Holland America Line\u2019s Rotterdam arrived at New York City yesterday morning on its maiden call to the city following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct. 15. The ship is nearing the end of a 15-day cruise that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America Line\u2019s first ship \u2014 Rotterdam I \u2014 that departed Rotterdam 150 years ago Oct. 15, 1872.<\/p>\n
Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially declared Oct. 26 an \u201chonorary day\u201d for Holland America Line to recognize the occasion and the historic contributions of the company to Manhattan throughout its 150 years.<\/p>\n
To celebrate the milestone, an event was held on board for invited guests. A highlight of the evening was the performance of a musical piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg, written exclusively for Holland America Line\u2019s anniversary to accompany a special short film about the cruise line\u2019s journey. The composition was performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America Line\u2019s Lincoln Center Stage<\/a> musicians.<\/p>\n In addition, the premium line introduced a partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to celebrate the cruise line\u2019s 150-year journey from immigrant carrier to consumer ocean liner fleet. The partnership features on-board video content across Holland America Line\u2019s entire fleet produced by an Ellis Island researcher, as well as a curated exhibit launching in 2023 at Ellis Island detailing the brand\u2019s historical prominence in bringing one in 10 immigrants from Europe to the United States.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are excited to be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in such a vibrant city with our newest ship on a rare overnight call,\u201d said Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line\u2019s president. \u201cThere\u2019s nothing like sailing into New York under the Verrazano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Standing on deck, you can\u2019t help but think back to more than a century ago, feeling the emotion of arriving in America for the first time. Recreating our first voyage has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n During the crossing, guests indulged in exclusive menus that showcase Holland America Line’s 150-year history with entr\u00e9es each evening reminiscent of dishes served as early as the 1920s. One special 150th Gala Menu only featured items \u2014 from appetizers to desserts \u2014 from a previous Holland America Line voyage.<\/p>\n In addition to the cuisine, special programming included a \u201cThrowback Happy Hour\u201d that rolled back time with drinks priced as low as 25 cents, Dutch High Tea, presentations that relived the history and roots of the company and anniversary-themed trivia. Holland America Line also introduced a limited-edition Pilsner beer \u2014 HAL Pils \u2014 in a commemorative can adorned with the iconic Jan van Beers advertising poster of 1898 showing a woman holding a Holland America Line steamship above her head.<\/p>\n