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Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands Named Holland America Line’s New ms Koningsdam at a Ceremony in Rotterdam

Elegant event celebrated Holland America Line's rich Dutch historysteps from where the company was founded more than 143 years ago

Seattle, Wash.,May 23, 2016— Ina ceremony rich with history and meaning, Holland America Line held aDedication Ceremony forms KoningsdamMay 20 in Rotterdam, theNetherlands.HerMajesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands officially blessed the bell andnamedKoningsdamon board the shipin front of inviteddignitaries, cruise guests, travel partners and media.

Thecelebration began with Her Majesty Queen Máxima performing the ceremonialhonors of blessing the ship's bell in the Lido pool area by pouring a glass ofchampagne over the bell. The blessing of the bell is a hallowed Holland AmericaLine tradition when welcoming a new ship to the fleet.Her Majesty alsowas the first to signKoningsdam'scommemorative wall thatwill become a permanent installation on the ship.

Next,the ship was officially christened during a ceremony in the World Stage theaterwhen Her Majesty Queen Máxima pulled a rope to trigger the traditionalchampagne bottle break onKoningsdam's hull.

"It's an honor to have Her Majesty QueenMáxima as thegodmother toKoningsdam, and May 20 was a truly special day withHer Majesty delivering the ceremonial traditions of welcoming our newest shipto the fleet," said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line's president."As our company was founded in Rotterdam more than 143years ago, it was fitting to return to our roots forKoningsdam'sroyaldedication."

Alsoa traditional part of dedicating a new ship for the line is the appointment ofMariner Ambassadors to represent the important role of loyal repeat guests inthe company's ongoing success. Serving asKoningsdam's MarinerAmbassadors were Enrique "Rick" Encarnacion and Ernest Schenk. Bothdedicated Mariners, the pair have sailed more than 1,650 days each on HollandAmerica Line cruises. Schenk first sailed with the line on a trans-Atlanticcruise aboardss Ryndam. Encarnacion first sailed with HollandAmerica Line in 1997 aboard anms StatendamPanama Canalcruise.

Following the ceremony, a gala luncheon was held onboard inaddition to shipwide celebrations throughout the day. In the evening the shipset sail for Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and fireworks lit up the sky asKoningsdampassedHoek van Holland.

Thousands of Dutch residents came out throughout the day to joinin Holland America Line's special events.

Duringits inaugural season in Europe,Koningsdamsails in theMediterranean and then repositions from Civitavecchia, Italy (the port forRome), to its summer homeport of Amsterdam. The ship will go on to sailroundtrip Amsterdam itineraries to Norway, the Baltic and Iceland.

Followingits Europe season,Koningsdamwill homeport at Port Evergladesin Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The ship will sail one cruise to the Bahamas andthen a series of Caribbean voyages from November 2016 through March 2017.

For more information about Holland America Line andKoningsdam,consult a travel professional, call 1-877-SAIL HAL(877-724-5425)or visithollandamerica.com.

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