Princess Margriet of the Netherlands joined festivities inside
company's historic headquarters; anniversary parties across the
Holland America Line fleet and aboard Rotterdam VII in Rotterdam and Zuiderdam in Amsterdam
ROTTERDAM, Netherlands, April 18,
2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line's flagship Rotterdam arrived at the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, this morning
following a 150th Anniversary crossing that departed Fort Lauderdale, Florida, April 3. The ship's arrival on the exact date of
Holland America Line's 150th birthday kicked off all-day
celebrations that included royalty, local dignitaries, port
officials and guests who commemorated the special day.
Princess Margriet joined festivities at
historic headquarters; anniversary parties across the Holland
America Line Fleet
Holland America Line President Gus
Antorcha was joined by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet
of the Netherlands, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed
Aboutaleb and descendants of Holland America Line's original
founders for a celebration at Hotel New York, home to Holland
America Line's original headquarters from 1901 to 1977.
"The celebration of 150 years is about more than our history,
it's about how we are building on the legacy of a great brand to
make it relevant for the next 150 years," said Antorcha. "From
those first early days, we built our reputation on the care we
provided to every person who stepped on board. And through the
decades, whether that person was an immigrant, a titan of industry,
a soldier or a vacationer, each of them was treated as though they
were a guest in our own home. It is still a hallmark of our
brand.
"The fabric of history is woven from the threads of millions of
stories, and at the heart of each of those stories is a person,"
Antorcha continued. "I am certain that there are many chapters
still to be written. And I hope that decades from now, those who
come after us will gather on this very spot at Hotel New York to
share them."
From the ship's arrival through an overnight stay, memorable
moments marked the milestone. Inside a room that once collected
luggage for immigrants in the early 1900s, Holland America Line
presented a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell to be permanently
displayed at Hotel New York. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet
poured champagne over the bell, which is a Holland America Line
tradition usually reserved for a new ship launch.
Holland America Line worked
closely with PostNL, the postal office of the Netherlands, to design a collectable 150th
Anniversary gold-foil stamp that was revealed by Bob van Ierland, director of mail, Netherlands, at the ceremony. The stamp,
designed by Frank Janse, features an
illustration of two iconic ships from the company's long history:
Rotterdam VII, Holland America Line's newest ship, and Rotterdam I,
its first ship. The limited-edition stamp is available for purchase
throughout the Netherlands.
In addition, members of one of Holland America Line's founding
families presented an original company share that will be kept as
part of a special collection in the Rotterdam City Archives.
Attendees at the Hotel New York ceremony included Holland America
Line team members and more than 60 of the line's top Mariners,
guests who have sailed at least 1,400 days on the line's ships.
Following a Gala dinner on board Rotterdam VII, Antorcha invited
the ship's guests to a party around the Lido Pool where he toasted
to Holland America Line's anniversary alongside ship's Captain
Bas van Dreumel and Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port
Rotterdam and the ship's madrina.
"To the builders, architects, visionaries and explorers who have
brought us to today. To our generations of crew who have seen our
guests from shore to shore. And most importantly, to all of the
passengers and guests who have trusted us along the way. Cheers to
150 years and many more to come," toasted Antorcha.
As a finale to the evening's events, the city of Rotterdam's Erasmus
Bridge was illuminated with a special light display honoring
Holland America Line's 150th Anniversary. Following the lighting of
the bridge, Antorcha made his way to Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and joined
Zuiderdam and Grand World Voyage guests around the Lido Pool to
commemorate Holland America Line's birthday. The additional nine
ships in Holland America Line's
fleet also held anniversary parties on board for guests.
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/nbc6wjbf.
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