Holland-america line (Rotterdam)

After the Speedo we end up exploring the rest of Rotterdam. We visit the markets and Gary has to try one of the dutch specialities. It's called a kroket and he likes it. You can buy these at the

dutch shop in Australia as well. I have to try a childhood favourite of mine ( a frikandel special). I am no longer fond of these. We drive to Delfsthaven and my uncle shows us the point where the Holland_America line started in 1873. Today we associate this liner with elegant ships, cruises around the world and especially to Alaska, and gracious service.The Holland-America line was not always a vacation cruise specialist. Begun as the Netherlands- America steamship company, it was originally based in Delfsthaven (Rotterdam) and was a principal carrier of immigrants from Europe to the United States in the late 19Th and early 20Th century, carrying over 850.000 people to new lives in America. Holland-America line offered it's first vacation cruise in 1895. During world war 1 and 2 the company was chartered to carry military personnel by the British, American and Dutch governments, losing ships and personnel in the process. After WW2 demand for leisure cruises grew and in 1951 Holland-America line became the first ship line to give tourists class passengers the run of the ship. By 1968, most transatlantic travelers were taking jet planes to their destinations rather than sail. Holland-America line re-invented herself as a vacation cruise lines and has concentrated on that business ever since. We also go and look at Piet Heijn's house. After almost 24 years in Australia Dutch history has been forgotten and I ask my uncle what he did to become so famous in Dutch history and my uncle replies he won the silver fleet. Piet Heijn's story to Dutch fame will be next.