Holland America Line Delays Ship Launch

The launch of the ms Koningsdam from Holland America Line has been delayed until the end of March 2016. Originally slated for a 16 February 2016 launch, the line’s newest ship will now be completed on 31 March 2016.

Holland America Line has announced the delayed launch in order to fully implement all the new features and technologies planned for the ship. Currently being built in the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, the ships maiden voyage will take place on 8 April 2016.

The ship’s first cruise will be a seven day trip, sailing out of Rome. Holland America Line has offered passengers who booked cabins aboard the original maiden voyage the opportunity to trade their tickets to cruise the delayed launch voyage. Guests who cannot board the replacement maiden voyage are entitled to a full refund. So far, reaction has been mixed.

The ship is planned to be used for company events in between the delivery date of 31 March and the date of the maiden voyage, 8 April. The official naming ceremony of the Koningsdam remains unchanged, planned to take place on 21 May 2016, in Rotterdam.

Due to be the largest member of the Holland America fleet and the first ship in the line’s Pinnacle Class, the Koningsdam will have a maximum capacity of 2,650 guests. The vessel will be joined by a currently unnamed sister ship in 2018, built to the same design and specifications. The naming of the ship honours Willem-Alexander, the first King of the Netherlands in over a century.

Images sourced By Alessio Sbarbaro User_talk:Yoggysot (Own work) via Wikimedia Commons and Flickr Creative Commons. Credits: Konstantinos Mavroudis