PM attends dedication of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam

PM attends dedication of Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam

PORT EVERGLADES, Florida – Prime Minister Dr. Hubert Minnis and Minister of Tourism Dionisio D’Aguilar were among special guests at the dedication ceremony of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam cruise ship on Saturday.

Holland America Line is a division of Carnival Cruise Corporation & plc., the world’s largest leisure travel company.

Carnival cruise ships call on ports around the world, including Nassau, Freeport, Princess Cays, Eleuthera and Half Moon Cay.

During the event, Minnis and D’Aguilar spoke with Carnival Cruise Corporation & plc. executives, including Chairman Micky Arison, President and Chief Executive Officer Arnold Donald and Holland America Line President Orlando Ashford.

D’Aguilar also met with Donald following the dedication ceremony to discuss a variety of matters.

Carnival is expected to unveil plans for Freeport’s newest cruise port today (Feb. 4).

During Saturday’s pier-side ceremony in Florida, Oprah Winfrey christened the nearly 100,000-ton cruise ship and was named godmother of the Nieuw Statendam.

Part of the ship’s inaugural season featured an Oprah and O, The Oprah Magazine ‘Girls Getaway’ cruise, which included a stop at Half Moon Cay on Thursday, January 31.

“We are pleased for the opportunity to witness such a special ceremony and get an up-close look at one of Carnival’s newest ships,” said Dr. Minnis.

“The Bahamas has a strong partnership with the Carnival Corporation and we look forward to building on that relationship with new projects that will create jobs and expand economic opportunities for Bahamians.”

The prime minister and his delegation returned to The Bahamas on Sunday.