Holland America Line’s Rotterdam reaches next building milestone with coin ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 02 October 2020 02 October 2020

In anticipation of Rotterdam’s float-out next week, Holland America Line celebrated the ship’s coin ceremony today, Thursday, Oct. 1, at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard in Italy. Following Italian shipbuilding tradition, Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam in the Netherlands, served as the ship’s madrina and participated in the festivities.

During the socially responsible ceremony, Dutch coins minted in 1872 to honor Holland America Line’s first Rotterdam were welded to the outside deck of the ship to bring good fortune, followed by a blessing by the shipyard chaplain. In attendance were Antonio Quintano, director of the Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard; Cyril Tatar, Holland America Group’s vice president of newbuilding services; and Nico Bleichrodt, vice president, international sales, for Holland America Line.

“We are pleased to honor the coin ceremony tradition and celebrate this milestone that signals less than a year until Rotterdam’s delivery,” said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line. “With a name like Rotterdam, there is no other person more ideal than Mai Elmar to serve as the ship’s madrina. Mai’s name is synonymous with the cruise industry in the port city of Rotterdam and she has been a tremendous champion of our brand for decades. We’re thrilled to have her take on this special role.”

On Oct 7 Rotterdam’s drydock will be filled with water and the ship will be floated out to begin the next stage of construction at an outfitting pier. Rotterdam is scheduled to be delivered July 30, 2021.

About Madrina Mai Elmar

For many years, Elmar has dedicated much of her time to the city and port of Rotterdam. Since 2000, she has grown Cruise Port Rotterdam from zero to 102 cruise ships that have visited yearly. She was the first chief marketing officer of Rotterdam city and now serves as executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam. Elmar was instrumental in designing the brand policy and strategy of the city. From 2011 to 2013, she was director of the ss Rotterdam, the famed hotel ship and former flagship of Holland America Line.

In 2005 Elmar was named Mrs. “Harbor Man of the Year” and received the Wolfert van Borselen medal from the mayor for her efforts for the city of Rotterdam. In 2016 she was made a Knight of the Order of Oranje Nassau, which is awarded for longstanding meritorious service to society, the State or the Royal House.

About Rotterdam VII

The third in the Pinnacle Class series, Rotterdam will carry 2,668 guests, measure 99,800 gross tons and feature highly successful amenities and innovations introduced with her sister ships, including the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer and Grand Dutch Café. Delivering the best of everything, Rotterdam celebrates live music with an exclusive collection of world-class performances each night — from Lincoln Center Stage and B.B. King’s Blues Club to Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard.

Throughout the ship, Rotterdam will showcase Holland America Line hallmarks that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry: exquisite cuisine guided by eight of the world’s leading chefs; gracious, award-winning service; and superbly appointed staterooms and suites, including family and single accommodations.

Rotterdam is the seventh ship to bear the name for Holland America Line and the 17th ship constructed for the brand by Italian shipyard Fincantieri, which most recently built Nieuw Statendam.

Following Rotterdam’s Premiere Voyage departing Aug. 1, 2021, the ship will spend its inaugural summer season in northern Europe. Naming details have not been finalized and will be announced at a later date.

Borealis 2022 to set sail from Liverpool and Southampton

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 September 2020 30 September 2020

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destination focused UK cruise operator, said the 2022 world cruise of Borealis offers an opportunity to set sail from either Liverpool or Southampton.

“Borealis’ S2202 ‘Around the World’ sailing, which will include transits of both the Suez and Panama Canals, visits to America, Hawaii, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and a three-day stay in Sydney, will depart from Southampton for a 100-night cruise on 6 January 2022,” the company said in a statement.

Guests will also have the opportunity to join in Liverpool on 4 January 2022 for a 104-night sailing. 

Clare Ward, Director of Product and Customer Service at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said:  “Three days in Hawaii will allow ample time to experience the volcanic vistas and to learn more about the historic site of Pearl Harbour. Sail the scenic fjords of New Zealand; witness the wonder of the Great Barrier Reef in Australia; explore the Lost City of Petra in Jordan and admire the spectacular skylines of the bustling cities of Singapore and Dubai.”

The world cruise itinerary will also be split into shorter fly-cruise sailings, ranging from 17 to 84 nights. The unveiling of the world cruise follows on from the launch of itineraries aboard Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines’ two new ships, Bolette and Borealis, earlier this month. 

The two ships have now officially joined the fleet in Rosyth, Scotland, and will embark on their maiden sailings in spring 2021, the company said. 

Swan Hellenic signs strategic partnership to gain Asia presence

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 30 September 2020 30 September 2020

Swan Hellenic, the expedition cruise line that was relaunched earlier this year, said it has signed a strategic partnership agreement with Tam Wing Kun Holdings Limited to provide a direct presence in Asia, the company said in a statement.

Tam Holdings represents many of the world’s leading airlines and logistics companies in Asia through offices or partners in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Taiwan) Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia. It has been in business more than four decades.

“The partnership is a strategic agreement in line with Swan Hellenic’s long-term approach of establishing a direct presence in every market worldwide to offer the close personal service to which it is committed,” the company said.

Three more ships find buyers

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

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Published: 29 September 2020 29 September 2020

Three more elderly cruise ships have found buyers and at least two of them have not been sold for scrap.
 
Fred. Olsen Cruise Line has sold the 1972 built Black Watch and Boudicca to be used as accommodation vessels for a company in Turkey.
 
Both ships are of roughly 28,500 gross tons. They were originally built for the long since defunct Royal Viking Line for worldwide cruising and thus have large cabins. Both ships were lengthened in 1981-82, their original gross tonnage was about 22,000.
 
 “Both Black Watch and Boudicca have served us extremely well during their time with us, and we know that their new owners will be as proud of them as we have been. We are delighted that they will stay together, and will continue to be used and loved in the future,” Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said in a statement.
 
Meanwhile, P&O Cruises Australia has reportedly sold the 1991 built Pacific Dawn of 70,285 gross tons to undisclosed buyers. Built as Regal Princess for Princess cruises, the ship has operated in Australia since 2007.
 
The ship had been sold to a Greek company that was to charter it to Cruise & Maritime Voyages in the UK, but the sale fell through due to the collapse of the said operator.
 
Sister ship Pacific Jewel, built as Crown Princess, is currently operating in India as Karnaka for Jalesh Cruises.