SEATTLE, Oct. 1, 2020 /CNW/ -- 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.
Click to tweet: Holland America
Line celebrates Rotterdam's
Coin Ceremony at Fincantieri shipyard. @CruisePortRTM Executive
Director Mai Elmar serves as
madrina. Ship to be floated out next week.
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.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a
travel professional or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or
visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the home
page at hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line has been exploring the
world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures
to Alaska and the Yukon more than 70 years ago. Its fleet of
premium ships visits more than 470 ports in 98 countries around the
world, offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience. A third
Pinnacle-class ship, Rotterdam, is under construction and will
join the fleet in July 2021.
The leader in premium cruising, Holland America Line's ships
feature innovative initiatives and a diverse range of enriching
experiences focused on destination exploration and personalized
travel. The best live music at sea fills each evening at Music
Walk, and dining venues feature exclusive selections from Holland
America Line's esteemed Culinary Council, comprising world-famous
chefs.
In light of COVID-19, Holland America Line is currently
assessing enhanced health and safety protocols and how they may
impact future cruises. Actual offerings may vary from what is
displayed. Stay updated on current Travel Advisories and
Health & Safety protocols.
CONTACT:
|
Erik
Elvejord
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029,
206-626-9890
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
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SOURCE Holland America Line