Her Majesty Queen Máxima Named Godmother of ms Koningsdam

Holland America Line’s tradition will continue when Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands christens the cruise line’s new Pinnacle-class ship, ms Koningsdam.

She will christen the 2,650-guest ship in a ceremony in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on May 20, 2016. The ms Koningsdam is the first in a new class of vessel for the line.

Members of the Dutch Royal Family have launched 11 Holland America Line ships. Most recently, then-Princess Máxima christened ms Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010, and then-Queen Beatrix served as ms 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, ms Rotterdam VI in 1997, and ms Oosterdam in 2003.

“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,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line.

“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 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.

Holland America Line’s fleet of 14 ships offers more than 500 cruises to more than 400 ports in 98 countries, territories, or dependencies around the world.

From shorter getaways to 115-day itineraries, the company’s cruises visit all seven continents with highlights including: Antarctica explorations, South America circumnavigations, and exotic Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages, four annual Grand Voyages, and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Panama Canal.