ms Rotterdam

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

On July 30, 2020, HAL announced that the ship’s name would change from "Ryndam" to "Rotterdam" and that she would become the fleet’s new flagship. This is HAL’s 7th vessel to bear the name (also referred to as “Rotterdam VII”). The previous Rotterdam was sold in July 2020 to Fred. Olsen and later renamed “MS Borealis.”

The new Rotterdam (IMO 9837470) is Holland-flagged (MMSI 245464000) and was delivered on July 30, 2021 (originally scheduled for May 31).

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle-based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation. Between 1873-1989, HAL operated as a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company running regular transatlantic services between Holland and the Americas. The company was founded in 1873 as the “Dutch-American Steamship Company,” headquartered in Rotterdam. In 1989, it was acquired by Carnival Corporation for approximately EUR 530 million. HAL’s assets include the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehousing and logistics), and Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamian island).

The 3210-passenger Rotterdam was originally named “Nieuw Ryndam,” announced on April 7, 2019. The name honored HAL’s first Ryndam (1901-1929), originally named Rijndam until 1923. In 1927, Ryndam I became HAL’s first ship to operate a world cruise, although she was chartered as a floating school for that voyage. Ryndam II (1951-1973) and Ryndam III (1994), later sold to P&O Australia and now sailing as Pacific Aria, followed.

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

HAL’s first ship was SS Rotterdam, which made her maiden voyage (Rotterdam–New York) on October 15, 1872. HAL was officially founded on April 18, 1873. The 1878-built “SS Rotterdam II” was purchased in 1886. SS Rotterdam III (1897) served until 1906. “SS Rotterdam IV” (1908-1940; capacity 3139 passengers + 472 crew) operated Mediterranean roundtrips from New York. “SS Rotterdam V” (1959-1997, “The Grande Dame”) began with transatlantic crossings before converting to full-time cruising in 1969. She later operated Grand World Voyages and today serves as a hotel/museum ship in Rotterdam. “MS Rotterdam VI” (1997) now sails as Fred. Olsen Borealis.

Decks and Cabins

MS Rotterdam staterooms (1340 total, in 35 grades) include 164 Suites, 748 Balcony, 147 Oceanview (including 32 Family Oceanview and 12 Studio/single cabins), and 280 Inside. Most cabins are sized ~180 ft² (17 m²), while most balconies are ~50 ft² (5 m²). Nearly 70% of all accommodations feature a private step-out veranda. Wheelchair-accessible cabins number 27. The largest accommodation is the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite (970 ft² / 90 m², with a 320 ft² / 30 m² terrace with outdoor Jacuzzi).

The ship has 13 passenger decks, including 8 with cabins.

Four color schemes distinguish the spa, suite, verandah, oceanview, and inside categories. Cabins feature redesigned headboards with electrical/USB outlets on both sides of the bed, stone-topped nightstands and vanities, upgraded lighting, and more storage.

Club Orange is an exclusive (Suite-only) venue included in HAL’s “Club Orange” program for Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests. Benefits include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge (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 & Shore Excursions)
• enhanced room service breakfast (complimentary gourmet options such as smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine on embarkation day, a Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (available for purchase/monogramming)

Club Orange Restaurant occupies the former “Culinary Arts Center,” once a premium dinner-only venue (US$39 cover, unlimited wine) operated in partnership with “Food & Wine Magazine.” It previously hosted cooking shows, classes, workshops, and the “Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center” experience, featuring cooking demonstrations paired with wines. Through HAL’s partnership with Koppert Cress, the venue included a live microgreens garden for farm-to-table dishes.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

The 2-level MDR (Main Dining Room) serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, and a mix of set and flexible dining at dinner. Breakfast typically starts at 7 am on port days and 8 am on sea days, ending around 9:30 am. Offerings include bread, cereals, French toast, pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes, and yogurt parfaits. Portions are modest, so a second pastry is recommended. Lunch is usually available for just one hour (noon–1 pm on sea days; closed on full port days).

MS Rotterdam offers 11 dining venues. The MDR features floor-to-ceiling windows, curved pillars, custom furnishings, and a dramatic 2-story wine tower clad in copper. Menus include HAL classics, signature dishes, regional specialties, and recipes by Culinary Council chefs including Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and renowned chefs David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer, and Mark Best.

Specialty dining options include the redesigned Lido Market (with themed stations), the new French seafood brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the suite-exclusive Club Orange Restaurant, Canaletto (Italian), Tamarind (pan-Asian with sushi bar), and Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse/seafood).

BLEND is a glass-enclosed winery room (10 seats) hosting daily wine-blending sessions (90 minutes, US$129, reservations required) in partnership with Chateau Ste. Michelle Winery. Guests sample 5 single-vineyard red wines, create their own blend, bottle it, and enjoy it onboard.

Below is the full list of MS Rotterdam dining venues:

• Pinnacle Grill (reservations-only steakhouse/seafood; complimentary for children under 12). Occasionally transforms into “De Librije” (US$69–89), inspired by the two-Michelin-star Dutch restaurant. Wine tasting is included (four 2 oz pours); optional wine pairing available for US$20 (four 5 oz pours).
• Rudi’s Sel de Mer – dinner-only French seafood brasserie also serving select Asian dishes. Larger on Rotterdam and Statendam (54 seats). Decor features walnut wood columns and signature porcelain “Food Faces” plates by Chef Rudi (in partnership with Bernardaud). Signature dishes include Rudi's Seafood Tower, Fruits de Mer, Whole Dover Sole Meunière, Steak Tartare, and signature desserts.
• The Dining Room – aft MDR serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner (two fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining from 5:15–9 pm).
• Canaletto – dinner-only Italian venue adjacent to Lido Restaurant (reservations required).
• Club Orange Restaurant – exclusive to Neptune and Pinnacle Suite guests.
• Grand Dutch Cafe – Dutch-themed patisserie bar serving snacks, sweets, coffees, and European beers.
• Dive-In – complimentary poolside grill with gourmet burgers and fries.
• New York Deli & Pizza – complimentary sandwiches and pizzas.
• Gelato – ice cream bar.

Lido Market (capacity 386) is Rotterdam’s self-service buffet open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner. Five themed stations include Breadboard (baked goods, sandwiches), Wild Harvest (salads, fruits), Homestead (comfort foods), Distant Lands (itinerary-inspired cuisine), and Sweet Spot (desserts).

Tamarind (Deck 10 aft) is a reservations-only Asian restaurant with complimentary lunch and at-fee dinner. It includes Nami Sushi (7 seats), offering lunch and dinner at a surcharge. The sushi menu, created by Chef Andy Matsuda, features four signature rolls.

In 2025, Rotterdam added “Morimoto By Sea,” a 12-seat sushi bar created with Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto. Menu highlights include Toro Tartare, Nigiri & Sashimi, signature rolls, Tuna Pizza, Poke Bowls, and White Chocolate Lime Ganache.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The World Stage is the main theater, equipped with 270-degree LED screens. Lido Pool (one of two pools) features an outdoor movie screen, 3 whirlpools, and two-tier seating. A retractable Magrodome provides an enclosed midship pool environment.

Music Walk (forward-midship on Deck 2) includes Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

The 2-tier Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King’s Blues Club includes two grand pianos, HAL’s largest dance floor, a bar, balcony seating, and an 8-member resident band. It hosts concerts, blues, chamber music, lectures, and enrichment programs.

Rolling Stone Rock Room presents live performances by a 5-piece band, while Billboard Onboard is a sing-along venue with pianists, guitarists, DJs, and nightly themed sets.

Other amenities include complimentary 24-hour room service, “Club HAL” kids program, weddings, Wi-Fi, and full-service laundry (no self-service laundromats).

Below is the list of MS Rotterdam bars, lounges, and entertainment venues:

• Atrium – 3-deck open-space with stainless-steel musical sculpture and glass skylight used for HD projections and live sky feeds.
• Stuyvesant Room – multi-purpose venue for cards, meetings, and Club HAL activities.
• World Stage – main show lounge, also used for HAL’s enrichment program (BBC Earth partnership).
• Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King’s Blues Club – 2-deck ballroom and concert hall.
• Digital Workshop (Windows-powered)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Shore Excursions Desk; 4 Meeting Rooms
• Signature Shops – duty-free stores, watches, perfumes, apparel, souvenirs; Marabella Luxury Shop; Dive-In (scuba gear)
• Club Orange (Suite-only restaurant)
• Ocean Bar – Atrium bar lounge with stage and dance floor
• Billboard Onboard – music bar with live performances
• BLEND – winery room
• Neptune Lounge – exclusive Suite guest lounge
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Sun Deck; Promenade Deck; Walking/Jogging Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge)
• The Loft (teens lounge with video arcade, computers, PlayStations)

The wellness complex (Decks 9-10 forward) includes a Fitness Center, Aerobics Room, and Greenhouse Spa & Salon (treatment rooms, hydrotherapy pool, thermal suite, sauna, aroma steam room, relaxation lounge, and beauty salon).

Sundecks span three levels (Decks 9-11), featuring two swimming pools and five Jacuzzies. Lido Pool (midship) is served by Lido Bar, Gelato, Dive-In, New York Deli & Pizza, and Panorama Bar. Sea View Pool (aft) is served by Sea View Bar.

“Movies by the Pool Deck” is a 2-deck outdoor cinema with snacks (popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, nachos) and waiter service during movie nights.

The Retreat (Deck 12) is an adults-only relaxation area with private cabanas available for rent (including lunch, concierge service, and access to a massage tent).

Explorations Central & Café (formerly Crow’s Nest, on Deck 11 forward) is an observation lounge with panoramic windows, bar, café, dance floor, enrichment events, library, and multimedia resources. It doubles as a nightclub with DJ sets and live performances.

The Casino includes gaming tables, 140 slot/video poker machines, a PokerPro table, a Casino Bar, and a smoke-free section. In 2023, HAL expanded casino spaces on Pinnacle-class and Signature-class ships.

Since 2023, all HAL ships feature pickleball courts (in partnership with PPA), complimentary lessons, branded gear for sale, and tutorial videos on cabin TVs.

Itineraries

MS Rotterdam’s itinerary program was announced in late July 2020. The maiden season was planned in Europe, with Baltic and Northern Europe voyages roundtrip from Amsterdam.

The initial maiden voyage was scheduled for August 1, 2021—a 7-day Trieste to Civitavecchia (Rome) itinerary. Between August 1 and October 10, she was planned to operate Northern Europe cruises visiting Norway, the UK, and Iceland.

Despite her on-schedule delivery (July 30), HAL canceled all departures through November 3 (the entire European season). The Inaugural Voyage was rescheduled to October 20—a 14-night transatlantic repositioning from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.

Rotterdam’s US homeport is Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale, Florida), offering the following Caribbean itineraries:

• 10-day “Southern Caribbean Seafarer” – Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Kralendijk (Bonaire), Willemstad (Curaçao), Oranjestad (Aruba)
• 11-day “Southern Caribbean Wayfarer” – Philipsburg, Castries, Bridgetown, Fort-de-France, Basseterre, Charlotte Amalie, Half Moon Cay
• 21-day B2B “Seafarer & Wayfarer” combination
• 7-day “Eastern Caribbean” – Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay
• 7-day “Western Caribbean” – Half Moon Cay, Falmouth, Grand Cayman, Key West
• 14-day B2B “Eastern & Western Caribbean”

In late January 2017, the shipowner Carnival Corporation announced two additional 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, built at the Marghera yard) and 2022 (Discovery Princess, built at the Monfalcone yard). When the shipbuilding contracts were finalized in February 2017, Carnival had a total of 19 new ships scheduled for delivery between 2017-2022.

In 2019, Fincantieri had built a total of 96 cruise vessels (constructed between 1990-2019), plus another 50 units on order or under construction. HAL’s other “nieuw”/new liners include Nieuw Statendam (2018 – the fleet’s 6th “Statendam”) and Nieuw Amsterdam (2010 – the 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 a combined output of 50.4 MW. The propulsion system is based on two ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters) with a combined output of 28 MW.

The vessel’s steel-cutting ceremony (hull number 6278) was held on March 13, 2019, at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard (Venice). On October 3, 2019, at Fincantieri’s Palermo Shipyard (Sicily), the ship’s forward lower section was launched. The ceremony was led by madrina/godmother Giuseppa Catalano, who released a bottle of Champagne that smashed against the hull. This hull section (troncone) is 82 m (269 ft) long, 35 m (115 ft) wide and weighs 4400 tons. After the launch, the section was towed from Palermo to Marghera, where the vessel was fully assembled. Additional hull and superstructure sections were also constructed at the Marghera yard.

On November 21, 2019, the vessel’s keel-laying ceremony was held at Marghera Shipyard, during which the first hull block (14 m long, 34 m wide, weighing 500 tons) of the midship section was placed. 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 vessel’s interior outfitting.

• De Wave Group (Genoa-based) specializes in interior outfitting for newbuild cruise ships and yachts. The company was formed through the merger of three firms: 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 entire wellness complex (spa, gym, beauty salon), including treatment rooms (Decks 9-10), hallways (Deck 9), a spiral staircase (connecting Decks 9-10), the Fitness Center (gym and dressing rooms/Deck 9), the Beauty and Hair Salon (Deck 9) and the Thermal Suite (Turkish bath, sauna, swimming pool and showers).

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

Following delivery, Rotterdam VII remained in non-passenger operational status until her 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).

A fun fact: “Nieuw-Rotterdam” was the name of the capital of Suriname’s Nickerie District (South America), built on Cordonspunt (the right bank of the Nickerie River) around 1820. After the town was flooded by the sea in 1875, the current district capital “Nieuw-Nickerie” was built in 1879 on the river’s left bank. Nieuw Rotterdam (formally abolished in August 1979) was populated mainly by merchants trading with Guyana. The town was twice hit by severe Atlantic storms and flooded, in 1866 and 1875.

Holland America Rotterdam liners (history)

The new MS Rotterdam has six predecessors bearing the same name in Holland America Line’s fleet.

• The first Rotterdam (Maiden Voyage from Amsterdam to NYC on October 15, 1872) led to the company’s establishment on April 18, 1873.
• Rotterdam II (1878-built) was initially owned by “British Ship Owners Co.” and acquired by HAL in 1886.
• Rotterdam III (1897-built) served 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 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, she was retired in 1997 and is now permanently docked in Rotterdam as a hotel and museum.
• Rotterdam VI (1997-built) was the first of HAL’s R-class ships. In 2020, she was sold to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and now sails as Borealis.

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

• HAL’s connection to the House of Orange-Nassau (Huis van Oranje-Nassau / Dutch Royal Family) began in 1929, when Duke Henry of Mecklenburg-Schwerin (1876-1934, Prince of the Netherlands and husband of Queen Wilhelmina between 1901-1934) served as godfather of Statendam III (1927-built).
• Princess Margriet has named four HAL liners: Prinsendam I (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997) and Oosterdam (2003).
• Queen Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti (born 1971, spouse of King Willem-Alexander) named two liners: Nieuw Amsterdam (2010) and Koningsdam (2016).
• Princess Beatrix Wilhelmina Armgard (born 1938) 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 ship’s official christening ceremony was held on May 30, 2022, in Rotterdam. The event was part of the “Rotterdam Naming Celebration Cruise” (7-day roundtrip from Amsterdam to Norway’s Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Sognefjord). The ceremony was attended by Princess Margriet (godmother), Captain Werner Timmers (Master), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation’s President and CEO), Jan Swartz (Holland America Group’s President), Ahmed Aboutaleb (Mayor of Rotterdam), and David and Gisela Gere (Mariner Ambassadors). Other VIP guests included Stein Kruse (Carnival Corporation’s Senior Advisor to the Chairman and CEO), Randy Weisenburger (Carnival Corporation Board Member), Keith Taylor (Holland America Group’s Fleet Operations EVP), Nico Bleichrodt (HAL and Seabourn International Sales VP), as well as Boudewijn Siemons (Port of Rotterdam COO) and Jaap Smit (Commissioner to King Willem-Alexander).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2021

The ship’s Maiden Voyage (first departure) was scheduled for October 20, 2021 (14-night Transatlantic from Europe to Florida), with the inaugural Caribbean departure on November 3.

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

The tables below show the inaugural itineraries (by theme) with lowest prices in USD per person (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!