HAL-Holland America Line announced that when its ms Rotterdam VII is officially named next spring, HRH Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will serve as the ship’s godmother, carrying on a tradition dating back from the 1920s.
HAL’s connection to The House of Orange goes back about a century to Prince Hendrik who launched ms Statendam III in 1929. Since then, the Dutch Royal Family members have launched 11 more HAL ships throughout the years. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet herself named ms Prinsendam (1972), ms Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), ms Rotterdam VI (1997), and ms Oosterdam (2003).
Additional members of the Dutch Royal Family who served as godmothers include Queen Maxima, who named ms Koningsdam (2016), and ms Nieuw Amsterdam (2010). Queen Beatrix named ms Eurodam (2008). MS Rotterdam V was launched back in 1958 by Queen Juliana, while then-Princess Beatrix christened ms Statendam IV (1957) and Prinses Margriet (1960). MS Nieuw Amsterdam II was launched in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina.
The maiden voyage of ms Rotterdam departs on October 20, 2021, from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. The liner embarks on a 14-day transatlantic cruise to Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida). During her inaugural Caribbean season from November 2021 through April 2022, ms Rotterdam will sail on a variety of 5- to 11-day itineraries roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale in the southern, western, eastern and tropical regions. In mid-April, the cruise ship makes a 14-day transatlantic crossing back to Europe to spend the summer in the Baltic, Norway, Iceland, and the British Isles sailing roundtrip from Amsterdam.
MS Rotterdam was delivered by Fincantieri Italy on July 30, 2021. The date for the christening ceremony (to be held in Port Rotterdam) will be announced in the coming months.