Regal new design and rich Dutch history reflected in name of
new class of ship
SEATTLE, Sept. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland
America Line revealed the name of its new 99,500-ton cruise ship
slated for delivery in February 2016
will be ms Koningsdam. While the name pays homage to the
company's rich heritage and deep roots in the Netherlands, it also reflects a new era
with a bold name that is an original in Holland America Line's 141-year history.
The 2,650-passenger ship is an evolution in design for the
line — a new Pinnacle Class — and is being built at Italian
shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard.
Since 1883 every Holland America passenger vessel has borne the
"dam" suffix, and ms Koningsdam carries on that tradition.
The word koning means "king" in Dutch, and the name
celebrates the majestic new ship. The name also pays honor to His
Majesty King Willem-Alexander, the first king of
the Netherlands in over a
century.
Holland America Line has a long,
proud history with the
Netherlands. All 15 premium cruise ships fly the Dutch flag
as they sail throughout the world, to more than 400 ports of call.
The historic greatness of the line's Dutch heritage is shared with
nearly one million guests each year. And the line has many Dutch
employees, including most of the fleet's captains and officers.
Many of Holland America Line's ships have been christened by
members of the Dutch Royal Family over the past 75 years. Most
recently, ms Nieuw Amsterdam was christened by Her
Royal Highness Princess Maxima in 2010. And in 2008 ms
Eurodam was christened by Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the
Netherlands.
"In choosing the name Koningsdam, we are honoring our
rich Dutch heritage while reflecting that we're entering a new era
as a company," said Stein Kruse,
chief executive officer of the Holland America Group. "This new
Pinnacle Class ship will be our largest, most contemporary vessel,
and it was only fitting to give it a name that embodies great
achievement for the future, while embracing timeless
tradition."
Holland America Line was founded
in the Netherlands in 1873 as the
Netherlands-American Steamship Company headquartered in
Rotterdam. The original
headquarters building still stands today as the Hotel New York on
the Wilhelmina Pier, with the company's European headquarters
located nearby.
New design for a new class of ship
When it debuts in February 2016,
ms Koningsdam will be a new type of ship for Holland America
Line. At 99,500 gross tons and carrying 2,650 guests and 1,025 crew
members, the vessel is the largest ever built for the company. The
increased size provides more opportunities to add new public spaces
and venues, and several innovative features will debut on ms
Koningsdam. Familiar spaces and amenities currently featured
across the Holland America Line fleet will also be found on the new
ship.
To bring a fresh vision to ms Koningsdam, Holland America
Line tapped Adam D. Tihany, one of the world's pre-eminent
hospitality designers. Tihany joins distinguished maritime designer
and architect Bjorn Storbraaten who worked with Holland America
Line on ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam. The two
firms will create a modern and contemporary ambiance while
incorporating Holland America Line's classic hallmarks.
For more information about Holland America Line, contact a
travel professional or call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or
visit www.hollandamerica.com.
Editor's note: Photo is available at
https://www.cleanpix.com/cleanpix/portal/WRh4-g9d-MSX.
Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland
America Blog. Access all social media outlets via the Online
Communities quick link on the home page at
www.hollandamerica.com.
About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival
Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland
America Line's fleet of 15 ships
offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries,
territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries
visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South
America, Australia/New
Zealand and Asia voyages;
four annual Grand Voyages; and popular sailings to ports in the
Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. The line currently
has a new ship on order from Fincantieri shipyard for delivery in
February 2016.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence
enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $500 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts
Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art
onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and
culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes —
Explorations Cafe powered by The New York
Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only
activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by
flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's
Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival
Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and
Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment
to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people
to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a
variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's
most desirable destinations. Visit us at
www.worldsleadingcruiselines.com.
CONTACT:
|
Sally
Andrews
|
PHONE:
|
800-637-5029
|
FAX:
|
206-262-5934
|
EMAIL:
|
pr@hollandamerica.com
|
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140912/SF11602
Logo -
http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130930/SF88951LOGO
SOURCE Holland America Line