Holland America Lines newest addition to the fleet will be getting a Royal christening. Ms Koningsdam, the new Pinnacle class ship will be named by Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands during a grand ceremony in Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 20, 2016. The naming will take place onboard the 2,650 passenger ship.
The Royal Dutch family has been naming ships for the cruise line since 1929, the first ship christened by the family was Statendam III in by Prince Hendrik. The then-Princess Máxima also christened ms Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010 which is also the last new build for Holland America.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line said:
“We are incredibly honored that Her Majesty Queen Máxima will carry on the tradition of Dutch Royalty christening Holland America Line ships, which began 87 years ago. We chose Rotterdam as the location for the official ceremony because of the deep historic connection between Holland America Line, the city and the people of the Netherlands. May 20 will be a very special day in our company’s 143-year history as we officially dedicate ms Koningsdam.”
The ms Koningsdam is the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line at 99,800 gross tons. The vessel which brings new onboard features like “World Stage” which has 270 degrees of LED screens was built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy.
The official ceremony will take place in Rotterdam onboard the ship during a special 13-day Christening Cruise departing Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, May 9. Following that voyage Koningsdam will spend the summer sailing from the port of Amsterdam, the Netherlands, on itineraries to Norway, the Baltic and Iceland.
Following its Europe season, Koningsdam will sail to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for winter and spring Caribbean cruises.
