Holland America's latest Signature Class ship and the 15th in its fleet is to be called ms Nieuw Amsterdam.
The 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam IV, to be delivered in 2010, is being built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and its interior design and art collection will reflect the glamour and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam.
Says HAL president Stein Kruse: "This name has a rich heritage in our company with this ship being our fourth in 135 years. We are proud to extend this illustrious ship name to our current fleet."
The first Nieuw Amsterdam was launched in 1906 and used both a full set of sails and steam engines. She was 17,149 tons and carried 2,886 passengers, 2,200 of them in third class, and sailed in regular service through World War I and then through to 1932.
The famed Nieuw Amsterdam II joined the fleet in 1938 as the company's flagship. The silhouette of this ship can still be seen today behind Henry Hudson's Half Moon in the company's logo.
At 36,287 tons, "the Darling of the Dutch", as she was known, was decorated in great style and was launched by Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands. Nieuw Amsterdam II served proudly in World War II completing 44 war time voyages carrying nearly 400,000 passengers,mostly troops.
Following the war, she was rebuilt and, as the queen of Holland America Line's "spotless fleet" hosted countless well-known figures among her guests, including Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Spencer Tracey and Albert Schweitzer.
Nieuw Amsterdam III was launched in 1983 as one of the most elegant ships of her time. At 33,900 tons, Nieuw Amsterdam III sailed in Alaska in the summers and in the Caribbean in the winters.
Kruse adds: "With innovative design and guest offerings, Nieuw Amsterdam IV will continue the proud tradition of her name and continue to evolve Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships and further our premium leadership position."
Nieuw Amsterdam IV will feature 11 guest decks and staterooms will spotlight all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities of plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, dvd players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets. The ship will also feature innovative spa staterooms with additional spa amenities.
