Holland America Launches Nieuw Statendam with Oprah Winfrey On-Hand

In a star-studded affair at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale last week, Holland America Line dedicated its newest ship, Nieuw Statendam, the fifteenth vessel in its fleet and one it has called “the ultimate expression of the Holland America Line brand.”

Oprah Winfrey, the TV and culture icon and the ship’s godmother, joined Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line and Carnival UK CEO Steve Kruse, and Carnival Corp. President Arnold Donald, to dedicate the 2,666-guest ship.

“We are deeply honored to have Oprah Winfrey serve as the godmother of our newest ship in a celebration of our shared belief that travel has the power to open minds, build connections and inspire shared humanity across cultures and people,” said Ashford.

Winfrey had spent the previous three days on the Nieuw Statendam, sailing a “Girls’ Getaway” cruise to the Caribbean along with Gayle King, the editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine. The sailing was one where “everybody gathered, made friends and connected to people they didn’t know because they felt like they had met themselves on some level. I have never seen anything like it,” Winfrey said.

Winfrey and Holland America first joined forces in February 2017 when they announced plans to sail five “Adventure of Your Life” sailings, bringing O Magazine–inspired activities aboard — and offering a chance to interact with the magazine’s figureheads and members of its SuperSoul 100 list of leaders, entrepreneurs and influencers “who are using their voices and talent to elevate humanity.”

The partnership has been extended beyond that and now includes Winfrey’s permanent status as Nieuw Statendam’s godmother.

Nieuw Statendam will debut similar to another Holland America ship, Koningsdam, the first of the line’s Pinnacle Class ships that debuted in 2016, with some significant differences including new public spaces designed by Adam D. Tihany.

For dining, Nieuw Statendam will offer a number of specialty restaurants outside of its main dining room. A French seafood brassier called Rudi’s Sel de Mer will be included; as will the pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant, a new al fresco eatery. The ship will also offer Holland America’s Pinnacle Grill, Nami Sushi inside of Tamarind, and the new Club Orange exclusive restaurant.

In addition, Statendam will debut the Rolling Stone Rock Room, which will offer live bands covering rock hits from the last four decades, in partnership with Rolling Stone magazine. Other entertainment will include Billboard Onboard, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and Lincoln Center stage.