After a series of successful inaugural events in Venice, Boston and New York City ms Noordam was officially dedicated on Wednesday by her godmother, the Academy Award-winning actress, Marlee Matlin.

A crowd of media, VIPs, Mariner Society Members and maiden voyage guests participated in one of the most memorable naming ceremonies in the history of Holland America Line. Bill Prince, director of entertainment, and his team created a sophisticated event, with a New York theme which included a brownstone façade scene elegantly lined with a row of red tulips, a row of white tulips and a row of blue hyacinth. 

Stein Kruse, president and CEO, served as the host for the events, and made remarks about our company’s rich history in New York and bright future.  Mr. Corrado Antonini, executive chairman of Fincantieri spoke passionately about the special relationship between Holland America Line and his company, which has built 12 of our 13 ships.

Andy Alpert, president of the New York Economic Development Corporation, represented Mayor Michael Bloomberg welcoming the ms Noordam to her new home.

Mariner Ambassadors, Robert and Judith Marder, blessed the ships bell with the help of Captain John Scott, master ms Noordam.

A highlight of the event was godmother Marlee Matlin’s inspired speech which credited as a very travel affective way of breaking down communication barriers, a subject that is very dear to her heart.  She also spoke of her grandmother emigrating from Poland to the United States in 1929 and of Holland America Line’s important history in bringing emigrants to this country.

The climax of the event was the breaking of the bottle across the bow.  Accompanied by Stein Kruse and Captain John Scott, Ms. Matlin utter the words, “May God bless this ship and all who sail on her.”  She then triggered a sophisticated, New York-style countdown. 

The countdown featured a huge ‘ball drop’ from the center of the show lounge ceiling.  This huge, illuminated ball descended to the 10-second countdown flashing on the screen.  With one second left to go on the clock, pyrotechnics were released as a group of officers were raised to the stage from below.  Then, on the screen, thousands witnessed the bottle strike an “o” on the name Noordam.  Next, confetti streamed through the audience as on screen, a group of men and women tossed confetti from the promenade deck.

The beautiful new ms Noordamdeparted Venice on Friday, February 3rd for her first sailing under the Holland America Line flag. The Noordam will cross the Atlantic arriving Boston, February 16th to continue a series of inaugural events targeting Mariners, travel agents, media and potential guests. The ship then sails to New York for more showcasing events followed by the official dedication ceremony and maiden voyage on February 22nd. While en route to Boston, the staff is being trained and preparing for the upcoming events – the energy is high! Here are some great images of the ms Noordam.

Today, Holland America Line officially took delivery of our newest ship – the ms Noordam. Over the past few days, a number of events have taken place to celebrate this newest addition to our fleet! These included hosting European travel agents and media as well as a group of industry analysts and investors during a sneak peek of the new ship.

The 1,918-guest Noordam is the fourth in a series of 81,769-ton Vista Class ships. The ms Noordam showcases all the service and product enhancements of the line’s $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, including the addition of an Explorations Café — a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times — expanded Pinnacle Grill, and a new Pinnacle Bar.

This Noordam is the fourth Holland America Line vessel to sail with the prestigious name. The first ms Noordam joined the Holland America Line fleet in 1902, sailing the Rotterdam-New York run until being damaged by a mine during World War I. In 1938 the Noordam name was then given to one of two new passenger-cargo ships, which offered exclusively first-class accommodations for 148 passengers. During World War II, the second Noordam was leased to the United States and refitted to carry troops, cargo and provisions. Until she was retired in 1963, she carried a piece of her wartime handrail, heavily carved with soldiers’ initials. In 1984, the third ms Noordam was delivered and sailed on nearly 800 voyages.