Holland America Line ship Rotterdam has departed on its 14-day maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.The 2,668-guest vessel was delivered in July 2021 and is the third in the line’s Pinnacle-class and the seventh ship to bear the name.Following the transatlantic crossing to Florida, Rotterdam will spend from November through to April 2022 on its inaugural Caribbean season, with all sailings round-trip from Fort Lauderdale.Itineraries will range from six to 11 days and span the entire region on southern, eastern, western and tropical voyages, Holland America Line said.Guests looking for a longer cruise can embark on a Collectors’ Voyage – combined back-to-back itineraries that offer a more in-depth exploration covering more than one area.Every Caribbean cruise will feature a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island.President Gus Antorcha said: “Rotterdam’s maiden voyage has been highly anticipated for months by our guests and team members eager to welcome them aboard.“Rotterdam is a beautiful ship and the fourth in our fleet to begin cruising this year. We are excited to bring her to Florida and the Caribbean soon on her first sailing.”Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was recently announced as Rotterdam’s godmother – a position that will be formally confirmed when the ship is officially named in the spring.
Rotterdam features the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant and Grand Dutch Café.It also has the Half Moon Bar, an “immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail”, the line explained.In other Holland America Line news, the line will celebrate 75 years of cruising in Alaska in 2022.In addition, the line’s UK & Ireland director of sales Wendy Lahmich recently told CTN that “cruising has a really bright future”, adding: “The way that the cruise lines have handled themselves and the industry has handled itself [during the pandemic], and the way that we’ve come together, has been phenomenal.”
Holland America Line is resuming service on the West Coast today, as the Koningsdam welcomes guests back in San Diego.
After a 19-month operational pause, the 2016-built vessel is starting a week-long California Coast voyage.
Debuting in the region, the Koningsdam is set to visit three ports during the cruise, including Catalina Island and San Francisco, where an overnight stop allows the guests to explore further. Before returning to its homeport, the 2,650-guest ship also pays a visit to Ensenada, a popular cruise port in Mexico.
Now sailing from San Diego every Sunday, the Koningsdam is also offering Mexican Riviera itineraries through the end of the year. The seven-night cruises include call in three ports: Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlán and Puerto Vallarta.
From January, the vessel’s program will see the addition of longer voyages to Hawaii, with visits to Honolulu, Hilo, Lahaina and more.
Inspired by Holland America Lines’ Dutch roots and heritage, the Koningsdam was named to honour His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in over a century.
With the word koning standing for “king” in Dutch, the name is also meant, according to the company, to celebrate the majestic ship.
As the first vessel in the Pinnacle-class, the Koningsdam ushered a new era for Holland America Line, debuting a new design approach and several new features.
With interiors created by Adam D. Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten, the 99,500-ton ship was conceived to blend a fresh, contemporary styling with the line’s renowned classic elegance.
The iconic Queen’s Lounge, for instance, was completely reimagined for the ship, becoming an elegant theatre and entertainment venue that spans two floors.
Also debuting was an updated culinary vision for the fleet, with new dining and eatery concepts, including the Grand Dutch Café, another nod to Holland America Line’s heritage, and a place to grab Dutch-themed snacks and beverages.
Following the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Eurodam, which resumed service in July and August, respectively, the Koningsdam is the third Holland America Line vessel to restart guest services.
With more cruise vessels sailing again, premium cruise brands are quickly resuming operations around the world.
Here are the latest plans from eight key brands:
Celebrity Cruises First sailing: In service since June 5, 2021 Ships: Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Edge, Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Flora, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Xpedition, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Xploration Regions: Caribbean, Mediterranean, United Kingdom, Galapagos and Alaska
As part of its phased restart plan, Celebrity Cruises currently has eight vessels back in service. After first resuming guest operations in the Caribbean and in the Mediterranean, the Royal Caribbean-owned brand welcomed the passengers back in the United Kingdom and in the Galapagos.
Holland America Line First sailing: In service since July 24, 2021
Ships: Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Zuiderdam, Koningsdam, Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam Regions: Alaska, Mediterranean, Mexico, Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal and California
Princess Cruises First sailing: In service since July 25, 2021 Ships: Majestic Princess, Sky Princess, Regal Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess, Enchanted Princess, Caribbean Princess and Crown Princess Regions: Alaska, United Kingdom, Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexico, Hawaii and California
Princess Cruises returned to guest operations in the United States, as the Majestic Princess kicked off a shortened Alaska season in July. Based in Seattle, the vessel remains in the region through late September, before repositioning to Los Angeles for a series of West Coast cruises.
Oceania Cruises First sailing: August 29, 2021 Ships: Marina, Riviera, Insignia and Sirena Regions: Northern Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean and World Cruise
Oceania Cruises plans to resume service in August, with the Marina welcoming the guests back for a Northern Europe season. The 1,250-guest vessel will resume her originally published voyage schedule, starting in Copenhagen.
A second ship, the Riviera, will restart operations in October, sailing a series of Mediterranean voyages, prior to a winter season in the Caribbean.
Cunard Line First sailing: August 13, 2021 Ships: Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 Regions: United Kingdom, Transatlantic Crossings, Western Europe, Atlantic Islands and Caribbean
Before resuming international operations, Cunard is restarting service in the United Kingdom. Starting on August 13, the Queen Elizabeth offered a series of domestic scenic cruises around the British Islands, sailing from Southampton.
The Queen Mary 2, meanwhile, resumes service in November, offering transatlantic crossings before sailing new short breaks in Western Europe. Later in the year, the vessel is also sailing in the Caribbean with three new cruises.
Dream Cruises First sailing: In service since July 26, 2020 Ships: Genting Dream, World Dream and Explorer Dream Regions: Asia – Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong
The new program has the Azamara Journey resuming service on October 13, with a series of Europe sailings that will be extended through the winter. The Azamara Questwill offer an expanded season in the Caribbean after the initial sailings in the Mediterranean.
The Azamara Pursuit and the new Azamara Onward will resume cruising in 2022.
Saga Cruises First sailing: In service since June 27, 2021 Ship: Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Adventure Region: Europe – United Kingdom, Northern Europe and Mediterranean
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