This 150-Year-Old Cruise Line Will Recreate Its Maiden Voyage On A Special Transatlantic Sailing

For a certain echelon of travelers, Transatlantic crossings between New York and Europe in the early 20th century were considered the pinnacle of cruise travel glamour.

As Holland America Line prepares for its 150th anniversary in 2023, the Seattle-based cruise line will kick off a year of celebrations with a special transatlantic crossing that’s been designed to recreate a bygone era of ocean travel.

Departing on Oct. 15, 2022 from Rotterdam, the Netherlands en route to New York City, guests aboard Rotterdam VII are in for a buffet of special events, activities and commemorative keepsakes on a once in a lifetime voyage that will retrace Holland America’s very first cruise dating back to 1872 aboard Rotterdam I.

“Holland America Line has evolved from a shipping company to a brand synonymous with exceptional cruise vacations, and this anniversary crossing is a tribute to the voyage millions of immigrants took to the New World,” President of Holland America Line, Gus Antorcha said in statement.

Founded on April 18, 1873 as the Netherlands-American Steamship Company, today, Holland America Line, or HAL as it’s referred to by cruise experts and loyalists, includes a fleet of more 150-ships and sails to all seven continents.

Along October’s epic 12-day sailing with stops in Paris and Plymouth, England before heading out for seven days at sea, cruisers will experience the brand’s history come to life through a variety of onboard enrichment programming, nostalgic culinary experiences and exclusive entertainment. Among one of many musical highlights will be a performance piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg written exclusively for Holland America Line’s anniversary to accompany a special short film about the cruise line’s journey over the last 150-years.

Every evening in the Main Dining Room, diners will be treated to a menu that showcases the cruise line’s history with a classic entrée reminiscent of a dish served as far back as the 1920’s from Royal Rib of Beef a la Medicis, Holland Duckling served in a Port Wine Sauce or an Artic Char a la Normande.

The real cherry a la mode will be a special 150th Gala event hosted in the ships main dining room that will include a collection of dishes from previous Holland America Line voyages. A “Throwback Happy Hour” that will roll back time and feature drinks priced to when the brand began will also be on offer and guests who want to learn about wine can join HAL’s Vice President of Dining and Beverage Operations Anthony Stice for wine tastings and other delights around the ship.

In addition to the memories that will last a lifetime, guests will also be receiving an exclusive 150th Anniversary Royal Goedewaagen tile and limited-edition items for purchase available in the ship’s onboard shop.

If you can’t make the October sailing, don’t sweat it. Another 150th Anniversary Transatlantic sailing will be depart on April 6, 2023 from New York to Rotterdam on April 18 the cruise line’s 150th birthday.

“We have guests who are sailing in October because their grandparents immigrated to the United States on a Holland America Line ship or because they’ve been fans for years, and we’ve filled the voyage with special moments that will create wonderful memories for everyone on board.”