4 April 2024
Both ships will call into Dover on 20th and 26th April respectively, following MS Rotterdam’s commemorative 150th anniversary voyage on 17th April 2023, and Nieuw Statendam’s inaugural call on 8th September 2023. Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will both visit Dover as part of transatlantic voyages.
The vessels have space for 2700 guests and include a wealth of onboard features including restaurants, bars, a spa, casino and top deck swimming pools. Rotterdam is the line’s newest ship.
This comes after Holland America Line announced Dover as UK homeport for Nieuw Statendam in 2025, with a full season of 10 sailings throughout summer 2025. This will be its largest set of UK calls in ten years. The ship will set sail on various itineraries including to the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the Eastern Mediterranean.
Dover’s partnership with Holland America Line dates back over one and a half centuries, when the Port was part of its first ever sailings in 1872 with the original Rotterdam. Over 150 years later, the relationship continues to go from strength to strength, with an exciting future ahead.
Peter Wright, Head of Cruise at the Port of Dover said:
“It’s always a joy to welcome Holland America Line and their guests back to Dover. The upcoming return of Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will give us another fantastic opportunity to celebrate our unique history together, whilst adding another chapter to the story.
“We are excited for the future and look forward to presenting the very best of Kent alongside Dover’s much-loved scenery and heritage when Nieuw Statendam sails in for many more port of call visits.”
Karen Farndell, Holland America Line director sales and marketing, said:
“We can’t wait to return to Dover and are eagerly awaiting giving our guests the opportunity to explore the local area. We always receive a warm welcome and the sight of the iconic white cliffs are the perfect landmark for our visit.
“Nieuw Statendam will be a regular fixture next year, as she will spend a full season sailing out of Dover, providing our guests with an even greater choice of destinations and the option to sail with us without the need to fly. So the visit gives us the ideal opportunity to prepare for 2025 and all the benefits and opportunities it will bring.”