On October 15th, Holland America Line’s Rotterdam will set sail from the Netherlands bound for New York. This seventh iteration of the brand’s hallmark vessel will chart the same course that the first vessel bearing this name did in 1872. This voyage will set off a series of special events as the cruise line celebrates its 150th anniversary.
It’s not only the recreation of this inaugural cruise that’s cause for celebration. With the entire cruise industry on pause for over a year, 2022 is marking a major comeback for the company.
While Holland America Line did shed 4 vessels during the pandemic, the now 11 ship fleet will be fully back in service as of June 12th. The eleventh, and final vessel, Westerdam, will re-enter service with a roundtrip Alaska sailing from Seattle, WA.
This will make a total of 805 days since all Holland America Line ships were cruising the globe.
The cruise line has weathered several ups and downs during its history. The COVID-19 pandemic was perhaps its most disruptive; however, the cruise line has survived several interruptions in the past, like world wars and stock market crashes. As outlined in the line’s signature Origin Story main theater show, after each world event, the cruise line has found a way to adapt and move forward.
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Saving the Best for Last
This time around, the company is looking to its heritage to chart a course for the future. It starts with the third and final Pinnacle Class ship. This 7th iteration of the Rotterdam is an ode to the past with the forward-thinking design for tomorrow.
As the cruise line’s largest class of ship, this Pinnacle Class vessel combines a number of the line’s signature venues with a few new additions of her own to attract the modern traveler.
Rotterdam has four specialty restaurants offering upscale dining and international cuisine. She is also home to several music venues as part of the Music Walk. Not to mention, there is also exclusive entertainment on the World Stage.
These elements are designed to appeal to a more diverse market. With more interconnecting cabins and enhanced kids program, they are certainly looking to appeal to more multigenerational groups.
Still, there is plenty that Mariner Society members will enjoy on the new Rotterdam.
The Grand Dutch Café taps into the line’s history. With signature menu items and unique décor, the venue fits right in on Holland America Line.
Of course, there are other touches of Dutch history across the entire fleet. From the crew uniforms, to the Orange party and everything else in between, the cruise line is embracing its past as it looks to build towards the future.
With world-class dining, signature entertainment, and great service, Rotterdam offers a wonderful cruise experience regardless of the destination.
The Long Sail Ahead
Cruise line executives did confirm that Rotterdam would be the final ship in the class. With that said, there are no plans for the cruise line to get any additional ships in the near future either.
Currently, the cruise line has no plans to announce new builds until at least 2023 or 2024. For now, the cruise line is working to fill the ships they do have sailing in several regions.
Even though there is pent up demand for cruising, getting ships to capacity is not an easy task. Among the obstacles are crew shortages. A combination of COVID-related issues, as well as government regulations, has meant getting crew back onboard has been difficult.
This is true for all cruise lines, not just Holland America Line. So, its parent company, Carnival Corporation, has tried to support all brands by shifting team members when necessary.
In addition, the Volendam is currently chartered for humanitarian efforts. Docked in Rotterdam, the ship is providing housing for Ukrainian refugees.
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Traveling Closer to Home
This year also marks the 75th anniversary of when Holland America Line began sailing to Alaska. As one of the more popular destinations the cruise line visits, the brand has seen strong demand for cruises in that region. Still, there is a lot of competition.
As COVID cases continue across the globe, more travelers are seeking cruises closer to home. With the U.S. still requiring proof of a negative COVID test when flying home from an international destination, cruisers are hesitant about traveling abroad.
Thus, Holland America has positioned itself as one the leaders in cruising from North America. Alaska is not the only destination one can visit on a HAL cruise originating from a U.S. port. In fact, the cruise line offers visits to over 225 different ports in 91 countries on round-trip cruises from the United States. Some of these destinations include Alaska, Hawaii, South America, South Pacific, and even Europe.
In addition, the cruise line offers its Collectors’ Voyages. These back-to-back cruises offer different itineraries. Thus, cruisers can extend their vacations while visiting new and exciting places on each voyage.
Further, the company recently extended its Worry Free Promise through the end of the year. Now, guests can book a cruise before September 30, 2022 with peace of mind. The extended policy gives cruisers added flexibility to cancel and rebook. Additionally, if cruisers’ travel is impacted directly from testing positive for COVID-19, the cruise line will work with travelers to get them rebooked on a future cruise.
Following the restart, Holland America rolled out its Have It All package. According to cruise line representatives, this new “all inclusive” offering has been very successful. Cruisers opting for this package receive a Signature Beverage package, WiFi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credit for a discounted rate.
The Year to Try Holland America Line
With these new promotions and carefully crafted sailings, Holland America Line is optimistic about its future.
As fairly new Holland America Line cruisers, we have been impressed with our cruising experiences. Sailing in Alaska, the Caribbean, and now Europe, HAL has delivered a fun, enriching cruise in each destination.
Currently, we are sailing on the new Rotterdam for the second time this year. As mega-ship enthusiasts, this ship has just enough diversity in terms of entertainment and dining.
With a fleet of ships sailing across the globe, 2022 might be the right time for you to test out Holland America Line.
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