n a ceremony rich with pomp, circumstance and Dutch heritage, Holland America Line named ms Eurodam in its founding city of Rotterdam on July 1. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially named the ship in front of the historic European headquarters of Holland America Line at Wilhelminakade, Rotterdam's cruise terminal.
More than 2,000 Holland America Line employees and retirees, dignitaries, past guests, top travel sellers and guests from all over the world enjoyed three days of celebratory events leading up to the lavish pier-side ceremony. Following the dedication, the celebration continued aboard Eurodam with ship-wide cocktail receptions.
"We are exceptionally honored to have Her Majesty Queen Beatrix as the godmother of this beautiful ship," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line. "With tens of thousands of people coming out to see our newest ship, which will proudly fly the Dutch flag, it is really quite an emotional homecoming for all of us at Holland America Line."
The 2,104-guest ship, built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard is the 14th ship in the premium line's distinguished fleet and the first in its Signature-class series. It departs July 5 on a ten-day round-trip maiden sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, and calls at Oslo, Alesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, and Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland, a ten-day round-trip maiden sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, and calls at Oslo, Alesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway, Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, and Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland.
Following its inaugural Europe season, the ship will sail its first trans-Atlantic cruise, followed by a series of Canada/New England sailings in the fall before deploying on Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2008.
