Holland America Line announced the team of senior officers for their Flag Ship ms Koningsdam scheduled to debut in April 2016. The cruise line appointed Captain Emiel de Vries to be at the helm of the ship, In charge of the Hotel operations will be Hotel Director Stan Kuppens, Chief Engineer Willem Zuidema, Captains right head man will be Staff Captain Kevin Beirnaert and Safety, Environmental and Health Officer Martijn van Dam.

Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Italy the 99,500-ton ship will start its maiden season in the Mediterranean and northern Europe in summer and the Caribbean in winter.

Captain Emiel de Vries

Captain Emiel de Vries started his career for Holland America Line in 1997, as a fourth officer and progressed to captain onboard ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Rotterdam and ms Zuiderdam. Born in Amsterdam he graduated from the Hogere Zeevaart School in Amsterdam, one of the oldest nautical schools in the world.

Hotel Director Stan Kuppens

Stan Kuppens joined HAL in 1990, and has worked on 16 cruise ships in the fleet. 

Staff Captain Kevin Beirnaert

Kevin Beirnaert joined Holland America Line in 2006 and worked on ms Rotterdam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam. Born in Gent, Belgium, Beirnaert studied at the Hogere Zeevaart school in Antwerp, Belgium.

Chief Engineer Willem Zuidema

Zuidema started his Holland America Line career in 1991 aboard ss Rotterdam after sailing on cargo ships. He was involved in the building of ms Ryndam and ms Rotterdam. Graduating in Marine Engineering College in Rotterdam, Zuidema began his career as a dual-purpose officer 

Safety, Environmental and Health Officer Martijn van Dam

Born in Aalsmeer, Netherlands, Martijn van Dam started his sea career when he was 18 years old. He graduated at Hogere Zeevaart School Amsterdam with degrees in navigation and engineering. In 2000 he joined HAL on ms Nieuw Amsterdam in the engineering department.