Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam Review: To Alaska And Beyond
Stepping aboard Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam offers a perfect blend of classic cruising elegance and modern amenities. Karen and I cruised recently to Alaska on this vessel and experienced this mid-sized ship firsthand.
It was my first time aboard a Holland America cruise ship. Afterward, I looked forward to exploring other vessels within the line. Overall, the dining was superb, and the service was excellent.
Karen and I chose an inside cabin because we are frugal and would rather sail more frequently than spend money on upgraded accommodation. The Nieuw Amsterdam delivered on all accounts.
Overview Of Nieuw Amsterdam
The Nieuw Amsterdam, launched in 2010, weighs 86,700 tons and was last refurbished in 2023. On first impressions, the ship’s classic colors and timeless art-deco décor represent a bygone era of cruising.
The signature-class ship is similar to the vista-class Noordam, but can hold more passengers.
Ship Features And Layout
Nieuw Amsterdam spans 11 passenger decks, offering an impressive array of amenities across its 936-foot length. The ship features a single main dining room, complemented by specialty venues like Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, and Canaletto.
We found the layout easy to navigate, with most public spaces concentrated on Decks 2 and 3, including the main theater and shopping areas. The Lido Deck (#9) houses the pool area and casual dining options.
The panoramic Crow’s Nest on Deck 11 provides stunning 270-degree views. It transforms from a quiet retreat during the daytime to a lively lounge in the evenings. The Crow’s Nest is home to one of the best games and puzzle areas I have seen on any cruise ship.
As an avid fitness enthusiast, I appreciated the well-equipped gym that was never too busy, even on sea days.
Capacity And Itinerary Options
Nieuw Amsterdam accommodates 2,106 passengers with a crew of 929. Compared to other large (or mega) ships we’ve sailed on; this ship was easy to navigate quickly after we boarded.
We cruised the 14-day itinerary to Alaska, which includes rare ports such as Anchorage, Kodiak, Valdez, and Wrangell. Many of our fellow passengers chose this itinerary because of its extended length and the fact it included Kodiak. Holland America only offers this unique itinerary twice a year.
After our cruise, the Nieuw Amsterdam offered 7-day itineraries between Vancouver and Whittier. Guests on these itineraries have the option to add on a land tour.
Design And Décor
Nieuw Amsterdam’s design pays homage to New York City (originally New Amsterdam) with sophisticated art and décor throughout. The three-story atrium features a mediocre chandelier and artistic elements celebrating Manhattan’s skyline. The atrium area was less impressive than most cruise ships I have sailed on.
The color scheme emphasizes rich blues, dark woods, and cream accents, creating an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere. Most cabins feature premium bedding and flat screen TVs.
Staterooms And Suites
Guests can find diverse accommodations to suit various preferences and budgets. The cabins are classic in style and design rather than contemporary.
Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam features five main stateroom categories. Interior staterooms provide economic options starting at 151-233 square feet.
We booked an interior cabin (8134 above) at about 155 square feet. It was compact but quiet, had sufficient storage space, and was ideal for our 14-day adventure. We liked that there were USBs either side of the bed.
Ocean-view rooms offer natural light, range from 174 to 180 square feet, and include a small sofa.
Verandah staterooms are particularly popular, measuring 213-379 square feet including the private balcony. These outdoor decks are ideal for morning coffee or evening sunsets. Karen enjoyed one of these cruising solo on the Koningsdam.
Signature Suites provide 273-456 square feet with larger verandahs. Neptune and Pinnacle Suites offer the ultimate luxury experience at 465-1,150 square feet.
Room Amenities
All staterooms include Mariner’s Dream beds with premium Euro-top mattresses and fine linens. The bathrooms feature Elemis toiletries, massaging showerheads, and plush Egyptian cotton towels. Even though we booked an economical inside cabin, I found the Egyptian cotton bedding and mattress luxurious.
Standard amenities across all categories include flatscreen TVs with on-demand movies, safes, and mini-fridges. However, the mini fridge was not working in our cabin, and we were provided with a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine as a reimbursement.
The room décor reflects elegant nautical themes with rich wood tones and sophisticated blue accents. Our inside cabin was very functional and relatively spacious for our needs.
Suite Experiences
Suite guests enjoy exclusive privileges that significantly enhance the cruise experience. Neptune and Pinnacle Suite passengers receive priority embarkation/disembarkation and complimentary laundry services.
Access to the private Neptune Lounge provides a quiet retreat with dedicated concierge service, refreshments throughout the day, and evening hors d’oeuvres. Suite guests also enjoy priority dining reservations at specialty restaurants.
The personalized service includes a complimentary welcome bottle of sparkling wine and premium fresh fruit replenished daily. Bathroom amenities are upgraded to premium Elemis products.
Dining Experiences
We had a fantastic dining experience on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship’s dining program showcases fresh ingredients and careful preparation across multiple restaurants and casual eateries.
Main Dining Room
The two-level dining room is traditional and provides impressive views in the aft of the ship. The menu changes daily, featuring favorites such as salmon, steak, and chicken alongside regionally inspired dishes.
Service in the dining room was consistently excellent, and the staff was attentive. Overall, we found dining to be one of the best experiences of any cruise line we’ve sailed.
On sea day afternoons, the dining room offers traditional afternoon tea. The events were always well attended and the sweet treats and pastries good.
Specialty Restaurants
Beyond complimentary dining, we could try a few premium venues requiring reservations and carrying additional fees. These restaurants provide intimate atmospheres and specialized menus worth the modest surcharge.
Premium dining venues like Pinnacle Grill (USD 52 per person) and Tamarind (USD 35 per person) have an additional 18% surcharge. Since everyone experienced high inflation after the pandemic, I felt the specialty restaurants were of excellent value.
Pinnacle Grill is the ship’s premier steakhouse, offering premium beef cuts and seafood in an elegant setting. If you are ravished and adventurous, consider the 36 oz Rib Eye steak for two! We tried the steakhouse for lunch, and the meal was incredible and a bargain at USD 25 pp.
Canaletto transforms a section of the Lido Restaurant each evening into an Italian eatery. We didn’t try Canaletto during our cruise.
Tamarind showcases pan-Asian cuisine with stunning ocean views. The surcharge grants access to expertly prepared sushi, Thai curries, Chinese classics, and Indonesian specialties.
We enjoyed this restaurant during our cruise, and the food was delicious and served perfectly. I recommend this restaurant if you cruise the Nieuw Amsterdam. Karen had cruised on the Noordam the year before, which lacked this specialty restaurant onboard.
Casual Dining Venues
The Lido Market buffet restaurant remains the most popular choice for informal dining. Located on Deck 9 aft, it was just one deck from our cabin and a convenient destination whenever we wanted breakfast or a snack.
The Lido opened five times a day for the three standard meals and snacks It featured multiple stations with made-to-order options. Breakfast includes an omelet station, while lunch and dinner showcase carving stations, international cuisines, and daily themes.
However, the dinner hours were somewhat constrained by a strict 5:30 – 8 pm schedule. If you arrived at 8:05, all stations were closed with limited options. Although, they reopened nightly from 10:30 pm to 11:30 pm for a late-night dining.
Dive-In at the pool area serves excellent burgers, hot dogs, and fries with unique toppings and sauces. We found these items rival specialty burger restaurants on land. One of my favorites was the grilled chicken burger – healthy and delicious!
The New York Pizza venue offers made-to-order thin-crust pizzas throughout the afternoon and evening. Passengers can select from traditional toppings or try signature combinations.
Explorations Café combines a coffee shop with the ship’s library, serving specialty coffees and pastries for an additional charge. It’s an ideal spot for a morning cappuccino or afternoon treat.
Entertainment And Enrichment
The entertainment options and enrichment activities were pretty good throughout our voyage. However, there were lower caliber shows with frequent comedians and a crooner to fill the agenda.
Live Performances
The World Stage is the main theater on decks 1-3 forward. The 45-minute shows typically run twice nightly (7:30 pm and 9:00 pm), allowing flexible dinner scheduling. We particularly liked the dance shows and those by Evolution Motown.
Guest entertainers, including comedians, magicians, and the Step One Dance Company, rotate throughout the cruise.
Nightlife And Lounges
The Rolling Stone Lounge was a popular nightly venue. I enjoyed the 6-member band with top hits from the Beatles, the 70’s, Rock Legends, R&B, and other genres.
The Billboard Onboard experience featured dual piano players taking requests and encouraging sing-alongs to chart-topping hits across decades. However, during our cruise, I found this to be a mediocre experience that I sat through only once.
Recreation And Wellness
The Nieuw Amsterdam features a variety of fitness hardware typical of most cruise ships. However, even though I tried to workout almost daily, I never had to wait for a treadmill or any fitness machine.
There’s also a well-appointed spa area with thermal beds, a large, jetted tub, and other amenities. At the time of our cruise for 14 days, the cost was USD 399 for the entire cruise.
This is typical as most cruise lines charge USD per 7-day cruise. One bonus is the large sauna, which is complimentary and open to all guests throughout the cruise.
Pools And Fitness Facilities
The Nieuw Amsterdam features two outdoor pools on the Lido Deck (#9) that serve as the ship’s social hub. The main pool area includes comfortable lounge chairs, hot tubs, and a retractable roof ideal for cruising Alaska’s chilly climate.
I find it odd that too many cruise lines have ships with no indoor pools that spend five months in Alaska! Even though the water may be heated, the cold air makes it impossible to lounge by the poolside. While the roof remained closed for our Alaska sailings, it would be opened for warmer destiations in Mexico and the Caribbean.
Daily fitness classes include yoga, Pilates, and cycling, though some require an additional fee. Several passengers hired personal trainers for 1-hour sessions.
The Sports Court accommodates basketball and pickleball with lessons for beginners. Table tennis is available in the pool area.
Youth And Family Programs
Holland America’s Club HAL provides structured programs for children ages 3-17, divided into age-appropriate groups. Ironically, during our Alaska cruise in May, there were only 10 kids onboard!
Kids ages 3-7 enjoy arts and crafts, storytelling, and themed parties in a bright, colorful space. Tweens (8-12) participate in gaming tournaments, scavenger hunts, and sports activities with dedicated youth staff supervision.
High Score is open to adults in the evenings. We attended a few times to play pinball, Skee ball, and air hockey.
Workshops And Classes
The Nieuw Amsterdam offers many activities, especially on sea days, for various interests. There are frequent art auctions that we tend to avoid, but the non-luxury cruise lines continue to promote them for additional revenue.
However, if you are an amateur artist, there are frequent watercolor painting, origami, and adult doodling classes.
Shore Excursions
Passengers can choose from a selection of port excursions. These experiences balance popular attractions with off-the-beaten-path adventures. Since we were cruising in early May, some ports like Valdez, Kodiak, and Wrangell had limited options since most operators hadn’t opened for the season.
One of our favorites was the Columbia Glacier tour out of Valdez. This full-day experience included lots of wildlife sightings, a hot light lunch, and hours of expert narration as we cruised through a sea of icebergs.
Booking And Planning
We recommend booking popular shore excursions several months in advance through Holland America’s website to avoid disappointment. Many passengers were disappointed because the popular excursions were sold out months in advance, with many forced onto a waitlist.
The Navigator App
Nowadays, all cruise lines provide a smartphone app to enhance your cruising experience. The Holland America Navigator app is adequate and met our needs. I used it primarily to track our daily itinerary and check hours for various venues.
If you don’t have a smartphone, they still provide a daily printed planner for convenience. The app has a complimentary chat feature that is handy for contacting your travel party.
Wi-fi Internet
Wi-Fi is available ship-wide for an additional fee, though connection strength varies by location. Access is available in four tiers: Stream, Premium, Surf, and Social, and priced accordingly.
The most expensive Stream was available at USD 250 per week or USD 500 per device for our 14-day cruise. We typically avoid cruise line Wi-Fi and choose a much less expensive option such as Airalo, Gig-Sky, or an eSIM from a local cell provider.
Final Impressions
After spending two weeks aboard Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, I would rate the ship experience as follows (out of 10):
- Dining – 9
- Service – 9
- Cabins – 8
- Entertainment – 6
- Spa and Fitness – 8
- Overall Experience – 8.5
Granted, these ratings can be very subjective according to personal needs and interests. You may have a different experience on the same ship.
The demographic tends to skew older, creating a relaxed, refined atmosphere that may not appeal to families seeking constant activity. Even though Karen and I are both in our ’60s, we often felt “young” among the older crowd around us!
We found Nieuw Amsterdam an ideal mid-size ship and would gladly cruise again. It will exceed your expectations if you appreciate a traditional cruise experience with superb dining and excellent service.
