On 18 April 1873 the Netherlands inaugurated their first major transatlantic shipping company. The Company of the vapors Holland in the Americas (NASM in Dutch) fills several decades shipping delay: the country is in fact the only colonial power without large ocean shipping company, and its links with the world depend on the goodwill of foreign vessels . NASM will strengthen the international influence, competing with the big names of the era such as Cunard and White Star English (founded around 1840), the Nord Germanischer Lloyd (1847) or the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique (1855). The first ship in the fleet is Rotterdam: she has already rallied New York from Holland in October 1872. It is a vapor which can still be adorned with sails; it takes two weeks to make the crossing. Regular service to New York is in place from 1882: NASM ships dock at Hoboken, facing Manhattan. The following year, the company adopted the suffix "dam" for its fleet of liners, suffix still used today.
In 1888 launched a line between the Netherlands and Argentina: the highly competitive (the Peninsular & Oriental Line already operates a line from England for 50 years), and NASM will reconcentrate quickly on of North America. In 1898, while celebrating its 25th anniversary, the company has already carried nearly 500,000 passengers and 5 million tons of cargo. With six ships in a fleet, it is now part of the Epic Transatlantic.
In 1888 launched a line between the Netherlands and Argentina: the highly competitive (the Peninsular & Oriental Line already operates a line from England for 50 years), and NASM will reconcentrate quickly on of North America. In 1898, while celebrating its 25th anniversary, the company has already carried nearly 500,000 passengers and 5 million tons of cargo. With six ships in a fleet, it is now part of the Epic Transatlantic.
Meanwhile, the NASM has adopted the name under which she is still known today. She gradually forge a reputation for very high rank: quality of service constantly reworked him the nickname "The impeccable fleet." In 1895, Rotterdam made a trip from Holland to Denmark via the kiel canal: a first cruise itself, almost 70 years before the development of marine tourism. Until the 20s, it will carry hundreds of thousands of emigrants to the American Dream.
Although the Netherlands have remained neutral, Holland America will suffer the damage of the First World War: underwater mines and attacks more or less disorganized decimate the fleet, that regain its greatness in the 20s. The ships then change significantly: the progress of the steel causes the disappearance of the impellers in favor of propellers, offering a much better performance and a more reasonable size. The European migration policy is constrained by the United States and the transatlantic clientele is increasingly made up of businessmen and celebrities pressed. The silhouette of the ships evolving towards the transatlantic legendary Titanic, Queen Mary or Bremen. Priority is given to speed: the Statendam, delivered in 1934, up to 18 knots and crossed the Atlantic in a week. Four years later, the Nieuw Amsterdam will mark the history of the ship by her gorgeous curves, they say never equaled since. The entry into the fleet of the Nieuw Amsterdam sign the renewal of the company, which was struggling to recover from the 1929 crisis. The cruise industry is becoming increasingly popular, with 36 departures wich are available in 1938.
Although the Netherlands have remained neutral, Holland America will suffer the damage of the First World War: underwater mines and attacks more or less disorganized decimate the fleet, that regain its greatness in the 20s. The ships then change significantly: the progress of the steel causes the disappearance of the impellers in favor of propellers, offering a much better performance and a more reasonable size. The European migration policy is constrained by the United States and the transatlantic clientele is increasingly made up of businessmen and celebrities pressed. The silhouette of the ships evolving towards the transatlantic legendary Titanic, Queen Mary or Bremen. Priority is given to speed: the Statendam, delivered in 1934, up to 18 knots and crossed the Atlantic in a week. Four years later, the Nieuw Amsterdam will mark the history of the ship by her gorgeous curves, they say never equaled since. The entry into the fleet of the Nieuw Amsterdam sign the renewal of the company, which was struggling to recover from the 1929 crisis. The cruise industry is becoming increasingly popular, with 36 departures wich are available in 1938.
World War II marks as well as Holland America, as the first. Anticipating the dramatic events that follow, shipowner transfers its headquarters to Curacao in the Dutch colonies, and places its main vessels away. In reason: In 1940, the Netherlands remained neutral, however, annexed to Germany, the historical offices Holland America,, established in Rotterdam, will not resist the raids. The Dutch government will commandeer the Westernland wet in Falmouth (South of England), while the Nieuw Amsterdam is used by the Allies and travel over a million kilometers to transport troops. Fleet is of 25 ships in 1938, it remains only 9 at the end of the war.
Holland America, will wait for 50 years before receiving new units. Then come the Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam new: these ships are the first priority for all the "Tourist Class". The Statendam propose in 1958 the first circum-terrestrial cruise of historystarting from the historic Hoboken Terminal. The following year, it is with great fanfare inauguration of Rotterdam, the fifth name and new flagship, which will remain in fleet for nearly 40 years. The ships are increasingly used for cruises during the season, mainly in the Caribbean.
The 60s and 70s will see marine tourism gain importance in the activity of the company. In 1966, the Statendam is used exclusively for cruises, followed in 1968 of Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam. From 50 in 1964, the number drops to 13 trans-Atlantic crossing in 1969. The last regular transatlantic service will be operated in 1971 the Nieuw Amsterdam, then dubbed the "Dutch Baby." In almost 100 years, Holland America, has carried nearly 4.5 million passengers and 76 million tons of goods between Old and New World.
Holland America, will wait for 50 years before receiving new units. Then come the Ryndam, Maasdam and Statendam new: these ships are the first priority for all the "Tourist Class". The Statendam propose in 1958 the first circum-terrestrial cruise of historystarting from the historic Hoboken Terminal. The following year, it is with great fanfare inauguration of Rotterdam, the fifth name and new flagship, which will remain in fleet for nearly 40 years. The ships are increasingly used for cruises during the season, mainly in the Caribbean.
The 60s and 70s will see marine tourism gain importance in the activity of the company. In 1966, the Statendam is used exclusively for cruises, followed in 1968 of Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam. From 50 in 1964, the number drops to 13 trans-Atlantic crossing in 1969. The last regular transatlantic service will be operated in 1971 the Nieuw Amsterdam, then dubbed the "Dutch Baby." In almost 100 years, Holland America, has carried nearly 4.5 million passengers and 76 million tons of goods between Old and New World.
Turning for the fleet in 1973, two cruise ships are purchased at Cornack Mac Moore, the Volendam and Vendam, while a new unit, also dedicated to the cruise, Prinsendam is received and baptized. At the end of the same year, the mythical Nieuw Amsterdam is disarmed: she will be scrapped later. In the late 70s, Holland America, sent its first ship in Alaska: the company is rooted more and more in the U.S. market, developing much faster than that of Europe. However, the Prinsendam will be lost in 1980 after a fire. Thereafter, the two Mac Cornack ships are replaced by two new paquebots made by St Nazaire, called Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam.
In the late '80s, Holland America approaches more and more of the U.S. group Carnival: it takes control of the company in 1989, buying the same time mega-yachts of Windstar. HAL fleet for will then be rebuilt, modernized and expanded: in 1993 inaugurated the Statendam, the first ship built in the Italian Fincantieri. This ship will be followed by three sister ships who also sign the return of the company in the Mediterranean Basin, which had not seen the HAL fleet for for nearly 20 years.
Several series of commands will then follow, the Rotterdam, which takes more and more patriarchal look with its 40 years of service and outdated design, is removed from fleet for in 1997, when its application to SOLAS is definitely too complex. After decades of a large uncertainty, the great ship was located in the heart of the city that bears his name and turned into a museum-hotel. In the 2000s, the fleet is completed by the arrival of the Royal Viking Sun: this ship, which vies with Bremen and Deutschland the title of most beautiful ship in the world, will soon become a great asset to the company.
In the late '80s, Holland America approaches more and more of the U.S. group Carnival: it takes control of the company in 1989, buying the same time mega-yachts of Windstar. HAL fleet for will then be rebuilt, modernized and expanded: in 1993 inaugurated the Statendam, the first ship built in the Italian Fincantieri. This ship will be followed by three sister ships who also sign the return of the company in the Mediterranean Basin, which had not seen the HAL fleet for for nearly 20 years.
Several series of commands will then follow, the Rotterdam, which takes more and more patriarchal look with its 40 years of service and outdated design, is removed from fleet for in 1997, when its application to SOLAS is definitely too complex. After decades of a large uncertainty, the great ship was located in the heart of the city that bears his name and turned into a museum-hotel. In the 2000s, the fleet is completed by the arrival of the Royal Viking Sun: this ship, which vies with Bremen and Deutschland the title of most beautiful ship in the world, will soon become a great asset to the company.
Also continues the geographical expansion of the fleet in 2000, the first Holland America, ship is sent to Antarctica, in 2004, the RV Sun, renamed Prinsendam back the Amazon.
Today, Holland America, is fielding a fleet of fifteen ships recognized five-star hotel, in each of 800 to 2,000 passengers are welcomed. Is present in almost all regions of the globe, around the U.S. and Europe of course, but also in Asia, Oceania, South America and Antarctica. With Cunard and P & O, historical competitors, it is an essential share of world maritime heritage.
Holland America's fleet, although modern, has kept the elegance with which she was so proud of the last century. Ranked five consecutive years as "Best value of the Cruise" by the World Ocean & Cruise Line Society, she welcomes aboard an easy looking for the traditional atmosphere of cruise customers. The food it offers and the quality of service are the exceptionality of the fleet, the many outdoor decks and panoramic lounges of ships also offer a panorama worthy of expedition shipping vessels. In 2013, Holland america waits to carry her 10 millionth passenger.
Today, Holland America, is fielding a fleet of fifteen ships recognized five-star hotel, in each of 800 to 2,000 passengers are welcomed. Is present in almost all regions of the globe, around the U.S. and Europe of course, but also in Asia, Oceania, South America and Antarctica. With Cunard and P & O, historical competitors, it is an essential share of world maritime heritage.
Holland America's fleet, although modern, has kept the elegance with which she was so proud of the last century. Ranked five consecutive years as "Best value of the Cruise" by the World Ocean & Cruise Line Society, she welcomes aboard an easy looking for the traditional atmosphere of cruise customers. The food it offers and the quality of service are the exceptionality of the fleet, the many outdoor decks and panoramic lounges of ships also offer a panorama worthy of expedition shipping vessels. In 2013, Holland america waits to carry her 10 millionth passenger.
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