Fodor’s Expert Review
Ship Overview
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Launched in 2010 and refurbished in 2017, Nieuw Amsterdam is one of only two vessels in Holland America’s mid-tier Signature-class. Signature is sandwiched between older, slightly smaller Vista-class ships and the newest, larger Pinnacle-class. It was in dry dock in 2020 and is scheduled for dry dock again in 2023. Nieuw Amsterdam will appeal to the older traveler who appreciates a classic ship and a more traditional approach to sailing.Read More
The decor and art celebrate the Big Apple, the theme is where “New Amsterdam” (old New York) meets new New York. There’s nothing subtle about it. The interiors teeter towards maximalism using an eclectic mix of colors, patterns, textures, artwork, and materials, everything from dark wood to shiny brass. Restaurants and bars take their cue from Manhattan supper clubs and piano jazz bars—and a little bit of Vegas. It’s unapologetically showy and bold. Thankfully, the staterooms are classic and subdued.
With a passenger capacity of 2,106, Nieuw Amsterdam is at the smaller end of large mainstream ships. Obviously there are fewer restaurants, amusements, and amenities compared to a 3,000+ passenger liner. The ship has 11 decks, and the public areas and food/beverage outlets are mainly confined to decks 2, 3 and 9, not much room to stretch the legs. On the upside, the experience is more personal and social. It is small enough for staff to get to know you, and for you to meet fellow passengers, perhaps through party bridge play, line dancing, or a pickleball tournament. There are also enough dinner options to satisfy for a week-long cruise. In addition to the complimentary buffet and restaurant, there are two poolside options and four specialty restaurants, including a Pan-Asian menu and sushi a la carte. Any longer than a week, and the food may begin to feel redundant.
The entertainment caters to the main passenger demographic, Americans over 55. The program is refined and seeks to enrich. Holland America partners with the Lincoln Center to bring musicians aboard. Deck 2, known as the “Music Walk,” has three different live music venues, including B.B. King’s Blues Club, plus an 856-seat theatre that showcases dance and other performing arts.
Nieuw Amsterdam sails Alaska in the summer and this is where the ship really shines. Holland America has sailed Alaska for 75 years and has more cruises to Glacier Bay than any other line. Expect lectures and presentations by park rangers, scenic narration, wildlife spotting with a naturalist, a Junior Ranger program for kids and Alaskan seafood nights. The mid-ship Lido pool has a retractable roof, which means you can comfortably swim while sailing past glaciers. Or join the group polar bear plunge at the adults-only Sea View Pool.
Winters are spent sailing the Caribbean and the ship has some minor drawbacks in tropical destinations. Lido Pool deck is surrounded by glass windows and a low roof that provides shade for tables and cabanas, but the roof also traps in heat and prevents any breeze. Also, aside from the pool deck bar/grill and sports court, there is no other outdoor bar, full-service restaurant or garden for enjoyment. The design is the challenge older ships face as they compete with each new crop of ships that are bigger, better and smarter. Once you’ve sailed on a modern ship, it may be hard to go back from bigger hallways, better views and smarter rooms.
Though the ship does not have the latest high-tech bells and whistles, nor does it have aerial acrobatic shows or the most Instagrammable verandas, long-time cruisers, especially fans of Holland America, will feel at home with this traditional design. The layout, experience, and service will feel familiar. It’s not a floating theme park or resort, Nieuw Amsterdam very much feels like a ship. The wraparound promenade deck, heavy wood doors, narrow stateroom corridors, library, afternoon tea and gala nights with formal dress code harken back to Holland America’s roots as passenger liner and world explorer. Even the ship’s name recalls the past. The cruise line recycles names when vessels retire; Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth ship bearing this name.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
What to expect on board
Staterooms & Cabins
Nieuw Amsterdam has a total of 1,053 staterooms. There are 152 interior and four interior spa (141-284 square feet); 175 ocean view and four Oceanview Spa (full, partial or obstructed view, 169-267 square feet); 558 verandah and 46 verandah spa (regular or obstructed, 213-379 square feet); 50 signature suite (506-590 square feet); 60 neptune suite and two neptune spa suites (506-590 square feet); two pinnacle suites (1,357 square feet). The ship does not have any single or family rooms.
If you’re a long-time cruiser, the staterooms will feel familiar. A keycard needs to be inserted for the power to run. Classic in style, warm wood tones and dull beige wall paper are livened up with punches of pattern and color. A mirrored wall behind the bed helps make the space feel larger and brighter. Bedsides have USB outlets.
An older ship has advantages and disadvantages. On the upside, some Verandah cabins and the larger inside cabins have generous closet space and square footage you just don’t see in new big mainstream ships these days. However, modern ships have maximized cabin space with clever design and sleek furniture while Nieuw Amsterdam’s rooms are visually bogged down by dark wood, busy carpets, drapery and large furnishings such as sofa, desk, and cabinets.
Bathrooms are clinical, no thrills, but functional. They are off-white from floor to ceiling, have grey counters and bright fluorescent lighting. Single-use plastic has been eliminated; all stateroom categories get Elemis bath products in dispensers. Interior staterooms have showers, Suites have a whirlpool bath with shower plus an additional shower stall. Verandah, the ship’s standard stateroom, has a tub/shower combo with shower curtain and anti-slip mat. Travelers considering verandah should be comfortable stepping in and out of a tub.
Every tier of stateroom has a few categorized as Spa. These cabins are located forward on deck 10, above the spa and salon, and include a massage shower head, loofah, bath salts, yoga mat in the room, pedometer and iPod docking station. Surprisingly, unlike Celebrity, Carnival, MSC, and Norwegian, staying in a Spa cabin does not include a spa discount, enticing service perks, or free access to the Thermal Suite (sauna and steam room). The value is questionable.
Guests of top-tier suites (neptune, neptune spa, pinnacle) get concierge service and access to the private Neptune Lounge, but no butler.
Thirty cabins are designed for wheelchair accessibility.
For special requirements and assistance, Holland America recommends contacting the Guest Accessibility Department at least 45 days prior to departure.
The World Stage (main theater) has ADA and companion seating. All other music venues are floor level and accessible.
Nieuw Amsterdam doesn’t have the accessibility benefits found in newer ships such as automatic sliding doors, wide corridors and spacious elevators. However, given the ship’s older passenger demographic, crew are very experienced and attentive in serving mobility needs and age-related challenges.
Food & Drink
For complimentary dining, Nieuw Amsterdam has two main restaurants, open breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as two poolside lunch and dinner options: pizza at New York Pizza; burgers and hot-dogs at Dive-In. The 24-hour room service is also free at all hours, though select dishes have an extra charge. The food tends to be rather basic and bland.
Located midship on deck 9, Lido Market is the buffet. The food stations are clustered in the center and tables line the full sea view windows. Though the ceilings are low, the dining room is brightly lit and receives plenty of natural light in the daytime. The decor is a jumble. There’s colorful Warhol-inspired NY pop art, busy patterned carpet, glittery tables, textured banquet seats, shiny wood veneer, white curtains and asymmetrical bowls. It’s a lot for the eye to feast on. However, at the end of the day, it’s about the food and there’s plenty: salad bar, cold cuts and cheese, soup, sandwiches, pasta, Tex Mex, comfort food, a carving station, a small pan-Asian station with stir-fry, rice and curry, and, of course, fruit and dessert. As of October 2022, as a hygiene measure the buffet is not self-service and the food display is protected by glass. There’s an army of eager staff ready to dish up exactly what people want. At peak times, they open up duplicate stations of the same popular dishes to avoid crowding and lineups.
The complimentary restaurant is simply called The Dining Room, a Manhattan supper-club inspired space that spans two decks at the stern. The downstairs dining room is for passengers who opted for dine any time with no table assignment; the upstairs is traditional set seating, either early (5:30pm) or late (8:00pm). The restaurant is overwhelmingly red, red, red, accented by black wood chairs, white table cloth and shiny metal. Black and white photos of Manhattan play up the New York theme. Like the rest of the ship, the decor is bold, brassy and busy. The menu is a safe selection of American classics—think eggs Benedict, Caesar salad, bagel and lox, mac and cheese, lasagna, cabbage roll, grilled salmon, and prime rib. Dishes such as seafood and steak have a supplement. The breakfast and lunch menu do not change, while the dinner menu is different every day.
Dinner is when the options really expand as there are three additional outlets at extra cost: Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse and seafood, $39); Canaletto (Italian, $19); and Tamarind (pan-Asian, $29), with Nami Sushi within (a la carte). Pinnacle is the most upscale offering. The dining room, which borders the three-story atrium, is relatively subdued compared to the rest of the ship. There are chandeliers, wine bottles displayed behind glass and plush velvety chairs. The menu has typical steakhouse starters like shrimp cocktail, iceberg wedge salad, and lobster bisque, followed by steak the way you like and other surf or turf options.
Tamarind adds some international flair with cliche Asian decor and a pan-Asian menu—Thai, Chinese, Malaysian, Japanese and Taiwanese dishes all appear. Nami Sushi serves up premium cocktails, sake, sushi and sashimi. Canaletto satisfies the itch for Italian pasta, risotto and carne, but ambience is lacking (the restaurant occupies a corner section of the main buffet dining room).
For passengers sailing longer than seven nights, the breakfast and lunch options may start to feel redundant.
All of Nieuw Amsterdam’s indoor bars are cozy, intimate lounges designed for socialization, live music, and having a relaxing drink before/after dinner or a show. When it comes to decor or ambience, they don’t feel distinctive from each other, except Asian-themed Tamarind Bar. It’s the same loungey feel: bold colors, carpet, leather or velvety curved chairs, bottles of wine on display in cabinets. Every bar serves five signature cocktails created for Holland America by a master mixologist, as well as a cocktail menu unique to the bar. The casual poolside bars, Sea View and Lido, are the only options for outdoor refreshment, not an issue in the summer when the ship is in Alaska, but leaves passengers on a tropical trip wanting.
Deck 3’s jazzy Ocean Bar is the pre-dinner watering hole. It wraps around the top floor of the three-story atrium, eye level with the LED-lit Manhattan skyline chandelier. There’s a variety of wine available—six different white by the glass, nine red—as well as 15 regular beers and six craft beers. A martini hour, sparkling wine art auction or live piano might kick off the evening. Other nights a band gets people moving on the parquet dance floor.
Find a mellower respite at Explorations Café/Crow’s Nest, a cafe-bar-lounge-library stocked with destination guidebooks, board games, puzzles and puzzle tables. Enjoy a barista coffee or cocktail with panoramic views from this indoor perch on the ship’s highest deck.
There are three beverage packages to choose from. The Quench package ($17.95/day, max 15 beverages/day) covers non-alcoholic drinks including specialty coffee, mocktails, smoothies, juice, and sodas. The Signature package ($54.95 per day, max 15 beverages/day) includes wines and spirits under $11. For a few dollars more, the Elite package ($59.95/day, max 15 alcoholic beverages/day) includes drinks under $15 and finer spirits such as Glenfiddich Scotch, Courvoisier Napoleon Cognac and Patron Anejo Tequila. All travelers in the same stateroom must purchase the same drink package, even if one person does not drink alcohol. If adults purchase the signature or elite package, underage guests in the same stateroom must purchase the quench package.
Entertainment
Chamber music, jazz, piano bar, rock’n’roll, blues—Nieuw Amsterdam loves to showcase live music. When it comes to entertainment, the ship plays it safe as it aims to please a mature crowd.
Deck 2 is known as the Music Walk because three different music venues line the corridor. At Lincoln Center Stage, Holland America partners with the famous world-class performing arts center to bring musicians such as chamber quartets and soloists on board. The 72-seat venue is just rows of comfortable padded armchairs facing a small stage, which feels intimate and less stodgy then a theater, though people sitting at the back may have trouble seeing over heads. There are typically two 45-minute performances a night. No seat reservations; it is first come, first serve.
Moving along deck 2 is the lively B.B. King’s Blues Club, where an 8-piece band and two singers play classic rock, blues, and soul. There are three shows a night to drop in on and hit the dance floor. The club also hosts the comedy show, ballroom dance hour, and the Orange Party, Holland America’s homage to its Dutch heritage. One night on each cruise, passengers are invited to wear orange, wacky wigs, hats, and accessories. Dutch appetizers such as Gouda on pumpernickel and buttercake are served.
In partnership with Billboard Magazine, interactive Billboard Onboard is more than just a piano bar. Two pianists play duet sets of chart toppers according to a theme. Fill out the by-request form, participate in music trivia and join the singalongs.
A significant amount of square footage has been given to the well-stocked Casino. It has 115 slot machines, four Blackjack tables, several different kinds of poker tables, and an American roulette table.
Spanning three decks, the 856-seat World Stage theater is traditional in design, layout, and programming; it currently features a dance show and singers. The theater does not have the most high-tech production equipment and rigging, though it does have a giant LED wall. For BBC Earth in Concert, episodes of the stunning nature documentary are played accompanied by live musicians. Movies are shown on at sea days.
On the schedule are party bridge play, mahjong, pickleball tournaments, cornhole, destination talks, art class, trivia and game night, basketball shootouts, as well as meetups for LGBTQ+, single/solo travelers, teens, military and friends of Bill W.
Nieuw Amsterdam has three boutiques: an Effy jewelry shop/watch shop selling brands like Tissot, Movado, Bulova and Citizen, a gift shop selling handbags, liquor, beachwear and branded Holland America souvenirs, and cosmetics/perfumes. Since the cruise sails Alaska in the summer, the photo gallery sells point and shoot cameras, Go Pros, and binoculars.
Spa & Fitness
The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers the range of therapies expected of a cruise ship spa, such as massages, wraps, body polishes, massages, facials and acupuncture. A 50-minute massage starts at $159, a 50-minute facial using Elemis Biotec products ranges from $122 to $184, plus 18% service charge. Signature treatments include a massage using bamboo shoots soaked in essential oils and Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction therapy. The Medi-Spa has Go SMiLE teeth whitening, Thermage, Restylane and Dysport, but not Botox. The 12 treatment rooms are neat, clean, serviceable, and thankfully, muted and spare. Spa guests can unwind post-treatment in the enormous relaxation room. Chairs pleasantly face floor-to-ceiling windows, though loud music from the gym next door seeps in.
The modern, well-equipped Kerastase-approved salon has three hair stations, two nail technicians, waxing, color and barber service to help passengers get gussied up for the ship’s gala nights and professional photos.
The Thermal Suite has two steam rooms—one mild and one hot—as well as a dry sauna, relaxing heated ceramic tile loungers, meditation space, and shower. Passengers can access it at any time during opening hours by purchasing a day pass or pass for the entire cruise. Surprisingly, the Thermal Suite is not an included perk for Spa stateroom guests.
Within a small solarium is the spa’s hydrotherapy pool. Stairs help guests ease into the warm water to soak and enjoy a massage from the jets.
For a small ship, the fitness center is a generous size. Half of the room is the gym, which is stocked with Precor-brand equipment. The other half is the studio for classes, a large clear space with mirrored walls. Privacy is sacrificed but this set up makes the whole room feel big and bright. The fitness center/gym is located on deck 9, at the front of the ship just below the crow’s nest—the treadmills and elliptical machines along the windows get a fantastic view. Every day there is at least one free health seminar, a free fitness class such as stretch or Tai Chi, as well as a paid fitness class such as Pilates, yoga, and spin ($20 each or 3 for $49). Two personal trainers are available to book for paid private sessions.
The best place to get your daily steps in is the wide outdoor promenade that wraps around deck 3; three laps is equivalent to a mile. On the highest deck is a top-of-the-world sports court. Passengers are free to play basketball, soccer, tennis, and pickleball, or join one of the organized tournaments.
Key cruising tips
Health & Safety
Holland America frequently sanitizes all staterooms and public areas with medical-grade disinfectants, and provides hand-washing stations and sanitizer dispensers throughout their ships. The cruise line also has an air filtration system that circulates fresh air. All ships are equipped with 24/7 medical care and have onboard medical centers that offer testing and treatment.
Dress Code
Daytime dress is casual. Shorts and “tasteful” T-shirts are acceptable in the dining rooms. Given the older demographic of passengers, the dress is generally neat and appropriate even when in comfortable clothes.
For dinner, the dress is either smart casual or formal. Smart casual means collared shirt or sweater with slacks for men; dresses or skirts/trousers with blouse for women.
Holland America is one of the most classic cruise lines, and formal night—what they call “gala night”—is treated as an honored tradition. Men are encouraged to don tuxedos, dinner jackets, or a dark suit and tie; women are expected to wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses. There are two formal nights per week.
Junior Cruisers
While the grandparents play, children have the top deck sports court and Club HAL kids club on deck 10 to keep them occupied. There’s a spacious room for each age group, 3-6, 7-12 and 13-17. The colorful, funky and fun spaces riff on the New York theme (wait until you see the big yellow NY taxi inside). The room for 7-12 year olds has video games and multiple consoles. On at sea days, Club HAL hosts activities, movies, and theme nights.
Teens can hang out at the “Loft” whenever they want and play video games, foosball or air hockey, there’s no formal activity time. It looks like a family rec room, complete with the kind of mismatched comfy sofas that got relegated to the basement. There are hosted Teen meetups every sailing.
It’s obvious that Nieuw Amsterdam is not specifically targeting children or teens—no water slide, rock climbing wall, or laser tag here. If families are looking for kids of the same age group to interact with, keep in mind there are hardly any children on September and October cruises typically.
Service
Service is professional yet approachable. Passengers are greeted warmly, even when simply passing by in hallways, and it’s not unusual for staff to know passenger names and show familiarity. “Are you ready to win tonight’s trivia again, Mr. X”, for example. Service staff, especially in food and beverage, have a wonderfully relaxed approach suitable for the leisurely pace of older passengers enjoying retired life. They are also patient and adept at serving guests who are hard of hearing, who require mobility aids, and who have other age-related challenges.
Tipping
In line with other premium cruise lines, a “crew appreciation” and service charge is automatically added to the account. For non-suite it is $15.50 per person, per day and for suite it is $17. In the event you are dissatisfied, you are able to adjust the amount before you settle your account. Of course, additional tips directly to staff and crew for good service is always welcome and appreciated.
A 18% service charge is added to beverages, beverage packages, dining, and spa.