Captain’s Log: Special Christening Ceremony Held on Noordam
During the Atlantic crossing a family inquired if it was possible to christen their daughter on board as the parents and child lived in the Middle East while the grandparents lived in Australia and this was the first time they had all been together since the child’s birth. We immediately said yes and that we’d be delighted to host the event. In keeping with maritime tradition, the bell was polished and a frame was made to invert the bell to make a font. Another guest and well-known member of cruise critic, Reverend Neil, offered his services to christen the child. So on November 9th Miss Madeleine Amber Lobb Seaton was christened on board ms Noordam. Following tradition, her name was stamped, together with the date, on the inside of the bell. When researching the history and the tradition of using the ship’s bell as a font we also discovered that traditionally the bugler cleaned the whistle and the cook cleaned the bell. The Executive Chef wasn’t very impressed with that tradition!
John Scott is Noordam’s captain.
Tags: Captain's Log, Christening, Noordam, Trans-Atlantic
Stories from the sea, past and present
Thank you, Captain Scott, for the wonderful honor of being invited to participate in this baptism. It was a true joy.
Blessings,
Rev. Gregory S. Neal
Well I didn’t know that, what a lovely thing to do and a great story.
This is AWESOME! Thank you very much for doing this Holland America and Captain Scott.
This will be a very special memory, not only for the parents and grandparents, but for Magdalene.
I’ve just learned of this wonderful use of Noordam’s beautiful Bell.
How very special for Magdalene and her family.
Blessings on all who were present and participated.
I am rwally flushed to see that this happened on a ship that I built. I am really flused to see that it has a means to maintain ties. On september 16th, in the Fincantieri Monfalcone Shipyard we launched the “Royal Princess” for Princess cruises. So one might ask what relation does this have with a HAL ship.
Firstly, I built Noordam,
secondly, I am building the Royal Princess,
thirdly, the daughter of the Captain of the original Royal Princess (1984) was baptised using the ship bell as the font,
fourthly, the bell was given to the captain whence he retired (as it too had the name inscibed in the bell of the baptisim of his daughter)
fithly, when the New “Royal Princess” was launched, the “Madrina” (the lady that cuts the cord and makes the Champagne bottle hit and break on the vessel’s bow) was in effect that little girl that in 1984 was baptised using the ship bell.
Lastly the ex Captain of the old Royal Princess, Capt. Nash, decided to donate that same bell which Princess had given to him upon retirement, back to Princess, so that it might again be on board a Royal Princess.
I hope that one day Magdalene Amber Loeb Seaton too can become a godmother to the launching of another beautiful Hollan America line Vessel, and that this be built as all the others HAL ships I have done in Italy.
august 16th was the launch date. My mistake.
how wonderful for the family, and for the other participants. Thanks Captain
What a wonderful memory for all involved! So very special!
I was totally unaware of this custom. What a very special event for the entire Seaton family. Thank you Holland America for being such a wonderful keeper of tradition in everything you do. This is why I regard you as the BEST Cruise Line.
What a wonderful and memorable way to be christened. Thank you for sharing on the Captain’s Blog.
Will it be possible to view the bell? We are sailing with you Nov 5-Nov 16.
We were aboard the Noordam for that cruise and I remember hearing the anouncement of the Christening. What a special event for the family. God’s blessings to all of you.
So cool! Wonderful family experience.
I am sure that this family will always talk about this very special baptism. It was wonderful for the staff to help make this memory happen for this loving family and little girl.
I think that was so awesome to have the Christening done on the Noordam. And just to read about it after one of the Nurses I worked with and her husband told me 3 weeks about about Cruising on the Noordam and how much they liked it.
That is such a wonderful thing for Holland America Cruise Line to do for these people such wonderful memories for them.
The Noordam and Zaandam are our favorite ships. They are so beautiful and such delicate and classy furnishings and the Atrium’s are gorgeous. Would love to go again sometime.
We love cruising on Holland America Ships but of course we haven’t cruised with any other but don’t plan to either. The staff and cabin boys that we’ve had are so nice and helpful that we have had a great experience. Our first cruise was on the Zaandam it was brand new in Dec. 2004 and Sues and Wayan’s were our we LOVED them and hope they are having wonderful lives. They were so cute and we just had a great time, they were such professional waiters.
I guess all in all you can tell we love HAL!!