The 680-ton block which was cut earlier this year was lowered by crane into the yard's building dock, marking the official beginning of construction. The event was attended by Holland America Line's Keith Tayor, senior vice president, fleet operations and Cyril Tatar, vice president, newbuild and technical operations.
"The keel laying of our new Pinnacle Class vessel heightens the anticipation for delivery because very soon we’ll see the ship begin to take shape,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. “As the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line, the vessel features many innovations and new features, and we’re excited to see it all come together over the next year and a half.”
The new ship is being built at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy and is scheduled for delivery February 2016. At 99,500-gross-ton it is the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line and will hold 2,650 passengers. The ship will showcase decors by leading hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany, based in New York City, and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, based in Oslow, Norway.
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