Under sunny blue skies and with a royal blessing, Holland America Line christened its newest and largest ship, the ms Eurodam, in Rotterdam, the city where the 135-year-old Dutch company was founded. Fittingly the ceremony was held near the company’s original headquarters, now the Hotel New York.

The Eurodam’s godmother is her majesty Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands, who blessed and named the ship with the ceremonial champagne smash.

Here are some photos from today’s event. More to come later.