By
Rebecca Gibson |
Her Majesty Queen Máxima of The Netherlands is to christen Holland America Line’s (HAL) first Pinnacle-class ship, Koningsdam, in Rotterdam, Netherlands on 20 May 2016.
The naming ceremony will take place onboard the 2,650-guest ship as part of her 13-day ‘Christening Cruise’, which departs Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on 9 May.
Koningsdam is the 12th HAL ship to be launched by a member of the Dutch royal family. Most recently, then-Princess Máxima christened Nieuw Amsterdam in 2010 and then-Queen Beatrix served as Eurodam’s godmother in 2008. Prior to these two ships, Statendam III was launched by Prince Hendrik in 1929; Nieuw Amsterdam II was named by Queen Wilhelmina in 1937; then-Princess Beatrix named Statendam IV in 1957 and Princess Margriet in 1960; and Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Princess Margriet has also inaugurated four ships, including Prinsendam in 1972, Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1983, Rotterdam VI in 1997 and Oosterdam in 2003.
“We are incredibly honoured that Her Majesty Queen Máxima will carry on the tradition of Dutch royalty christening HAL ships, which began 87 years ago,” said Orlando Ashford, president of HAL. “We chose Rotterdam as the location for the official ceremony because of the deep historic connection between the line, the city, and the people of the Netherlands. 20 May will be a very special day in our company’s 143-year history as we officially dedicate Koningsdam.”
Following her naming ceremony, Koningsdam will spend the summer sailing from the port of Amsterdam on itineraries to Norway, the Baltic and Iceland. The ship will then sail to Fort Lauderdale, Florida to operate winter and spring Caribbean cruises.