CIVITAVECCHIA, Italy -- Eager for a glimpse of Holland America's newest ship, Koningsdam? USA TODAY correspondent Peter Knego this week has been getting a sneak peek at the 2,650-passenger vessel in advance of its May christening, and we're posting his first photos in the carousel above.
Koningsdam is Holland America's first new ship since 2010. It's also the line's largest ever. Indeed, as can be seen in the photos, the 99,500-ton Koningsdam is significantly bigger than past Holland America vessels. It holds nearly 26% more passengers at double occupancy than the line's last new ship, Nieuw Amsterdam.
As the photo tour shows, Koningsdam features a new, more contemporary design than earlier Holland America vessels, while preserving such classic Holland America touches as a Crow's Nest lounge with panoramic views.
Holland America tapped noted resort and restaurant designer Adam Tihany to create interior spaces for Koningsdam in partnership with Bjørn Storbraaten, who worked on two earlier Holland America ships. Tihany also has created spaces for Celebrity and Seabourn vessels.
For more USA TODAY ship tours, click on the links below.
Alaska Marine Highway System (ferries): Kennicott
Alaskan Dream Cruises: Admiralty Dream
American Cruise Lines: Queen of the Mississippi; American Eagle
American Queen Steamboat Company: American Queen; American Empress
Azamara Club Cruises: Azamara Journey; Azamara Quest
Avalon Waterways: Avalon Panorama; Avalon Expression; Avalon Angkor; Avalon Tapestry II; Avalon Myanmar; Avalon Passion
Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Eclipse; Celebrity Constellation; Celebrity Century; Celebrity Reflection; Celebrity Solstice; Celebrity Silhouette
Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Magic; Carnival Breeze; Carnival Sunshine; Carnival Breeze, Magic compared; Carnival Destiny (before transformation into Carnival Sunshine); Carnival Ecstasy; Carnival Splendor; Carnival Inspiration; Carnival Liberty; Carnival Valor; Carnival Dream; Carnival Imagination; Carnival Miracle; early icons of the Carnival fleet
Celebration Cruise Line: Bahamas Celebration (out of service)
Costa Cruises: Costa Favolosa; Costa Deliziosa; Costa Diadema; Costa Atlantica; Costa Luminosa
Cruise & Maritime Voyages: Marco Polo; Discovery
Crystal Cruises: Crystal Symphony; Crystal Serenity
Cunard Line: Queen Mary 2; Queen Elizabeth; Queen Victoria; Queen Mary (retired)
Disney Cruise Line: Disney Wonder; Disney Fantasy and Dream compared; Disney Fantasy; Disney Dream; Disney Magic
Emerald Waterways: Emerald Sky
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines: Braemar
Hurtigruten: Midnatsol; Lofoten; Nordstjernen; Fram; Kong Harald
Lindblad Expeditions: National Geographic Sea Lion
Louis Cruises: Louis Majesty; Louis Olympia; Orient Queen; Cristal
MSC Cruises: MSC Fantasia; MSC Divina; MSC Preziosa
Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Jade; Norwegian Breakaway; Norwegian Sky; Norwegian Epic; Norwegian Gem; Norwegian Getaway; Norwegian Escape
Paul Gauguin Cruises: Paul Gauguin
P&O Cruises: Britannia
Princess Cruises: Ruby Princess; Crown Princess; Grand Princess; Emerald Princess; last look at the 'Love Boat'; Royal Princess under construction; Royal Princess; Sapphire Princess; Regal Princess; Diamond Princess; early icons of the Princess fleet; Star Princess; Golden Princess
Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Seven Seas Mariner
Royal Caribbean International: Oasis of the Seas; Voyager of the Seas; Grandeur of the Seas; Jewel of the Seas; Allure of the Seas; Quantum of the Seas; Anthem of the Seas; Freedom of the Seas
Scenic Cruises: Scenic Gem
Seabourn Cruise Line: Seabourn Sojourn and Seabourn Odyssey; Seabourn Quest
SeaDream Yacht Club: SeaDream I
Semester at Sea:World Odyssey
Silversea: Silver Spirit; Silver Shadow; Silver Galapagos; Silver Cloud
Star Clippers: Star Flyer; Royal Clipper
Un-Cruise Adventures: Safari Explorer; Safari Endeavour (in Mexico's Sea of Cortes); Safari Endeavour (in Alaska); Wilderness Discoverer; S.S. Legacy
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection: S.S. Catherine; S.S. Maria Theresa; River Countess; Ganges Voyager II
Vantage Deluxe World Travel: River Discovery II; River Splendor
Viking River Cruises: Viking Odin; Viking Bragi; Viking Heimdal; Viking Skirnir; Viking Vili
Viking Ocean Cruises: Viking Star; Viking Sea
Voyages to Antiquity: Aegean Odyssey
Windstar Cruises: Wind Surf; Wind Star; Star Pride; Star Breeze; Wind Spirit
Yachts available by charter: Christina O
Retired ocean liners: SS United States; SS Rotterdam
Theme galleries: The most spectacular suites at sea; the last of the great ocean liners; ship christenings with Queen Elizabeth II; Royal ship christenings through the years
