Holland America Line has named Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Godmother of its newest ship, the Koningsdam. Her Majesty Queen Máxima will christen the new vessel in a ceremony in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 20.
The 2,650-guest ship is the first in a new class of vessel for the line, the Pinnacle class.
Members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 Holland America Line ships. Most recently, then-Princess Máxima christened Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010 and then-Queen Beatrix served as Eurodam's godmother in 2008. Statendam III in 1929 was launched by Prince Hendrik and Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina. Then-Princess Beatrix named Statendam IV in 1957 and Prinses Margriet in 1960. Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Princess Margriet dedicated Prinsendam in 1972, Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1983, Rotterdam VI in 1997 and Oosterdam in 2003.
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.
Visit hollandamerica.com