The keel-laying ceremony for Holland America Line’s incoming ship Ryndam has been held in Italy.
A 505-tonne block was lowered by crane into the building dock at Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard to mark the official beginning of construction.
The third Pinnacle-Class vessel is scheduled for delivery in May 2021.
The block put in place by shipyard workers is one of 85 that will make up the line’s 17th ship.
Ryndam will feature several Pinnacle-Class innovations including 270-degree screen World Stage and music venues Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Rock Room.
Holland America Line has operated three other ships with the name ‘Ryndam’ since 1901.
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Holland America Line president Orlando Ashford said: “The keel laying is an important construction milestone because it marks the moment when we can really start to watch the ship take shape and progress towards its launch in 18 months.
“Adding Ryndam to our fleet will provide a new canvas for us to share our brand and enable us to show the world to even more cruisers.”
Fincantieri started building ships for Holland America Line in 1992.