Holland America Line has added a second commemorative transatlantic crossing to its 150th anniversary celebrations, arriving in Rotterdam on its actual birthday – 18 April, 2023.
Departing Fort Lauderdale on April 3, the 16-night itinerary on Rotterdam retraces in reverse the company’s first voyage.
From Fort Lauderdale, the ship heads to New York City and makes a rare overnight call, giving guests extra time to experience its many attractions.
Rotterdam will then spend eight leisurely days at sea, calling at Plymouth and Dover before arriving on 18 April in Rotterdam for an overnight full of festivities.
To accommodate the new departure, three voyages have been cancelled, and bookings new eastbound transatlantic crossing will open to the public on the 14 July.
“As we got deeper into planning the events surrounding our 150th, we knew that the best place to celebrate the date of our founding was in the city of Rotterdam where it all started,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
“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.”
To kick off a season of celebrations, Holland America Line announced the first special 150th anniversary crossing that will depart from Rotterdam on the 15 October, exactly 150 years to the date of the departure of Rotterdam I’s maiden voyage.