Holland America Line ship Rotterdam has departed on its 14-day maiden voyage from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.

The 2,668-guest vessel was delivered in July 2021 and is the third in the line’s Pinnacle class and the seventh ship to bear the name.

Following the transatlantic crossing to Florida, Rotterdam will spend from November through to April 2022 on its inaugural Caribbean season, with all sailings round-trip from Fort Lauderdale.

Itineraries will range from six to 11 days and span the entire region on southern, eastern, western and tropical voyages, Holland America Line said.

Guests looking for a longer cruise can embark on a Collectors’ Voyage – combined back-to-back itineraries that offer a more in-depth exploration covering more than one area.

Every Caribbean cruise will feature a call at Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Bahamian island.

President Gus Antorcha said: “Rotterdam’s maiden voyage has been highly anticipated for months by our guests and team members eager to welcome them aboard.

“Rotterdam is a beautiful ship and the fourth in our fleet to begin cruising this year. We are excited to bring her to Florida and the Caribbean soon on her first sailing.”

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands was recently announced as Rotterdam’s godmother – a position that will be formally confirmed when the ship is officially named in the spring.

Rotterdam features the 270-degree surround screen World Stage, Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant and Grand Dutch Café.

It also has the Half Moon Bar, an “immersive experience looking at the history of Holland America Line and cruising through the lens of a cocktail”, the line explained.

In other Holland America Line news, the line will celebrate 75 years of cruising in Alaska in 2022.

In addition, the line’s UK & Ireland director of sales Wendy Lahmich recently told CTN that “cruising has a really bright future”, adding: “The way that the cruise lines have handled themselves and the industry has handled itself , and the way that we’ve come together, has been phenomenal.”