Eurodam Launch Party
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The latest luxury cruise liner gets a splash of champagne
By STEVE READ
NEW cruise ship EURODAM got a smashing send-off yesterday when she was officially named by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands.
The magnum of bubbly was right on target, crashing into the ship’s name on the hull and bursting like a firework.
Instead of cutting a ribbon or pressing a button, the Queen followed a Holland America Line tradition by ringing the ship’s brass bell to order the bottle released.
There was a huge cheer – and some sighs of relief from cruise bosses whose fingers had been tightly crossed.
It was a simple ceremony, watched by a 2,500-strong audience of VIPs and “ordinary” passengers who had paid to be at the event at Wilhelminakade, on the River Maas in the centre of Rotterdam.
Earlier the Queen and Captain Jeroen van Donselaar had blessed the bell by drenching it in champagne.
Eurodam is the 14th in Holland America’s fleet, and at 86,700 tons is their biggest ever.
Although HAL is part of the American-run Carnival Corporation, the line – formed 135 years ago – maintains its special connection with Rotterdam and the Netherlands, said chief executive Stein Kruse.
“When we carry the Dutch flag, we are ambassadors of your country,” he told the Queen.
Capt van Donselaar said being appointed as the ship’s first master is the highlight of his 22 years with the line.
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands rings Eurodam’s bell, signalling for champagne to be smashed against the hull
→ Book a Holland America Line cruise with Sky Travel in association with Virgin Holidays Cruises
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