Holland America Line Christens Noordam in NYC

Actress Marlee Matlin christened Holland America Line's new 1,918-passenger cruise ship, the ms Noordam, at the ship's new homeport, New York City, on Wednesday. More than a thousand dignitaries and special guests attended as the Noordam's master, Captain John Scott, blessed the ship and the champagne bottle crashed on the bow. "Today is a proud day as we welcome the new ms Noordam to the Holland America fleet," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer of HAL. "It is also my pleasure to return to the great city of New York, where Holland America has a long history of operating cruises." Noordam departed on her maiden Caribbean cruise later in the day. In 2006, Noordam will sail 10- and 11-day Caribbean cruises from New York in the spring and fall with calls in Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Noordam's 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary calls at Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Between May and September, the Noordam offers two alternating 10-day itineraries, exploring the Mediterranean from Rome. The new Noordam is the fourth and last of the Vista-class ships.