Day 1 – MS Koningsdam

71° 10 '21" N  latitude is literally and figuratively the highlight of this trip, a cruise along the Norwegian fjords, one of the most beautiful maritime voyages in the world. Literally, the highest point since these are the coordinates of the North Cape, traditionally seen as the northernmost point of Europe. Figuratively, because this place is on our bucket list.

We make this trip in very special circumstances. We travel  on the flagship of Holland America Line, the recently completed Koningsdam, the largest ship of the company.

Holland America Line was originally a Dutch company that maintained a shipping link between the Netherlands and the United States. The company was based at the port of Rotterdam. In 1989 the company was taken over by Carnival. The transatlantic connection between Rotterdam and New York existed from 1873 to 1978 and played a major role in the country moves from Europe to America. Due to the increasing competition from the airlines on the transatlantic route, the ships were used more and more for the cruise segment.

The newest vessel is the Koningsdam. The first part of the name is a salute to the Dutch King Willem-Alexander, the first Dutch king in over 100 years. Dam is part of the name that is a Holland America Line tradition.

The ship was built in Italy, near Venice, and left a few weeks ago the  Mediterranean during a test cruise to Rotterdam. The ship was inaugurated in Rotterdam on May 20,  at the Wilhelmina pier in an official ceremony by Queen Máxima

Indeed, it is tradition that a woman names the ship. The vessel costs a whopping 520 million dollars. It is the first in a new class of vessel, the Pinnacle class. Pinnacle means "high point" and the cruise ship is seen as a high point in the history of Holland America Line. The ship continues the tradition, the nautical heritage and the renowned service and style of the company. Holland America Line is known for its high standard. The ship is rewarded with 4 stars. That standard is looked over by a crew of 1025 for a maximum of 2650 passengers. The  Koningsdam in numbers: the ship is 300 m long and 35 m wide and has 12 passenger decks and sails tons at a cruising speed of 24 knots.

It is now our home for  the next 14 days during the second part of the maiden voyage of the ship. That maiden voyage began after its baptism in Rotterdam for a trip to the south of Norway via Amsterdam. The ship picks us up in Amsterdam for the so-called Artic circle portion of the trip. As passengers on the maiden voyage, we are part of the history of the Koningsdam. This Koningsdam  will bring us in luxury and comfort to the Far North, to the land of the midnight sun.