Holland America Line's ms Nieuw Amsterdam, currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard, was floated out of its dry dock at Marghera, Italy, Friday, Oct. 30, 2009. The floating out -- considered a significant milestone in the construction process -- was prefaced by several traditional ceremonies.Following the ancient practice of shipbuilders, two commemorative coins were sealed in a compartment in the traditional Coin-Under-the-Mast ceremony, believed to bring good fortune to a vessel. The special coins used in the ceremony were minted to commemorate the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's discovery of the river in New York that bears his name.Nieuw Amsterdam was towed to the fitting-out dock where she will be finished and delivered in early July 2010. Second in the Signature Class and sister ship to the ms Eurodam, she will carry 2,106 guests and 929 crew.
Holland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam Floats Out at Italian Shipyardms Nieuw Amsterdam Photo Courtesy of Holland America LineHolland America Line Nieuw Amsterdam Floats Out at Italian Shipyard originally appeared on About.com Cruises on Sunday, November 8th, 2009 at 06:14:41.
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