Holland America cruise line’s new Rotterdam is carrying on a tradition that began in the 1920s. The Rotterdam’s godmother will be Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

“We are deeply grateful that Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet will once again act as godmother to a Holland America Line ship, carrying on a long tradition with the Royal Family that continues to honor our Dutch roots,” Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America line, said in a news release.

“Rotterdam will be named in Rotterdam next year, celebrating its namesake city and our historic connection with the Netherlands,” Antorcha said. “We look forward to commemorating the occasion where it all started for Holland America Line.”

Holland America Line’s connection to The House of Orange goes back nearly a century to Prince Hendrik launching Statendam III in 1929. Since then, members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 more Holland America Line vessels throughout the years, including Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet who named Prinsedam (1972), Nieuw Amsterdam III (1983), Rotterdam VI (1997) and Oosterdam (2003.)

Additional members of the Dutch Royal Family who are godmothers include Queen Maxima, who named Koningsdam in 2016 and Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010.

Then-Queen Beatrix served as Eurodam’s godmother in 2008. Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Then-Princess Beatrix named Statendam IV in 1957 and Prinses Margriet in 1960. Nieuw Amsterdam II was launched by Queen Wilhelmina in 1937.

Rotterdam’s maiden cruise departed Oct. 20, 2021, from Amsterdam, the Netherlands for a 14-day transatlantic journey to Fort Lauderdale. During its inaugural Caribbean season from November to April, Rotterdam will sail a variety of five-to-11-day itineraries that span the southern, western, eastern and tropic regions, all roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.

In mid-April, the ship will make a 14-day Atlantic Ocean crossing back to Europe to spend the summer in Norway, the Baltic, British Isles and Iceland, all sailing roundtrip from Amsterdam.

Holland America Line has been exploring the world since 1873 and was the first cruise line to offer adventures to Alaska and the Yukon nearly 75 years ago. Its fleet of ships now visits nearly 400 ports in 114 counties around the world, offering a mid-sized ship experience.

Photo courtesy of Holland America Line