Holland America releases pictures of new ship Rotterdam under construction

Holland America Line has provided a construction update on its new cruise ship Rotterdam, complete with pictures of the ship in the midst of the build process at the Fincantieri Shipyard in Marghera, Italy.

Rotterdam is making good progress, according to Holland America Line, which provided pictures from the shipyard of its new cruise ship as Fincantieri got back to work after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Rotterdam, which was previously going to be called Ryndam, before Holland America Line sold its current Rotterdam cruise ship, is expected to be delivered in July, 2021, after being floated out from her construction dry dock in October this year.

The pictures released by the cruise line don’t reveal much about the ship’s final look, but provide a fascinating glimpse into the immensely complicated process of building a cruise ship of this size.

The Magrodome is a characteristic feature aboard Holland America Line ships. Because they’re designed to sail in all weathers, it was important to the 184-year-old cruise line that passengers be able to enjoy the pool regardless of the outside conditions.

The Magrodome covers the entire pool area and can be retracted to allow natural sunlight to flood the whole deck when sailing in fine conditions.

As the ship has no power yet, all her electricity is provided by shore, you can see elevators are welded to the ship’s side. Of course, before the vessel is delivered, these will be removed.

This area will become the elevator lobby on Deck 2, facing aft and beyond the Atrium is the staircase (in white).

To the right is an area for the Pinnacle Grill and forward, where the aluminum is, Rudi’s Sel de Mer will occupy pride of place. The Ocean Bar will sit to the left of the Atrium.

Pinnacle Grill: focuses on premium ingredients—from wild-caught king salmon from Alaska to sustainably raised beef from Washington State’s Double R Ranch. Complementing meals are boutique wines from the Pacific Northwest.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer: is an intimate French brasserie with a menu that includes whole Dover sole meunière, oysters on the half shell, fruits de mer, and salt-crust baked branzino, as well as favorites such as steak frites, duck cassoulet and coq au vin.

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It doesn’t look very grand in its current state, but when Rotterdam is launched this staircase will be the centerpiece within the main dining room.

The main show lounge meanwhile is just a warren of scaffolding and steel frames, with the tiered seating just barely discernible, but will be the ship’s primary venue for music, song, dance, comedy, and more, dominated by the World Stage.

In the Greenhouse Spa & Salon the hydrotherapy pool is visible in the centre of the room. Holland America describes its spa as a “heavenly retreat [that] nurtures every aspect of your well-being”.

Rotterdam is the latest in the Pinnacle-class cruise ships for Holland America Line, a class which was pioneered by Koningsdam in 2016 and later Nieuw Statendam in 2018.

At 99,500 gross tons and 297 meters in length, with a capacity for 2,660 passengers, Rotterdam will be the same size as her sister ships, but will incorporate a number of design changes based on passenger feedback aboard Koningsdam.

When Nieuw Statendam was launched, for example, she featured an expanded World Stage theater and a redesigned Tamarind restaurant with outdoor seating and a new Nami Sushi Bar.