Bell dedication by Her Royal Highness Princess
Margriet, celebration at Hotel New York and events on entire fleet
mark the day
SEATTLE, April 6,
2023 /CNW/ -- From a ceremony at an historic landmark
with a special gift to shipboard gala celebrations and a toast
around the world, Holland America
Line is getting ready to celebrate a day 150 years in
the making. The premium cruise line's sesquicentennial birthday is
April 18, 2023, and on that date,
Rotterdam VII will arrive at its namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to revel with
local dignitaries, port officials and guests. Zuiderdam will be at
Amsterdam, the Netherlands, that
day and host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage
guests.
Holland America Line President Gus
Antorcha will lead the celebrations. Also scheduled to
attend the events are Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of
the Netherlands, Rotterdam's godmother; Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam; and descendants from two families
of Holland America Line's original founders.
"Holland America Line is a company that takes deep pride in our
heritage and respects the role we played in history, so our 150th
anniversary events honor our tradition while recognizing the brand
we are today," said Antorcha. "All of the festivities we have
planned carry special meaning, and we're excited to celebrate with
so many individuals who have been a part of our story throughout
the years, alongside our guests, team members and the people of
the Netherlands."
Upon Rotterdam's arrival at
Rotterdam April 18, the 150th Anniversary celebrations
begin at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line's historic
headquarters. The cruise line will present a commemorative 150th
Anniversary bell — in the style of a traditional ship bell — to be
permanently displayed at the hotel. At the event, Princess Margriet
will follow Holland America Line's ritual of blessing the bell
before it is donated to Hotel New York.
In addition, an original share of the first Holland America Line
stock shares will be presented to be kept as part of a special
collection in the city of Rotterdam archives. At the ceremony, PostNL,
the postal office of the
Netherlands, also will unveil a 24-carat collectable 150th
anniversary gold-foil stamp to commemorate the special milestone.
Available for purchase throughout the
Netherlands, only a limited edition of just 1,000 will be
produced.
Following a Gala Dinner on board Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, the celebrations move
to the Lido pool area with live music and a toast to the special
day. Anniversary-themed parties also will be held on the nine other
ships in Holland America Line's
fleet.
Anniversary Transatlantic an Ode to Dutch
Heritage
During the 150th Anniversary Transatlantic
Crossing aboard Rotterdam
that departs New York City
April 7 and arrives at Rotterdam April
18, guests will be treated to a host of touches to mark the
company's birthday. Special programming will include cuisine from
previous Holland America Line voyages dating back to the 1920s, a
"Throwback Happy Hour" that rolls back time with drinks priced as
low as 75 cents, Dutch High Tea, a
Rijsttafel pop-up in Tamarind, anniversary-themed trivia and
presentations by Bill Miller,
maritime historian and Holland America Line authority, that relived
the history and roots of the company.
For more information about Holland America Line, consult a
travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
hollandamerica.com.
Editors Note: Photos are available at
https://www.cruiseimagelibrary.com/c/typhtevu.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook,
Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also
access all social media outlets via the home page
at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line
Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation and
plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL and NYSE:CUK), has been exploring the world for
150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service
and genuine connections to each destination. Offering an ideal
mid-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114
countries around the world and has shared the thrill of
Alaska for 75 years — longer than
any other cruise line. Holland America
Line's 11 vessels feature a diverse range of enriching
activities and amenities focused on destination immersion and
personalized travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening
at Music Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from
a Culinary Council of world-famous chefs.
CONTACT:
|
Bill Zucker, Erik
Elvejord
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029,
206-626-9890
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line