HOLLAND America Line’s 150th anniversary celebrations next week will be filled with historic events in the cruise line’s founding city of Rotterdam. The celebrations begin upon Holland America’s flagship Rotterdam’s arrival at her namesake city on Tue, at the end of her 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, which departed New York...
HOLLAND America Line’s 150th anniversary celebrations next week will be filled with historic events in the cruise line’s founding city of Rotterdam.
The celebrations begin upon Holland America’s flagship Rotterdam’s arrival at her namesake city on Tue, at the end of her 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing, which departed New York City on Fri.
President Gus Antorcha will lead the celebrations, which will be attended by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, who is the godmother of Rotterdam.
Also present will be the city’s Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb, and descendants from two families of Holland America’s original founders.
A highlight will see Holland America present a commemorative 150th anniversary bell, in the style of that traditionally found on a ship, to be permanently displayed at Hotel New York in Rotterdam, home to the cruise line’s original headquarters.
Princess Margriet will follow Holland America’s ritual of blessing the bell before it is donated.
An original share of the first Holland America stocks will be presented to be kept as part of a special collection in the city of Rotterdam’s archives.
At the ceremony, mail corporation PostNL will also unveil a 24-carat collectable 150th anniversary gold-foil stamp to commemorate the special milestone.
Available for purchase throughout the Netherlands, only 1,000 stamps will be produced.
Meanwhile, Zuiderdam will be in Amsterdam, where she will host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage guests.
A gala dinner will be hosted on board both Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, before the celebrations move to the ships’ Lido pool area, with live music to end the special day.
However it is not just Rotterdam and Zuiderdam which will enjoy the celebrations, with events across the cruise line’s entire fleet to mark the day.
“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 honour our tradition while recognising the brand we are today,” Antorcha said.
“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”.
