy Council. Antorcha was unable to attend the ceremony.
Holland America Line's connection with the House of Orange dates back almost a century. Since then, members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 other Holland America Line ships over the years, including Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet, who gave her name to the Prinsendam (1972), the Nieuw Amsterdam II (1983), the Rotterdam VI (1997), and the Oosterdam (2003).
The third ship in the Pinnacle Class series and the seventh ship to bear Holland America Line's name, Rotterdam carries 2,668 guests and features highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with its sister ships. Throughout the ship, Rotterdam showcases the Holland America Line characteristics that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by seven of the world's leading chefs; friendly, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.
The special seven-day cruise “Rotterdam Naming Celebration” departed on May 29th and sails round trip from Amsterdam (Netherlands), also visiting Kristiansand, Stavanger, and Flåm (Norway), with a scenic cruise on the Sognefjord. After this cruise, the ship will return to its home port of Amsterdam and spend the season offering seven- and 14-day cruises in Norway, as well as explorations of Scandinavia, Iceland, and the Northern Islands.
