Eurodam Arrives at Hamburg

We arrived at Hamburg today shortly after 1 p.m. and were greeted with local music and sunny weather!

Meet Eurodam’s Handymen

Pam went behind the scenes to take photos of crew members who are rarely seen by guests, but very important to the ship’s operation. Over the next few days we’ll introduce you to these important people.

Today, meet Eurodam’s carpenters, upholsters and locksmiths. These guys are the ones who mend the furnishings around the ship, repair broken furniture and fix the locks — plus so much more.

One Last Firework Photo

Pam took some photos of the fireworks, and while we’ve moved on and the ship has sailed from Rotterdam, we liked this one too much not to post.

More Sailaway Photos

Blog Correspondent Pam took the day off yesterday from blogging to fulfill her duties as the captain’s wife, but she was back at it today, taking photos as the ship left Rotterdam for Hamburg.

(From left) Blog Board member Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven, Holland America Line President and CEO Stein Kruse and Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc on the bridge during Eurodam’s sailaway from Rotterdam.

Time to Say Goodbye

As Eurodam set sail from Rotterdam, Andy Newman was on deck taking photos of the send-off.

A Link to More Eurodam Photos

Dutch photographer Sander Schenkel sent us this link to some of his photos of Eurodam’s arrival at Rotterdam, the dedication ceremony and shots on board the ship.

Eurodam Departs on Prelude Cruise Today

Andy Newman was pierside as Eurodam departed for a short prelude cruise to Hamburg, Germany, and then on to Copenhagen, Denmark. The ship’s 10-day maiden voyage sets sail July 5 bound for the Baltic and British Isles.

Firework Celebration Lights Up the Night

Holland America Line arranged a fireworks display in Rotterdam last night to celebrate the naming of Eurodam, and Andy Newman was there to photograph it.

Eurodam’s Dedication a Memorable Event

For those who weren’t able to watch Eurodam’s dedication ceremony live on line, Andy Newman captured some special moments throughout the day.

Seating for the event was set to hold more than 2,000 guests. As you can see, Mother Nature delivered a glorious day with clear skies and plenty of sunshine.

Victoria Kruse, daughter of Holland America Line President & CEO Stein Kruse (far right), presents Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of The Netherlands with a bouquet of flowers.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix rings Eurodam’s ship’s bell to signal the release of the champagne bottle to be broken against the side of the ship.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix shakes hands with Stein Kruse after the bottle-breaking. You can see the rope that held the bottle and the champagne splattered on the side of the ship in the background.

Her Majesty Queen Beatrix leaves the stage following Eurodam’s naming ceremony with (from left) Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation & plc., Eurodam’s Captain Jeroen van Donselaar and Stein Kruse.

(From left) Micky and Madeleine Arison, Blog Correspondent Pam Kern van Donselaar, Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, Linda and Stein Kruse, and Captain van Donselaar.

Captain Jeroen van Donselaar gives Her Majesty Queen Beatrix a tour of the bridge while some of the ship’s officers watch in the background.

Micky Arison (right) sounds Eurodam’s whistle while touring the bridge with Her Majesty Queen Beatrix and Captain van Donselaar.

A Zeller Family Affair

Pam recently visited Holland America Line’s old head offices at Hotel New York and discovered a display case with some Holland America Line memorabilia. Among them she found a familiar name on a business card.

Dick Zeller was with Holland America Line for 43 years and served as hotel manager for 27 of those years. If the name sounds familiar, it is because he’s the father of Eurodam’s Culinary Operations Manager Mark Zeller, who is set to be named Eurodam’s hotel manager July 15.

The Zellers have a long history with Holland America Line. In 1966 Dick Zeller met Heidi, an entertainer on board the original Nieuw Amsterdam, and they fell in love. They soon married and had Mark, who has been with the line for nine years.

When Dick retired in 1997, he was honored at the end of the gangway of Nieuw Amsterdam with three whistle blows from the ship. Several years later upon his death, his ashes were scattered at sea from Zuiderdam.

Mark Zeller with his mom, Heidi, aboard Eurodam.