Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to Name Holland America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam

SEATTLE, April 26 /PRNewswire/ -- Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands will name Holland America Line's new Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, in a ceremony in Venice, Italy, July 4, 2010. The 2,106-guest ship is the fourth to carry that name for the line and is being built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. in Marghera, Italy.

"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 honored that Princess Maxima will name Nieuw Amsterdam," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Holland America Line. "The naming ceremony will mark a signature moment in our company's 137-year history as Princess Maxima 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."

Nieuw Amsterdam IV will be the 11th Holland America Line vessel launched by a member of the Dutch Royal Family. Previous ship dedications include ss Statendam III in 1929 by Prince Hendrik and ss Nieuw Amsterdam II in 1937 by Queen Wilhelmina. Then-Crown Princess Beatrix christened ss Statendam IV in 1957 as well as the ms Prinses Margriet in 1964. The ss Rotterdam V was launched in 1958 by Queen Juliana. Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet dedicated ms Prinsendam II in 1973, ms Nieuw Amsterdam III in 1983, ms Rotterdam VI in 1997 and ms Oosterdam in 2003. Her Majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands served as ms Eurodam's godmother in 2008.

The naming ceremony will feature gala festivities in Venice, where an audience of special guests will witness an extravaganza of entertainment, the blessing of Nieuw Amsterdam and the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the ship's bow as the finale.

Princess Maxima was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, May 17, 1971, as Maxima Zorreguieta. She was engaged to His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, March 30, 2001. On Feb. 2, 2002, Maxima wed Prince Willem-Alexander, who is Her Majesty Queen Beatrix's eldest child and first in line of succession to the throne. Upon her marriage, Maxima received the title Princess of the Netherlands.

Since October 2004, Princess Maxima has been a member of the Council of State, the Netherlands' most important government advisory body.  Princess Maxima represents the Royal House at official occasions, often accompanying Prince Willem-Alexander.  She also accompanies Her Majesty Queen Beatrix on state visits.  The princess passed her baccalaureate examinations at Northlands School in 1988 and graduated with an economics degree from Universidad Catolica Argentina in 1995.

In 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated Princess Maxima as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

Princess Maxima advises the Secretary-General on access to financial services and works to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to all forms of financial service. At the invitation of the United Nations, Princess Maxima was involved in the Advisors Group to the International Year of Microcredit 2005. Throughout 2005 the Group met on a regular basis to discuss progress towards achieving universal access to financial services.

She has worked at Boston Securities SA in Buenos Aires, the European Union Representative Office of Deutsche Bank in Brussels and in New York at Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and HSBC James Capel Inc.

Nieuw Amsterdam Defines 'Premium'

The second in the Signature-class series of vessels, Nieuw Amsterdam's décor features stylized design elements from its namesake New York City, luxurious appointments and amenities as well as all the hallmarks of the Holland America brand.

Following its naming in Venice, Nieuw Amsterdam will sail several 12-day Mediterranean cruises, then embarks on an autumn trans-Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, and will sail seven-day eastern and western island itineraries from November 2010 through March 2011. 

For more information on Nieuw Amsterdam, visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]  

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.  A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet on July 4, 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.  

World's Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises.  Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.  

SOURCE Holland America Line