Cruise ships never venture into the troubled waters of the world’s oceans without a proper christening, which is a traditional ceremony that is part naming, part blessing. Ships are shes. So, the namer and dedicator is a godmother who breaks the bottle of bubbly over the bow.

I have watched ceremonial godmothers ranging in grace from Rosie O’Donnell to Audrey Hepburn. Beatrix of the Netherlands was my first queen, as, on July 1 in Rotterdam, she dedicated Holland America Line’s new Eurodam. The 2,104-passenger ship is the largest of Holland America’s 14 vessels.

"I name this ship Eurodam," the monarch said from an outdoor stage in front of the ship, reciting the words used so many times at these affairs. "May God bless the Eurodam and all who sail on her."

Queen Beatrix, dressed in lavender and pink with a wide-brimmed sun hat, seemed to be enjoying herself, smiling as she rang the ship’s bell, the signal for the release of a giant bottle of champagne against the Eurodam’s bow. The bottle exploded against the side of the ship, followed by a rendition of the “Ode to Joy” from Beethoven’s ninth symphony, sung by a classical music group Operababes.

The afternoon program, on the edge of the River Maas where Holland America Line began 135 years ago, included a performance by Cantabile, known for their sacred music. The ship’s bell was blessed, with champagne poured over the bell’s top.

Short speeches were delivered by the ship’s captain, Jeroen van Donselaar and Holland America CEO Stein Kruse, as well as the head of the shipyard in Italy that built the Eurodam. Afterwards, Queen Beatrix toured the ship, during which she talked with several passengers while waiting for an elevator.

The Eurodam begins a series of Europe cruises out of Copenhagen on July 5.