On April 18, 2023, Holland America Line, the premium cruise company, will celebrate a milestone 150 years in the making. With a series of festivities in the Netherlands and aboard its ships, Holland America Line will mark its sesquicentennial birthday in grand style.
The Rotterdam VII, one of Holland America Line’s ships, will arrive at its namesake city of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, to join local dignitaries, port officials, and guests in the celebrations. The Zuiderdam will also be docked at Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and will host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage guests.
Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha will lead the events, accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam’s godmother; Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam; and descendants of Holland America Line’s original founders.
In a statement, Antorcha expressed the company’s pride in its heritage and its commitment to upholding its traditions while embracing modernity. The 150th anniversary events will honor the past and present, celebrating with those who have been part of Holland America Line’s story throughout the years.
The celebrations will kick off on April 18, when Rotterdam arrives in Rotterdam. The first event will take place at Hotel New York, once the historic headquarters of Holland America Line. The cruise line will present a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell, styled after traditional ship bells, to be permanently displayed at the hotel. Princess Margriet will bless the bell in a ceremony before it is donated to Hotel New York.
Additionally, an original share of the first Holland America Line stock will be presented for inclusion in a special collection in the city of Rotterdam archives. The ceremony will also feature the unveiling of a limited-edition, 24-carat gold-foil stamp by PostNL, the Netherlands’ postal office, to mark the anniversary.
Following a Gala Dinner on board Rotterdam and Zuiderdam, celebrations will continue at the Lido pool area with live music and a toast to the special day. Anniversary-themed parties will be held on the nine other ships in Holland America Line’s fleet.
The 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing aboard Rotterdam, departing New York City on April 7 and arriving in Rotterdam on April 18, will offer guests an array of special touches to celebrate the company’s birthday. Unique programming will include cuisine from previous Holland America Line voyages dating back to the 1920s, a “Throwback Happy Hour” with drink prices as low as 75 cents, Dutch High Tea, a Rijsttafel pop-up in Tamarind, anniversary-themed trivia, and historical presentations by maritime historian Bill Miller, a Holland America Line authority.