The largest ship ever built for Holland America is an evolution in design for the line exciting new public spaces and venues
Holland America Line chose a name never used before in its 141-year history for its new 99,500-ton cruise ship, ms Koningsdam, that arrived in May 2016.
The name pays homage to the companys rich heritage and deep roots in the Netherlands, and also reflects a new era with the original name.
The 2,650-passenger ship – the largest ever built for Holland America – is an evolution in design for the line – a new Pinnacle Class – built at the Italian shipbuilder Fincantieris Marghera shipyard.
Since 1883 every Holland America passenger vessel has borne the dam suffix, and ms Koningsdam carries on that tradition. The word koning means king in Dutch, and the name celebrates the majestic new ship.
The name also pays honour to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in more than a century.
The increased size provided more opportunities to add exciting new public spaces and venues, and there are several innovative features . Familiar spaces and amenities currently featured across the Holland America Line fleet are also be found on the new ship.
To bring a fresh vision to ms Koningsdam, Holland America Line signed up Adam D. Tihany, one of the worlds pre-eminent hospitality designers. Tihany joined distinguished maritime designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten who worked with Holland America Line on ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam.
At the heart of the ship, Koningsdams central atrium is pure visual drama. Soaring three decks high, the space is graced by an airy stainless steel sculpture that evokes the feeling of a classical quartet, with strings, arches, and bows. The atrium is capped by a ceiling that serves as a backdrop for subtly changing high-definition projections.
PASSENGERS : 2650
BERTHS : 1022
CREW : 929
FACILITIES : One two-level dining room (two sittings), four alternative informal dining venues, two show lounges, casino, library, two outside swimming pools (one with magradome cover), one inside pool, four jacuzzis, fitness centre, sauna, steam room, beauty salon, golf simulator, self-service launderette.