Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands ringing the ship's bell before sending the champagne bottle smashing into the hull.

In a ceremony rich with pomp, circumstance and Dutch heritage, Holland America Line named ms Eurodam in its founding city of Rotterdam on July 1.  Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially named the ship in front of the historic European headquarters of Holland America Line at Wilhelminakade, Rotterdam’s cruise terminal. 
 
More than 2,000 Holland America Line employees and retirees, dignitaries, past guests, top travel sellers and guests from all over the world enjoyed three days of celebratory events leading up to the lavish pier-side ceremony.  Following the dedication, the celebration continued aboard Eurodam with ship-wide cocktail receptions.
 
“We are exceptionally honored to have Her Majesty Queen Beatrix as the godmother of this beautiful ship,” said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer, Holland America Line.  “With tens of thousands of people coming out to see our newest ship, which will proudly fly the Dutch flag, it is really quite an emotional homecoming for all of us at Holland America. Line”

The 2,104-guest ship, built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard is the 14th ship in the premium line’s distinguished fleet and the first in its Signature-class series.  It departs July 5 on a ten-

On the bridge of the Eurodam, from left: Captain Jeroen van Donselaar; Micky Arison, chairman and CEO of Carnival Corporation; Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands; and Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line.

day round-trip maiden sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, and calls at Oslo, Alesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; and Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland.

a ten-day round-trip maiden sailing from Copenhagen, Denmark, and calls at Oslo, Ålesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; and Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland.
 
Following its inaugural Europe season, the ship will sail its first trans-Atlantic cruise, followed by a series of Canada/New England sailings in the fall before deploying on Caribbean itineraries for the remainder of 2008.
 
Eurodam Advances Premium Offerings

With an additional deck, Eurodam has 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship.  Forty-seven are verandah cabins and ten are a new style with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows.  Eurodam also features 56 Spa Staterooms, so named because of their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and special in-room spa amenities.  In total, Eurodam carries 1,052 double occupancy staterooms.
 
Staterooms provide the Signature of Excellence premium amenities of plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads and professional grade hair dryers. 
 
Eurodam also includes a new pan-Asian restaurant and bar, Tamarind and Silk Den; casual Italian eatery, Canaletto; and Pizzeria Slice.   Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating and a new photographic and imaging center.