Holland America Line celebrates 150th anniversary with grand party and royal guests

Holland America Line yesterday (April 18) marked its 150th anniversary as flagship Rotterdam sailed into the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The all-day celebrations were attended by royalty, local dignitaries, port officials and guests who commemorated the special day.

The ship’s arrival, all the way from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, fell on the exact date of Holland America Line’s 150th birthday and fittingly the festivities were held at Hotel New York, home to Holland America Line’s original headquarters from 1901 to 1977.

History was honoured throughout the event. Inside a room that once collected luggage for immigrants in the early 1900s, the brand presented a commemorative 150th Anniversary bell to be permanently displayed at Hotel New York.

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet poured champagne over the bell, which is a Holland America Line (HAL) tradition usually reserved for a new ship launch.

Princess Margriet was joined by Holland America Line President Gus Antorcha, Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb and descendants of Holland America Line’s original founders along with the line’s team members and more than 60 top Mariners, guests who have sailed at least 1,400 days on HAL’s ships.

“The celebration of 150 years is about more than our history, it’s about how we are building on the legacy of a great brand to make it relevant for the next 150 years,” said Antorcha.

“From those first early days, we built our reputation on the care we provided to every person who stepped on board. And through the decades, whether that person was an immigrant, a titan of industry, a soldier or a vacationer, each of them was treated as though they were a guest in our own home. It is still a hallmark of our brand.”

He went on: “The fabric of history is woven from the threads of millions of stories, and at the heart of each of those stories is a person.”

“I am certain that there are many chapters still to be written. And I hope that decades from now, those who come after us will gather on this very spot at Hotel New York to share them.”

The fusion of old and new was commemorated with a collectable 150th Anniversary gold-foil stamp that was revealed by Bob van Ierland, director of mail, Netherlands, at the ceremony.

The stamp, designed by Frank Janse, features an illustration of two iconic ships from the company’s long history: Rotterdam VII, Holland America Line’s newest ship, and Rotterdam I, its first ship. The limited-edition stamp is available for purchase throughout the Netherlands.

Members of one of Holland America Line’s founding families also presented an original company share that will be kept as part of a special collection in the Rotterdam City Archives.

After a Gala dinner on board Rotterdam VII, Holland America Line President Antorcha invited the ship’s guests to a party around the Lido Pool where he toasted Holland America Line’s anniversary, saying: “To the builders, architects, visionaries and explorers who have brought us to today.

“To our generations of crew who have seen our guests from shore to shore. And most importantly, to all of the passengers and guests who have trusted us along the way. Cheers to 150 years and many more to come”

A grand finale to the evening’s events saw the city of Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge illuminated with a special light display honouring Holland America Line’s 150th Anniversary.

Following the lighting of the bridge, America Line President travelled to the city of Amsterdam and boarded ship Zuiderdam to join Grand World Voyage guests around the Lido Pool to commemorate Holland America Line’s birthday.

The additional nine ships in Holland America Line’s fleet also held anniversary parties on board for guests.