Liner’s First Stop: Cherbourg
Holland America Liner Makes Inaugural Stop in Cherbourg During Epic ‘Pole to Pole’ Cruise
Table of Contents
- Holland America Liner Makes Inaugural Stop in Cherbourg During Epic ‘Pole to Pole’ Cruise
- Holland america’s ”Pole to Pole” Cruise: your Burning Questions Answered
- What is the “Pole to Pole” Cruise?
- Where Did the “Pole to Pole” Cruise Begin?
- When Did the stea make it’s Inaugural Stop in Cherbourg?
- What is the Itinerary of the “Pole to Pole” Cruise?
- What is the Purpose of the Stop in Cherbourg?
- What Is the stea?
- How Big is the stea?
- When was the stea Commissioned?
- who Built the stea?
- How Many Passengers and Crew Does the stea Carry?
- What Other Ships Have Borne the Name stea?
- What other R-Class Vessels Are Still in Service with Holland America?
- What Notable Events Has the stea Been Involved In?
CHERBOURG, France (May 5, 2025) — The Holland America Line’s stea made its first-ever stop in Cherbourg, France, on Saturday, May 3, as part of a four-month-plus “Pole to Pole” cruise that began Jan. 25 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The voyage, which includes destinations from Antarctica to Greenland, marks the start of the European leg of the journey.
Port Welcomes Holland America Ship
The Port of Cotentin, anticipating at least 56 liner visits this year, hosted a traditional plaque ceremony to commemorate the stea’s inaugural visit. Manuela Mahier, mayor of La Hague, adn Yann Ermisse, director of the Port of Cherbourg, welcomed Commander Rens Van Eerten of the stea.
Four-Month Voyage Spans Continents
The “Pole to Pole” cruise has carried 1,054 passengers from Fort Lauderdale through the Caribbean, the Panama Canal, and along the western coast of South America, including stops in Peru, Chile, and Argentina. The ship rounded Cape Horn and visited Ushuaia and Antarctica before returning to Argentina and Brazil. After crossing the Atlantic,the stea stopped at cape Verde,Senegal,and the Canary Islands before reaching Brest,France,on May 2. Following Cherbourg, the ship sailed to Zeebrugge, Belgium.
The itinerary continues with stops in the Netherlands, Scotland, and Norway, followed by Iceland, Greenland, and Canada. the stea is scheduled to return to Fort lauderdale on June 7.
stea: A Veteran Liner
The stea, commissioned in October 1999, is one of four R-class liners originally ordered by Holland America Line, which was acquired by Carnival Corp. in 1989.Built by Italian manufacturer Fincantieri, the ship measures 237 meters in length and 32 meters in width, with a gross tonnage of just over 61,000 tons. A crew of 647 serves more than 1,400 passengers.
the stea is the third Holland America ship to bear the name. The first operated from 1922 to 1952, and the second from 1972 to 1984. The stea and its sister ship, Le Zaandam, launched in 2000, are among the last two R-class vessels still in service with Holland America. Two other R-class ships, the former Rotterdam (1997) and Amsterdam (2000), were sold in 2020 to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines and now sail as the Borealis and bolette.
From May to September 2022, the city of Rotterdam chartered the stea as a floating hotel for Ukrainian refugees.
Holland america’s ”Pole to Pole” Cruise: your Burning Questions Answered
Here’s a breakdown of the holland America Line’s epic “Pole to Pole” cruise, answering your key questions about this amazing journey.
What is the “Pole to Pole” Cruise?
This cruise is a multi-month voyage aboard the Holland America Line ship, the stea, that travels from the Arctic to the Antarctic, spanning the globe. The journey includes a variety of destinations, offering passengers a unique and comprehensive travel experience.
Where Did the “Pole to Pole” Cruise Begin?
The “Pole to Pole” cruise began on january 25 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
When Did the stea make it’s Inaugural Stop in Cherbourg?
The stea made its first-ever stop in Cherbourg,France,on Saturday,May 3. This marked the start of the European leg of the journey.
What is the Itinerary of the “Pole to Pole” Cruise?
The cruise offers a diverse itinerary, covering multiple continents and climates.Here’s a summary:
Starting Point: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
initial Route: Caribbean, Panama Canal, Western Coast of South America (including Peru, Chile, Argentina)
Significant Landmarks: Cape Horn, Antarctica, Ushuaia
Atlantic Crossing: Cape Verde, Senegal, Canary Islands
European Stops: brest, France (May 2), Cherbourg, France (May 3), Zeebrugge, Belgium.
Later European Stops: netherlands, Scotland, norway
Further Destinations: Iceland, Greenland, canada
Ending Point: Fort lauderdale, Florida (scheduled for June 7)
What is the Purpose of the Stop in Cherbourg?
The stop in Cherbourg marked the European leg of the “Pole to Pole” cruise and was the stea’s first visit to the port. The Port of Cotentin hosted a plaque ceremony to commemorate the occasion.
What Is the stea?
The stea is a cruise ship operated by Holland America Line. It is a veteran liner with a rich history. it is also an R-class liner that was built by Fincantieri in Italy.
How Big is the stea?
The stea is a sizable ship, measuring 237 meters (777 feet) in length and 32 meters (105 feet) in width, with a gross tonnage of just over 61,000 tons.
When was the stea Commissioned?
The stea was commissioned in October 1999.
who Built the stea?
The stea was built by the Italian manufacturer Fincantieri.
How Many Passengers and Crew Does the stea Carry?
The stea can accommodate over 1,400 passengers and is served by a crew of 647.
What Other Ships Have Borne the Name stea?
The stea is the third Holland America ship to bear the name. Here’s a swift look at its predecessors:
| Ship Name | Operational Years |
| —————- | —————– |
| stea (First) | 1922-1952 |
| stea (Second) | 1972-1984 |
| stea (Third) | 1999-Present |
What other R-Class Vessels Are Still in Service with Holland America?
The stea and its sister ship, Le Zaandam, launched in 2000, are among the last two R-class vessels still in service with Holland America.
What Notable Events Has the stea Been Involved In?
From May to September 2022, the city of Rotterdam chartered the stea as a floating hotel for Ukrainian refugees.