The present MS Rotterdam is the seventh model of the unique ocean-going steamer, the SS Rotterdam. This route is the reverse of the unique, maiden voyage in 1872 when New York City was the vacation spot.
The April 6 by way of 19, 2023, timeline begins in New York’s Pier 88, with stops in Plymouth and Dover earlier than disembarkation in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Upon arrival in Rotterdam, on April 18, a commemorative bell dedication can be held at Hotel New York with Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet in attendance.
The MS Rotterdam VII will arrive in her namesake metropolis with a A hundred and fiftieth Anniversary commemorative bell, within the model of a conventional ship bell, to be completely displayed on the resort. At the occasion, Princess Margriet will observe Holland America Line’s ritual of blessing the bell earlier than it’s donated to Hotel New York.
In addition to the Princess and HAL President Gus Antorcha, Ahmed Aboutaleb, the Mayor of Rotterdam, and descendants from two households of Holland America Line’s unique founders, can be in attendance.
Quite just a few tidbits of historical past have been shared about Holland America Line throughout this A hundred and fiftieth-anniversary Cruise. Here are just a few:
During the years of Prohibition, from 1920 to 1933, HAL got here up with the concept to take passengers on an in a single day Booze Cruise. Once the ship reached the three nautical mile line (a now out of date maritime boundary), crossing into worldwide waters, the legislation didn’t apply. For $10, partygoers could possibly be served no matter booze they selected, nicely into the evening. The subsequent day, the ship would return to port with a groggy group staggering off the gangplank.
Holland America performed a vital half in attempting to keep away from the Titanic catastrophe. A message was despatched from the Captain of SS Noordam, notifying surrounding ships, together with the Titanic, of the icefield. Legend has it that the alert was in all probability by no means learn by Titanic’s Captain Edward Smith.
One hundred and ten years later, in the course of the course of this historic transatlantic route, the Rotterdam reached the wreckage of the RMS Titanic, roughly 370 nautical miles south-southeast of the coast of Newfoundland. Captain Bas Van Dreumel stopped the ship for a short commemorative second. The Captain said, “It’s a tragic event and most companies wanted to forget this event as quickly as possible, but it’s because of that we are here, with much safer conditions, and better communication and that’s why I decided to take a moment, reflect on the past, stop and hold a minute of silence and then move onwards.”
The unique transatlantic crossings had been simply that, crossings, a technique to get from Europe to the U.S. and again. Wealthy vacationers had been situated on the highest two sections of the ship whereas immigrants, lots of whom had been escaping warfare in Europe, had been relegated to the decrease bowels of the ship, referred to as Steerage. Their cost was $10 per individual. Holland America modified the tradition of how these folks had been handled.
Where most strains would solely feed them two meals a day, HAL prolonged that to a few full meals a day with a menu from which they might select. Upon reaching the U.S., the elite passengers had been taken off the ship in Hoboken, New Jersey, and the immigrants had been shuttled to Ellis Island, the place they had been documented, checked for sickness and despatched to town, the place many began work that afternoon.
Fast ahead to over 100 years later and we take pleasure in transatlantic cruising as a type of recreation and leisure. This commemorative cruise contains Pop-Up eating places highlighting Dutch culinary selections and informative lectures held every day by Maritime Historian Bill Miller.
“Mr. Ocean Liner’s” distinctive model of taking us again in time is priceless. When transatlantic journey took a month to get from Rotterdam to NYC, the passenger expertise was a lot completely different than as we speak. Mr. Miller’s descriptions are full of caprice and enthusiasm for an trade to which he’s devoted his life.
This notably historic route is the one one scheduled to coordinate with the precise A hundred and fiftieth-anniversary date of April 18. However, all Holland America ships, by way of the tip of the 12 months, will provide many occasions and menu gadgets to commemorate this necessary date.
With the rollout of HAL’s 48 Heritage Cruises, particular itineraries in lots of areas will embody Alaska, the Mediterranean, Mexico and the Caribbean, amongst others. These itineraries will spotlight unique experiences akin to historic dinner menus and meal choices; Throwback Happy Hours which roll again time and have choose drinks priced as little as 75 cents; and particular Dutch excessive tea that includes retro candy and savory bakery gadgets.
“As a beloved company that’s been around for 150 years, these special Heritage Cruises allow us to continue celebrating Holland America Line with our guests in a meaningful way,” mentioned Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “We have a deep connection to ports around the world, and we’re excited to show how each highlighted destination has shaped our brand.”
All ships, by way of the tip of the 12 months, will function the A hundred and fiftieth-anniversary tributes together with the restricted version HAL Pils beer; an unique Holland America Line “de Lijn” gin featured in three new anniversary cocktails: Dutch 150, A hundred and fiftieth Martini and A hundred and fiftieth Gin and Tonic. Each ship can even provide the expertise of “Origin Story,” a visible narrative of the corporate’s historical past from its founding by way of the current day.
The seas have been each calm and tough for this journey. One can’t assist however marvel what the expertise was for these ships that didn’t have the superior stabilizers with new, state-of-the-art know-how. A a lot completely different expertise, for positive, however simply as superb.
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