The Holland America Koninngsdam cruise ship can accommodate up to 2650 guests. Most onboard cabins have verandahs, but the vessel has some oceanview single rooms too.
While cruising solo, I opted for a balcony guarantee, paying for the single supplement. Holland America assigned me a stateroom on deck 4 or the Beethoven deck.
In this Holland America Koningsdam verandah cabin review, I share my overall thoughts on my cabin. Also, I toured other cabin types to share those pictures with you.
My Veranda Stateroom
My balcony stateroom was an obstructed balcony because I could see the top of the lifeboat. Cabin 4141 is between the central and aft elevators, making it easy to access other areas.
While an obstructed balcony may bother some people, I took a Pacific Northwest cruise at the end of October and knew it was too cold to sit outside.
If you’re cruising to Alaska, you should avoid an obstructed verandah stateroom. Having clear views is essential in picturesque destinations.
I found my stateroom spacious at 228 square feet (including balcony) and could accommodate up to three guests in the queen bed (or two singles) and a single sofa bed. My cabin had plenty of storage space for two or more.
The Koningsdam was launched in 2017, yet the verandah cabins looked new with light wood tones and lots of storage.
The queen-size bed had a firm mattress with crisp cotton linens. I found it very comfortable and one of the best beds I’ve enjoyed in over 20 cruises. Alternatively, you can request twin beds. I found my room very quiet and could not hear my neighbors.
A large flatscreen TV hung opposite the bed, allowing me to watch movies or shows while lounging. Beneath the TV, a magazine rack could hold books, pamphlets, or magazines.
I appreciated the addition of extra plugs and a bedside USB port to charge my electronic devices. So many older vessels have only one plug, requiring you to carry a non-surge power bar.
The cabin had a sofa bed and coffee table, great for enjoying a complimentary continental breakfast. The desk doubled as a vanity with extra lighting.
There was a French door instead of a sliding door to access my private verandah. It was easy to open, tight fitting, and didn’t rattle. Since my stateroom could accommodate three, my balcony had two lounge chairs and a single fold-up chair.
Compared to competitor cruise lines, I found the balcony quite spacious and a perfect place to glacier watch if you were cruising to Glacier Bay.
Features Of Balcony Staterooms
Here are the things I loved about this cabin:
- Sofa overhead storage if you’re cruising with more than two.
- The closet already had two pool towels, a large umbrella, a blanket, and two cozy bathrobes.
- The double closet had lots of hangers, including ones to hold skirts and pants.
- The closet has a tie/belt rack to hold up to 6 items.
- My safe could hold my 14″ laptop.
- The small corner bar has wine glasses and an ice bucket.
- The undercabinet night light under the corner bar provided the right amount of light at night.
- The bedside tables have one Northern American plug, USB ports, and a reading light.
- A magnifier makeup mirror in the drawer with the hair dryer.
- The bedroom has two hooks for coats, robes, or hats on the wall.
Features Of My Bathroom
Things I loved about the private bathroom in my verandah stateroom.
- The shower was huge with a glass door (the largest I’ve experienced on a cruise ship).
- The shower has a clothesline.
- Separate Elemis brand shampoo and conditioner instead of an all-in-one.
- The massage showerheads have different settings to change the flow.
- Lotion pump bottle by the sink.
I found the shower head had a strange angle that pointed out and not down. The water shot across the shower instead of downwards onto your body.
I had only one issue with my cabin throughout my cruise: no hot water in the morning. It took two reports to guest services for a maintenance worker to arrive on the last night of my sailing.
The problem of no hot water was a problem in my area on deck 4 since I met someone else with the same issue. I could turn my water to 60 degrees in the afternoon, and it was barely warm enough to shower.
So, I changed from showering in the morning to an afternoon routine.
My cruise sailed at 80% capacity, allowing me to view other stateroom categories. You can also read my full Koningsdam ship review.
Other Staterooms
You can select from 143 sq. foot interior cabins to spacious Pinnacle suites, which measure almost 1,300 sq. feet. Their signature suites have whirlpool tubs, and each bathroom has a dual-sink vanity. You’ll also enjoy a king-size bed.
A step down, the Neptune suites are still spacious at up to 500 sq. feet and can accommodate extra guests on a sofa bed.
If you want to spend time at the Greenhouse Spa, spa cabins are available from the interior to balcony class. They include complimentary access to the spa’s thermal suite.
Larger families can book a single family ocean-view stateroom which can sleep up to five. I viewed one of these during my cruise (see further down).
Suites
Cruise guests staying in a suite can dine in an exclusive restaurant called Club Orange, one of the many Koningsdam dining options. You’ll find Club Orange on deck two near the aft.
While I couldn’t eat there, I spoke to guests who did. They were disappointed that the exclusive venue had the same menus as the main dining room. However, one particular item changed daily, which wasn’t available to other guests.
Club Orange has floor-to-ceiling windows which face out onto a hallway. It meant passing guests to peer in to see what diners were eating. It wasn’t so private.
Some of the guests in the Pinnacle suites remarked they loved the full-size whirlpool bath, a nice bonus if you’re cruising in a colder destination. Other perks include a pillow menu, fresh fruit, and a one-time stocked mini-bar.
Each Pinnacle suite features a large sitting area, dining room, and guest bathroom. The bedroom has a king-size bed, a luxurious ensuite bathroom, and a separate dressing room. You’ll enjoy a massive balcony, perfect for entertaining, as well as a private hot tub.
Floor plans vary from suite to suite, with some offering large decks, especially if positioned on a corner, at the aft.
I viewed a Vista suite during my cruise and wondered why it was considered a suite. Besides being slightly bigger than my verandah cabin, it featured the same layout and amenities. Although, it had the benefit of dining at Club Orange.
If you cruised with Princess, they compare to a mini-suite category, although slightly smaller.
Family Cabins
The family oceanview cabins accommodate up to five, a great option if you have young children. I viewed stateroom 1166, which had a queen bed, sofa bed (for two), and a single Pullman bed.
The cabin might be cramped with five, although if you had three small children, maybe not. Like the verandah staterooms, the family category had lots of storage and a split bathroom.
One bathroom had a bathtub, toilet, and sink, while the second contained a shower and sink. It is a definite bonus if you have five in a room!
All family oceanview staterooms are on deck one, beneath service areas and the Microsoft Studio.
Oceanview Staterooms
For solo travelers, Ms Koningsdam has 12 single ocean-view cabins on deck one. Even though I was cruising solo, I chose a verandah stateroom, paying a difference of USD 20.
Since the studio cabins are at the vessel’s bow, they vary in size from 127 to 172 sq. feet. I viewed cabin 1018 (the largest), which was spacious for a solo guest. The room features a double bed, and while there was room for a sofa, it didn’t have one to stay consistent with the smaller rooms, which wouldn’t have space for one.
While these cabins are under the World Stage Theatre, I spoke to guests who stayed in them, and they said they were quiet.
Most of the standard oceanview double occupancy staterooms are located on deck one. Be aware that on the starboard side, cabins 1035 to 1059 are under the Rolling Stone Rock Room, and staterooms 1046 to 1070 on the port side are below the Billboard Onboard.
If you’re sensitive to noise, you’ll want to avoid these cabins on the Koningsdam.
Inside Staterooms
As expected, interior staterooms are the smallest and don’t have a couch. You’ll find a small desk next to the bed and the usual mini-fridge, safe, and closet.
While the bedroom area has less square footage, you’ll benefit from the same sized bathroom as a verandah stateroom.
Those who need wheelchair-accessible cabins can choose an inside, which has an extra 80 sq. feet over standard cabins.
Koningsdam Staterooms To Avoid
As with all cruise ships, not all cabins suit some guests. I always suggest choosing one with staterooms above and below to avoid noise.
- Deck 1 (Main) – Many rooms are beneath a busy and noisy area, notably the Music Walk. This popular zone features the Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard, and Lincoln Center Stage & B. B. King’s Blues Club. These venues played loud music for many nights.
- Deck 4 (Beethoven) – Cabins 4001 to 4029 are over the World Stage, which emits noise during shows. If you retire early, there may be a better location for you.
- Deck 4 (Beethoven) – Verandah cabins 4001 to 4020 also have steel balconies instead of the clear flexi-glass ones.
- Deck 4 (Beethoven) – Balcony cabins 4041 to 4107 and 4120 to 4167 have obstructed views due to lifeboats.
- Deck 8 (Navigation), many rooms are under the Lido pool area and Lido Market, which can be noisy early morning and late evening.
Final Thoughts
Although I sailed a mini-cruise of four days, I thoroughly enjoyed my Koningsdam verandah cabin and the ship’s venues. I wouldn’t hesitate to cruise on her again. She is the perfect size vessel to choose for Alaska.
Since Holland America Line has been cruising to Alaska the longest, it offers an unparalleled experience, with an onboard naturalist and more.
