HAL-Holland America Line's MS Nieuw Rotterdam - the new ship currently under construction at Fincantieri Marghera (Venice) shipyard - was launched / floated out from drydock on Thursday, October 1. Now starts the vessel's fitting-out phase, with a scheduled maiden voyage for August 1, 2021.
The special ceremony was introduced by the traditional coin ceremony that consists of welding a silver dollar on the ship's last deck. Mai Elmar, executive director of Cruise Port Rotterdam in the Netherlands, served as the ceremony's Madrina/Godmother. The event was attended by Holland America Group's VP of Newbuilds Cyril Tatar (on behalf of the shipowner Carnival Corporation) and the shipyard's director Antonio Quintano.
The newbuild is sistership of ms Koningsdam and ms Nieuw Statendam - also Pinnacle-class cruise ships that were delivered by Fincantieri Marghera in March 2016 and 2018. Nieuw Rotterdam is the 14th vessel built for HAL by Fincantieri Marghera. The liner has max passenger capacity 3210 (2668 lower berths in 1340 staterooms) and 12 decks (8 with cabins).
The vessel’s technology is aimed at optimizing energy efficiency along with minimizing environmental impact. It responds to the most demanding safety regulations.