Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands to Name Holland America
Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam

    



    
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<p><span class="xn-location">SEATTLE</span>, <span class="xn-chron">April 26</span> /CNW/ -- Her Royal Highness <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> of the <span class="xn-location">Netherlands</span> will name Holland America Line's new Signature-class ship, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, in a ceremony in <span class="xn-location">Venice</span>, <span class="xn-location">Italy</span>, <span class="xn-chron">July 4, 2010</span>. The 2,106-guest ship is the fourth to carry that name for the line and is being built by Italian shipyard Fincantieri-Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A. in Marghera, <span class="xn-location">Italy</span>.</p>
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<p>"The <span class="xn-person">Dutch Royal Family</span> is continuing a long and proud tradition of naming Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> ships that started more than 80 years ago, and we are truly honored that <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> will name Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>," said Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span>. "The naming ceremony will mark a signature moment in our company's 137-year history as <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> becomes godmother of Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, which, with her sister-ship Eurodam, will share the distinction as the largest passenger ships ever to fly the Dutch flag."</p>
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<p>Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> IV will be the 11th Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> vessel launched by a member of the <span class="xn-person">Dutch Royal Family</span>. Previous ship dedications include ss Statendam III in 1929 by <span class="xn-person">Prince Hendrik</span> and ss Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> II in 1937 by <span class="xn-person">Queen Wilhelmina</span>. Then-Crown <span class="xn-person">Princess Beatrix</span> christened ss Statendam IV in 1957 as well as the ms Prinses Margriet in 1964. The ss <span class="xn-location">Rotterdam</span> V was launched in 1958 by <span class="xn-person">Queen Juliana. Her</span> Royal Highness <span class="xn-person">Princess Margriet</span> dedicated ms Prinsendam II in 1973, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> III in 1983, ms <span class="xn-location">Rotterdam</span> VI in 1997 and ms Oosterdam in 2003. Her Majesty <span class="xn-person">Queen Beatrix</span> of the <span class="xn-location">Netherlands</span> served as ms Eurodam's godmother in 2008.</p>
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<p>The naming ceremony will feature gala festivities in <span class="xn-location">Venice</span>, where an audience of special guests will witness an extravaganza of entertainment, the blessing of Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> and the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle across the ship's bow as the finale.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> was born in <span class="xn-location">Buenos Aires</span>, <span class="xn-location">Argentina</span>, <span class="xn-chron">May 17, 1971</span>, as Maxima Zorreguieta. She was engaged to His Royal Highness the Prince of Orange, <span class="xn-chron">March 30, 2001</span>. On <span class="xn-chron">Feb. 2, 2002</span>, Maxima wed Prince Willem-Alexander, who is Her Majesty <span class="xn-person">Queen Beatrix</span>'s eldest child and first in line of succession to the throne. Upon her marriage, Maxima received the title Princess of the <span class="xn-location">Netherlands</span>.</p>
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<p>Since <span class="xn-chron">October 2004</span>, <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> has been a member of the Council of State, the <span class="xn-location">Netherlands</span>' most important government advisory body.  <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> represents the <span class="xn-person">Royal House</span> at official occasions, often accompanying Prince Willem-Alexander.  She also accompanies Her Majesty <span class="xn-person">Queen Beatrix</span> on state visits.  The princess passed her baccalaureate examinations at Northlands School in 1988 and graduated with an economics degree from Universidad Catolica <span class="xn-location">Argentina</span> in 1995.</p>
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<p>In 2009, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon designated <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> as his Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.</p>
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<p><span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> advises the Secretary-General on access to financial services and works to ensure that everyone, everywhere, has access to all forms of financial service. At the invitation of the United Nations, <span class="xn-person">Princess Maxima</span> was involved in the Advisors Group to the International Year of Microcredit 2005. Throughout 2005 the Group met on a regular basis to discuss progress towards achieving universal access to financial services.</p>
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<p>She has worked at <span class="xn-location">Boston</span> Securities SA in <span class="xn-location">Buenos Aires</span>, the European Union Representative Office of Deutsche Bank in <span class="xn-location">Brussels</span> and in New York at Deutsche Bank, Dresdner Kleinwort Benson and HSBC <span class="xn-person">James Capel</span> Inc.</p>
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    Nieuw Amsterdam Defines 'Premium'
    
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<p>The second in the Signature-class series of vessels, Nieuw Amsterdam's décor features stylized design elements from its namesake <span class="xn-location">New York City</span>, luxurious appointments and amenities as well as all the hallmarks of the Holland America brand.</p>
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<p>Following its naming in <span class="xn-location">Venice</span>, Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span> will sail several 12-day Mediterranean cruises, then embarks on an autumn trans-Atlantic crossing to the Caribbean, and will sail seven-day eastern and western island itineraries from <span class="xn-chron">November 2010</span> through <span class="xn-chron">March 2011</span>.</p>
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    For more information on Nieuw Amsterdam, visit www.hollandamerica.com.


    
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<p>Find Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.  Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link at <a href="http://www.hollandamerica.com">www.hollandamerica.com</a>.</p>
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<p>About Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]</p>
<p>Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, <span class="xn-location">South America</span>, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, <span class="xn-location">Mexico</span>, Canada/New England, <span class="xn-location">Europe</span> and <span class="xn-location">Panama</span> Canal.  A 15th ship, ms Nieuw <span class="xn-location">Amsterdam</span>, is scheduled to join the fleet on <span class="xn-chron">July 4, 2010</span>.</p>
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<p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than <span class="xn-money">$525 million</span>, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine -- a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes -- Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.</p>
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    World's Leading Cruise Lines
    
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<p>The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland <span class="xn-person">America Line</span> is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, <span class="xn-person">Princess Cruises</span>, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises.  Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.</p>
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    CONTACT:     Sally Andrews
    PHONE:       [phone]
    FAX:         [phone]
    EMAIL:       [email protected]





    

For further information: Sally Andrews of Holland America, 1-800-637-5029, Fax, [phone], [email protected]