Holland America Line announced that Ryndam will be the name of the cruise line’s third Pinnacle class cruise ship. The cruise ship will go into service in May 2021.
Ryndam will be similar to sister ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, measuring 99,500 gross tons and carrying 2,662 guests. The ship will have all of the amenities and features that Holland America Line is known for that drive one of the highest guest repeat rates in the industry.
The steel cutting for Ryndam, signifying the official beginning of the building process, was held March 13, 2019 at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Marghera, Italy. This will be the 17th cruise ship constructed for Holland America Line by the Italian shipbuilder, which most recently delivered Nieuw Statendam.
Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president, gave the following statement: “Holland America Line honors the timeless tradition of cruising while also embracing new innovations for today’s travelers, and the name Ryndam reflects the unique history of this company while honoring previous ships that were progressive in their time as this last Ryndam will be.
From the first Ryndam more than 100 years ago to the most recent, the namesake ships have been beloved by our guests. The next Ryndam will bring new life to one of the most notable series of vessels in our history.”
Holland America Line’s Historic Ships Named Ryndam
The first Ryndam was part of the Holland America Line fleet from 1901 to 1929, starting as Rijndam before receiving the English spelling in 1923. In 1927 Ryndam I became the first Holland America Line ship to sail a world cruise, although it was chartered as a floating school at sea for that voyage.
The second Ryndam served from 1951 to 1973, and the third sailed in the fleet from 1993 through 2015, when it was transferred to sister brand P&O Australia and now cruises as Pacific Aria.