holland america nieuw statendam tour

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11 Ships in the Holland America Line fleet

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Nieuw Statendam Overview

Proudly reflecting more than 140 years of Dutch seafaring tradition, ms Nieuw Statendam is the second of Holland America Line’s Pinnacle-class ships with legendary architecture, signature service, opulent interiors and grand light-filled spaces; a staple of the nautical heritage for which the cruise line is known. ms Nieuw Statendam raises the bar for 21st-century cruising with elegant designs, breathtaking central atrium, subtly changing high-definition backdrop projections and brilliant hospitality. Expect dazzling entertainment featuring Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard venues and the popular B.B. King’s Blues Club associated with the new “Music Walk” experience. The ms Nieuw Statendam is a sister ship to ms Koningsdam, the first Pinnacle-class ship of Holland America Line. Together, these spectacular new vessels combine classic style with carefully crafted itineraries that allow you to see the world in a whole new light.

• Passenger Capacity: 2,666 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2018
• Last Refurbished: N/A

• Accommodations Step into your own private haven in the completely reimagined staterooms aboard ms Nieuw Statendam. From Pinnacle Suites, Neptune Suites, Signature Suites and Vista Suites to Verandah, Family Ocean-view, and Interior staterooms, their seamlessly elegant touches and sophisticated decor will usher you right into a state of relaxation after an eventful day in port. In select staterooms, enjoy an oversize whirlpool bath and shower, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and large sitting areas perfect for families.  

• Diverse Dining The refined ambience of specialty dining venues onboard is truly inviting and perfect for any occasion. Engage your taste buds in one of the cruise line’s signature burgers and fries, variety of Pan-Asian dishes, selections from classic favorites and great vegetarian options. A romantic evening in the Pinnacle Grill will lighten up your date night while a 24-hour in-room dining option whisks you away into the land of never ending delectable delights.  

• Onboard Activities Whether you desire a simple relaxing hideout or a more entertaining activity onboard, trust ms Nieuw Statendam to have the best recreation to release a rush of stress-reducing endorphins. Partake in an intimate wine-tasting class at BLEND by Chateau Ste. Michelle, enjoy a rejuvenating session at Greenhouse Spa or hone your video-editing skills with onboard workshops.  

Inside Holland America's ms Nieuw Statendam: An Infographic

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Nieuw Statendam Cruise Destinations

Holland America Line prides itself on offering a superb variety of destinations. This cruise line visits 7 continents and over 320 ports worldwide while embarking from all types of ports, from convenient close-to-home ports to far-away exotic departure ports. You can plan a special romantic cruise to the Greek Isles or an enriching vacation in Asia. In addition, Holland America's connections with Alaskan hotels and their ownership of Half Moon Cay (their private Caribbean island) have differentiated them in Alaska and the Caribbean. 

It’s an investment in happiness and cultural enrichment when you choose to get tropical and take a Caribbean cruise.

Eastern Caribbean

Spend some time in the sunshine and fill your nights with tropical delights in the Eastern Caribbean.

Royalty, culinary excellence, interesting cities and ports—all this and more when you cruise to Europe. 

Mediterranean

Delve into culinary treats in Italy and Turkey or enrich yourself with the history of France and Spain with a Mediterranean cruise.

Northern Europe

Inspire yourself with a Northern Europe cruise highlighted by Viking legends, grand, looming fjords, and a history of royalty.

Transatlantic

Experience premium cruising at its best on a relaxing cruise across the Atlantic Ocean aboard one of Holland America’s elegant cruise ships.

Western Caribbean

Diverse cultures, sunny days by the sparkling water, and thrilling excursions await you on a Western Caribbean cruise.

Nieuw Statendam Departure Ports

Sail to the world’s hot spots with Holland America. This revered cruise line has sailings from cities around the world like Ft. Lauderdale, Valparaiso, Barcelona, Sydney and Montreal.  All of their departure ports are convenient to get to with major airports and public transportation. Get ready for an amazing cruise vacation with Holland America, your first step is to call us at The Cruise Web to speak with a consultant and find your perfect itinerary. 

Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is a delightful city with some of the world’s most interesting places, like the longest pedestrian street and one of the oldest amusement parks in the world.

Dover (London), England

Dover, with its striking white cliffs, is one of the most popular gateways to England. Take in the area’s natural beauty or head to nearby London to see more of England’s most popular attractions.

Learn about the Greek gods and the early philosophy of Socrates when you visit the incredible ruins left in Athens, Greece. At night, go out and take in the culture with the modern Athenians.

Reykjavik was just a small village until seeing a major expansion after World War II, but this popular cruise destination still offers a small town feel different than any other European capital.

With Amsterdam’s beautiful canals and an open attitude you’ll find no shortage of interesting attractions in the capital of The Netherlands.

A cruise to Civitavecchia is a chance for you to hop a quick train to Rome and explore the enormous history through ruins, galleries and The Vatican museums.

Discover imaginative architecture, impressive Spanish dishes and beautiful excursions into nature when you cruise to Barcelona, the capital of Catalonia.

With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US.

Rotterdam, The Netherlands

With modern buildings and a bustling population, Rotterdam offers an interesting contrast to the more laid back feel of city’s like Amsterdam.

Nieuw Statendam Deck Plans

Promenade deck, beethoven deck, gershwin deck, mozart deck, schubert deck, navigation deck, panorama deck, observation deck, nieuw statendam staterooms.

Balcony (VF)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen- size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Balcony (VS)

Balcony (vb).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen- size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Balcony (VC)

Balcony (vd), balcony (ve), balcony (va).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen- size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Balcony (VH)

Balcony (v).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen- size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Balcony (VQ)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Inside (IQ)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Oceanview (CQ)

Oceanview (d).

Oceanview (FA)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons & 1 upper bed. 2 bathrooms - one with bathtub, shower, sink & toilet; one with shower & sink.

Oceanview (FB)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons & 1 upper bed. 2 bathrooms - one with bathtub, shower, sink & toilet; one with shower & sink. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Oceanview (F)

Oceanview (OO)

Oceanview (e).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Oceanview (C)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, 1 Murphy bed for 1 person, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, 1 sofa bed for 1 person, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower, sitting area, private verandah, refrigerator, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Bedroom with 1 king-size bed, oversize whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah with whirlpool, pantry, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, microwave, refrigerator, guest toilet, private stereo system, floor-to-ceiling windows. Amenities: Bose Bluetooth-enabled Soundlink, complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast, premium duvet, bathrobes and slippers, binoculars for use, Elemis toiletries, coffee and espresso machine, Neptune Lounge.

Photo Gallery for Nieuw Statendam Cruise Ship

Are you a visual learner? Check out this photo gallery of the Holland America experience. Here you can see the amazing dining venues, spacious staterooms and beautiful destinations the ship sails to. 

Atrium aboard Holland America Nieuw Statendam

Dining room aboard Nieuw Statendam

Gelato Bar aboard Nieuw Statendam

Grand Dutch Cafe aboard Nieuw Statendam

Verandah aboard Holland America Nieuw Statendam

Top 10 Nieuw Statendam Cruises

• Nieuw Statendam 14-day Canary Island Allure Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (Apr 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 13-day Jewels Of The Baltic Departing From Rotterdam, The Netherlands (May 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 14-day North Cape & The Midnight Sun Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (May 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 14-day Norwegian Fjords & Islands Of Iceland & Scotland Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 7-day Norwegian & Icelandic Fjords Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 7-day Islands Of Iceland & Scotland Departing From Reykjavik, Iceland (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 21-day Islands Of Iceland Britain Scotland & Ireland Departing From Reykjavik, Iceland (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 14-day Britain Scotland & Ireland Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 25-day British Isles Iceland & Greenland Passage Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2024)
• Nieuw Statendam 21-day Iceland Greenland & Scottish Mysteries Departing From Copenhagen, Denmark (Jun 2024)

Learn More About Holland America Line

Accessibility

Learn about Holland America's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities, including hearing impairment, service animals and oxygen needs.

Savor dining aboard Holland America, including the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Lido Restaurant, Master Chef's Room, main dining room, room service and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Holland America's onboard entertainment, including BB King's Blues Club, an onboard theater, casino, indoor and outdoor movie screens, bars and lounges.

Onboard Activities

Engage in Holland America's onboard activities, including culinary classes, digital workshops, regional experiences, art galleries, pools, sports courts, duty-free shopping and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Holland America's friendly staff take care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Holland America's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Holland America's greenhouse spa, salon, fitness center and fitness classes. There are also Hydrotherapy pools on some Holland America ships.

Special Events

Make the most of your Holland America Line cruise with exclusive special events and signature experiences in select cities.

Explore Holland America's deluxe cruise staterooms, including Pinnacle, Neptune, Signature and Vista Suites, along with balcony, ocean-view and inside staterooms.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Holland America. Youth programs provide supervision and activities for children ages 3-17, along with babysitting programs.

Cruise Type

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ms Nieuw Statendam

Cruise line Holland America

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Rotterdam (Netherlands South Holland)
• Dover (England)
• Piraeus-Athens (Greece)
• Amsterdam (Netherlands North Holland)

ms Nieuw Statendam current position

ms Nieuw Statendam current location is at North East Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 50.19705 N / -0.11051 W) cruising en route to FR LEH - GB DVR. The AIS position was reported 3 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of ms Nieuw Statendam

ms Nieuw Statendam current cruise is 14 days, one-way from Fort Lauderdale to Rotterdam . Prices start from USD 649 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 07 Apr, 2024 and ends on 21 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of ms Nieuw Statendam

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

ms Nieuw Statendam Itineraries

Ms nieuw statendam review, review of ms nieuw statendam.

The 2018-built MS Nieuw Statendam cruise ship is the second Pinnacle-Class vessel in the Holland America fleet, with sisterships the fleetmates Koningsdam (2016) and Rotterdam (2021) and also Cunard's Queen Anne . The new Statendam is HAL's 16th vessel built by Fincantieri. Pinnacle-Class are the newest and largest liners in HAL's fleet.

The vessel (IMO number 9767106) is currently Netherlands- flagged (MMSI 244140580) and registered in Rotterdam .

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle -based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands . In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean private island).

The 2700-passenger ship Nieuw Statendam was scheduled for delivery in November 2018. The vessel's name (translated from Dutch as "New Statendam") was announced on May 23, 2016. It honors MS Statendam (now Vasco de Gama ) - the 5th Statendam-named liner since the company's establishment. HAL's other "new" named ship is Nieuw Amsterdam (2010).

Decks and Cabins

MS Nieuw Statendam staterooms (1331 total, in 35 grades) include 164 Suites, 748 Balcony, 147 Oceanviews (including 32x Family Oceanview and 12x Studios/single cabins), 280 Inside. Most cabins as sized ~180 m2 (17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 50 ft2 / 5 m2. Nearly 70% of the ship's passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite (970 ft2 / 90 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2 and fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi).

The boat has 13 passenger decks , of which 8 are with cabins.

Club Orange is an exclusive (Suite-only) venue integrated into HAL's "Club Orange" program providing exclusive amenities to passengers booked in the Suite categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by the Club Orange program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (Club Orange Restaurant/deck 2) serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange Restaurant occupies the area of the former "Culinary Arts Center". Culinary Arts Center was a premium dinner-only restaurant (cover charge $39 pp, unlimited wine included) via partnership with the “Food & Wine Magazine”. This open-kitchen/show-kitchen venue was used daily for professional cooking shows, culinary classes and workshops (cooking and cocktail) presented in demonstration kitchens. In the evenings, the venue transformed into “Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center”. This specialty dining concept ("America's Test Kitchen") provided a top-quality gourmet experience - the ship’s chefs prepared dishes in the demonstration kitchen while the guests enjoyed each course with wine pairing. At the entry, there were 9 interactive TV displays allowing guests to explore personal lives, special recipes, cooking secrets and tips from famous food and wine industry celebrities. By Holland America Line’s partnership with Koppert Cress (microgreen specialist), the Culinary Arts Center had a live garden to grow fresh ingredients. This enabled the guests to enjoy farm-to-table items from the dinner menu (veggie fare, 5 choices, dessert, cheese plate). The ingredients were displayed in a glass-enclosed garden area and harvested just before being served. Once sown, the seedlings grew for up to 2 weeks. The list of microgreens integrated in the recipes included garlic, mustard, licorice.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Ship's 2-level main restaurant venue serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, as well as a blend of flexible and set-seating restaurant-style meals at dinner. Breakfast hours in the MDR vary but start as early as 7 am on port days and 8 am on sea days, wrapping up by 9:30 am. Breakfast fare includes bread, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so better opt for a second pastry. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to an hour per day (from noon to 1 pm on sea days; closed when the ship is in port for an entire day). If you see a line of guests waiting to be seated, do not be deterred as the line moves fast and the tables are plenty. Lunch fare includes sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish and heartier entrees.

Holland America is famous for its exceptional dining experiences on every voyage, but the line’s newest ships ms Koningsdam and ms Nieuw Statendam boast even more culinary options. Dining Room is a 2-deck high restaurant featuring an airy and sophisticated ambiance, floor-ceiling windows, curved architectural pillars accentuating the high ceiling, modern glass lighting, chic furnishings (custom-made for the liner). The restaurant's centerpiece is a copper sheath surrounding the 2-story wine tower showcasing an impressive premium wine selection. On the menu are HAL's classic selections, signature dishes, regionally inspired cuisine, Culinary Council recipes from the world-renowned chefs who compose the group, including Council Chairman and Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and international chefs David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer and Mark Best.

In addition to Dining Room Restaurant, Nieuw Statendam offers fine dining in alternative restaurants, including redesigned Lido Market (with themed food stations), a new French seafood brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer, suite-exclusive dining (Club Orange Restaurant), Canaletto (Italian), Tamarind (pan-Asian/sushi bar) and Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse/seafood restaurant).

BLEND is a glass-enclosed winery room (capacity 10 seats) where are hosted daily wine blending sessions. These are reservations-only events (90 min sessions, $129 cover charge) with sommelier service. The BLEND venue is via partnership with the winemaker Chateau Ste Michelle Winery (Woodinville Washington). Wine-tasting events are seminar-like (led by a wine expert). Each session includes a sampling of 5 red wines (single-vineyard) later combined with different vintages into a personal blend. After the event, you can bottle and take your newly created wine and consume it at the ship’s restaurants or in the stateroom. At the BLEND room all guests are allowed to see the wines offered in the Pinnacle Grill and Sel de Mer, and also to choose their vintage from the impressive selection of premium wines.

Follows the complete list of ms Nieuw Statendam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into “De Librije” (US$69-89) from time to time, inspired by the land-based Dutch restaurant De Librije with two Michelin stars. A wine tasting is included with the meal (four 2 oz. pours). A wine pairing is also available for an additional US$20 per person (four 5 oz. pours).
• Rudi’s Sel De Mer is dinner-only specialty restaurant serving French seafood. In comparison to Koningsdam's original Sel De Mer (upgraded during drydock 2018), the restaurant on Nieuw Statendam is by design larger (54 seats) but retains the curving shape and walnut wood-made, accordion-like column structure. The back wall is decorated with porcelain plates, all of which are decorated with Chef Rudi’s Food Faces culinary pop art (via a partnership with Bernardaud - French porcelain masters). The food plates are arranged from classic ingredients (caviar, fruits, root vegetables, peppers, etc). In January 2018, HAL released the coffee table book "Food Faces" - available for purchase on the ship. Signature dishes in the a la carte menu include Rudi’s Seafood Tower, Fruits de Mer, Broiled Lobster Tail, Whole Dover Sole Meuniere, Clams au Beurre, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Tartare, Steak Frites, Souffle au Fromage, Salt Crust Baked Branzino. Signature desserts include Rudi’s Face to Face Chocolate, Rudi’s Souffle, Crepes Suzette, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, Apple Tarte Tatin, Artisanal French Cheese Plate.
• The Dining Room (aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options – 2 fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining between 5:15-9 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner, reservations required)
• Dive-In (complimentary fast-food bar)
• New York Deli (fast-food bar)
• Gelato (ice cream parlor)

Lido Market (capacity 386 seats) is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant open for Breakfast (6-11 am), Lunch (11:30-2 pm), Afternoon Tea (3-4 pm) and Dinner (5:30-8 pm). Food is complimentary and displayed at 5 themed stations. The Lido Buffet is designed as a modern marketplace, with numerous on-the-go or made-to-order food choices. Differently themed food stations (walk-up service) offer fresh-made sandwiches, grilled food, International fare, salads, fruits, desserts, daily specials. The food stations are named Breadboard (fresh-baked bread, pastries, sandwiches), Wild Harvest (salads, fruits, healthy food bites), Homestead (comfort food, including egg dishes and grilled meats), Distant Lands (themed cuisine specialties, including from the current cruise itinerary’s regions), Sweet Spot (desserts).

Tamarind (aft on Deck 10) is a reservations-only Asian restaurant open for complimentary lunch and at-fee dinner (at surcharge per person). Tamarind Bar serves the restaurant with cocktails and other beverages. Part of the Tamarind is the Japanese food bar Nami Sushi (capacity 7 seats only, also serving popular Asian spirits). Nami Sushi is open for lunch and dinner but both are at surcharge PP. Tamarind's sushi menu is created by chef Andy Matsuda and additionally includes 4 of his signature rolls.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The World Stage is the main theatre, featuring 270-degree LED screens for multiple stage configurations. Lido Pool (one of the ship's 2 swimming pools) has an outdoor movie screen, 3 whirlpools and 2 levels of cushioned lounge chairs. The central pool area (Magrodome) is on 2 levels to create a glass-enclosed space. The lower level has traditional poolside elements, while the mezzanine level offers more seating, a huge LED screen for poolside movies, Deli and Pizza (complimentary fast-food bars).

Onboard live musical entertainment is concentrated in the Music Walk area (forward-midship on Plaza Deck 2) housing the music-themed venues Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

The 2-tiered Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge/decks 2-3) is a grand ballroom/concert hall/nightclub with two grand pianos (on floor 1), HAL fleet's biggest dance floor (floor 1), its own bar (floor 1), balcony seating (floor 2) and has a resident 8-man band (2 vocalists, 1 drummer, 1 pianist/organist, 1 bassist, 1 guitarist, 1 saxophonist, 1 trumpeter). The lounge hosts live musical performances (concerts, classical pieces, blues, popular hits from the 60s, sing-alongs) as well as a daily enrichment program (guest speakers, seminars, special events). Lincoln Center Stage is a collaboration with "Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts" (NYC) featuring classical/chamber music with a quintet combining piano and strings.

Rolling Stone Rock Room is a classic rock club (via partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine) where are offered live 5-piece band performances. Rolling Stone Rock Room debuted on MS Nieuw Statendam.

Billboard Onboard is a signature sing-along bar with live performances (pianists, guitarists, DJ) in a variety of genres (including pop, rock, classic, country). There are 3 programs per night (each lasts 45 to 60 min). The music bar hosts dynamic evening shows, has a central stage (with two grand pianos), wood-paneled walls, three large-size TVs, comfortable seating (plush sofas and chairs, round tables).

Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi access, Laundry Rooms (Laundromats). Ship's laundry rooms are not self-service (no passenger-use laundrettes). Laundry services are offered via hotel staff and at an additional charge.

Follows the complete list of ms Nieuw Statendam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances. The Atrium features a stainless-steel sculpture emulating the sense of being inside and encircled by a musical instrument. The experience changes as passengers move around and through it, with no two perspectives being the same. The atrium is capped by Skylight (glass roof) which serves as the backdrop for HD video projections or live view of the stars.
• Stuyvesant Room (multi-purpose, used for cards playing, group meetings, presentations, “Club HAL” kids program)
• World Stage (theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America’s enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge) is a 2-deck grand ballroom/concert hall (with two grand pianos and a large dance floor) hosting live musical performances (classical/chamber music, blues).
• Digital Workshop/Microsoft Studio (powered by MS Windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Shore Excursions Desk; 4 Meeting Rooms
• Signature Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop; Dive-in (scuba and diving equipment)
• Club Orange (suite-only restaurant)
• Ocean Bar (fka Explorer's Lounge & Bar) is an Atrium bar lounge with dance floor, stage (for live performances), wine tastings.
• Billboard Onboard (sing-along bar with live music performances)
• BLEND (glass-enclosed winery room)
• Grand Dutch Cafe is a Holland-themed a-la-carte-priced patisserie bar for traditional Dutch snacks/sweets and beverages (including coffees and Heineken draft beer) as well as premium European beers.
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Sun Deck; Promenade Deck, Walking/Jogging Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)

The wellness complex (forward on decks 9-10) consists of Fitness Center (gymnasium with a separate Aerobics Room for classes) and Greenhouse Spa & Salon (Therapy Rooms, Treatment Rooms (for massages), Hydrotherapy Pool with heated seawater, Thermal Suites, Relax Lounge with heated ceramic loungers, Sauna Room, Aroma Steam Room, Relaxation Area, Beauty Salon/manicure-pedicure, barber services).

Spacious sundecks spread over 3 floors (decks 9-10 midship and aft, deck 11 aft) and are fitted with 2 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzies (deck 9). The Lido Pool area (midship) is served by Lido Bar (beverages), Gelato (ice cream bar), Dive-In (fka Terrace Grill), New York Delly & Pizza (fast food) and Panorama Bar (beverages). The Sea View Pool area (aft) is served by Sea View Bar.

“Movies by the Pool Deck” is a 2-deck outdoor Cinema served by the New York Delly & Pizza (deck 10) with light snacks (including popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, fresh chips, nachos). During movie nights, loungers and blankets are provided, as well as chair-side waiter service from the food bars (Gelato, NY Deli & Pizza, Dive-In/Terrace Grill) and waiter service for drinks at the Lido Bar.

The Retreat (deck 12) is an adults-only sundeck/relaxation zone with private cabanas available for rent. Daily rent prices are inclusive of a massage tent, lunch, concierge service.

Explorations Central & Cafe (fka Crow’s Nest & Explorations Cafe/forward on deck 11) is an indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows (270-degree views), its own Bar (beverages), Cafe (patisserie, specialty coffees/teas), and a large dance floor. The lounge is also used for pre-scheduled events by HAL's enrichment program (daily dance classes, trivia games, card playing, karaoke, live grand piano and HAL Cats performances/8-piece party band in the afternoons and evenings). Explorations Central doubles as a disco/nightclub (with live DJ music, dancing contests) and a Library (1000+ volumes, resident librarians). Here are additionally offered multimedia series of interactive videos and guides related to the current itinerary's destinations. Explorations Central also provides digital media (videos, ebooks, maps) accessed via Wi-Fi (during the voyage) and also online (before and after the voyage). At Explorations Central, there are also paperback books and paper maps for the visited regions/destinations and ports of call.

The Casino is a large gaming lounge fitted with gambling tables, 140 slots and video poker machines, a PokerPro digital touchscreen table). It is served by Casino Bar and has a separate non-smoking area. In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam).

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

Initially, there were some speculations about the ship's deployment in the world's booming cruise travel destinations - Australia and Asia. However, HAL decided to operate the liner in the Caribbean and Europe, with seasonal Transatlantic repositioning cruise crossings.

MS Nieuw Statendam itinerary program is based on Caribbean roundtrips from homeport Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) on 7-day Western Caribbean and Eastern Caribbean itineraries. Most voyages can be combined (booked together) as B2Bs ( back-to-back cruises ). All Caribbean itineraries visit HAL’s private island in Bahamas Half Moon Cay .

In Europe, the ship operates seasonally (during summer) Norwegian Fjords and Baltic Sea cruises (to ports in Norway, Scandinavia and Russia) leaving roundtrip from homeport Amsterdam Holland . From Amsterdam are offered some voyages to the British Isles and Iceland. The ship also operates Western Mediterranean and Greek Islands cruises leaving from homeport Civitavecchia-Rome Italy .

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ms Nieuw Statendam Wiki

Holland America Line's newest ship is sister to Koningsdam - a new class vessel launched in May 2016). The "Nieuw Statendam" ship name (translated from Dutch as "New Statendam") was announced on May 23, 2016. It honours MS Statendam (now Vasco de Gama) - the 5th Statendam-named vessel since the company's establishment in the distant 1898. HAL's other "new"/"nieuw" named ships are Nieuw Amsterdam (2010 - the 4th Amsterdam-named HAL liner since company’s establishment in 1898) and Nieuw Rotterdam (2021).

The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera Yard number 6244) is powered by four MAK marine diesel engines (model 12V43C) with combined power output 50,4 MW. The propulsion system is based on two ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters) with combined output 28 MW.

Like Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam ship design is by the companies "Tihany Design” (New York, USA) and "Yran Storbraaten Architects AS” (Oslo, Norway). The vessel features a 2-level theatre (named "World Stage"), 3-decks high Atrium, "Digital Workshop" (powered by Microsoft), numerous dining options (including some new for HAL), signature lounges and bars, expanded kids and teen facilities "Greenhouse Spa" (fleet's largest), the adults-only retreat "Sea View".

On May 23, 2016, HAL officially announced the name for its second Pinnacle-class vessel - the company's 6th to carry the name "Statendam". On July 12, 2016, was the steel-cutting ceremony at Fincantieri's Palermo shipyard, where the first block was built before moving it to Marghera where the ship was actually constructed (assembled).

On March 20, 2017, at Marghera Shipyard (near Venice Italy ) was held vessel's keel-laying ceremony. Its first building block (length 11,3 m, width 34,8 m, weight 260 tons, part of the midship section) was placed.

On December 6, 2017, the vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) at the shipyard. The special event also included the traditional coin ceremony, during which a silver dollar coin was weld on the ship. Launching ceremony's godmother was Anne Marie Bartels (HAL "President’s Club" loyalty program member). The event was attended by Keith Taylor (HAL's Fleet Operations EVP) and Antonio Quintano (Marghera Shipyard's Director).

On June 13, 2018, HAL announced ship's godmother - Oprah Winfrey (US media tycoon, talk show host, producer and philanthropist). The official christening ceremony was on February 2 (2019) held in Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) . The event was attended by ~1000 people and watched online by nearly 1 million.

Sea trials were in 2 sets (August 10-12 and Aug 18-22) - both completed successfully. During sea trials were tested performances on machinery, engines and all systems.

The cruise liner was officially delivered to HAL on November 29, 2018. The ceremony was attended by Edoardo Rixi (Italy's vice minister of transport and infrastructure), Micky Arison (Carnival Corporation chairman), Arnold Donald (Carnival Corporation's President and CEO), Stein Kruse (Holland America's CEO), Orlando Ashford Holland America's President), Giampiero Massolo (Fincantieri chairman) and Giuseppe Bono (Fincantieri's CEO). Nieuw Statendam was Fincantieri's 87 cruise liner (built since 1990), with another 53 on order or under construction .

Ship's senior officers are Sybe de Boer (Ship Master / Captain, Dutch, with HAL since 1994), Kevin Beirnaert (Staff Captain, with HAL since 2006), Don Habets (Hotel Director, with HAL since 2002), Eric van Loenen (Chief Engineer, with HAL since 2002) and Dolf Kramer (Environmental Officer, with HAL since 2004).

Inaugural cruise itineraries 2018

The following tables show the ship's inaugural cruise itineraries as ports of call sequences and port times. Prices are in USD - indicative and per person (pp / double-occupancy inside cabin rates)

(repositioning) 13 nights / 14 days "Inaugural Cruise" (maiden voyage) Transatlantic from Civitavecchia-Rome to Fort Lauderdale Florida USA (prices started from USD 1200 pp)

11 nights / 12 days Inaugural Caribbean cruise (themed "The Bahamas and Eastern Caribbean Collector", prices from USD 1800 pp)

4 nights / 5 days Inaugural Bahamas and Key West cruise (prices from USD 500 pp)

7 nights / 8 days Inaugural Western Caribbean cruise (prices from USD 1400 pp)

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Holland America Nieuw Statendam Deck Plans & Reviews

Holland America Nieuw Statendam

Activities & entertainment

• Afternoon Tea
• America's Test Kitchen Cooking Classes
• Art and Craft Classes *
• Art Gallery *
• Beer Tasting *
• Cigars Under the Stars *
• Digital Workshop *
• Digital Workshop Computer Classes
• Explorations Central Port Lectures
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon *
• Happy Hour Drink Special *
• Hot Tubs (5)
• Hydrotherapy Pool *
• Jogging Track
• Lincoln Center Stage
• Martini Tasting *
• Onboard Lectures
• Photo Gallery *
• Solo Traveler Get-Togethers
• Sport Court
• Team Trivia
• Wine Tasting *
• The Retreat *
• Afternoon Musical Concerts
• America's Test Kitchen
• B.B. King's Blues Club
• BBC Earth Onboard Features
• Feature Movie Matinees
• Live Nightly Music
• World Stage
• The Dining Room - American
• Tamarind Restaurant - Asian Fusion *
• Ocean Bar - Atrium Bar *
• Lido Market - Casual
• EXC & Explorations Café /Crow's Nest - Coffee Bar *
• Sun Bar - Deck Bar *
• Grand Dutch Café - Dutch Specialties *
• Dive-In - Fast Food
• Rudi's Sel de Mer - Gourmet *
• Canaletto - italian *
• New York Deli & Pizza - Pizza
• Lido Bar - Pool Bar *
• Sea View Bar - Pool Bar *
• Panorama Bar - Scenic Bar *
• Pinnacle Grill - Steakhouse *
• Neptune Lounge - Suite Lounge
• Gelato - Sweets
• Notes - Whiskey Bar *
• Blend - Wine Bar *
• Excellent 52
• Very Good 24
• All languages ( 120 )
• English ( 118 )
• Spanish ( 1 )
• French ( 1 )

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Our honest Nieuw Statendam review

by Steve and Ann | Mar 26, 2023 | Caribbean , Cruising , Destinations , Feature Caribbean , Feature Cruising , Feature Wellness Travel , Travel , Wellness Travel | 27 comments

This honest review of our Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise will help you decide if this ship and itinerary are right for you. 

In this post, we (Ann and Steve Teget) give you our honest feedback about the ship, our cabin, the itinerary, and dining. We’ll also cover our favorite things about Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and what you absolutely won’t want to miss on this ship. Finally, we’ll tell you what we think could have made our experience even better. This was our 22nd cruise (first on Holland America Line) and was a hosted press trip. [AD]

Overview of our Holland America Line Nieuw Statendam review

In March, 2023, we took a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise aboard the Nieuw Statendam. Our ports of call included Amber Cove (Domincan Republic), Nassau (Bahamas), Grand Turk (Turks and Caicos), and Half Moon Cay (Bahamas). Holland America Line invited us on this hosted press trip to familiarize ourselves with the ship, cruise line, dining options, and shore excursions. We had no obligation to write about it.

About Nieuw Statendam

The Holland America Line’s (HAL) Nieuw Statendam is among the newest ships in the line’s fleet. A Pinnacle Class ship, she is 975 feet long and has space for 2,666 guests. The ship was full on our Spring Break sailing with passengers of all ages aboard. Decor on Nieuw Statendam is modern, the art tasteful, and furnishings are in good condition. 

PIN FOR LATER

The Nieuw Statendam offers 10 restaurants catering to all tastes from a causal buffet and burgers to five formal specialty restaurants. With 10 bars on board, you’re also sure to find the drink of your choice, whether that’s a frozen daiquiri by the pool or a more classic cocktail like Steve’s favorite – the Manhattan.

Pools on the Nieuw Statendam

The Lido Deck on the Nieuw Statendam offers a large pool area with a retractable roof which can be closed during inclement weather. One large pool and three hot tubs clustered together mean there is plenty of space in the water. Even cruising during Spring Break, we could always find a lounge chair and space for a dip in the pool. A second pool with hot tubs, also on deck 9, can be found at the very back of the ship overlooking the stern. The ship has no water slides, go-cart tracks, or ropes courses, though HAL does offer children’s/teen’s programming.

Wellness travel on the Nieuw Statendam

The Nieuw Statendam is perfect for wellness travelers. It has a full-service spa, salon, waking/jogging track, and well-equipped fitness center. Operated by One World Spa, the facility offers appointments for everything from a manicure or massage to facials, men’s shaves and even services like acupuncture. 

You can also find a variety of complimentary fitness classes onboard. Ann enjoyed the Stretch and Release class on the pool deck. Classes for meditation and yoga are also available onboard. In addition, you can make appointments for personalized training sessions with a fitness instructor for an additional fee.

Other services and amenities onboard

The ship offers a tasting bar, casino, several live music venues, as well as a large theater. In addition, she has shops featuring jewelry, cosmetics, duty-free liquor, souvenirs and a few toiletry items. The selection of toiletries is limited, so be sure to pack what you think you’ll need.

A look inside our Veranda Stateroom 

Holland America arranged accommodations for us in room 5215, a Veranda stateroom located starboard side, aft. The room offered a nearly king-sized bed and well-designed bathroom with luxury amenities including Elemis soap, shampoo, and lotion. The room also had plenty of closet space and storage for our cruise. Finally, we had a lovely private veranda with comfortable seating and ottomans for our feet. Click the link below for a complete video tour of our room.

Dining review of the Nieuw Statendam

We tried four of the five specialty restaurants on board, including Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, and Canaletto. We also ate at the Lido Market, Club Orange, Dive-In, New York Pizza, the Main Dining Room, and ordered room service. You can read our full Nieuw Statendam dining review HERE . But for now, let’s start with our favorite (and one of the best restaurants we’ve found at sea) – Rudi’s Sel de Mer.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer

We dined at Rudi’s on night two of our cruise. We were so delighted by our meal we immediately booked a second dinner there for later in the week.  What we enjoyed most about Rudi’s Sel de Mer is that it wasn’t just a good meal; it provided a memorable experience, as well. 

From the artistic touches, like these plates and a hand-painted mural on the wall, to the well-prepared and beautifully presented dishes, Rudi’s brought a sense of adventure with each new course. 

Our waiter, Mohamed, and Assistant Maitre’d Valentin, took exceptional care of us. They guided us (twice) through a spectacular culinary journey made even better by expert wine pairings from sommelier Stephen.

PRO TIP: Ask to see the book about the unique art on the plates. It is fascinating!

More reviews of dining on Nieuw Statendam: Tamarind 

Tamarind features mild flavors and culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan. We both love Thai food, so it was a good fit for us. We followed the recommendations of our waiter, but later wished we’d been a little more adventurous with our choices. 

That said, Ann enjoyed the shrimp tempura and Panang red curry coconut chicken. For non-seafood eaters like Steve, the wasabi & soy crusted beef tenderloin or crispy duck with ginger-chili glaze were good options. This is definitely one of the restaurants where you’ll want to order a cocktail. With a dedicated bar, they offer a unique menu and selections you won’t find elsewhere on board.

PRO TIP: Even the dishes that are marked “spicy” don’t have too much heat. If you prefer extra spicy, ask your server to bring hot chili oil or crushed red pepper on the side. 

Pinnacle Grill 

While the entrées like Ann’s beef tenderloin with lobster dumplings were good, the unique presentations of appetizers like the clothesline candied bacon were our favorite part of this meal. 

Entrées here include a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks. Most are included in the specialty dining charge, but making it “surf and turf,” and adding the broiled lobster or having the 16 oz dry aged Delmonico steak require a supplemental fee. 

PRO TIP: Don’t know what wine will pair best with your crab cakes or filet? Ask to see the sommelier and remind them about your drink package. They are happy to help you find just the right fit. 

Dive-In is a pool-side casual spot to grab a burger and fries. In addition to beef burgers, Dive-In also has several non-beef options, including a chicken sandwich (The Back Flip), a grilled Portabella mushroom (The Freestyle) and a veggie burger. 

Dive-In also serves 100% all beef Nathan’s hotdogs. We didn’t try the hotdogs, but asked a lady in the elevator if we snap a photo of hers. 

PRO TIP: When you dine here, be sure to try the trademarked Dive-In sauce. We suggest ordering it on the side for fry dipping.

Nieuw Statendam review: New York Pizza

On Deck 10, overlooking the pool, is New York Pizza. We stepped up to the counter and each ordered a nine-inch, thin crust pizza. They gave us a pager and we waited only about 15 minutes until our pizzas were done. Then, we enjoyed them from our lounger.

We liked the pizzas and that we could choose our own toppings. The crust was crisp (and chewy in the right way) and the toppings were fresh.

PRO-TIP:  Order your pizza through the Navigator app and get a notification when it’s ready.

For more dining reviews

Read more about our other dining experiences at Canaletto, Club Orange, The Dining Room, Lido Market (buffet), afternoon tea and with room service in THIS BLOG POST .

Seven-night Eastern Caribbean itinerary 

The cruise for this Nieuw Statendam review was a seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise which set sail from Fort Lauderdale. It included two sea days as well as stops in Nassau, Bahamas; Amber Cove, Dominican Republic; Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos; and HAL’s private island, Half Moon Cay (pronounced like KEY). We participated in shore excursions through Holland America Line at each port.

Nassau, Bahamas

In Nassau, we traveled to Blue Lagoon Island for an adults-only VIP beach experience. From the port, we boarded a tender and rode about 40 minutes through Nassau’s harbor to the island. There, we spent a day relaxing on a beach in reserved loungers with an umbrella. Included were unlimited Bahama Mama cocktails, water, and juice as well as a lunch of chicken, fish, rice, plantains and salad. 

ABOUT ACCESSIBILITY: The tender was wheelchair accessible and there were beach wheelchairs available on the island for no additional charge. 

Amber Cove, Dominican Republic: 

Here, we booked the Dominican Coffee: A Local Experience tour through the ship. On this well-guided tour, we l earned about coffee cultivation and the lives of the farmers who grow it. This fascinating cultural experience took us about one hour from the ship into the hills where we met farmers and watched as they roasted and brewed coffee in the traditional way. Then, we had the chance to enjoy a cup (or two!). We also got our hands in the dirt and helped plant coffee trees. We highly recommend this excursion. It’s one of the best we’ve ever done in more than 15 cruises to the Caribbean.

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos

Our Island Exploration Tour By Hummer excursion in Grand Turk put us behind the wheel of an electric hummer for a tour around the island. We drove in a group while a guide in a lead vehicle shared (via our car’s radio) the history and highlights of the island. We had several stops on the tour for photos and a hands-on activity where we learned about animal life on the island.

Half Moon Cay

The final stop on our cruise was Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line’s private Caribbean island. We tendered ashore, then settled into our loungers beneath a clamshell. After relaxing a bit, we participated in the Eco Bike & Hike Tour. It was a fun way to see the island and get a taste of other activities offered there. Our 90-minute tour included a guided bike ride, short hike, water break, and a few stops for photos and rest.

A few things to know if you’re considering booking this excursion on Half Moon Cay.

Included on the island is a picnic lunch. Note that while there are dispensers with complimentary juice and water, your on-board beverage package does not apply to drinks purchased on the island. 

PRO TIP: Reserve a clamshell online before your cruise. This retractable shade helped protect us from the hot sun on the beach and made our day more enjoyable.

Review of our Nieuw Statendam favorites

The Nieuw Statendam offers phenomenal live music in multiple venues. We really enjoyed listening to a quartet of strings and piano that performed regularly throughout the cruise in multiple venues.

Later in the evening, we had fun at BB King’s Blues Club where we took in live music from many genres and liked that there was a large dance floor. Also on board is the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Lincoln Center State, and a venue offering dueling pianos. Most of these venues are close together and form the Music Walk. It was nice to go from venue to venue and hear different genres of music each night.

Laundry service is best at sea

Holland America Line’s laundry service is legendary. Seriously, it is the best we’ve ever had at sea or on land (and this includes at home). Send one bag for $25 or better yet, invest in the $49 unlimited laundry and pressing service, then send everything out. It will come back pressed and folded (or hanging–you choose!) beautifully. They even ironed Ann’s swimsuit cover-up. Best of all, they did all of this in less than 24 hours! 

A few more of our favorite things

The navigator app.

Cruise lines have long offered apps for your phone, but Holland America’s stands well above the others we’ve used. Download the Navigator app HERE before you sail and use it to see your itinerary, book shore excursions, or make dining reservations. The best part is that you can actually add activities and events to your personalized calendar BEFORE you board, unlike other cruise apps we’ve used. We loved that! 

Once on board you can even order a burger or pizza from the comfort of your poolside lounger. (Don’t worry, you’ll get a notification through the app when it’s ready.) 

The Crow’s Nest

This multipurpose area on Deck 12 was perfect for playing board games, putting together a puzzle, or reading a book. With panoramic views, it was a lovely spot to relax and unwind.

This group of ladies (pictured below) spent time at The Crow’s Nest playing mahjongg and day drinking. Not a bad way to pass the time, is it?

Variety of comfortable seating

One thing we quickly noticed (and appreciated) was the variety of comfortable seating on this ship. The Nieuw Statendam is tastefully decorated AND includes seating suitable for a variety of sizes and shapes of people. Nicely spaced chairs also left room for those with disabilities to move around. 

The only exception to this were the bar stools that were permanently affixed to the floor at most bars. 

What you don’t want to miss

You don’t want to miss dessert course at Rudi’s Sel de Mer. 

Make reservations online for Rudi’s before your cruise and enjoy a slow-paced culinary adventure. Ask for your waiter’s recommendations, try new foods, and for goodness sake, save room for dessert. We highly recommend the Crêpes Suzette and Rudi’s Face-to-Face Chocolate.

What would make our Nieuw Statendam cruise even better

While we enjoyed the food (especially breakfast), the Lido buffet was consistently busy during peak hours with no clear lines for stations. As a result, it could sometimes be difficult to see the options available. At lunchtime, the line for ice cream was often 10 or more people deep. Note, we were there during Spring Break, so this may not always be the case.

Also, even with a beverage package, guests must sign a paper ticket for every drink purchased. While this may help the cruise line keep track of inventory, it slowed bar service. Eliminating this practice would have improved our experience.

Some final thoughts

Overall, we truly enjoyed our seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam. We’ll especially remember our terrific dinners in Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the impeccable laundry service, and our fascinating coffee and cultural experience at Amber Cove. We recommend this ship and would absolutely sail aboard her again. 

Thank you, teammates!

Finally, no review of the Nieuw Statendam would be complete without a mention of the friendly teammates (crew) and their genuine hospitality. While on board, we witnessed teammates working together to meet the needs of their guests time and time again. We’d also like to offer a special thanks to Isobel from Guest Relations for all she did to make our press trip so special. 

When you sail, take time to recognize the efforts of the hard-working teammates who make your vacation memorable. And please be sure to give them high marks on your post-cruise review. Have you sailed on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam? What did you think? Let us know in the comments below. 

For more for food, travel, and healthy living inspiration, join us on social media @postcardjar on Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter .

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27 Comments

WERE THERE ANY CABANAS BY THE MAIN POOL ON THE NEW STANDAM THAT CAN BE RENTED FOR THE CRUISE?

Not by the main pool. The cabanas are elsewhere on the ship. We didn’t get one, but did get to take a quick peek at the area and it looked really nice.

Can you provide any info regarding your WIFI experience on the Nieuw Statendam?

As far as I remember, it was about the same as on other ships we’ve cruised on. We were able to post photos and videos easily on social media and make phone calls via the internet. I hope this helps.

Thanks for your great review. Could you please tell what do you need to pay for extra on the ship, except alcohol? Do the restaurants you have mentioned above are free? Thanks, Olga.

When you check in, you’ll provide a credit or debit card which will be charged at the end of the voyage for your on-ship purchases. You’ll pay extra for alcohol as well as soft drinks and specialty coffees. There are shops on board where you can make purchases and a casino. Finally, restaurants like Rudi’s, Tamarind, Pinnacle Grill, and Canaletto all have an additional charge. That said, there are still a number of complimentary venues around the ship.

We reviewed all the restaurants here: https://postcardjar.com/nieuw-statendam-restaurant-review-from-our-first-hal-cruise-holland-america-line/

Thank you for the review. Is there any theater entertainment in the evenings? Shows? I believe I read there is a pickle ball court. Are reservations required to use it?

There is a pickle ball court, though we didn’t use it so aren’t sure about reservations. Normally, there are evening shows in the theater, as well.

We are considering a cruise on this ship this summer 2024 in Northern Europe

Questions: 1.Were there any bars with dancing ( passengers- not shows) night club style- open late? we like a late dinner and then dancing until the wee hours ( like 11-2)

2.One review said it was boring on board, even for active older adults, and that the music venues closed up by “early evening” is this true? (we would absolutely not be interested in just sitting still and listening to music and then going to bed by 9)

I cannot find an answer to these questions anywhere so your reply is greatly appreciated

We were on the ship over Spring Break in 2023 in the Caribbean, so don’t know what the ship is like in it’s European season. That said, the live music on board is fantastic. There are plenty of venues and many types of music to which you can dance, or sit and enjoy. When we were on board, people were up late and enjoyed the ship. In addition, we saw people of all ages from kids to seniors. There were even some college kids on board enjoying their week-long break from college.

Passengers were old and heavy Comedian said of 2600 Passengers 1800 were over 70

What did you think of the Pickleball?

We saw the court but did not play as we have never played Pickleball. That said, it is something we think we need to try. We think it’s super cool that they have a court on board, though!

Holland America has deteriorated and is now basically Carnival with lipstick. On our cruise, the staff was overwhelmed as it was Thanksgiving and there were many more passengers, mostly children, that were not there on a previous cruise. The maitre d’ was surly and unprofessional, and there was no meaningful entertainment on board.

It is an acceptable experience for people who don’t know any better, but sub par for those that do.

We’re sorry you didn’t have a good experienced. We’re experienced cruisers (26 so far) and really liked the live entertainment on HAL.

Was wondering why you didn’t comment on the shows at the Main Stage? We were just on the Eurodam and found the shows to be wonderful.

Unfortunately, we heard a terrible accident ashore caused the death of a cast member the cruise before ours, so there were no production shows on the main stage that week.

As a maj player at the pictured table, thank you for your review and including us! My group of 8 friends enjoyed the cruise and were very pleased with the Nieuw Statendam. Regarding entertainment – enjoyed the venues on deck 2 and loved Vince the comedian but missed production show.

It was so nice to meet you! We are so happy you had a nice cruise–we did, too! We hope to see you on the high seas again one day! 🙂

Thank you for your great review… we also had the best excursion ever at Amber Cove at the Women’s Collective Chocolate factory tour which I highly recommend. I love Holland America ships and the staff are definitely the biggest highlight! Looking forward to spending 3 weeks on this beautiful ship beginning April 8!

Thank you so much for the positive feedback. We really appreciate it. The chocolate excursion sounds great, as well. Enjoy your cruise April 8 and stay in touch.

Hi, Steve and Ann. You all did a great job on your review. I am a language arts teacher, and your writing skills are quite good.😉 I responded to one’s of your FB posts about ordering from The Dive-In and using the Navigator app to do so. We sail on HAL and I research a lot to help people on the sites for fun. You mentioned how it was crowded breakfasts can be in the Lido cafe. Did you all try breakfast in the MDR or the Club Orange Dining (if you had that package)?

Thank you so much for the thoughtful compliment. Sadly, we didn’t know about breakfast in the MDR until the last day. We went just before leaving the ship and had a great breakfast! We will definitely keep that in mind on our next HAL cruise. Also, thank you for being a teacher! Steve spent 21 years in public education and we both admire educators so much. Keep in touch and travel well.

Thank you so much for this amazing review! We have sailed on the Nieuw Statendam once before and we will be boarding her again on April 8 for the 14 day Atlantic Crossing to Barcelona. We are a group of six seasoned HAL cruisers and we are very excited about this trip! We have not yet tried Rudi sel de mer, but we will on this trip! Be well, and happy travels! Sincerely, Robin and Alan Schwedt

Thank you so much for your feedback on our post! We do hope you’ll be able to dine at Rudi’s Sel de Mer. If you don’t mind, please tell Valentin, Mohamed, and Stephen hello from Ann and Steve at Postcard Jar. They will give you a memorable dining experience. Travel well.

great video- will keep watching,,, we will be in 5l05 I am sure it will be the same layout

So glad you enjoyed the video of our room tour. Have a great cruise and let us know if you have any additional questions about the Nieuw Statendam.

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Inspiring the next step on your journey

7 Nights Aboard Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam in the Eastern Caribbean

As our Uber arrived at Port Everglades’ Terminal 26, Pam and I felt an air of both excitement and anticipation — that feeling you get when you experience a new cruise line for the first time.

In front of us was Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam, the second of their Pinnacle-class ships launched in December 2018, with Oprah Winfrey named as the ship’s godmother. We learned it’s actually the sixth iteration of that name, which isn’t that unusual when you consider Holland America is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year.

There was already a long line of guests waiting to check-in, no doubt because we learned later this cruise was totally sold out (capacity is almost 2,700). Over the next seven days, we are scheduled to visit Grand Turk, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Holland’s private island, Half Moon Cay. With the weather turning cold and windy in Florida, we were happy to be heading to warmer climes.

Doing some homework beforehand, we had read guests can bring a bottle of wine or champagne to consume in their room without a corkage fee. Not so, we learned. At check-in, you have to surrender your bottle and a $20 corkage fee would apply, which is more than most of the wines brought aboard cost. Like us, most people just elected to pick it up at the disembark.

Ours is a verandah balcony room on deck 5 (the Gershwin Deck ). There’s a small sofa and desk, and the bathroom features a walk-in shower. Best of all, there’s lots of storage space, including roomy, pull-out drawers under the bed. While there are a generous number of plugs, it’s still a good idea to bring your own power strip. We have one that has three plugs and three USB ports.

7 Night – Eastern Caribbean – HAL Nieuw Statendam

After settling in, the next thing is watching the safety video on your TV. This is actually so much better than the old school muster drill, where you stand for what seems like forever at your muster station, elbow-to-elbow with other passengers (not the best idea in this age of Covid). After the video, you go to your assigned muster station, where they scan your room key, and that’s it. If you haven’t done it the old way, you won’t appreciate the difference.

The first day of a cruise is devoted to getting your bearings, so we’re off to explore and, of course, find lunch.

The ship itself is beautiful, with artwork worth millions placed around her 12 decks. Much of the public spaces are located on decks two and three, where you’ll find the two-story World Stage, the Music Walk, featuring venues named for blues legend B.B. King, Rolling Stone, Billboard and Lincoln Center, shops, the casino, specialty restaurants and the two-story main dining room.

We head for Lido, deck 9, where the Lido Market has a variety of food choices available. Pam opts for fish and chips while I choose a pulled pork sandwich. This is a good time to review the day’s activities, which you can do from their Navigator app or a daily printed agenda in your room. I recommend downloading the app prior to the cruise — you can use it to complete the check-in and health assessment, as well as customize your agenda, find deck plans and reserve dining and shore excursions.

Coming up is a “Welcome Aboard Steak Dinner” in Lido, a Mass celebration in the blues club, a PRIDE meetup and a trivia contest. We elect to continue exploring, and wander up to the Crow’s Nest on the Observation Deck, 12. With its wraparound, panoramic windows, it’s the place to be for the sailaway, where every seat was taken.

With all the wind and weather, the captain tells us it will be a bumpy ride at the start, evidenced by the water sloshing out of the pools and people trying to maintain their balance in the hallways. But we’re hopeful it won’t last too long.

Later, in the beautiful World Stage theater, is a presentation titled “Origin Story,” tracing the 150-year-history of the Holland America Line. Hosted by the ship’s cruise director, Gage, it proved a fascinating, multimedia history lesson, chronicling how Holland survived through world wars, the Depression and most recently, a world pandemic. We learned how the owner’s son, on a scouting mission, was tragically among those lost on the Titanic.

Dinner was in the elegant main dining room, where you can opt for anytime dining or make reservations. We had heard Holland prides itself on their food, and that was evident in the meal we had. We started with the ham and cheese croquette, which was marvelous, as was my main course, herb-roasted chicken.

For a late night snack, we always like to find pizza, and Statendam has just the ticket at the New York Deli and Pizza on deck 10, the Panorama Deck, where the cheese pizza was great. They are open daily until 10:50 pm, and also serve breakfast.

Tomorrow is a sea day as we set course for Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos islands. Tonight we’ll let the ship rock us to sleep and then see what tomorrow brings.

• Our verandah room on Deck 5
• Cruise Director Gage relates the history of Holland America

Highlight: After dinner, we head for the World Stage auditorium to catch tonight’s show, “Humanity,” presented by the One Step Dance Company, where “technology and dance come together to awaken the human spirit.” It really did deliver on both counts, as the talented dance troupe blended modern dance with jaw-dropping visuals projected on wraparound screens. I for one don’t think cruise ship shows like this one get enough credit for delivering innovative productions and cutting-edge entertainment. They deserve their own award show, like the Grammys and Tonys.

It’s day two of our seven-day cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam, and we’re still bouncing over the waves. But the captain tells us calmer conditions are up ahead, and that’s good enough for us.

Today is a sea day, with numerous activities to choose from throughout the ship. But before that, there’s breakfast, and after sleeping late, we just make last call in the main dining room. We are joined by four fellow travelers, and after the obligatory “Where are you from?” swap stories about past cruise adventures and the dubious joys of flying these days. We have found meeting interesting people as one of the side benefits of cruise travel.

Speaking of people, the demographic on this cruise is predominantly older. We have seen a few children, and Statendam does have a teen club (Club HAL), but other than the music venues, it is definitely more suited for adults.

We continue to be impressed by the food quality. At breakfast Pam had one of the best Eggs Benedict she can remember, and my Swedish pancakes were divine.

One of the hallmarks of a Holland America cruise is the opportunity for learning new things. For example, The Studio on deck 2 hosts art classes, as well as a class on “How to Fold Origami.” Pam decided to attend a class on flower arranging, hosted by the ship’s resident florist, Noven, from the Philippines.

She learned Noven, now in his seventh contract with Holland, arranged all 136 floral arrangements on Statendam, and how, despite the ship’s Dutch heritage, you won’t find any tulips onboard. The reason? Since we are sailing in the Caribbean, he only uses tropical flowers. That does make sense.

By the way, she also learned this tip: To keep lilies from being too overpowering, put a little vodka in the water. Shaken, not stirred? She didn’t ask.

After lunch in the main dining room (Pam had the Croque Madame; I went with the Mexican Street Tacos) it wasn’t long before it was time to have more food. The Afternoon Tea service started at 3 pm in main dining, where white-gloved wait staff poured tea and delivered finger sandwiches, pastries and scones on tiered serving dishes. Unlike most tea services, the tea was already prepared instead of making your own selection. I won’t tell the King if you won’t.

Tonight the dress code is “dressy,” which is the green light for Pam to look her sparkly best. While I didn’t pack my tux, I did bring a suit jacket for the occasion. While most cruise guests seem to enjoy formal nights, the majority on this cruise seem to prefer casual wear, which we found somewhat surprising.

We have reservations at one of Statendam’s specialty restaurants, Tamarind, which features Southeast Asian cuisine ($29 surcharge). Located on deck 10, it sets the right mood as soon as you enter: Dark, soft lighting and Zen-like vibes.

For starters, Pam ordered the Thai Citrus Scallops, with cilantro, plum sugar and shallots, while I had the Chinese Five Spice Baby Back Ribs, with masago, pineapple and red chili. Both dishes were excellent, and artfully presented. For our entrees, Pam chose Sweet and Sour Vegetable Tempura while I had the Panang Red Curry Coconut Chicken. Again, the chef’s presentations were amazing. We finished our meal with two desserts: Mango Posset, a coconut macaroon with mango sorbet, and the Passion Fruit Cloud, a light egg white souffle.

Adjacent to Tamarind is Nami Sushi, where lovers of raw fish and vegetable rolls can order their favorites a la carte and watch as they are prepared.

After dinner, we head for the World Stage auditorium to catch tonight’s show, “Humanity,” presented by the One Step Dance Company, where “technology and dance come together to awaken the human spirit.” It really did deliver on both counts, as the talented dance troupe blended modern dance with jaw-dropping visuals projected on wraparound screens. I for one don’t think cruise ship shows like this one get enough credit for delivering innovative productions and cutting-edge entertainment. They deserve their own award show, like the Grammys and Tonys.

As we stroll by the pool area, where guests in loungers are watching a movie on a giant screen under the stars, day two is rapidly coming to a close. Tomorrow morning we should be docked at Grand Turk, our first port of call. More about that coming soon.

• The dance show, “Humanity”
• Panang Red Curry Coconut Chicken at Tamarind
• Afternoon Tea in the Main Dining Room

It’s day three of our 7-day voyage on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam and, just as the captain promised, calmer seas are prevailing. The morning is bright and sunny, and we have arrived at our first port of call, Grand Turk, part of the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The waters surrounding the ship are crystal clear and turquoise blue against the nearby white sand beach. Add in swaying palm trees plus warm trade winds and you have a picture-perfect postcard from paradise. Another bonus is we are the only ship in port today.

The last time we visited here was Christmas, just before the Covid pandemic broke out. Although small (close to seven square miles), the cruise terminal area features many shopping options as well as Margaritaville, where you relax on a sandy beach, dine or swim in one of several pools.

Pam and I have opted for The Rainbow Calypso Tram tour, a two-hour excursion around the island in an open-air tram. We learn Grand Turk has several ties to America. The language here is English, and the currency is the dollar. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the U.S. Navy utilized the island’s location for undersea surveillance, and the island also gained fame as the landing spot for John Glenn’s Friendship 7 Mercury spacecraft in 1962. A replica of his space capsule is displayed at the entrance to their airport.

During our tour, we saw many of the salt ponds leftover from when Grand Turk supplied salt throughout the world, starting in the 1600s. We also had an up close and personal encounter with some of the protected donkeys that roam freely across the island. We even had a chance to feed them carrots when the tour stopped at a lighthouse built in 1852.

Unlike some islands, Grand Turk is mostly flat and arid, getting less than 40 inches of rain yearly. Still recovering from recent hurricanes, we learned a gallon of milk costs $11, and eggs $7. Living in paradise isn’t cheap.

Back onboard, we grab lunch in the Lido Market and take a look at the afternoon’s activity schedule. For the sports-minded, there’s a pick-up game of pickleball scheduled in the Sports Court on deck 11, as well as a basketball free throw challenge. Art lovers can attend a lecture on Peter Max, while the Lincoln Center Stage is hosting a string quartet playing “Masterworks by Brahms.”

From pickleball to classical music, I would say there’s something for every taste.

Midship on deck 3 is the Grand Dutch Cafe, offering coffee, tea, snacks, pastries and other beverages. We both order a cappuccino and what has to be the world’s largest cream puff, the size of a small, chocolate-covered cake that could easily feed a family of four.

In search of a bar for a pre-dinner drink, we see most of our usual haunts are crowded, so we decide to pay a return visit to the specialty restaurant Tamarind on deck 10, where we dined the night before. Their bar is intimate, dark and best of all, almost deserted. Plus the mixologist there knows her way around a martini. Highly recommended if you seek quiet by candlelight.

Dinner tonight is in the ship’s Italian specialty restaurant, Canaletto ($19 A person), adjacent to the Lido Market on deck 9. Our waitperson, Shelia from the Philippines, was marvelous, and gave us great advice on selecting a bottle of wine to pair with our meal.

In truth, we almost filled up on the Italian olive bread and pesto — so good we had to have more. For the meal, you choose from a selection of Small and Large Plates. We opted to share the Antipasto Plate and Mozzarella Di Bufala (grilled eggplant). For entrees, Pam chose Grilled Branzino while I had the Tomato Risotto. Dessert was Pam’s favorite, Tiramisu, and I went with a gelato trio.

Needless to say, you won’t leave this restaurant hungry.

At night, a lot of the action shifts to the Music Walk on deck 2, and that’s our next stop, where the B.B. King Blues All-Stars are playing Motown hits and blues. Just down the way, a piano-playing duo is entertaining in Billboard Onboard, and later, we hear Fleetwood Mac coming out of the Rolling Stone Rock Room. No one is dancing just yet — maybe they need a few more drinks to get their party started.

Tonight’s show in the World Stage again features the Step One Dance Company, this time highlighting a variety of musical instruments. While it had its moments, and we loved their energy, overall it didn’t measure up to their “Humanity” performance the night before.

While the music would continue at B.B. King’s and Rolling Stone Rock Room until almost midnight, we called it a night. Tomorrow we dock in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and my editor at All Things Cruise is waiting for this post. That’s my cue to sign off.

• Canaletto Italian specialty restaurant
• We share a large cream puff at the Grand Dutch Cafe
• Gerry feeds a carrot to a donkey on Grand Turk

There’s nothing like mornings at sea. Waking up, opening the curtains and seeing the endless blue water as your ship moves through the waves. All Pam needs to complete the picture is a steaming cup of coffee.

It’s already Day 4 of our week-long cruise on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam, and today we are heading for a noon-ish arrival in San Juan, Puerto Rico. If it seems later than we think, that’s because it is. Overnight we have lost an hour, and our iPhones are still in the previous time zone. Technology — it’s great when it works.

Of course, the first order of business is find that coffee, so we opt for the main dining room, where we are joined by two seasoned travelers from Colorado. They have tried a number of different cruise lines, but prefer Holland because they feel more relaxed and find the size of the ships ideal — not too large but not too small.

As we approach San Juan, Cruise Director Gage informs us they are opening the “Staff Only” door to the bow on Deck 5 so guests can get a great view of the harbor entrance and its imposing Spanish fortifications. It’s definitely what they used to call a “Kodak moment.”

Having spent time on a previous cruise exploring Old San Juan and the fort — roaming its charming cobblestone streets and shops is a must-do — we have opted to see the island’s natural wonders on the El Yunque Rain Forest Drive. There are already two other ships in port: Oceania Riviera and Sky Princess (both of which we have cruised on), so we expect the terminal area will be busy.

We meet in the World Stage, where the various tours are dispatched. Kudos to Holland for having everything so organized. Staffers are directing us every step of the way, including the large terminal building, where hundreds of guests are grouped according to their assigned excursions.

We board a modern mini-bus for the nearly one-hour ride to our destination, which we learn is the only rain forest that’s part of the U.S. National Forest system. As we climb through the thick vegetation, including bamboo and enormous fern trees (who knew ferns could be trees?), fog and mist cling to the slopes around us.

We make three stops. starting at the Yokahu Tower, a 69-foot observation tower built in 1963. As our bus came to a stop, the rain started to fall (what else might one expect visiting a rain forest?). But it didn’t last long, and we enjoyed wonderful views of the surrounding countryside, all the way to the ocean.

The second stop was at Baño Grande (big bath), a swimming pool built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. Fed by the La Mina River, you can take a set of stairs to an overlook ringed by lush, tropical foliage. Saving the best for last, we stopped to admire an 80-foot waterfall just off the road. Pam and I make it a point to see waterfalls whenever we travel, and this is certainly one we’ll add to our memory book.

Navigating rush hour traffic back to San Juan, we get back to the ship in time to regroup and get ready for the evening.

We start with cocktails at our new favorite bar, Tamarind, then have reservations at another of Nieuw Statendam’s specialty restaurants, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, featuring cuisine inspired by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, a culinary consultant for Holland.

With a surcharge of $49 per person, we were expecting a top-of-the-line dining experience, and that’s just what we got. Every dish was a literal work of art, both in presentation and taste.

For starters, Pam ordered the Hot Smoked Salmon, while I opted for the Marinated Lobster. While waiting, the chef prepared an amuse bouche of salmon pate on a small, fish-shaped cracker. It was divine. Pam’s salmon appetizer came under a glass dome, which our waiter slowly raised so she could watch the smoke escape. Theater and culinary art collide — applause, applause.

For our entree, we both went with our absolute favorite fish, Dover Sole. It was prepared tableside, with the bones artfully removed, and served with a side of mashed potatoes and young green beans. Every bite was heaven.

And then dessert. Pam chose Profiteroles, little cream puffs, and I ordered Crepes Suzette. But before they arrived, our waiter surprised us with a dessert tree of tasty bites, including chocolate-covered strawberries and assorted goodies. All we can say is well done, Rudi.

Since we arrived in San Juan midday, the ship wasn’t departing until 11 pm, giving us a chance to see the city by night. As we strolled along the waterfront, Nieuw Statendam looked like a jewel sparkling in the harbor’s waters, while overhead a full moon added to the evening’s magic.

It was a perfect ending to our day in Puerto Rico.

• Nieuw Statendam in San Juan harbor
• A waterfall in El Yunque rainforest
• Yokahu Tower in El Yunque
• Serving the Hot Smoked Salmon at Rudi’s

DAYS 5 AND 6

Outside our balcony we see familiar green hills dotted with red tile roofs, and beside the ship, a harbor filled with sailboats, catamarans and yachts, including a superyacht purported to be the largest in the world.

The Nieuw Statendam is docked at St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands, a port we have visited on many occasions. In fact, it’s where Pam and I spent our honeymoon, so we know it well and always enjoy its natural beauty and warmth of its people.

It’s Day 5 of our cruise to the Caribbean, and since we have been here so often, we have opted to strike out on our own in lieu of an organized tour. Walking the streets near the terminal, we spot some cable cars traveling toward the top of the island. That’s looks like something we need to check out.

It’s the “St. Thomas Sky Ride,” and for $24.95 per adult, you can get a roundtrip ticket to Paradise Point, at the top of the island. Okay — sign us up.

At the ticket booth they ask if we are from a cruise ship. We tell them which one, and are issued a green wristband which is good for an all-day pass. Soon enough, it’s up, up and away. The ride lasts about five minutes, and the bird’s eye views of the harbor and surrounding area are drop dead gorgeous.

Once at the top, there’s a restaurant, gift shop and several viewing areas where you can take photos and selfies to your heart’s content. Pam hits the gift shop — of course — and afterwards we order drinks and an appetizer, happy to just sit and soak up the scenery. With four other cruise ships in port, business is booming, so there’s something of a wait on the return trip.

By the way, we learned the significance of the color-coded wristbands when they announced “anyone wearing a red wristband should return to their ship.” Great idea. And now we have a new memory of one of our favorite islands.

The big event on today’s calendar is The Orange Party. As you may know, the color orange is significant to the Dutch via ties to the Dutch royal family, whose members are from the House of Orange. Cruise Director Gage told me they stage an Orange Party on every Holland America cruise.

Guests are invited to wear orange and gather at B.B. King’s Blues Club on deck 2. If you don’t have something orange, they are selling everything from orange belts to boas at the shops, and even have a display of orange libations. Servers wearing orange ties are coming through with appetizers while someone else is passing out glowing orange wristbands and necklaces.

All it takes is for the band to launch into Kool and the Gang’s “Celebration” and the dance floor is filled with guests ready to get the Orange Party started. Let’s face it — partying on a cruise ship isn’t a hard sell.

Next door at the World Stage, the scene is very different. There’s a showing of “Seven Worlds, One Planet,” produced by the BBC. Amazing views of earth’s natural beauty fill the multi-media screens as the ship’s classical musicians perform the soundtrack. It gives you a new appreciation for this planet we call home.

Statendam is heading back to where we started our cruise, and Day 6 is a sea day. One of the morning highlights is a 5K walk, with proceeds going to support Ukrainian refugees. Afterwards, the ship’s captain, Eric Barhorst, is hosting “The Captain’s Talk” in the World Stage, along with the cruise director.

There’s a full house on hand as Capt. Barhorst provides a fascinating, behind-the-scenes tour of the Bridge, the ship’s technology and everything it takes to run what is virtually a city at sea (the captain even referred to himself as Statendam’s mayor).

I learned, among other things, the ship’s anchor weighs over 13 tons, and is attached to a chain that is 1,064 feet long. Also, the ship stands 174 feet above the water, with another 27 feet below the water. What about fuel consumption? He said the ship gets about “60 feet to the gallon — I wouldn’t recommend buying one,” he said.

But the burning question everyone wanted to know: Why is the captain wearing one red sock and one green sock? “So I can identify starboard and port,” he said. I really like this guy.

In the afternoon, the cruise director is hosting two “Explorations Central” talks in the World Stage. Designed to “deepen your understanding of the places you visit,” the topics today are “The Deep Blue,” about the ocean, and “Islands of the Mind,” with a focus on the impact and legacy of Jimmy Buffett, Ernest Hemingway and Ian Fleming. I attended the latter, and enjoyed the mix of history and multimedia.

Later, it’s announced tonight’s dance show performance has been canceled over safety concerns due to the sea conditions — the high wave action we left behind when we started this cruise is back. But the show will go on, with a comedian filling in for the dance troupe. Down the hall, the weather doesn’t affect B.B. King’s All-Stars, who rock out with a sizzling set of rhythm and blues in B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Tonight we have reservations at the Pinnacle Grill ($39 surcharge per person), the specialty restaurant famous for its steak and seafood. Beautifully appointed in bold, dark tones, it lives up to its five-star billing. For starters, Pam ordered the Jumbo Crab Cakes while I go with the Shrimp Cocktail. Both are artfully presented and perfectly prepared. We both have the Jidori Chicken Breast, served with artichokes, cremini mushrooms, chili caramel and roasted yellow beets. For dessert, Key Lime Pie and Not-So-Classic Baked Alaska.

I have to say all the specialty restaurants we have tried on Nieuw Statendam have hit the mark.

Hard to believe, but tomorrow is our last full day on this cruise. Weather permitting, we’ll anchor off Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay, and then head for home. Keep your fingers crossed the sea cooperates.

• View of St. Thomas from Paradise Point
• The captain’s socks
• Cruise Director Gage Griffin at the Orange Party
• Dinner at the Pinnacle Grill

DAY 7 and Wrap-Up

What day is this? All you have to do is look at any elevator floor, where the day of the week is posted. And according to the elevator, it’s Friday. It’s so easy to lose track of time on a cruise, where the days seems to run together. But that’s part of the joy of cruising — forgetting everything and just getting lost in the moment.

It’s also Day 7 of our Caribbean voyage on Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam, which means our time on the ship is quickly coming to an end. But we’re not going to look at our green luggage tags on the desk, or think about packing just yet — especially since what we see outside stateroom is a front-row view of paradise.

We are anchored off Half Moon Cay, Holland’s private island in the Bahamas, also known as Little San Salvador Island, located between Eleuthera and Cat Island. I’m happy to report Mother Nature has blessed us with sunny weather and calmer seas, so the tenders won’t have a problem getting us ashore. The ride itself takes less than 10 minutes.

Some guests have signed up for shore excursions, such as horseback riding in the surf, while most, like us, will explore on our own. The beach loungers go quickly, and the lines are already long at the bars. Since there are no umbrellas to be found, I take a quick wade into the stunning turquoise waters so Pam can snap a photo, and afterwards, we find chairs under a thatched-roof bar to admire the scenery.

It really is a little slice of paradise, watching the palm trees sway, the occasional sailboat go by and off in the distance, Nieuw Statendam awaiting our return. We linger until it’s time to find the Island BBQ lunch. When you see a long line, you know you’ve found it. As we inched closer, some guests came back and informed us there are actually multiple lines available. It would have been nice for Holland personnel to let all of us know.

At any rate, the food was excellent, and after some more photos, we caught the tram to the dock for the tender ride back. Later today, we’ll try and catch another show by the One Step Dance Company and have a farewell dinner in the Asian specialty restaurant, Tamarind.

As the cruise comes to an end, here are some observations about our first cruise on Holland America:

— The service has been excellent. Pam loved how the wait staff would trade banter and joke with her. Our favorite bar was in Tamarind, and we quickly became “regulars” to the friendly staff there. Many of the guests onboard have physical challenges, and we observed how well they were treated and accommodated.

— Two thumbs up for the cruise director, Gage Griffin. While he looks 16, and could pass for even younger, he commands the stage during the educational talks and kept us entertained and informed throughout the week. I did find out his real age, but I’ll let him tell you when you’re onboard yourself. And also kudos to Captain Eric — we loved his dry sense of humor and he never steered us wrong.

— Try the specialty restaurants — they are worth the extra cost. A meal at Rudi’s is like dining in a five-star restaurant anywhere in the world. They are all exceptional, but our favorite was Tamarind, with its dark tones and Zen-like vibe. And while it’s not a specialty restaurant, don’t miss New York Deli and Pizza on deck 10. It was our go-to place for late night dining.

— While some of the shows were canceled due to weather, we found the One Step Dance Company, paired with dramatic, multimedia visuals, provided some electric moments on the World Stage. Music lovers will also find a wide variety of entertainment along the Music Walk, from B.B. King’s Blues Club to Billboard Onboard and the Rolling Stone Rock Room. The action here goes to midnight and sometimes later. Special mention goes to B.B. King’s All-Stars Band — if you can’t get your groove on with them, get your pulse checked.

— During the day, you have a wide range of activities to choose from, with a special emphasis on learning, like “Coloring for Adults,” “Learn to Fold Origami” and “Flower Arranging.” There are a lot of opportunities for bingo and trivia, as well as pickleball if you are so inclined.

— We also like how well organized the shore excursions were. Holland personnel were on hand to guide you to where you needed to be. That’s a big plus, especially if there are multiple cruise ships in port.

— Here’s a shoutout to their Internet service. We had four devices connected and had very few issues throughout the voyage.

— The Crow’s Nest on deck 12 is ideal for chilling, having a drink, playing games or generally just hanging out. In fact, it was so popular on our cruise we seldom could find a seat.

— Pam, a big music lover, had fun with the ship’s musical theme. They have four decks named “Beethoven, Gershwin, Mozart and Schubert.” On those decks and all around the ship, there is artwork depicting musical themes, plus carpeting featuring musical instruments. She made it a point to photograph all the art and display them in a gallery on her Facebook page. Take a look if you get a chance.

— Pam also said to mention the stateroom toiletries were the upscale Elemis brand. She approved.

In summary, consider the fact Holland America is celebrating their 150th anniversary this year — you certainly don’t survive 150 years without doing something right. And after our first cruise on Holland, we can say they’re doing a lot of things right. If your idea of a cruise vacation is a medium-sized ship that’s easy to get around and offers great food and service, consider giving Holland a try.

• Guests enjoying Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay
• Staff cook for guests at the Half Moon Cay Island BBQ
• Gerry shows the life of a travel writer is hard work

All Photos by Pam and Gerry Barker

Cover photo: Nieuw Statendam docked at Grand Turk

7 Night – Eastern Caribbean – Nieuw Statendam (cruisecompete.com)

Holland America Nieuw Statendam Cruises (cruisecompete.com)

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Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam to Return to Dover

• April 8, 2024

The Port of Dover announced that Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will return to Dover again this year, according to a press release.

Both ships will call in Dover on April 20 and 26 respectively, following the Rotterdam’s commemorative 150 th anniversary voyage on April 17, 2023, and the Nieuw Statendam’s inaugural call on September 8, 2023. The Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam will both visit Dover as part of transatlantic voyages.

This follows Holland America’s announcement to add Dover as the UK homeport for the Nieuw Statendam in 2025, with 10 sailings in summer 2025, its largest set of UK calls in ten years. The ship will explore destinations including the Canary Islands, British Isles, Norway, Iceland, Greenland, Iberia and the Eastern Mediterranean.

Peter Wright, head of cruise at the Port of Dover said: “It’s always a joy to welcome Holland America Line and their guests back to Dover. The upcoming return of Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam will give us another fantastic opportunity to celebrate our unique history together, whilst adding another chapter to the story.

“We are excited for the future and look forward to presenting the very best of Kent alongside Dover’s much-loved scenery and heritage when Nieuw Statendam sails in for many more port-of-call visits.”

Karen Farndell, Holland America Line director of sales and marketing, said: “We can’t wait to return to Dover and are eagerly awaiting giving our guests the opportunity to explore the local area. We always receive a warm welcome and the sight of the iconic white cliffs is the perfect landmark for our visit.

“Nieuw Statendam will be a regular fixture next year, as she will spend a full season sailing out of Dover, providing our guests with an even greater choice of destinations and the option to sail with us without the need to fly. So the visit gives us the ideal opportunity to prepare for 2025 and all the benefits and opportunities it will bring.”

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Holland America Line Enhances Entertainment with New Productions, Music Lineup and Destination-Specific Performances

New headliner shows anchor an expanded slate of entertainment offerings fleetwide

Seattle, Wash., April 11, 2024 — Holland America Line is adding to its award-winning entertainment lineup with the introduction of several new mainstage experiences in 2024. Four new shows will put a fresh spin on the classic cruise production format. Additional new productions tailored to various regions will provide a variety of performances focusing on the local culture where ships are cruising.

Beyond the mainstage, Holland America Line is adding Rolling Stone Lounge to more ships and enhancing its popular Billboard Onboard music experience.

“Over the past several years we’ve built one of the strongest entertainment experiences at sea, working with world-class musicians and dancers,” said Bill Prince, vice president of entertainment and enrichment. “Adding these new theater experiences continues to build on our momentum.”

Beginning in February 2024, the cruise line is set to debut four shows reuniting singing and dancing in a new mainstage experience. These concert-style productions are fronted by three multi-talented headliners, who will be supported by an ensemble of singers and dancers.

The new shows are:

·         “Song & Dance”: Set on a studio backlot, two leading men front a concert of musical numbers from Broadway, Hollywood and more.

·         “Class Act”: Las Vegas goes to sea in this elaborate production, celebrating iconic female performers of the concert and nightclub stage.

·         “All That!”: Be a part of our studio audience as we present our take on the classic TV variety shows of the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. Headliners share the spotlight combining singing, dancing and a bit of comedy.

·         “Hey, Mr. DJ”: Iconic radio DJs introduce songs from the ’60s through today in this concert of pop hits. 

These new shows will be the anchor for entertainment programming. They debuted on Eurodam in February 2024, followed by Rotterdam, Zuiderdam and Nieuw Statendam by the end of June with more ships to follow.

Complementing the new shows on the mainstage, Holland America Line is featuring productions specific to each region so guests will experience a different lineup when they cruise in Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, South America and other areas around the world.

Unique Programming for Specific Regions

Caribbean cruises on Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Eurodam will feature the unique orchestral steel drum concerts of Island Magic playing a versatile repertoire ranging from traditional island sounds to unique versions of classical and pop songs. Cruises to Canada and New England on Volendam and Zuiderdam will introduce the new show Breton Thunder , an authentic Nova Scotia music experience highlighting the area’s European roots. Sailings on Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam and Zuiderdam in Europe will feature classical string music with the Chordial Chamber Trio and Pantheon , a dynamic group of European tenors .

Alaska cruises will continue to feature the elite members of the Step One Dance Company, who blend innovative choreography with artistic video projection to create truly immersive experiences. Major Fourth will also take the stage with four singers delivering impactful harmonies that cover all genres and decades. Sailings in Alaska will also feature a new program called Destination: Alaska . This show is aimed at getting guests excited about the destination and will highlight shore excursions they can book to make the most of their cruise.

Rolling Stone Lounge , which showcases a seven-piece band playing everything from rock to pop to R&B, was added to Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam in December 2023. The music venue has already been a staple on board Noordam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and Westerdam. Billboard Onboard will embrace an updated piano bar concept through the lens of Billboard’s chart-topping hits, with a different music theme each evening. B.B. King’s Blues Club continues to be the centerpiece of the music scene on Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. Meanwhile, a live, classical music trio will be featured on select European voyages on the mainstage, and on Grand and Legendary Voyages in the Explorer’s Lounge.

Entertainment offerings vary by ship depending on the length of the cruise and destination of the ship.