ms Rotterdam

The 2021-built MS Rotterdam cruise ship (initially named "Nieuw Ryndam") is the 11th vessel in the Holland America Line's fleet and the 3rd of the company's Pinnacle-class liners (HAL's newest and ever-largest). Its sisterships are the fleetmates Koningsdam (2016) and Nieuw Statendam (2018) and also Cunard's Queen Anne. The new Rotterdam is HAL's 17th vessel built by Fincantieri.

On July 30, 2020, HAL announced that changes the ship's name from "Ryndam" to "Rotterdam" and that the newbuild will become the fleet's flagship. This is HAL's 7th liner to bear this name (aka "Rotterdam VII"). The last Rotterdam cruise ship was sold in July 2020 to Fred Olsen and later renamed "MS Borealis".

The new Rotterdam cruise ship (IMO number 9837470) is currently Holland-flagged (MMSI 245464000) and was delivered on July 30, 2021 (initially was scheduled for May 31st).

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle-based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands. In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean/Bahamian private island).

The 3210-passenger ship Rotterdam was initially named "Nieuw Ryndam", which was announced on April 7, 2019. The name honored the company's first Ryndam ship, part of the fleet between 1901-1929. The ocean liner was originally named Rijndam - until 1923 when it received the English "Ryndam". In 1927, Ryndam I became HAL's first ship with a world cruise, although the liner was chartered as a floating school for that voyage. The 2nd (Ryndam II) liner served between 1951-1973. The 3rd (Ryndam, built 1994) was sold to the sisterbrand P&O Australia in 2015 and is currently operated as Pacific Aria.

The new MS Rotterdam is named after Rotterdam City (South Holland, The Netherlands).

HAL's ever-first liner was named SS Rotterdam, which maiden voyage (Rotterdam to NYC New York) departed on October 15, 1872. On April 18, 1873, was officially founded the Holland America Line. The 1878-built "SS Rotterdam II" was purchased from British Ship Owners Co in 1886. The 1897-built "SS Rotterdam III" served HAL until 1906. "SS Rotterdam IV" (1908-1940, capacity 3139 passengers + 472 crew) operated regularly scheduled Mediterranean roundtrips from NYC New York. "SS Rotterdam V" (aka "The Grande Dame", 1959-1997) started regularly scheduled Transatlantic crossings until 1969 when was converted into a cruiser. The vessel also operated Grand World Voyages and is currently moored in Rotterdam City serving as a hotel ship and museum. "MS Rotterdam VI" (1997-built) is now Fred Olsen Borealis.

Decks and Cabins

MS Rotterdam staterooms (1340 total, in 35 grades) include 164 Suites, 748 Balcony, 147 Oceanviews (including 32x Family Oceanview and 12x Studios/single cabins), 280 Inside. Most cabins as sized ~180 m2 (17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 50 ft2 / 5 m2. Nearly 70% of the ship's passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite (970 ft2 / 90 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2 and fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi).

The boat has 13 passenger decks, of which 8 are with cabins.

Four distinct color schemes identify the spa, suite, verandah, oceanview and inside categories. Passengers enjoy the redesigned headboards with electrical and USB outlets on both sides of the bed, as well as stone tops on nightstands and decks, improved lighting and more storage.

Club Orange is an exclusive (Suite-only) venue integrated into HAL's "Club Orange" program providing exclusive amenities to passengers booked in the Suite categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by the Club Orange program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (Club Orange Restaurant/deck 2) serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange Restaurant occupies the area of the former "Culinary Arts Center". Culinary Arts Center was a premium dinner-only restaurant (cover charge $39 pp, unlimited wine included) via partnership with the “Food & Wine Magazine”. This open-kitchen/show-kitchen venue was used daily for professional cooking shows, culinary classes and workshops (cooking and cocktail) presented in demonstration kitchens. In the evenings, the venue transformed into “Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center”. This specialty dining concept ("America's Test Kitchen") provided a top-quality gourmet experience - the ship’s chefs prepared dishes in the demonstration kitchen while the guests enjoyed each course with wine pairing. At the entry, there were 9 interactive TV displays allowing guests to explore personal lives, special recipes, cooking secrets and tips from famous food and wine industry celebrities. By Holland America Line’s partnership with Koppert Cress (microgreen specialist), the Culinary Arts Center had a live garden to grow fresh ingredients. This enabled the guests to enjoy farm-to-table items from the dinner menu (veggie fare, 5 choices, dessert, cheese plate). The ingredients were displayed in a glass-enclosed garden area and harvested just before being served. Once sown, the seedlings grew for up to 2 weeks. The list of microgreens integrated in the recipes included garlic, mustard, licorice.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 2-level MDR/main dining room restaurant serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, as well as a blend of flexible and set-seating restaurant-style meals at dinner. Breakfast hours in the MDR vary but start as early as 7 am on port days and 8 am on sea days, wrapping up by 9:30 am. Breakfast fare includes bread, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so better opt for a second pastry. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to an hour per day (from noon to 1 pm on sea days; closed when the ship is in port for an entire day). If you see a line of guests waiting to be seated, do not be deterred as the line moves fast and the tables are plenty. Lunch fare includes sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish and heartier entrees.

Holland America Rotterdam offers a total of 11 dining options. The MDR is a 2-deck high restaurant featuring floor-ceiling windows, curved architectural pillars (accentuating the high ceiling), modern glass lighting, custom-made furnishings. The restaurant's centerpiece is a copper sheath surrounding the 2-story wine tower showcasing an impressive premium wine selection. On the menu are HAL's classic selections, signature dishes, regionally inspired cuisine, Culinary Council recipes from the world-renowned chefs who compose the group, including Council Chairman and Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and international chefs David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer and Mark Best.

In addition to Dining Room Restaurant, MS Rotterdam offers fine dining in alternative restaurants, including redesigned Lido Market (with themed food stations) the new French seafood brasserie Rudi's Sel de Mer, new suite-exclusive dining (Club Orange Restaurant), Canaletto (Italian), Tamarind (pan-Asian/sushi bar) and Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse/seafood restaurant).

BLEND is a glass-enclosed winery room (capacity 10 seats) where are hosted daily wine blending sessions. These are reservations-only events (90 min sessions, $129 cover charge) with sommelier service. The BLEND venue is via partnership with the winemaker Chateau Ste Michelle Winery (Woodinville Washington). Wine-tasting events are seminar-like (led by a wine expert). Each session includes a sampling of 5 red wines (single-vineyard) later combined with different vintages into a personal blend. After the event, you can bottle and take your newly created wine and consume it at the ship’s restaurants or in the stateroom. At the BLEND room all guests are allowed to see the wines offered in the Pinnacle Grill and Sel de Mer, and also to choose their vintage from the impressive selection of premium wines.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into "De Librije" (US$69-89) from time to time, inspired by the land-based Dutch restaurant De Librije with two Michelin stars. A wine tasting is included with the meal (four 2 oz. pours). A wine pairing is also available for an additional US$20 per person (four 5 oz. pours).
• Rudi's Sel De Mer is a dinner-only specialty restaurant (French seafood brasserie) also serving traditional dishes from Southeast Asia, China, Japan. In comparison to Koningsdam's original Sel De Mer (upgraded during drydock 2018), the restaurant on Statendam and Rotterdam is by design larger (54 seats) but retains the curving shape and walnut wood-made, accordion-like column structure. The back wall is decorated with porcelain plates, all of which decorated with Chef Rudi's Food Faces culinary pop art (via a partnership with Bernardaud - French porcelain masters). The food plates are arranged from classic ingredients (caviar, fruits, root vegetables, peppers, etc). In January 2018, HAL released the coffee table book "Food Faces" - available for purchase on the ship. Signature dishes in the a la carte menu include Rudi's Seafood Tower, Fruits de Mer, Broiled Lobster Tail, Whole Dover Sole Meuniere, Clams au Beurre, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Tartare, Steak Frites, Souffle au Fromage, Salt Crust Baked Branzino. Signature desserts include Rudi's Face to Face Chocolate, Rudi's Souffle, Crepes Suzette, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, Apple Tarte Tatin, Artisanal French Cheese Plate.
• The Dining Room (aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options - 2 fixed seatings or "Any Time" dining between 5:15-9 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant is a Lido Restaurant annex and also doubles as an Italian restaurant (dinner-only, reservations are required).
• Club Orange Restaurant serves exclusively HAL's Club Orange/Suite passengers (booked in categories Neptune and Pinnacle).
• Grand Dutch Cafe is a Holland-themed a-la-carte-priced patisserie bar for traditional Dutch snacks/sweets and beverages (including coffees and Heineken draft beer) as well as premium European beers.
• Dive-In is a complimentary fast-food bar / poolside bar offering gourmet burgers and fries.
• New York Deli and Pizza is a complimentary fast-food bar offering made-to-order sandwiches and pies.
• Gelato (ice cream bar)

Lido Market (capacity 386 seats) is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant open for Breakfast (6-11 am), Lunch (11:30-2 pm), Afternoon Tea (3-4 pm) and Dinner (5:30-8 pm). Food is complimentary and displayed at 5 themed stations. The Lido Buffet is designed as a modern marketplace, with numerous on-the-go or made-to-order food choices. Differently themed food stations (walk-up service) offer fresh-made sandwiches, grilled food, International fare, salads, fruits, desserts, daily specials. The food stations are named Breadboard (fresh-baked bread, pastries, sandwiches), Wild Harvest (salads, fruits, healthy food bites), Homestead (comfort food, including egg dishes and grilled meats), Distant Lands (themed cuisine specialties, including from the current cruise itinerary’s regions), Sweet Spot (desserts).

Tamarind (aft on Deck 10) is a reservations-only Asian restaurant open for complimentary lunch and at-fee dinner (at surcharge per person). Tamarind Bar serves the restaurant with cocktails and other beverages. Part of the Tamarind is the Japanese food bar Nami Sushi (capacity 7 seats only, also serving popular Asian spirits). Nami Sushi is open for lunch and dinner but both are at surcharge PP. Tamarind's sushi menu is created by chef Andy Matsuda and additionally includes 4 of his signature rolls.

In 2025, Rotterdam received the restaurant Morimoto By Sea (sushi bar via a partnership with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto). The 12-seat dining venue's menu includes Appetizers (Toro Tartare), Sushi & Sashimi (Chef’s Combo, Nigiri & Sashimi), Chef’s Signature Rolls (Shrimp Tempura, Lobster Tempura, Tako Yaki, Aburi Salmon, California Snow Crab, Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon), Signature Plates (Tuna Pizza, Sticky Ribs, Pork Gyoza Dumplings, Poke Bowl, Chicken Katsu Curry, Angry Lobster Pad Thai), and Desserts (White Chocolate Lime Ganache).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The World Stage is the ship's main show (theater) lounge, featuring 270-degree LED screens for multiple stage configurations. Lido Pool (one of the 2 swimming pools) has an outdoor movie screen, 3 whirlpools and 2 levels of cushioned lounge chairs. The central pool area (Magrodome) is on 2 levels to create glass-enclosed space. The lower level has traditional poolside elements, while the mezzanine level offers more seating, a huge LED screen for poolside movies, Deli and Pizza (complimentary fast-food bars).

Onboard live musical entertainment is concentrated in the Music Walk area (forward-midship on Plaza Deck 2) housing the music-themed venues Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

The 2-tiered Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge/decks 2-3) is a grand ballroom/concert hall/nightclub with two grand pianos (on floor 1), HAL fleet's biggest dance floor (floor 1), its own bar (floor 1), balcony seating (floor 2) and has a resident 8-man band (2 vocalists, 1 drummer, 1 pianist/organist, 1 bassist, 1 guitarist, 1 saxophonist, 1 trumpeter). The lounge hosts live musical performances (concerts, classical pieces, blues, popular hits from the 60s, sing-alongs) as well as a daily enrichment program (guest speakers, seminars, special events). Lincoln Center Stage is a collaboration with "Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts" (NYC) featuring classical/chamber music with a quintet combining piano and strings.

Rolling Stone Rock Room is a classic rock club (via partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine) where are offered live 5-piece band performances.

Billboard Onboard is a signature sing-along bar with live performances (pianists, guitarists, DJ) in a variety of genres (including pop, rock, classic, country). There are 3 programs per night (each lasts 45 to 60 min). The music bar hosts dynamic evening shows, has a central stage (with two grand pianos), wood-paneled walls, three large-size TVs, comfortable seating (plush sofas and chairs, round tables).

Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi access, Laundry Rooms (Laundromats). Ship's laundry rooms are not self-service (no passenger-use laundrettes). Laundry services are offered via hotel staff and at an additional charge.

Follows the complete list of MS Rotterdam bars, lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck midship area with open-floor design and live performances). The Atrium features a stainless-steel sculpture emulating the sense of being inside and encircled by a musical instrument. The experience changes as passengers move around and through it, with no two perspectives being the same. The atrium is capped by Skylight (glass roof) which serves as the backdrop for HD video projections or live-streaming of the night sky.
• Stuyvesant Room (multi-purpose, used for cards playing, group meetings, presentations, Club HAL kids program)
• World Stage (theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America's enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge) is a 2-deck grand ballroom/concert hall (with two grand pianos and a large dance floor) hosting live musical performances (classical/chamber music, blues).
• Digital Workshop (powered by MS Windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Shore Excursions Desk; 4 Meeting Rooms
• Signature Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop; Dive-in (scuba and diving equipment)
• Club Orange (suite-only restaurant)
• Ocean Bar (fka Explorer's Lounge & Bar) is an Atrium bar lounge with dance floor, stage (for live performances), wine tastings.
• Billboard Onboard (sing-along bar with live music performances)
• BLEND (glass-enclosed winery room)
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Sun Deck; Promenade Deck, Walking/Jogging Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)

The wellness complex (forward on decks 9-10) consists of Fitness Center (gymnasium with a separate Aerobics Room for classes) and Greenhouse Spa & Salon (Therapy Rooms, Treatment Rooms (for massages), Hydrotherapy Pool with heated seawater, Thermal Suites, Relax Lounge with heated ceramic loungers, Sauna Room, Aroma Steam Room, Relaxation Area, Beauty Salon/manicure-pedicure, barber services).

Spacious sundecks spread over 3 floors (decks 9-10 midship and aft, deck 11 aft) and are fitted with 2 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzies (deck 9). The Lido Pool area (midship) is served by Lido Bar (beverages), Gelato (ice cream bar), Dive-In (fka Terrace Grill), New York Delly & Pizza (fast food) and Panorama Bar (beverages). The Sea View Pool area (aft) is served by Sea View Bar.

“Movies by the Pool Deck” is a 2-deck outdoor Cinema served by the New York Delly & Pizza (deck 10) with light snacks (including popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, fresh chips, nachos). During movie nights, loungers and blankets are provided, as well as chair-side waiter service from the food bars (Gelato, NY Deli & Pizza, Dive-In/Terrace Grill) and waiter service for drinks at the Lido Bar.

The Retreat (deck 12) is an adults-only sundeck/relaxation zone with private cabanas available for rent. Daily rent prices are inclusive of a massage tent, lunch, concierge service.

Explorations Central & Cafe (fka Crow’s Nest & Explorations Cafe/forward on deck 11) is an indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows (270-degree views), its own Bar (beverages), Cafe (patisserie, specialty coffees/teas), and a large dance floor. The lounge is also used for pre-scheduled events by HAL's enrichment program (daily dance classes, trivia games, card playing, karaoke, live grand piano and HAL Cats performances/8-piece party band in the afternoons and evenings). Explorations Central doubles as a disco/nightclub (with live DJ music, dancing contests) and a Library (1000+ volumes, resident librarians). Here are additionally offered multimedia series of interactive videos and guides related to the current itinerary's destinations. Explorations Central also provides digital media (videos, ebooks, maps) accessed via Wi-Fi (during the voyage) and also online (before and after the voyage). At Explorations Central, there are also paperback books and paper maps for the visited regions/destinations and ports of call.

The Casino is a large gaming lounge fitted with gambling tables, 140 slots and video poker machines, a PokerPro digital touchscreen table). It is served by Casino Bar and has a separate non-smoking area. In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam).

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

MS Rotterdam itinerary program was announced in late-July 2020. The new ship's maiden season was planned to be in Europe, with voyages in the Baltic Sea (Northern Europe) leaving roundtrip from homeport Amsterdam Holland.

The initial Maiden Voyage was scheduled for August 1, 2021. The 7-day itinerary was planned as one-way from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome. Between August 1 and October 10, the new ship was planned for deployment in Northern Europe visiting ports in Norway, the UK, Iceland.

However, despite the vessel's on-schedule delivery (on July 30th), in June HAL canceled all departures thru November 3 (the entire European season). The Inaugural Cruise date was rescheduled for October 20 (14-night Transatlantic repositioning from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale).

The new Rotterdam ship's homeport in the USA is Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale Florida). The Caribbean itineraries are themed as:

• 10-day "Southern Caribbean Seafarer" - to Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk Island, Amber Cove Dominicana, Kralendijk Bonaire Island, Willemstad Curacao Island, and Oranjestad Aruba Island
• 11-day "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer" - to Philipsburg St Maarten Island, Castries St Lucia Island, Bridgetown Barbados, Fort-de-France Martinique, Basseterre St Kitts Island, Charlotte Amalie St Thomas Island, Half Moon Cay
• and the 21-day B2B/back-to-back itinerary "Southern Caribbean Seafarer and Wayfarer"
• 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" - to Grand Turk, San Juan Puerto Rico, St Thomas Island, Half Moon Cay
• 7-day "Western Caribbean" - to Half Moon Cay, Falmouth Jamaica, Grand Cayman Island, Key West Florida
• and the 14-day B2B "Eastern and Western Caribbean"

In late-January 2017, the shipowner Carnival Corporation announced 2 more shipbuilding orders. The new liners were ordered for the brands Princess Cruises (Royal-class / Discovery Princess) and Holland America Line (Pinnacle-class / Rotterdam VII). On January 19, 2017, Carnival signed an MoA (memorandum of agreement) with the shipbuilder Fincantieri to construct both vessels, with scheduled deliveries in 2021 (Rotterdam for HAL, at Marghera yard) and 2022 (Discovery Princess, at Monfalcone yard). By the time when both shipbuilding contracts were finalized (February 2017), Carnival had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for deliveries between 2017-2022.

In 2019, Fincantieri had a total of 96 cruise vessels (built between 1990-2019) plus another 50 units on order or under construction. HAL's other "nieuw"/new liners are Nieuw Statendam (2018 - fleet's 6th "Statendam") and Nieuw Amsterdam (2010 - fleet's 4th "Amsterdam"). The new Rotterdam is the 14th cruise vessel built by Fincantieri Marghera for Holland America.

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera yard/hull number 6278) is powered by four MAK marine diesel engines (model 12V43C) with combined power output 50,4 MW. The propulsion system is based on two ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters) with combined output 28 MW.

The vessel's steel-cutting ceremony (hull number 6278) was held on March 13, 2019, at Fincantieri's yard in Marghera (Venice). On October 3, 2019, at Fincantieri's Palermo Shipyard (Sicily) was launched the vessel's forward lower section. The ceremony was led by Madrina/godmother Giuseppa Catalano who released a bottle of Champagne that smashed into the hull. This hull section (aka troncone) has length 82 m (269 ft), width 35 m (115 ft) and weighs 4400 tons. Following the launch, the section was towed from Palermo and to Marghera, where the liner was actually assembled. At Fincantieri Marghera were also constructed other hull and superstructure sections.

On November 21, 2019, at Marghera Shipyard was held the vessel's keel-laying ceremony during which was placed the first hull block (14 m long, 34 m wide, weight 500 tons) part of the midship section. The ship was launched (floated out from drydock) on October 1, 2020. The ceremony was attended by Madrina/godmother Mai Elmar (Cruise Port Rotterdam's Executive Director), Cyril Tatar (Holland America Line's VP of Newbuilds) and Antonio Quintano (Fincantieri Marghera's Director).

For the new MS Rotterdam, the shipbuilder contracted De Wave Group for the ship's interior outfitting.

• De Wave Group (Genoa-based manufacturing company) specializes in newbuild cruise ships and yachts interior outfitting. The company was formed via merger of three companies - De Wave (cabins and wet units), Precetti (catering areas) and Spencer Contract (public areas).
• On MS Rotterdam, De Wave Group manufactured and supplied modules for the wellness complex (spa, gym, beauty salon) including Treatment Rooms (for massages/Decks 9-10), hallways (Deck 9), spiral staircase (connecting Decks 9-10), Fitness Center (gym, dressing rooms/Deck 9), Beauty and Hair Salon (Deck 9), Thermal complex (Turkish bath, sauna, swimming pool, showers).

The preliminary sea trials were conducted in April 25-27, 2021. Adriatic Sea trials were successfully completed in May 3-6, 2021, with the Navigation Bridge team led by Captain Werner Timmers and Chief Engineer Stefan Dullaert. The boat was officially delivered (at Fincantieri Marghera) in the evening of July 29, 2021. The handover ceremony was attended by Cyril Tatar (Holland America Group's VP of Newbuilds) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO), as well as other shipowner and shipyard executives. Via live video link also participated Jan Swartz (Holland America Group's President) and Gus Antorcha (HAL's President).

Following the delivery, Rotterdam VII remained in non-passenger shipping status until the Transatlantic crossing (scheduled for October 20, 2021/14-night from Amsterdam to Port Everglades). The Caribbean Maiden Voyage was scheduled for November 3 (4-day roundtrip to Half Moon Cay Bahamas and Key West Florida).

Fun fact is that "Nieuw-Rotterdam" was named the capital of Suriname's Nickerie District (South America), built on Cordonspunt (Nickerie River's right bank) around 1820. After the town was sea-flooded in 1875, in 1879 on the river's left bank was built the District's current capital "Nieuw-Nickerie". Nieuw Rotterdam (formally abolished in August 1979) was populated mainly by merchants (trading with Guyana). The town was twice hit by severe storms from the Atlantic Ocean (and flooded) - in 1866 and in 1875.

Holland America Rotterdam liners (history)

The new MS Rotterdam has six same-named predecessors in Holland America Line's fleet.

• The first Rotterdam ship (Maiden Voyage from Amsterdam to NYC on October 15, 1872) led to the company's establishment in 1873 (on April 18).
• Rotterdam II (1878-built) was initially owned by "British Ship Owners Co" and acquired by HAL in 1886.
• Rotterdam III (1897-built) was with HAL until 1906.
• Rotterdam IV (1908-built) also served as a troopship (during WW1 / 1914-18) and after the war operated regular Transatlantic cruises leaving roundtrip from NYC to the Mediterranean.
• Rotterdam V (1959-built) initially operated Transatlantic crossings with two passenger classes, but in 1969 was converted to a one-class liner. After 38 years of service, in 1997 the vessel was retired and is currently permanently docked in Rotterdam City serving as a hotel and museum.
• Rotterdam VI (1997-built) was the first of HAL's R-Class ships. In 2020, the vessel was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and is currently named Borealis.

On October 17, 2021, HAL officially announced the name of Rotterdam VII's godmother - HRH Princess Margriet Francisca of the Netherlands (1943-born, from the house of Orange-Nassau/van Lippe-Biesterfeld). Princess Margriet is the 3rd daughter of Queen Juliana Louise Emma Marie Wilhelmina (1909-2004) and Prince Bernhard of Lippe-Biesterfeld (1911-2004) and is an aunt of Holland's current monarch Willem-Alexander Claus George Ferdinand (1967-born, King of the Netherlands since 2013).

• HAL's connection to The House of Orange-Nassau (Huis van Oranje-Nassau/Dutch Royal Family) started in 1929, when Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands and husband of Queen Wilhelmina between 1901-34) godfathered Statendam III (1927-built passenger liner).
• Princess Margriet named 4x HAL liners - Prinsendam I (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997), Oosterdam (2003).
• Queen Maxima Zorreguieta Cerruti (1971-born/spouse of King Willem-Alexander) named 2x liners - Nieuw Amsterdam (2010), Koningsdam (2016).
• Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (1938-born) named Statendam IV (1957) and Queen Beatrix (reign 1980-2013) named Eurodam (2008).
• Queen Juliana named Rotterdam V (1958).
• Queen Wilhelmina Helena Pauline Maria (1880-1962) named Nieuw Amsterdam II (1937).

The boat's official christening ceremony was on May 30, 2022, held in Rotterdam City. The event was part of the "Rotterdam Naming Celebration Cruise" (7-day roundtrip itinerary from Amsterdam to Norway's Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Sognefjord). The naming ceremony was attended by Princess Margriet (godmother), Captain Werner Timmers (the ship's Master), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President and CEO), Jan Swartz (Holland America Group's President), Ahmed Aboutaleb (Rotterdam City's Lord Mayor), David and Gisela Gere (Mariner Ambassadors). Other VIP guests included the executives Stein Kruse (Carnival Corporation's Senior Advisor to the Chairman and CEO), Randy Weisenburger (Carnival Corporation's Board Member), Keith Taylor (Holland America Group's Fleet Operations Executive VP), Nico Bleichrodt (HAL's and Seabourn's International Sales VP), as well as Boudewijn Siemons (Port Rotterdam's COO-Chief Operating Officer) and Jaap Smit (King Willem-Alexander's commissioner).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021

The ship's Maiden Voyage (first departure) is currently scheduled for October 20, 2021 (14-night Transatlantic from Europe to Florida), and the inaugural Caribbean departure for November 3rd.

Despite the vessel's on-schedule delivery, in mid-June HAL canceled the ship's schedule from August 1 thru November 3 (a total of 18 itineraries).

Next tables show the inaugural itineraries (by theme) with lowest prices in USD per person (with double occupancy).

(canceled) 7-day "Inaugural Cruise" from Trieste to Civitavecchia-Rome ($1600 pp)

(canceled) 14-day "Jewels Of The Baltic" ($2400 pp)

(MAIDEN VOYAGE) 14-day Transatlantic crossing from Europe to Florida-USA (Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale) - from $1500 pp

(inaugural Caribbean voyage) 5-day "Private Island Bahamas Escape" ($720 pp)

(B2Bs) 11-day inaugural "Southern Caribbean Wayfarer Cruise" ($1350 pp) and 10-day "Southern Caribbean Seafarer" ($1300 pp) are combinable into a 21-day B2B ($2520 pp).

(2022) 7-day "Eastern Caribbean" ($750 pp) and 7-day "Western Caribbean" ($700) are combinable into a 14-day B2B ($1380 pp).

Godspeed!