Ramping up to Rotterdam: June – One Month to Go!
In less than a month, Holland America Line will welcome Rotterdam to our fleet! Did you tune in to Holland America Line Brand Ambassador Seth Wayne’s “Ramping Up to Rotterdam” update this week on our Facebook page to see the progress of the ship? Once again he spoke with Stan Kuppens, new builds projects, hotel, who was live at the yard and offered insight into how closer we are to delivery. Here are some photos shared by Stan and Seth, plus a few more to show you the progress of the ship in several areas.
Stan relayed that right now they are busy with ship inspections and that the outfitters are doing great with the progress. Catering areas, public areas, deck and engine, staterooms … it’s ramping up! The lights are on and the paint is shining. All of the areas are prepped for the outfitters, and now they can come in with pre-fabricated items to install. Then they add the last touches to make it custom, things that can’t be done in the factory. As you will see in the photos, everything is covered up after preliminary inspections to keep the areas protected and clean.
“From the moment I started in March at the shipyard, I have not had a doubt for one second that ship wouldn’t be finished on time. They are getting these areas ready like no tomorrow. It’s incredible,” said Stan.
ELEVATORS:
The elevators are in and pretty much done, and the whole elevator landing is complete. On Tuesday we had two pages of areas that will be delivered to the ship. The team inspects every bit of the deliverables, and they inspect them several times and make remarks. Then the outfitters work on their remarks and deliver the entire space to Holland America Line.
GRAND DUTCH CAFE:
There are a few differences in Grand Dutch Cafe on Rotterdam than with its Pinnacle Class sisters. The bar has been so popular that we added another coffee machine! In addition, there are now high and low tables to make it more ADA friendly, including a lower section of the bar.
DINING ROOM:
The Dining Room looks pretty much done. We had prelim inspections and they have a few things to fix, but we can now load owner-supply furniture. Deck 2 starboard already has chairs. We just keep moving in the chairs and supply furniture until it’s complete.
WORLD STAGE:
All of the LED screens are installed and World Stage is complete. All of the chairs are in and we’ve had a preliminary inspection. Screen are being tested and we’re minutes away from delivery of these kinds of spaces.
TAMARIND:
The restaurant is a little different on Rotterdam than the sisters. On this ship, Tamarind is more ADA friendly. There is an ADA area at the bar, and the bar you see has been brought around the corner. Tamarind is on Deck 10 further up in the ship. The yard has more time to start at bottom and work up. Even now we are in pre-inspection on Deck 10!
MORE AREAS:
The Atrium sculpture with Guest Services in the background.
Lido Midship Pool Bar. Everything is covered but it’s all finished.
Lido Market.
The Bridge is ready for Captain Timmers and the officers!
The Queen’s Lounge (left) and the passageway outside of Club Orange leading to the Half Moon Bar.
*The main photo of this post is Rudi’s Sel de Mer, with another beautiful painting by artist Magnus Sodamin.
We will have one final “Ramping Up to Rotterdam” in July just before delivery! Come back to see how the ship looks as she’s ready to join the fleet.
How do I book a Cabana on the lido pool deck?
We are SO excited to board the Rotterdam in September of 2022 for the Norway/Baltic/TA/Southern Caribbean cruises. 52 days!
Will face masking be required in indoor areas?
I am happy to see the progress being made on this beautiful new ship! I have a Neptune suite booked for a 13 day cruise in January. Looking forward to January.
I am booked on the TA and just read the HAL is not excepting passengers with mixed vaccines that were are approved by Canada health and WHO. Is there a possibility that HAL will reconsider this policy?
We are on the transatlantic voyage in October…fingers crossed that it happens with passengers…any updates on the itinerary?
Im booked on the TA- what is latest on inaugural festivities and any port changes likely?
I am so excited … we will be on the Rotterdam, the newest Pinnacle Class ship, in February, 2022 for 22 glorious days! HAL is our only cruise line!
Have booked a 2022 TA cruise with club orange. What is an upgrade meta category?
Can’t wait to see her in person February 2022! Great job HAL :)
It is great to see that the ship builder’s are on schedule. It it a shame that HAL cannot deliver the same schedule to their guest. I am disappointed that HAL is taunting the progress of the ship but not acknowledging the disappointment that many of us as guests are experiencing. Not once in this article has there been an apology for the cancellation of the premier and subsequent cruises. We have planned this cruise for two years. We are totally disappointed in the manner that this cancellation has been handled. I will be totally surprised if you permit this response to be posted.
Those of us booked on the TA October 20, 2021 are still holding our breath! But the ship looks wonderful and we can’t wait to be on it! Many thanks for the updates.
Are there going to be any cruises on the Rotterdam before the Transatlantic crossing Oct 20 to Nov 3,2021? Our 10 day European Capitals (Oct 10 to 20) was cancelled and I cannot find anything listed after delivery until our “Atlantic Sojourn”. We really wanted to do something earlier.
These pictures make me so HAPPY…It is really coming together and to have seen the entire ship build
thru pictures makes it more special..Counting the days till we board!
I’m so looking forward to being a passenger on the transatlantic cruise on the Rotterdam. I wish it were tomorrow, she looks beautiful!! Thank you HAL!!