Holland America Nieuw Statendam Ceremony Celebrates Milestone Event
A milestone event was celebrated at the shipyard in Italy for Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam bringing the new ship closer to its launch date.
In keeping with Italian ship-building tradition and good luck superstition, a Dutch coin was welded to the front of the 2,660-passenger, Pinnacle-class ship and commemorated Holland America’s Dutch heritage. Anne Marie Bartels, a long-time member of Holland America’s President’s Club loyalty program, served as the ship’s Madrina, the equivalent to a ship’s godmother at christening.
With the drydock gate opened, Nieuw Statendam’s hull touched water for the first time. On December 21, 2017, the ship will be fully floated out and moved to an outfitting pier. The Nieuw Statendam will launch in December 2018.
Read more about New Statendam Inaugural Season
Nieuw Statendam is the second ship in Holland America’s new Pinnacle Class. Koningsdam was the first Pinnacle class ship when it debuted in April 2016. A third Pinnacle-class ship is on the books and scheduled to launch in 2021.
Much of the new ship’s total design will be similar to Koningsdam, but will sport exclusive public spaces and its own unique style and décor.
Holland America Line’s first Statendam sailed in 1898. This will be the sixth ship in the company’s long history to carry the same name.
