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New HAL ship Rotterdam debuts in Caribbean
Holland America Line’s new Rotterdam ship has departed on its inaugural Caribbean cruise.
Its long-awaited debut is a roundtrip five-day sailing that visits Bimini, Bahamas, and spends two days at Half Moon Cay, the cruise line’s private Bahamian island.
The ship arrived at Port Everglades November 3 following its maiden transatlantic voyage from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam marks the second ship to return to Florida cruising and the Caribbean for Holland America Line since the industry-wide pause began 20 months ago.
During November, the ship will be joined at Port Everglades by Pinnacle Class sister-ship Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam, which also kick off their Caribbean seasons.
Nieuw Amsterdam began Caribbean cruising from Fort Lauderdale on October 23.
"We have been awaiting our return to the Caribbean for a long time, and having Rotterdam and our other ships restart operations out of Fort Lauderdale is an incredible moment for our company," said Gus Antorcha, president of Holland America Line.
Following the November 5 departure, Rotterdam will sail in the Caribbean through April, with all departures roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale.
The cruises range from six to 11 days and span the region on southern, eastern, western and tropical itineraries.
Every Caribbean cruise includes a call at Half Moon Cay.
Holland America Line has been homeporting from Port Everglades since the 1990s.
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