Long-term Holland America captain Emiel de Vries will take the helm of Pinnacle-class newbuild
By
Rebecca Gibson |
Holland America Line (HAL) has appointed Emiel de Vries as captain of its latest newbuild Koningsdam, which will debut in April 2016.
De Vries, who has degrees in navigation and engineering from the Hogere Zeevaart School in Amsterdam, joined HAL in 1997 and has risen through the ranks from fourth officer to captain. He has been master of Amsterdam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam.
“With his knowledge, experience and dedication, Captain de Vries is the perfect choice to be at the helm when we introduce Koningsdam to the world,” said Orlando Ashford, president of HAL. “Captain de Vries’ leadership and graciousness with both guests and crew will contribute greatly to the success of our new ship.”
De Vries has been involved with the Koningsdam project since 2014 and participated in the functional design of the navigation bridge, which will serve as his ‘office’ while he is onboard.
“It is an honour to be named the first captain of the new Koningsdam and I know bringing out the ship will be one of the highlights of my career,” said de Vries. “Being at the shipyard has enabled me to gain detailed insight into many areas of the ship, and I look forward to welcoming the first guests onboard during the inaugural season.”
Currently undergoing the final outfitting stages at Fincantieri’s Marghera yard in Italy, Koningsdam is the first of HAL’s Pinnacle-class ships. As the line’s largest-ever ship, she will be able to accommodate 2,650 guests and 1,025 crew members and feature the line’s first purpose-built family and single-traveller staterooms.
In addition, the ship will offer a range of new innovative features and reimagined interiors created by hospitality designer Adam Tihany and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten.
Meanwhile, guests will be able to enjoy new dining concepts and venues, including restaurants such as the French seafood restaurant Sel de Mer; a new immersive farm-to-table dinner experience in the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine; a casual Lido Market with themed serving stations and more.
The ship will also offer popular HAL dining venues such as the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto Italian restaurant and the pan-Asian Tamarind. Onboard entertainment will include the Music Walk area, the Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, B.B. King’s Blues Club in the Queen’s Lounge and World Stage, which will feature a 270-degree LED projection in the main showroom.
Koningsdam will sail a series of Northern European, Baltic and Mediterranean cruises after her debut.