Princess Máxima of the Netherlands is to name Holland America Line’s new ship Nieuw Amsterdam.
The naming ceremony for the 2,106-passenger Signature-class ship will take place in Venice on July 4.
The vessel is the fourth to carry the name for the line and is being built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri.
Nieuw Amsterdam IV will be the 11th HAL vessel since 1929 to be launched by a member of the Dutch royal family.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands was godmother to sister ship Eurodam in 2008.
The line’s president and CEO Stein Kruse said: “The Dutch royal family is continuing a long and proud tradition of naming Holland America Line ships that started more than 80 years ago, and we are truly honoured that Princess Máxima will name Nieuw Amsterdam.
“The naming ceremony will mark a signature moment in our company’s 137-year history as Princess Máxima becomes godmother of Nieuw Amsterdam, which, with her sister-ship Eurodam, will share the distinction as the largest passenger ships ever to fly the Dutch flag.”
by Phil Davies
