Eurodam Christened By Queen Bea

Long time no blog.

I'm in Rotterdam, Holland today, attending the christening of Holland America Line's newest signature class ship, ms Eurodam.

It's 86,700 tons, not too big by today's standards. The interior is somewhat like Cunard's Queen Victoria, very understated and classy.

It's a bright sunny day and the ceremony took place in an open air seating arrangement, within sight of HAL's original headquarters, which is now the hotel New York.

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands did the honors and the champagne bottle smashed on cue.

Holland America has another tradition when inaugurating a ship. Champagne is also poured over the ship's bell.

Queen Bea seems to have quite a personality and appears more affable than Queen Elizabeth, whom I witnessed christen QM2.

Tonight there's a formal dinner followed by fireworks at 11:15 p.m. That late because it just gets dark an hour earlier!