Leaving Rotterdam (Part 1)

Pam shot this video on the bridge as Eurodam pulled away from the pier today.

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.

Video Highlights of the Dedication Ceremony

Here are a few video highlights from the Eurodam dedication ceremony held today in Rotterdam. This was edited for news distribution, so it does not have high production values. We hope to produce a more polished highlights video soon, so stay tuned.

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.

It’s Dedication Day!

Andy Newman sent us this photo of the stage setup.

Pam sent us this photo of the stadium setup.

Orchestra Rehearsal for Dedication Ceremony

Pam shot this short video of the orchestra rehearsing on the pierside stage as preparations continue for the dedication ceremony tomorrow.

Johan Groothuizen Greets Vets, Former Employees

Pam was on hand when Blog Board member and HAL’s Vice President of Marine Hotel Operations Johan Groothuizen made a presentation in Dutch to the WWII veterans and retired Holland America Line employees who were hosted on board today for a luncheon and ship tour.