It’s Official — Eurodam Naming to be Held in Rotterdam

This just in — Holland America Line will hold the official naming ceremony for Eurodam, July 1, 2008, in Rotterdam, the city where the 135-year-old Dutch company was founded.

The naming will be held near the company’s original headquarters, now the Hotel New York. A number of events and activities are being planned that likely will involve past guests, travel agents, former employees, local dignitaries and journalists, among others. The ship arrives June 29 for four days of celebration and departs July 2 on a three-day prelude cruise.

To reach Rotterdam for the naming, Eurodam will sail from Venice, Italy, to Southampton, England. Events will be held in both cities to showcase the ship. Fincantieri shipyard and Holland America Line will celebrate the ship’s completion in Venice. In Southampton, travel agents, past guests, media and local dignitaries will visit the ship during luncheons, overnights events and receptions.

A day after the naming ceremonies, Eurodam embarks on a prelude cruise and maiden voyage. The three-day prelude cruise departs July 2 sailing to Copenhagen, Denmark, and calling at Hamburg, Germany. The 10-day round-trip maiden voyage departs Copenhagen, Denmark, July 5 and calls at Oslo, Ålesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; and Edinburgh (via South Queensbury) and Invergordon, Scotland. The cruises can be combined into a 13-day voyage.