Ahoy! Atlantic Crossing on Rotterdam VII
Ahoy! First off, a big thank you to Geoff DeVito for his generosity and encouragement. We wouldn’t be “at sea” without his good efforts.
From March 22 ‘til April 5, Alfredo and I will be aboard the Holland America flagship “Rotterdam”: the seventh vessel to sail with that storied moniker. During our crossing, we’ll be offering the following maritime history presentations.
After we dock, we’ll spend two nights aboard the iconic Rotterdam V, now moored in its homeport as a hotel and museum.
At-Sea LinerLore Lectures:
Titanic: Legend and Legacy
Without a doubt,most famous ship – and shipwreck – in the world,RMS Titanic has lived longer in memory and ongoing fascination than her all-too-brief maiden voyage. Learn of the 1898 book that “predicted” her story (and loss), and take a tour through the dozens of movies, and hundreds of books that continue to bring this classic sea tale to new generations. Plus – a Holland America connection!
Paddlewheels, Steam & Speed: The Birth of Oceanic Travel.
For millennia, humans have sought to bridge the “Old World” to the “New” over the “Western Ocean”. From St. Brendan to SS Great Britain from sail to steam, former ship office and award winning author David Eugene Perry chronicles the story of TransOceanic travel including the birth of the great Holland America line.
Ocean Olympians: Ships of State, Immigration & Sometimes War
From 1900 – 1914, millions of Europeans crossed the Atlantic: immigrants, business people and tourists. The competition among the ship owners of the US, Britain, France, Germany, Holland and others was intense, and changed the world leading up to World War I.
The Golden Age of Liners: Blue Riband Royalty. The Holland America greats including the iconic Nieux Amsterdam, Queens Mary andElizabeth, Rex, Normandie, Breman & Europaand SS United States. These fastest and most glamourous of liners defined an age, and a way of life, between the Wars, and after. A crowd pleasing “must sea” talk of the Sea!
From Crossing to Cruising: A New Golden Age at Sea. In the late 1950s, air-travel became “the only way to cross” the Atlantic. What to do with aging, elegant ships meant for passenger comfort but not competitive with jets? The answer: “Getting there is half the fun.” Learn how “crossing” gave way to “pleasure cruising” including Holland America’s significant contributions.
6) Linerlore: Classic Tales of the Sea and Famous Ship Stories.
Nothing is more evocative than “Tales of the Sea.” Learn about the Italian beauties Michelangelo & Raffaello, FDR’s presidential yacht Potomac, the only ship that ever sailed in two centuries, two millennia, and in two days – at the same time – plus more fascinating ship stories.
