Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands to Serve as Godmother to Eurodam

Today we announced at the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention in Miami that Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will serve as Eurodam’s godmother. Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Holland America Line, held a press conference to reveal the exciting news and offered a champagne toast in her honor.

The Queen will name the ship in a ceremony in Rotterdam July 1. The naming ceremony will include festivities along Wilhelminakade, Rotterdam’s cruise ship terminal area, in front of the former headquarters of Holland America Line, which is now Hotel New York. (The company was founded in 1873 in Rotterdam.)

We’re expecting several thousand attendees at the ceremony — including national dignitaries, special guests and the company’s top-selling travel agents. The celebration will be an extravaganza of entertainment, with the blessing of Eurodam and the finale of the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the ship’s bow.

Holland America Line has a long and proud relationship with the Dutch royal family when it comes to naming its ships. Nine vessels have been launched by members of the royal family, including Statendam III in 1929 by Prince Hendrik; Nieuw Amsterdam in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina; Statendam IV in 1957 and Prinses Margriet in 1964 by then Princess Beatrix; Rotterdam V in 1958 by Queen Juliana; and Prinsendam in 1973, Nieuw Amsterdam in 1983, Rotterdam VI in 1997 and Oosterdam in 2003 by Princess Margriet.

The First Eurodam Baby!

Congratulations to Blog Board member Stan Kuppens and his wife, Annabel, on the birth of their son, Thijs Samuel Kuppens. Thijs was born in Venice Feb. 29 at 9:20 p.m.; he weighed 3.340 kg (7.4 pounds) and was 50 cm (19.7 inches) long.

As you know, Stan is set to be Eurodam’s hotel manager, and Annabel is a guest relations manager with Holland America Line.

Stan said it best: “One delivery of little Thijs … done … Now, one more big delivery to go … Eurodam!”

Magnetic Compass Is Installed

The magnetic compass has been installed on the deck above the Crow’s Nest. Thanks to Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven for the photo.

Going Up — Scenic Elevator

We received an e-mail last week from a reader named Francesco who asked for a photo of the scenic elevators on Eurodam. We were a little suspicious, as Francesco’s e-mail address indicated that he works for Schindler, the company installing the elevators.

Nonetheless, we prevailed upon Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven who graciously went out and took a photo of the exterior of one of the scenic elevators. There will be four of these external glass-walled elevators on Eurodam.

The elevator looks a little ratty, with its protective plastic coating in tatters. Andre explained that the yard had just finished what he called the hose test, which enables them to determine whether the glass-walled elevators leak.