On July 3, ms Rotterdam departed the port of Rotterdam bound for New York City on an historic crossing designed to commemorate Holland America Line’s 40th anniversary of the transition from offering regular trans-Atlantic crossings to becoming entirely dedicated to pleasure cruising. A Rotterdam-based television crew was on-board filming for their local show. Special guests… read more of “Rotterdam TV Crew…”
July 3 was a special day for Holland America Line and the port of Rotterdam. For the second time this year the flagship ms Rotterdam was berthed together with fleet-mate ms Ryndam at the famous Wilhelminakade. What made it more special was that ms Rotterdam was preparing for a special trans-Atlantic voyage to New York… read more of “Rotterdam Sails…”
These photos were taken during the trans-Atlantic crossing on my Nieuw Amsterdam cruise in April 2011. – Frans Bel, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
The below was entered into Holland America Line’s trans-Atlantic essay contest. It was a bittersweet New York City day in 1963 as I boarded my first Holland America Ocean Liner, The New Amsterdam: destination Rotterdam. At the innocent age of six years old, I skipped then walked across the flimsy wooden gangplank, my long brown… read more of “Essay Contest…”
The below was entered into Holland America Line’s trans-Atlantic essay contest. My sister and I were having lunch this afternoon and she informed me that Holland American lines was having an Essay contest. I came home this evening and wanted to sit down and share my most memorable experience. I have actually had three memorable… read more of “Essay Contest…”
The below was entered into Holland America Line’s trans-Atlantic essay contest. We have taken approximately eighteen cruises, the first in 1972 on a Russian cruise ship that sailed from New Orleans; our latest was a cruise that departed Los Angeles and sailed around the Hawaiian Islands and returned to Los Angeles in February. Our most… read more of “Essay Contest…”
The below was entered into Holland America Line’s trans-Atlantic essay contest. For details on how to enter, click HERE. Ambulances blared past our 1967 Pontiac Catalina headed toward the airport. I resented the disruption of autumn’s spectacle and the magnificent J.S. Bach fugue. We were all classically trained musicians, except my mother, who, like George… read more of “Essay Contest…”
The below was entered into Holland America Line’s trans-Atlantic essay contest. For details on how to enter, click HERE. The following account is a transatlantic crossing on March 14, 2009, aboard the Holland America Line ms Oosterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. to Rome, Italy. Smile, yes I am smiling while I write this. My wife… read more of “Essay Contest…”
