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Simular to the KLM Royal Dutch Airlines complimentary gift of small ceramic replicas of historical houses, Holland America Line hands out ceramic Delft Blue tiles in various forms and shapes, as part of their Mariner Society Rewards Program.
Since there is no accurate administration, it was not exactly known how many different tiles have been produced on behalf of Holland America Line. For the last 60 years the majority of the ceramic tiles have been manufactured by Royal Goedenwaagen-Gouda in Nieuw-Buinen, The Netherlands. On a global basis a search has been initiated by collectors to make an inventory of all tile editions from Royal Goedewaagen-Gouda. That inventory has been completed. The number of issued HAL official tile editions is set at 339 pieces. All tiles can be found on this website. Estimated 80 tiles are issued by associated organizations.
My collection consists of 407 tiles and 8 tile tableaus. The items in this collection have been acquired through website and exhibition purchases, through auctions and gifts.
Update June 1, 2026:
All Royal Goedewaagen designs first need to be approved by a special committee. As mentioned before (menu Mariner Collection series 2021-2024) they will not approve it without a struggle. The above designs of the 2007 Grand Mediterranean & North Africa Voyage of the Prinsendam were not approved. You can view the final result in the menu Grand Voyages, 2007 series. The tiles were designed by Sander Alblas.
Four ships launched from the ceramic shipyard have been added to the Ship Models menu. The Pottery menu has been expanded with decorative pottery from Potterij Rembrandt (1908-1925).
From Saturday, July 25 to Sunday, August 16, you can visit the fourth Holland America Line exhibition on the ss Rotterdam. Open daily from 9 to 5. Admission is free.
Some special tiles from my collection can also be found on the Holland America Line website: https://www.hollandamerica.com/150th-anniversary/en/category/artifacts/
Next update: October 1, 2026.
