A new Holland America Line cruise ship has been launched from the shipyard.
The HAL Rotterdam was launched by Fincantieri at a shipyard in Italy today.
Rotterdam will next have her drydock filled with water and floated out on October 7 to begin the next stage of construction at an outfitting pier.
Coinciding with the launch is the traditional and well-wishing “coin ceremony" which sees the yard welding a silver dollar on the last deck of the ship.
The new Rotterdam is a sister to the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, part of Holland America's Pinnacle class of ships with capacity for 2,668 guests.
Following Italian shipbuilding tradition, Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam in the Netherlands, served as the ship’s madrina and participated in the festivities.
Rotterdam is scheduled for delivery in summer 2021.
Following Rotterdam’s Premiere Voyage departing August 1, 2021, the ship will spend its inaugural summer season in northern Europe.
Matt Hochberg
Matt loves to cruise, and started Cruise.Blog as a place to share different cruise experiences, advice, and what to know before going on a cruise.
He lives in Florida with his wife and two daughters, where he can be found on any given day trying to convince his wife they "need" to book another cruise.
