1. Values in Action: Maintain Optimism & Perspective
Nostalgic Cruises
Guests on two classic transatlantic
crossings this past summer on board
ms Rotterdam were transported back
in time to the big-band era when
Holland America Line’s primary
business was carrying guests
between Europe and America. The
last such crossing was 40 years ago
as travelers began instead to board
speedy jetliners for the trip rather
than leisurely cruise liners.
On July 3, Rotterdam departed from her
namesake city in the Netherlands on the first
of the two special transatlantic crossings.
Music and a historical photo exhibit greeted
guests arriving on the pier. The vice-mayor of
the city, Jeannette Baljeu, was on hand to see
the ship off on this commemorative voyage.
Chantal Hettich, a marketing coordinator in
the Rotterdam office, was on board for the
crossing. “When sailing out of Rotterdam, lots
of locals were standing outside along the
water to wave to the ship,” she said. “The
captain kept blowing the horn. Small boats
greeted the ship, balloons went up while
passing the ss Rotterdam (moored near the
departure pier) and when we sailed at Hoek
van Holland at night, fireworks lit up the sky.”
Stir Memories
The return trip from New York to Rotterdam
featured similar festivities as the ship sailed
out of the harbor past the Statue of Liberty
and into the open ocean.“Cecil B. DeMille
couldn’t have directed a better day,” said
Gerald Bernhoft, director of the Mariner
Society, “There was nostalgia from the
moment the ship left the dock. It was a
stunning, beautiful day and we had a huge
deck party as we watched New York get
smaller and smaller.”
On both crossings, guests received special gifts,
including a book of stories by people who had
made the crossing, or whose family members
had done so, on Holland America ships in
bygone eras. Bernhoft said the books were well
received, and he saw many people reading them
on deck during the voyage. The stories in the
book were the top entries from a recent contest
where the writers of the two best stories were
awarded free cruises on the classic crossings.
The Pasadena Roof Orchestra, a popular U.K.
band that plays swing music from the
big-band era, livened both crossings, and
played for the Black & White Ball where
enthusiastic guests crowded the dance floor.
Author Bill Miller, considered an international
authority on ocean liners and cruise ships and
known as “Mr. Ocean Liner,” lectured to
packed houses. Miller has written numerous
books and more than 1,000 articles on the topic.
In the dining room, menus included dishes
that were culled from classic menus from
decades ago.
“As there were many Dutch guests on board, the
ship’s staff organized a Dutch party in the Crow’s
Nest with Dutch music, herring, kroketten and
other typical Dutch appetizers,” Hettich said.
The cruise from New York to Rotterdam was a
special Mariner Society cruise with Mariner
events sprinkled throughout the crossings,
including cocktail parties, special dinners and
award ceremonies. Bernhoft said 776
Mariners were on board from New York to
Rotterdam, with cruising days to their credit
ranging from seven days to more than 1,500.
“Lots of guests were drawn to this cruise
because of the nostalgia,” Hettich said. There
was a mix of nationalities and many families
and first-time cruisers as well as 357 Mariners.
Ship staff, Bernhoft said, should get credit for
the success of these crossings. “The officers
and crew of the flagship ms Rotterdam made
this a cruise to remember.”
1.During a Mariner Society awards presentation,
Mariner Society member Anne Marie Bartels
poses with (l-r) Gerald Bernhoft, director
Mariner Society, ms Rotterdam Captain Rik
Krombeen and Hotel Manager Hans Dernison.
2. Chantal Hettich, standing, marketing
coordinator in the Rotterdam office, and Chief
Officer Robert Fronenbroek (sitting) entertain
journalists the evening of the Black & White Ball.
3. Dancers fill the floor as the Pasadena Roof
Orchestra plays songs from the big-band era.
4.The NewYork City skyline begins to fade into
the distance as ms Rotterdam begins the classic
transatlantic crossing to the city of Rotterdam.
5. Rotterdam Director of Sales Nico Bleichrodt
presents the first Classic Crossing book to
Rotterdam City Alderman Jeannette Baljeu.The
book comprises the best entries in a contest
that gathered personal stories of classic
crossings on Holland America Line ships.
6. Martien Hoegen, chairman of DeLijn, an
organization of retired Holland American employees,
set up a Museum at Sea in the Crow’s Nest and
filled it with Holland America memorabilia.
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Above: Guests on the classic cruises received a classic
Holland America Line poster.
Below:The much-beloved ss Rotterdam salutes
ms Rotterdam as she departs Rotterdam Harbor.
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