Photo Tour Highlights of Holland America Line's 150th Anniversary

Parked at Pier 88 in Manhattan, Rotterdam guests were treated to an extra day in the Big Apple,
conveniently located within walking distance of the hot spots in the city. The historic cruise ends in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, at the historic New York Hotel.

Leaving New York City, Captain Bas Van Dreumel maneuvered the Rotterdam 360 degrees in front of the
Statue of Liberty, giving guests a twilight view of lower Manhattan. Live narration by Maritime Historian Bill Miller, provided real-time insights into the storied history of this route.

Once underway on the 7-day journey across the sea, there was plenty of entertainment on the Music
Walk. Each night guests could choose blues, rock n' roll or classic standards, or shows presented on the World Stage.

With 3 sets of stairways and 12 decks to explore, each stair landing is adorned with whimsical music-
themed, animal and architectural artwork in various forms of media. The trek up and down the stairs is well worth the effort to view these diverse works of art.

The Best of B.B. King's All-Stars Blues Club is always a favorite, with an 8-piece band including two
vocalists, backed by rhythm and horn sections. Relax with a 150th Anniversary Commemorative drink or hop onto the dance floor.

Maritime Historian, Bill Miller, was onboard to entertain and inform for several days of the itinerary,
with his humorous, and sometimes serious, stories of transatlantic cruising history. He is known as Mr. Ocean Liner, and you will soon find out why.

One of the many opportunities for entertainment on the World Stage included the Netherlands own
Tiny Little Big Band, featuring retro hits from Sinatra days. With Franklin Brown singing solos, this retro group induces toe tapping and finger snapping with their musical selections.

Back on the Music Walk, The Rolling Stone Rock Room offers rock n' roll favorites with everything from
Dylan to Chuck Berry to Blondie, and everything in between. There is never an excuse to be bored on Deck 2.

Throwback Happy Hour offers a wide variety of spirits at old time prices. Can you handle a 75 cent
cocktail, or a 25 cent tankard of lager? Be there at 4 in the afternoon to enjoy a brew at prices that were popular in the early days of cruising.

Check out The Shops, on Deck 2, for 150th Anniversary merchandise to take home as a remembrance of
this special itinerary. Located in several shops on the ship, the 150th Anniversary logo shows up on various items from clothing to toys.

A new Arts & Crafts Director position has been created on the ship, offering, among other activities,
painting classes, where even a novice can create a work of art. The results are your own creations that are easily packed into your luggage.

Head up to the Crow's Nest for a display of maritime artifacts that go back to the early 1900's. Vintage
Delft dinnerware, flatware and tiles, as well as documents, are on loan from the Rotterdam Maritime Museum.

A new cocktail has been blended in celebration of Holland America's 150th Anniversary. De Lijn Gin is a
Dutch and American collaboration to create a drink that incorporates a gin that is cold-infused with Dutch inspired botanicals. The result is a refreshing treat after a day of cruising the seas.

Reminders of the 150th Anniversary are everywhere. Even edible creations like this dessert can be seen in the Main Dining Room, as well as the Lido deck buffet.

The Central Atrium is a dramatic multi-level statement to the modern design with a music theme and
"combination of movement, dance and the dress of a tango dancer." It's located in the lower decks which house the Music Walk.

Made in collaboration with Pikes Brewing, of Seattle, a retro label adorns the new HAL Pils. The vintage Jan van Beers poster creates a collectible can which holds this new, crisp brew.

A great place to try out the new spirits is the Crow's Nest, located at the top of the ship. With
Explorations Cafe, this makes for a comfortable space with amazing views and a quiet respite to relax and reminisce about the day.

A Commemorative 150th Anniversary Bell was displayed in the Crow's Nest until the ship reached
Rotterdam for the celebratory hand-over, to be housed forever in the New York Hotel. The bell was traditionally christened by being doused with champagne by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.

A popup of the Dutch De Librije Restaurant was available in the Pinnacle Grill restaurant, with a
humorous take on some classic dishes. Check out the Deconstructed Apple Pie with artistic, edible recreations of a cinnamon stick, vanilla bean and anise star.

Another popup, in the Tamarind, presented the Dutch favorite Rijsttafel, an elaborate presentation of
Indonesian food items. A throwback to a time when Holland held the Dutch East Indies, now Indonesia,
the Dutch brought back the Indonesian food they loved. The tradition is now offered in hundreds of restaurants throughout the country.

The Library is back! A Holland American fan favorite disappeared from some of the newer ships, only to return to the Rotterdam. A lot of surprised guests were happy to find it on Deck 2.

Guests woke up one morning to an animal towel sculpture extravaganza on the Lido deck surrounding
the pool. The tradition of stewards leaving nightly animal towel creations is alive and well on the Rotterdam and this massive display was a happy treat.

When a Holland America ship visits a country, it flies that country's flag, as it did on a visit to Plymouth,
via a tender.

A view of the Rotterdam from the tender on its way to Plymouth, where you can walk the cobbled
streets on your own or sign up for a guided tour. The 1872 visit to Plymouth by the original Rotterdam might have picked up additional visitors and mail to be taken across the Atlantic to the U.S.

As Rotterdam arrived in Dover, the famous white cliffs came into view. Captain Bas van Dreumel stated,
“We’re pleased to mark this special occasion with the Port of Dover. Throughout our 150 year history,
Dover has played an important role in our journeys and when we visit, the Port is always popular with our guests." 

In Rotterdam, Gus Antorcha, President of Holland America Line, stated, “To the builders, architects,
visionaries and explorers who have brought us to today. To our generations of crew who have seen our
guests from shore to shore. And most importantly, to all of the passengers and guests who have trusted us along the way. Cheers to 150 years and many more to come." 

PostNL, the Postal Office of the Netherlands, created a collectible 150th Anniversary gold-foiled stamp
presented by Bob van Ierland, Director of Mail. Designed by Frank Janse, depicts the original Rotterdam I, alongside the newest Rotterdam VII.

Hotel New York - Holland America's original headquarters, from 1901 to 1993, when the historic building
was turned into a hotel. Thousands of migrants passed through this building with the hopes and dreams of building a new life in the United States.