Posted on May 11, 2021
Holland America Line’s new Rotterdam cruise ship successfully completes sea trials before making its debut this summer.
Holland America Line’s newest vessel, the 2668 passenger New Rotterdam, built in the Fincantieri Marghera (Venice) shipyard in Italy, returned back in port in the evening of May 6 after completing two sets of sea trials in the Adriatic Sea.
This marks another important step towards the vessel’s intended delivery date of July 30, 2021, and her maiden voyage from the Italian port of Trieste on August 1.
Testing Performance
After the initial sea trials were completed a few days earlier at the Fincantieri plant in Marghera, Rotterdam was put into dry dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste for hull prep and painting. On May 3, the ship began its official sea trials, returning to Marghera on May 6, where it will undergo its last set of construction steps.
A three day period is unusually short for an official sea trial run, which makes it unsurprising president of Holland America Line Gus Antorcha has a positive mindset towards the release of the vessel within two months from now:
“The successful completion of sea trials gives us great confidence as we head into the final weeks of outfitting for Rotterdam and prepare for delivery of this historic ship. Construction of Rotterdam has continued through the global challenges of the past year with Fincantieri maintaining the highest level of dedication to staying on schedule. Congratulations to everyone involved for completing this significant milestone.”
During sea trials, the vessel underwent a series of rigorous testing to see if the contracted performance figures match the actual performance of the ship systems, machinery, and engines, including maneuvering, speed, and safety systems.
About New Rotterdam
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. The new ship has a capacity of 2,600 passengers, 99,500 gross tons, and a length of 297 meters.
Related: Take a Look at Holland America’s New Cruise Ship During Float Out
It is no surprise that Holland America Line is naming Rotterdam its latest flagship. The ship will encompass the many changes in design and entertainment the line has made over the years.
Rotterdam will boast exceptional dining, innovative entertainment, beautiful staterooms and suites, and craftsmanship, including the 270-degree surround-screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant, and the famous Grand Dutch Café. Delivering the best entertainment at sea, Rotterdam celebrates live music with an exclusive selection of world-class concerts each night.
Itinerary
New Rotterdam’s maiden voyage will depart August 1, after her delivery on July 30. The vessel will sail in the Adriatic to ports like Zadar, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; Kerkira, Nisos Kerkira(Corfu), Greece; Taormina, Naples, and finishing in Civitavecchia, Italy.
After her initial maiden voyage, the vessel will sail towards Northern Europe on a voyage towards her namesake port, Rotterdam. The vessel will remain in Northern Europe for a series of voyages towards the British Isles, Iceland, and Norway, including the stunning Norwegian Fjords.
Worth Reading: Holland America to Restart Cruise Operations Out of Greece
Cruises from Amsterdam towards the Baltic and the capital cities of Helsinki, Stockholm, and the most northern big city in the world, St. Petersburg, are also on the program.
New Rotterdam is looking to be a true heir of her illustrious name, and with the voyages and the layout of the ship Holland America has planned out, it looks like it will be a huge success.
