Holland America Line reflects on history and resilience on Its 147th anniversary

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 17 April 2020 17 April 2020

Holland America Line reflects on history and resilience on Its 147th anniversary Holland America Line is commemorating its 147th anniversary Saturday, April 18, 2020, by honoring its rich legacy, taking care of each other in the present and looking forward to its next chapter. With travel paused globally, the premium cruise line is reflecting on the resilience that has been exhibited throughout the company’s history, enduring challenging times many times before and emerging even stronger thanks to loyal guests, dedicated crew and employees, and the support of travel advisors.

Founded April 18, 1873, as the Netherlands-American Steamship Company, the brand has welcomed more than 150 ships throughout the years. A third Pinnacle-class ship, Ryndam, is under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy and scheduled for delivery in late spring 2021. While the cruise line has paused its global operations through June 30, only one other time in company history did operations cease. During World War II, all passenger voyages stopped, and ships were called to serve in the Allied war effort.

“It’s important during these challenging times to still celebrate important milestones, and our 147th anniversary reminds us that Holland America Line has one of the deepest histories and richest legacies in the cruise industry,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We stand on a solid foundation built by those that came before us over nearly a century and a half, and just as they weathered uncertain times, we will as well. Holland America Line will be back taking guests around the world as soon as we can, and we can’t wait to welcome everyone back on board.” Since 1873, Holland America Line has traveled to all seven continents, offered decades of world cruises and explored Alaska for more than 70 years. Each time a new ship joins the fleet it’s a celebration of this legacy and marks the next chapter in the company’s history. Learn more about the company’s history at

 

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To help our loyal guests look forward their next cruise, new short-term Book with Confidence cancellation policies are available for cruise bookings with departure dates through Oct. 15, 2020, and a generous Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP) is always available for purchase right up until the cancellation policy for a booking is in effect. CPP permits cancelling for any reason and provides cash refunds.

Additional offers that feature perks and savings will have cruisers dreaming of travel in 2021 and beyond. A special 147th Anniversary Edition Gift Card is available for a limited time at hollandamerica.com. When purchased by May 31, 2020, a bonus $100 will be added with purchase of a $500 gift card or a $200 bonus with the purchase of a gift card for $1,000 or more.

TOP PICTURE: Stephen Card painting of Nieuw Amsterdam

BELOW: Historical picture of Pier 40 in New York (Photo credits: Holland America Line)

 

New orders cannot be expected before 2023, yard capacity must be reduced – Meyer officials

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: Top Headlines Top Headlines

Published: 16 April 2020 16 April 2020

The cruise ship building industry is facing severe overcapacity as new orders cannot be expected for a few years and the Meyer group of shipyards needs to adjust its capacity to a new normal, two senior officials of the group said.

Due to the severity of the crisis, no new orders can be expected before 2023 or 2024, said Thomas Weigend, CEO of Meyer Werft, the German unit of the group, in a video message to the staff.

Bernard Meyer, Chairman and Owner, stated on the same video that it would take up to 2030 for the newbuilding market to return to the levels seen last year, before the crisis.

Cruise shipping companies would book massive losses for this year and break even in 2021 before probably returning to profit in the following year, he added.

Only between a half and three quarters of the global cruise ship fleet of some 400 ships would resume service this year, Weigend forecast.

Given the severity of the crisis, the lines will also seek to postpone deliveries and in order to avoid cancellations of orders, the Meyer Group will have to reduce its capacity. At Papenburg, this means cutting one large ships per year from the present output of two large and one smaller ship per year, Weigend continued.

In order to adapt to the new normal, Weigend said the company plans to reduce the hours worked by its own staff, reduce the use of contractors and to stop overtime and weekend work.

The cruise industry has experienced four major shocks since he started at the family owned company in 1973. The first one was the oil crisis the same year Meyer started his shipbuilding career and from which it took the global shipbuilding industry two decades to recover.

The 911 terrorist attacks in 2001 and the financial crisis seven years later were both major events, but neither of these brought the entire global cruise fleet to a standstill as has been the case with the coronavirus, said Bernard Meyer.

P&O Cruises' Iona departed Meyer Werft last month. New delivery date is not set yet. Photo credit: Meyer Werft