Published January 10, 2003. All images and text copyright Peter Knego (unless otherwise noted).

Page One:

ZUIDERDAM awaits her christening at Ft Lauderdale on 14 December 2002. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

ZUIDERDAM

Holland America Line's new 85,000 gt MV ZUIDERDAM was revealed to members of the press and travel industry in early December 2002 in a trio of three night inaugural cruises from Ft. Lauderdale. There would also be a series of in port walk throughs for the company's Mariner frequent cruiser clientele and a day of christening ceremonies prior to the ship's first revenue sailing on 14 December. Based on my own impressions and feedback from fellow guests, the ship may be more of a departure from HAL's well-honed and successful old world formula than the company is aware. Indeed, the ship's new features are well-touted, but the ambiance and attitude on board is far more casual and family oriented than the company's most recent ship, the 61,000 gt MV ZAANDAM, which was somewhat of a stylistic departure from the rest of the fleet with its musically-inspired decor and youthful spirit.

Holland America Line
Built by Fincantieri, Marghera, Italy
Yard no: 6075
85,000 gt
951 by 105.8 feet
Five Sulzer diesels (three 16 cylinder, two 12 cylinder)
One GE 2500 Gas Turbine (15.4 megawatts)
Twin Azipods
Speed: 24 knots Passengers: 1,848

New Features

At 85,000 gt, the ZUIDERDAM is almost 30% larger than HAL's recent 61,000 gt pairs of twins AMSTERDAM/ROTTERDAM and VOLENDAM/ZAANDAM and nearly 35% larger than the 55,451 gt STATENDAM quartette (STATENDAM/RYNDAM/ MAASDAM, and VEENDAM). While maintaining the self-proclaimed "HAL-marks" found on the prior ships (which include The Crow's Nest observation lounge, a gym overlooking the bow, sliding dome-covered midships pool and open air aft pool, fully-encircling teak promenades, two level main dining room, an Explorer's Lounge and an Ocean Bar), the ZUIDERDAM and her four newbuilding "Vista Class" sisters introduce an expanded TheGreenhouse spa facility, an even greater number of verandah cabins, a three deck (as opposed to two) deck high show lounge, a dedicated nightclub, the Windstar Cafe gourmet coffee and pastry shop, a much larger internet facility, glass encased elevators with a sea view, and a greatlly expanded children's facility).

ZUIDERDAM's architect, Frans Dingemans, in the Northern Lights Nightclub on 13 December 2002. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

In addition to the hardware and layout changes, the soft fittings have evolved in a more whimsical and contemporary direction under the helm of HAL's long-standing architect and interior designer Franz Dingemans and his Utrecht-based company VFD. In addition to the rich maroon, purple, and gold pallettes found on most HAL ships, there are vivid yellows, hot pinks, new metallic textures, and, most notably, acres of aggressively-patterned carpets that Mr. Dingemans explained will endure spills and staining. Apparently monochrome carpeting was being replaced on the other ships well before sufficient wear had set in. Because of this evolution, many were quick to presume parent company Carnival Cruise Line's Joe Farcus (known for his conceptual and sometimes outrageous designs) may have had a hand in the decorative choices. The affable Mr. Dingemans was perhaps momentarilly surprised when approached with this suggestion, but there is no avoiding that ZUIDERDAM is a far cry from her more restrained predecessors.

ZUIDERDAM at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas on 12 December 2002. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

Externally, the ship is quite a bit more handsome than its counterparts in the Carnival family. The first of a class of five newbuildings called the Vista series, the ZUIDERDAM and her sisters are from the same hull and machinery blueprint that produced the 85,700 gt Carnival LEGEND series (LEGEND, SPIRIT, PRIDE, MIRACLE), the new 85,619 gt Costa series (ATLANTICA, MEDITERRANEA), and the newbbuilding as yet unnamed (FRANCONIA?) 85,000 gt Cunarder. The layout and superstructure have been pleasingly modified to HAL's standards, offering well-shaped profiles with relatively long bows, tapered and terraced forward housing, twin funnels and stepped down stern.

The MICHELANGELO (shown) and RAFFAELLO of 1965 were the last major passenger ships built with twin functioning funnels prior to the ZUIDERDAM. Peter Knego collection.

The funnel configuration came as a result of the ship having two power plants (one with three Sulzer diesels and one with two Sulzer diesels and a gas turbine engine). Not only does this provide for improved safety with the ship being functional with one disabled engine room, it has resulted in the first major passenger ship with two working fore/aft funnels since Italian Lines' RAFFAELLO of 1965. The placement and style of the funnels can be seen as a nod to this celebrated and lamented Atlantic duo.

ZUIDERDAM's funnels trick the eye with their angled open grillwork. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

The 24 knot ZUIDERDAM ("ZUIDER" rhymes with "cider" in current HAL lingo), which is named for the south point of the compass, will be followed by the OOSTERDAM (east) in 2003, the WESTERDAM in 2004, and two as yet unnamed vessels in 2004 and 2005. She and her sisters are propelled by two Azimuth "pod" units in lieu of traditional screws that operate like giant outboard motors underneath her hull. Their ability to change direction make the ship remarkably maneuverable which is an added plus during tendering or negotiating smaller ports.

Fully dressed, the ZUIDERDAM awaits the arrival of her VIP guests for the afternoon pierside christening ceremony. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

"I Name Thee......"

There were two ceremonies held for the naming of the ship on December 14. The lineup of dignitaries included Mickey Arison (chairman of Carnival Corporation), his wife Madeline, Kirk Lanterman (CEO Holland America Line) and his wife Janet, Frans Dingemans, Fincantieri executive chairman Corato Antonini, Captain Jack van Coevorden, and Reverend David Mesenbring, who blessed the ship.

Joan Lunden, looking very smart with freshly drenched bell beyond, wraps up the morning ceremony in the Vista Lounge. Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

In the first ceremony, held in the Vista Lounge for Mariners and VIPs, champagne was poured over the ship's bell by the captain and Mariner alumni James and Lora Melhorne, who have sailed on 20 cruises with HAL since 1982. Joan Lunden, looking very chic in a black pantsuit, was the enthusiastic godmother, recalling her round the world educational voyage on the 1951-built SS RYNDAM (perhaps during the ship's brief tenure as the SS WATERMAN?) during her college years.

Stage and spectators alike are dwarfed by the towering bow of the 85,000 gt ZUIDERDAM. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

Captain Coevorden speaks as the VIPs look on. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

For the second ceremony, held pierside just prior to the embarkation of the ship's first fare-paying passengers, a stage was built underneath the starboard bow. At the end of a long horizontal rod affixed to the foredeck, the christening bottle of champagne was cantilevered overhead. A large crowd gathered outside as a band played and members of the ship's officers and crew lined up in their formal whites holding up flags of various nations involved in the creation and operation of the ship. All along the ZUIDERDAM's forward bulwarks and docking area, more staff and crew gathered. A nearly word for word version of the morning's procession of speeches and blessings ensued, this time underneath a gorgeous white and blue sky. Playful but gusty winds whipped at the VIPs, teasing well-coiffed hairdos and rustling firmly clutched paperwork.

Godmother Joan Lunden completes the formal christening process. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

Meanwhile, the bottle of champagne awaits the push of a button from its position high above the crowd. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2002.

First, the name is unveiled.... Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

The bottle in full swing, miliseconds before impact.... Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

Smashing success! Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

As the last of the bubbly contents trickle away, only the neck of the bottle is left to swing overhead. Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

The band springs into action, momentarily drowned out by the ZUIDERDAM's exchange of salutes with the other ships in the harbor. Photo by Mike Masino, copyright Peter Knego 2002.

The name ZUIDERDAM was concealed underneath a white canvas until Ms. Lunden gave a cue for its unveiling. "I can officially give to you the...M...S...ZUIDERMAN!" Reluctantly, the canvas fell to the side, revealing the ship's name as the godmother seamlessly corrected herself during the close of her presentation. Soon, the champagne bottle was released, breaking with gusto between the "U" and the "I" as confetti flew, the ship's whistle blew, a marching band stepped into action, and salutes rang from other ships in the harbor (MONARCH OF THE SEAS, VOLENDAM, OCEANA, OCEANBREEZE, and GRAND PRINCESS).

A new ship is born and a new era for Holland America has now begun. The ZUIDERDAM proudly carries the HAL torch into the future. Let's begin the top to bottom, stem to stern tour....

Please click for page two: ZUIDERDAM tour