Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary Celebrations Filled with Historic Events in Founding City of Rotterdam April 18, 2023

Bell dedication by Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet, celebration at Hotel New York, and more mark the day

From a ceremony at an historic landmark with a special gift to shipboard celebrations, Holland America Line is getting ready to celebrate a day 150 years in the making. The premium cruise line’s 150th birthday is April 18, 2023. On that date, Rotterdam VII will arrive at its namesake city to revel with local dignitaries, port officials, and guests.

Zuiderdam will be at Amsterdam that day and host an evening gala party on board for Grand World Voyage guests.

Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha will lead the celebrations. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands, Rotterdam’s godmother will be in attendance as well. Also scheduled to attend are Ahmed Aboutaleb, mayor of Rotterdam and descendants from two families of HAL’s original founders.

“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 honor our tradition while recognizing the brand we are today,” said Antorcha. “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 throughout the years, alongside our guests, team members and the people of the Netherlands.”

Upon Rotterdam’s arrival on April 18, the celebrations begin at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s historic headquarters. The cruise line will present a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell — in the style of a traditional ship bell — to be permanently on display at the hotel. At the event, Princess Margriet will bless the bell before donating it to Hotel New York.

In addition, an original share of the first Holland America Line stock shares will become part of a special collection in the city of Rotterdam archives. At the ceremony, PostNL, the postal office of the Netherlands, also will unveil a 24-carat collectable 150th anniversary gold-foil stamp. Available for purchase throughout the Netherlands, only a limited edition of just 1,000 will be available.

Following a Gala Dinner, the celebrations continue with live music and a toast to the special day. Anniversary-themed parties also will occur on the nine other ships in Holland America Line’s fleet.

Anniversary Transatlantic an Ode to Dutch Heritage

During the 150th Anniversary Transatlantic Crossing aboard Rotterdam that departs NYC April 7, guests can enjoy several touches to mark the company’s birthday.

Special programming will include cuisine from previous Holland America Line voyages dating back to the 1920s. Additionally, there will be a “Throwback Happy Hour” with drinks priced as low as 75 cents, Dutch High Tea, and a Rijsttafel pop-up in Tamarind. Guests can also partake in anniversary-themed trivia and presentations by Bill Miller, maritime historian and Holland America Line authority.

SOURCE Holland America Line

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