Holland America Line has accepted delivery of its 11th ship, Rotterdam, from the Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
The newest ship in the Holland America Line fleet was previously meant to be named Ryndam, but following the sale of the 1997-built Rotterdam, she was renamed so that the flagship of the fleet would continue to carry the historic name.
Rotterdam and three other HAL ships will sail in the Caribbean
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Rotterdam is the 11th ship for Holland America Line and the third Pinnacle-class cruise ship, with a very similar design to Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam.
She’s 99,863-gross tons, carriers 2,650 passengers and features 7 restaurants, 14 bars and cafes, and four lounges, including the World Stage theater, Crow’s Nest lounge, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard.
She has also a casino, Rolling Stone Rock Room, an extensive Club HAL kids club and three pools and four whirlpools.
She was built at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy and was handed over to Holland America Line on Friday in a ceremony attended by the ship’s master, Captain Werner Timmers, and Cyril Tatar, VicePresident of Newbuilding Services, Holland America Group.
Giuseppe Bono, CEO, Fincantieri, and several other executives also attended. Jan Swartz, President of Holland America Group, and Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line joined via video conference.
Rotterdam was handed over by Fincantieri on Friday.
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“The 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,” he added.
“[They have] also delivered 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,” he said.
Rotterdam will remain in non-guest operations until its transatlantic crossing October 20th, 2021, when she’ll cruise from Amsterdam, in the Netherlands, to Fort Lauderdale, in Florida, to begin her maiden season in the Caribbean.
Holland America Line said the details of her naming ceremony will be announced at a later date.
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