The countdown to Koningsdam‘s arrival is on, with only a couple of more months to go until Holland America Line takes delivery. The Pinnacle-class ship returned to Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard Saturday, Jan. 16, after successfully completing two sets of sea trials off the Italian coast.
The line’s newest ship, that will debut in Venice in early April, left Marghera Jan. 2 and performed the first set of sea trials over three days before going into dry dock at Fincantieri’s Trieste shipyard, where standard hull maintenance was performed.
The ship sailed its second sea trials Jan. 10 through 16, making its way back to Marghera, where the finishing touches will be completed. During the sea trials, Koningsdam underwent a series of performance tests on the ship’s systems, machinery and engines.
“Koningsdam is a new class of ship for Holland America Line, so everyone was eager to get the ship out in the open water for the first time on sea trials,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Koningsdam delivered a strong performance and is now back at the ship yard for the final phase of work in anticipation of the early April delivery.”
Captain Emiel de Vries, Koningsdam’s master-designate, has not yet taken command of the ship, but he participated in testing the ship’s maneuvering characteristics and safety systems together with the shipyard’s team of naval architects and builders.
—-
Ed van Weijen, the ship’s electrical project manager at the yard, sent in these fabulous photos that show the ship’s progression. The public rooms are taking shape and are easily identifiable. Photos showcase the the dry dock work, as well as all of the work on board creating beautiful public spaces and guest accommodations. Note that some of the photos are a couple of weeks old, so the rooms will have changed a great deal between then and now. Things move very quickly when building a ship!
The two-story Lido pool area.
Another of the Lido area, right, and Lido Market.
At the dry dock in Trieste.
—
The Atrium is coming along nicely. Top is current and bottom is a rendering of what it will look like when complete.
—
World Stage is progressing. The top is current, bottom is a rendering of what it will look like when complete.
—
The gorgeous chandeliers in The Dining Room are a beautiful element of the decor.
There’s more progress of the ship to be seen in the coming weeks, so check back for updates on Koningsdam’s exciting transformation. With several firsts for Holland America Line such as family staterooms for up to five guests, single staterooms, a two-story Lido pool area, new dining venues and entertainment options like never before, we’re sure you’re as excited as we are to step onboard!
If you want to cruise, check out the ship’s inaugural season itineraries in the Mediterranean, northern Europe and the Caribbean.
Will you be cruising on Koningsdam when the ship debuts? Which onboard area are you most excited to see?
Sto seguendo passo dopo passo i progressi della nave e ho capito che sarà meravigliosa.
Sono orgogliosa di salirci con mio marito e mia figlia il 10 luglio 2016 per una straordinario viaggio nel sole di mezzanotte. Sto già sognando !
A presto Koningsdam …
We will be celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary on the Koingsdam sailing from Rome on April 15. This will be our second time on Holland America and we are looking forward to seeing this beautiful ship!
Stepping onboard November 13th. Will be cruising the Caribbean for 21 days celebrating our 50th anniversary!!!! So looking forward to the trip!
She looks great. Looking forward to our April cruise. The Theatre should be beautiful. Also all the dining areas sound so enticing. Worth coming from Australia I am sure.
Embarcamos en Amsterdam el próximo 19/06/2015. Nuestro segundo crucero con HAL y decimotercero en total. Mis expectativas pintan bien.
We are getting very excited! April 8 not far now and then 19 glorious nights . . . So much to explore. We hope to renew our vows after 36 years on this cruise. See you there 😉
We are getting very excited! April 8 not far now and then 19 glorious nights . . . So much to explore. We hope to renew our vows after 36 years on this cruise. See you there 😉 We leave Australia March 22 to tour Italy first.
Beautiful looking ship. We love “Firsts” and this will be our first Holland America Line cruise. We leave Sydney, Australia to be on the Premiere voyage April 8 to April 27 . Getting very excited!
I will celebrate my retirement on the Koningsdam sailing from Amsterdam on
July 17th 2016. This will be our second time on a Holland America Line cruise ship and we are very much looking forward seeing this beautiful ship!
Going on the cruise from Amsterdam on 6/12/16- very much looking forward to it.
we are so excited. we will be celebrating my husbands 76th birthday. leaving on nov 9th out of ft lauderdale. ship looks great. working on 5 stars.
Boarding May 9th we are so looking forward to this cruise what an opportunity to sale on a new ship and it looks so beautiful roll-on May we are Excited !
Looking for couple to share cab from LeHavre to Paris round trip from the May 6 cruise
My wife and I will be celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary on the Koningsdam on the cruise from Rome 27th April. This is our 3rd cruise with the fantastic HollandAmerica line. Always had a fantastic time your line and so excited to see such a wonderful new addition.
We will board in Fort Lauderdale on November 23rd for a fantastic 11 days cruise in the Caribbean.
Looking forward to our 5th cruise with HAL now on fantastic M/S Koningsdam!
Our 53rd cruise on HAL and 2nd Christening.
It certainly looks very special.
See you on board on May 9th.
Is there a Casino?
Just booked for Nov23rd. Can’t wait.
We will leave on the second cruise to Greece, Turkey and Italy as a part of out celebration of 50 years of marriage. We could not be more excited but we just hope the madness going on in Istanbul, Brussels and other places doesn’t spoil the trip.