HAL's new ship pays respect to the Ryndam name

Holland America Line's next Pinnacle Class ship will be called Ryndam. 

The new build, due for delivery in May 2021, will be the fourth ship in the company's history to carry the name.

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Ryndam will be similar to sister ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, measuring 99,500 tons and carrying 2,662 guests. As the third in the series, Ryndam will feature enhanced Pinnacle Class amenities and innovations, along with Holland America Line hallmarks 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 ship constructed for Holland America Line by the Italian shipbuilder, which most recently delivered Nieuw Statendam.

What's in a name?

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.