The five-day round-trip visits Bimini, Bahamas, and spends two days at Half Moon Cay, the line's private Bahamian island.
Rotterdam arrived at Port Everglades Wednesday following its maiden trans-Atlantic voyage from Amsterdam.
Rotterdam marks the second Holland America ship to return to Caribbean cruising since the pandemic shutdown 20 months ago. During November, Rotterdam 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 cruising from the port Oct. 23.
Economic impact
Each ship visit directly contributes $364,000 to the local economy in provisioning (fuel, food, flowers, piano tuning, supplies), port taxes and spending. Nearly 100 local vendors supply the company and its ships with goods and services.
'Incredible moment'
'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,' HAL President Gus Antorcha said. 'Rotterdam’s maiden voyage from Europe was a huge success and we’re getting a lot of positive feedback from guests about the ship.'
Antorcha was on hand to welcome embarking passengers today.
Following this cruise, Rotterdam will sail the Caribbean through April, with all departures round-trip Port Everglades and each one calling at Half Moon Cay. Cruises range from six to 11 days and span the region on southern, eastern, western and 'tropical' itineraries. Plus, back-to-back cruises may be combined.
