HAL names Princess Margriet of the Netherlands godmother of Rotterdam
Holland America Line announced Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will become godmother to new ship Rotterdam.
It continues a royal tradition that began in the 1920s.
Holland America Line’s connection goes back nearly a century to Prince Hendrik launching Statendam III in 1929.
Since then, members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 more Holland America Line vessels throughout the years, including Princess Margriet who named Prinsendam (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997) and Oosterdam (2003).
"Rotterdam will be named in Rotterdam next year, celebrating its namesake city and our historic connection with the Netherlands." said Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line.
Additional members of the Dutch Royal Family who are godmothers include Queen Mxima, who named Koningsdam in 2016 and Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010. Then-Queen Beatrix served as Eurodam’s godmother in 2008.
Rotterdam’s maiden cruise departs October 20, 2021, from Amsterdam and embarks on a 14-day transatlantic journey to Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
During its inaugural Caribbean season from November to April, Rotterdam will sail a variety of five- to 11-day itineraries, all roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
In mid-April, the ship makes a 14-day Atlantic Ocean crossing back to Europe to spend the summer in Norway, the Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, all sailing roundtrip from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam was delivered by the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy July 30, 2021.
The date for naming the ship in Rotterdam will be announced in the coming months.
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