Founded in 1873, Holland America Line (as it became known later) flourished during
the European emigration era and branched-out into luxury cruising after the Second World War. However, with the onset of the jet-age and increasing fuel costs, decline inevitably followed
and it became the first European cruise line to be swallowed-up by the emerging Carnival Corporation in 1989.
The modernisation of the fleet began with the S-class ships of the early 1990s, each of them 56,000 tons and carrying 1,250 passengers, quickly followed in the late 90s by the
slightly larger R-class at 61,000 tons and 1,400 passengers. Then, from 2002 to 2006, the 4 ships of the Vista-class arrived; named for the points of the compass,
Noordam, Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and Westerdam were 82,000 grt, carried 1,900 passengers but as "panamax" ships, could transit the Panama Canal.
Built at Fincantieri, Italy, the Vista-class was so successful that a 5th ship was ordered, earmarked for Cunard Line as the new Queen Victoria.
During construction, however, it became clear that the basic design would not suit the needs of the new "liner", so the 5th Vista-class ship was
transferred to P & O Cruises as the new Arcadia and an adapted design was then used for Queen Victoria.
For Holland America, the Vista-class design was enhanced to produce the Signature-class ships Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam while further "hybrids" appeared elswhere in the form of
Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, Costa Cruises' Costa Luminosa and Costa Deliziosa. It was upon the "Luminosa-platform" that Holland America's new Pinnacle-class was based,
although at 99,836 grt and 2,660 passengers, it would be longer, wider and have an extra deck of cabins. As a result, it would not only be the largest Holland America ship ever built but the first
since 1989 to have a passenger-space ratio lower than 40; indeed, to the dismay of many, it would be only 37.5.
Koningsdam's Funnel(s)
The original concept model and artist's impression showed the new ship with Holland America's now familiar twin-funnel configuration of the Vista-class on which the ship is partly based and
one, it might be said, harking back to the liners of the 1930's but in fact, one which was adapted from the twin side-by-side funnel arrangement of the Rotterdam VI of 1997, itself an "homage"
to her illustrious predecessor, the Rotterdam of 1959 >>
At some point, however, the twin-funnel configuration was scrapped in favour of a single funnel, perhaps to conserve space below or possibly to mark her out as different from her sister-ships; either way
it's a pity.
Her interiors are the result of a collaboration between architect Bjorn Storbraaten who worked on Eurodam & Nieuw Amsterdam and
designer Adam Tihany, who was responsible for Celebrity Cruises' five Solstice-class ships.
(left) Koningsdam on her sea-trials in January 2016
Koningsdam had been due for completion in February 2016 and while she was not due to be christened by HM Queen Máxima of the Netherlands until May 20th, delays in her completion resulted in her
inaugural cruise being postponed from February until 8th April. Advertised as one of a series of "Premier Mediterranean" cruises, I was offered the opportunity of going on what would be, in effect, her "maiden voyage"....
account at Captain Martini >>