Holland America Line to Kick Off 150th Anniversary Celebrations
Holland America Line is turning 150 next year! The storied brand will celebrate its milestone year in 2023 and is kicking off the celebrations early with a special Transatlantic sailing later this month.
On October 15, 2022, Rotterdam will sail across the Atlantic from Rotterdam (Netherlands) to New York City. This route is special for the line as it retraces Holland America’s first-ever cruise back in 1872 on the original Rotterdam vessel.
"Holland America Line has evolved from a shipping company to a brand synonymous with exceptional cruise vacations, and this anniversary crossing is a tribute to the voyage millions of immigrants took to the New World," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. "We have guests who are sailing in October because their grandparents immigrated to the United States on a Holland America Line ship or because they've been fans for years, and we've filled the voyage with special moments that will create wonderful memories for everyone on board."
This special sailing will bring the cruise line’s rich history alive with onboard activities, culinary experiences, and entertainment. Special programming highlights are set to include:
- A performance of a new musical piece by award-winning composer Steven Schoenberg, written exclusively for the 150th anniversary. The composition will be performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America's Lincoln Center Stage musicians. The sailing will also include performances by popular jazz/swing Dutch musicians ‘Tiny Little Big Band’.
- A number of unique culinary experiences to bring a touch of the days past back to life. Each evening in the Main Dining Room, menus will include an entree item similar to a dish served as early as the 1920s. A special 150th Gala Menu will be served one night, with dishes from previous voyages past. Other special dining offerings are to include a pop-up experience in Tamarind, a ‘Throwback Happy Hour’ with drinks as low as 25 cents, and a Dutch High Tea.
- Onboard activities and enrichment opportunities to relive the history and roots of the company. Featured speakers will include Bill Miller, a maritime historian and Holland America Line authority, and Dr. Jennifer Foray, a professor of history at Purdue University, to deliver lectures on Dutch history. Guests can also enjoy special anniversary-themed trivia games, and presentations of ‘Origin Story’, a visual storytelling experience of the brand’s history shown on the World Stages.
Can’t make the kick-off sailing later this month, but want to celebrate Holland America Line’s special 150th milestone? Many of the same programs on this sailing will be featured on the official 150th Anniversary Transatlantic cruise next April. This 13-night voyage sails on Rotterdam on April 6, 2023, from New York to Rotterdam, with stops in Plymouth and Dover, England.
Want to join in on the fun later this month with Holland America on Rotterdam? Check out sailing details here.
Check out the details for the special 150th Anniversary sailing on Rotterdam here.
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