By
Alex Smith |
Holland America Line has taken delivery of Rotterdam, the 11th ship in the cruise line’s fleet, in a handover ceremony at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
The ceremony was attended in person by Captain Werner Timmers, the ship’s master; Cyril Tatar, Holland America Group’s vice president of newbuilding services; and Giuseppe Bono, CEO of Fincantieri. Meanwhile, Jan Swartz, president of Holland America Group, and Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line, offered congratulations via video.
“Rotterdam looks stunning and will certainly live up to bearing such an iconic name as the new flagship of our fleet, carrying on a tradition of excellence that our guests have loved for nearly 150 years,” said Antorcha. “Thank you to our partners at Fincantieri and our own team members who worked tirelessly to deliver the ship on schedule during what has been the most challenging of times, and also deliver a ship that looks beautiful, is immaculately finished and will be an incredible addition to our brand. We cannot wait to welcome guests onboard later this fall.”
Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name after the cruise line’s first ship, which sailed its maiden voyages from the Netherlands to New York, USA in 1872. She will have capacity for 2,688 guests and will feature live music at the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard and B.B. King’s Blues Club. Dining venues will include French seafood brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer, sushi restaurant Nami Sushi, steakhouse Pinnacle Grill and Italian restaurant Canaletto. Club Orange will offer exclusive dining for guests in the Club Orange programme.
Rotterdam will sail from Amsterdam, Netherlands, on 20 October to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she will begin her maiden season in the Caribbean.