Tag Archives: Stein Kruse

Holland America Line: New flagship will be called MS Koningsdam

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New ship of Holland America Line is called MS Koningsdam

Holland America Line is to name of their new flagship known to be put into service in February 2016: MS Koningsdam. The name underscores the company’s long tradition and the deep roots of the shipping company in the Netherlands.Simultaneously, a new era is ushered in the 141-year history with this strong name.

Designed for 2,650 passengers cruise ship establishes a new class of Holland America Line, the Pinnacle class, and is an evolution in design and equipment.Currently, the new ship in the Italian Fincantieri shipyard is under construction.

The new name is Holland America Line’s existing since 1883 tradition about ending their ship name with the syllable “dam”. The word “Koning”, in German “King”, underlines the importance of the new cruiser and at the same time honoring the Dutch King Willem-Alexander, the first king in the Netherlands for over 100 years.

“By choosing the name Koningsdam we bow to our Dutch roots and indicate at the same time entering into a new era of the company” , said Stein Kruse, CEO of Holland America Group. “This new ship is the trend for our fleet, so it was the task of finding a name that expresses exactly the same and represents our timeless traditions. “

Photo: Holland America Line

Dutch roots

Holland America Line has enjoyed a long history with the Netherlands, because the shipping company was founded in 1873 as the Dutch-America Steamship Company, with headquarters in Rotterdam. The original building still stands today as Hotel New York on Wilhelmina Pier. All 15 ships of the company flying the Dutch flag and bring almost a million passengers each year to more than 400 ports around the world.

To date, much of the staff, especially captains and officers of Dutch origin. In addition, most of the ships of Holland America Line were baptised members of the Dutch royal family in the past 75 years, most recently in 2010, the MS Nieuw Amsterdam by Queen Máxima, Princess of the Netherlands. The MS Eurodam was baptized in 2008 by the then reigning Queen Beatrix.

New design for new ship class

The MS Koningsdam is expected to be commissioned in February 2016. At 99,500 gross tonnage and a passenger capacity of 2,650 people and 1,025 crew members it is the largest ship, the Holland America Line was ever built. Innovative concepts of space aboard the MS Koningsdam preserve the classic charm of Holland America Line ships and go at the same time breaking new ground in design and equipment.

For the fresh look aboard the world-renowned hotel and restaurant designer Adam D. Tihany provides. Together with the renowned ship architects Storbraaten Bjorn, who also created the MS Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam MS, is responsible for the design and the interior.

The keel of the new ship was laid in late August.

Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

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Princess Cruises assures agents it’s ‘business as usual’

By Phil Davies

Princess Cruises assures agents it's 'business as usual'UK agents have been assured that it is ‘business as usual’ despite management changes at the top of Princess Cruises.

The new structure will see Jan Swartz (pictured) step up to succeed Alan Buckelew as president of Princess Cruises.

With Buckelew moving to become chief operations officer for parent company Carnival Corporation, Swartz will report to Stein Kruse, who has been promoted to president and chief executive of the newly-formed Holland America Group.

Kruse will provide “commercial and operations oversight” to Princess, Holland America, Seabourn and our Alaska land operations, Swartz said.

Swartz, who has been sales, marketing and customer service executive vice president at Princess for four years, said: “Paul Ludlow, UK director, will continue to lead the Princess Cruises brand in the UK.

“For our travel agent partners, it will be business as usual, and all plans we have discussed regarding 2014 will proceed as agreed.

“I want to assure you that travel agents will continue to play a key role in the success of our company.”

She stressed that there is “absolutely no intention” to combine Princess and Holland America Line.

“In fact, our work together will focus on how to keep them as unique and distinct as possible,” added Swartz.

“I look forward to working with Stein, who is an experienced and dynamic leader, as we focus our team to take Princess Cruises to the next level of success and growth.”