As its 150th anniversary approaches April 18, 2023, HAL-Holland America is adding a 2nd commemorative transatlantic crossing aboard ms Rotterdam to the schedule of events.
Departing from Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) on April 3, 2023, the 16-night itinerary sails to Rotterdam (Netherlands) retracing in reverse the first voyage of the company.
From Fort Lauderdale, ms Rotterdam heads to NYC New York and makes a rare overnight call (Manhattan Terminal), giving passengers extra time to experience the attractions of the vibrant city, including the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, Broadway, Ellis Island, and more.
MS Rotterdam will then spend 8 leisurely days at sea crossing the Atlantic, calling at Plymouth UK and Dover UK, prior to arriving on April 18 (Holland America’s 150th anniversary) at Port Rotterdam for a special overnight full of festivities.
Gus Antorcha (HAL's President) said that as they got deeper into planning the events surrounding their 150th, they knew that the best place to celebrate the date of the founding was in the city of Rotterdam where it all had started.
“These voyages that mark our first departure and our anniversary are going to be incredibly memorable as we retrace our first sailing from the 1870s, but on a modern, luxury cruise ship. We anticipate the April cruise to be as popular as the October sailing.”
To kick off the season of celebrations, HAL announced the first special 150th-anniversary crossing that is due to depart Rotterdam on October 15, 2022, exactly 150 years to the date of Rotterdam I’s maiden voyage. The crossing is expected to recreate that first sailing, from Rotterdam to New York, with visits to Plymouth and Dover, and then on to Fort Lauderdale FL. The cruise ship will stay overnight in New York City for special celebrations.
To accommodate the April 3 departure 3 voyages have been canceled, and all passengers and their travel advisors have been notified. Bookings for the new eastbound transatlantic crossing open to the public on July 14, 2022.