Photos: Eurodam in Rotterdam

We know it’s been a while since Eurodam was in Europe, but we just received some great photos from our Dutch friend Patrick van der Vlies from when the ship was moored in Rotterdam for its inaugural. Thanks, Patrick!

Portrait of Queen Beatrix Arrives on Eurodam

Hotel Manager Stan Kuppens hangs Queen Beatrix’ portrait in Eurodam’s Explorer’s Lounge.

We are all honored that Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands christened the Eurodam. With that, she is the third Dutch Queen in a row to christen a Holland America Line ship. Both Queen Wilhelmina and Queen Juliana christened previous Holland America Line vessels.

We are now so very proud to have received a picture of the Queen in action, actually performing the christening. On all Holland America Line ships, the picture of each ship’s godmother is displayed — and we on Eurodam will not stay behind.

We have found the perfect spot to display this beautiful portrait of her majesty and have made it the permanent location.

When visiting or cruising on the Eurodam, come to the Explorer’s Lounge and have your picture taken with the godmother of the Eurodam, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.

San Juan Plaque Exchange

Eurodam is calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico, today. When the ship made its maiden call there Oct. 28 the traditional plaque exchange took place on board. We know the photos are a bit tardy, but better late than never!

Maria Mendez, deputy director of the Port Authority of San Juan (representing the governor) and Captain Mercer.

Marijo Laborae, deputy director of Puerto Rico Tourism, and Captain Mercer.

Donato Alvarez, vice president of Continental Shipping (the port agent), and Captain Mercer.

St. Thomas Plaque Exchange

Eurodam is calling at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands today. When the ship was there last week on its maiden call, there was a plaque exchange. Erik Elvejord, Holland America Line’s public relations director, sent us these images from the ceremony.

Captain Jonathan Mercer accepts the port plaque from the Hon. Darryl A. Smalls, commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Public Works and secretary of the Virgin Islands Port Authority Governing Board, and Dr. Yvonne Eleanor Thraen, Virgin Islands Port Authority Governing Board.

Captain Mercer presents Smalls and Thraen with a Holland America Line book, plaque and Delft plate.

The Virgin Islands flag is presented to Captain Mercer from the Hon. Monique Sibilly-Hodge, assistant commissioner, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and Ernest Knight, director of port activities. The flag is to be flown on Eurodam’s mast when the ship is visiting the islands.

Grand Turk Plaque Ceremony

Eurodam called at Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos, yesterday for the first time, and port officials came on board for the traditional plaque exchange.

Captain Mercer accepts a port plaque from Theo Forbes, marine operations manager for the Grand Turk Cruise Center.

Captain Mercer presents Theo Forbes with a Holland America Line Delft plate.

Fort Lauderdale ‘Keys and Plaques’ Exchange

It is traditional when a ship makes its first call at a port to hold a ceremony commemorating the event with the ship’s captain and local dignitaries exchanging plaques and keys to the city, etc. These plaques are then mounted on the ship’s walls and travel with it throughout its service as a reminder of all of its ports of calls.

We were invited to attend the “keys and plaques” ceremony yesterday in Fort Lauderdale, where we tried out our new Flip camcorder.

Here are a couple of videos of the ceremony’s high points (or at least the ones where the camera didn’t shake too badly, we didn’t trip over a table while shooting or someone’s head didn’t get in the way):

Captain Jonathan Mercer opens the ceremony with some kind words about Fort Lauderdale. County Commissioner Suzanne Gunsberger gave the captain the keys to the city of Hollywood, Fla., which is where about two-thirds of Port Everglades is located; the rest of the port is in the city of Fort Lauderdale.

Upon receiving the key, the captain quipped, “In England when you receive the key to the city, it means you can drive your herd of sheep through the center of town.”

Captain Mercer presents County Commissioner Gunsberger with a plaque and a custom-made Delft china plate commemorating Eurodam’s dedication ceremony.

Captain Mercer accepts a plaque from Port Everglades Director Phil Allen.

Captain Mercer accepts a “Captain of the Port” cap from Commander Brian Gove of the U.S. Coast Guard.

Video: Eurodam’s Inaugural Trans-Atlantic Crossing

Mariner Fred Claessen sent us this video montage of the westbound crossing from Copenhagen to New York that departed Sept. 14, 2008. You can see more of Fred’s archived YouTube videos here.

First-Call Port Plaques

When a ship calls at a port for the first time, it is presented with a commemorative plaque from that port. On Eurodam, all of the plaques are proudly displayed on Deck 10 midship.

The wall will become more decorated as the collection of plaques grows rapidly during the ship’s first year in service.

The mayor of Stavanger, Norway, welcomes Eurodam and Captain van Donselaar to the beautiful port.

Captain van Donselaar shakes hands with the harbor master from Invergordon, Scotland.

Postcard from Alesund, Norway

James and Donna Hannah of McKinney, Texas, sent us this photo and note:

We really enjoyed our prelude and inaugural cruises on this beautiful new ship. We got a pretty good photo of the Eurodam from high above the city and thought we’d send it along.

Photos: Indonesians and Entertainers

Ottawa, Canada, residents Brian Fogarty and his wife Louise Voyer sent us a couple of snapshots from their Eurodam inaugural cruise.

These crewmembers were serving as hostesses at the Indonesian tea ceremony on the first segment of the 20-day inaugural. The photo was taken at the entrance of the Rembrandt Dining Room on Upper Promenade Deck.

This photo of the cast was taken on the last formal night. They were standing on the Lower Promenade Deck, posing for guests. Brian said he just “happened to pass by” and snapped the image.