|
It is not every day that you stumble across royalty on board a cruise ship. But there she is. As HRH Princess Máxima walks into the Crow's Nest of
Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam, heads turn and conversations halt. Once again
the cruise line
has managed to have a member of the immensely popular
Dutch royal family to name their latest ship. After all, with a
history dating back to 1873 the Dutch heritage is still
very much alive on board any of Holland America's 15 cruise ships.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Captain's Flotilla |
Captains on stage |
Princess Máxima names Nieuw Amsterdam |
The Princess returns home |
|
Princess Máxima could not be more charming as Godmother of Nieuw Amsterdam. During her brief time on board
in Venice, Italy on July 4, 2010, she talks to many people,
enjoys lunch in the
Manhattan Dining Room and then officially names the ship in a short but impressive ceremony in the ship's
show lounge.
She leaves a lasting impression as Nieuw Amsterdam prepares on her first-ever sailing, a short 3-night cruise to Dubrovnik. Built by Fincantieri,
Nieuw Amsterdam is a sister to Eurodam, but true to her
illustrious name her interiors are themed after New Amsterdam,
to some better known as New York.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Nieuw Amsterdam at Dubrovnik |
Nieuw Amsterdam at Dubrovnik |
Nieuw Amsterdam at Dubrovnik |
Nieuw Amsterdam at Venice |
|
We board Nieuw Amsterdam at around Midnight on the day before her naming ceremony and are welcomed by staff offering glasses of sparkling wine.
Even at this late hour, the Lido Restaurant is welcoming diners and most bars are open. After a drink with friends in the Casino Bar we head for our stateroom
8043, a VA grade Verandah Stateroom. While looking a bit
utilitarian at first, the stateroom has more than enough nice features to make it feel like a home away from
home. Take the large bathroom with half tub and Elemis toiletries. Or the flat screen TV with built-in DVD player. The roomy balcony with whicker furniture. Or the
excellent beds with Egyptian cotton linens. After all, Holland America Line is a "premium" cruise line!
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Verandah Stateroom |
Stateroom artwork |
Elemis products in bathroom |
Verandah Stateroom |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Verandah Stateroom |
Verandah Stateroom |
Bathroom |
Balcony |
|
Nieuw Amsterdam has a total guest capacity of 2,106 and offers well over 1,000 staterooms in all shapes and sizes. Along seemingly endless corridors adorned with
hundreds of black & white photos from the Holland America archives you will find the basic inside staterooms, outside staterooms
and many balcony staterooms. Plus of course the line's
famous suites. The Verandah Suites sport an understated, crisp look and offer a wealth of extra amenities. Each suite grade has its own perks, culminating in free ironing,
dry cleaning, concierge service and access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge
for guests staying in one of the two Penthouse Suites.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Cabin corridor |
Penthouse Verandah Suite |
Penthouse Verandah Suite |
Deluxe Verandah Suite |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Deluxe Verandah Suite |
Verandah Suite bathroom |
Superior Verandah Suite |
Inside Stateroom |
|
Some inaugural trips are marred by bad weather, but introducing a ship in the Mediterranean in July has its advantages. Even on the morning of the naming ceremony,
Nieuw Amsterdam's open deck are pleasantly busy with
sun seekers and people enjoying breakfast outside. The design team has thoughtfully provided a lot of
open deck space. There is a large sun deck all the way forward and a trendy Cabana Club overlooking the Lido Deck. The pool amidships can be covered by a sliding glass
roof in inclement weather and makes a perfect setting for deck parties, rain or shine.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Lido Deck |
Lido Pool |
Lido Pool |
Lido Pool |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Sun Deck |
Panorama Deck |
Cabana Club |
Cabana Club |
|
All the way aft is a huge open deck area. The Sea View Bar is very popular and
the actual bar area is made to look like one large cabana. Tables and chair galore provide ample seating for
breakfast, lunch and the place is great to enjoy a cocktail at night. The sun deck adjacent to the Sea View Pool is equally popular, not in the least because of the
proximity of the Lido Restaurant. Holland America Line introduced the first buffet restaurant at sea many decades ago and the line still offers an unequaled casual
dining experience. The choice at breakfast, lunch and dinner is quite extensive and Holland America Line should be commended for offering a well-balanced mix of dishes.
At night, part of the Lido Restaurant is transformed into Canaletto offering an Italian trattoria-style dining experience that is offered free of charge.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Sea View Bar |
Sea View Pool |
Sea View Bar |
Sea View Pool |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Canaletto Restaurant |
Lido Restaurant |
Lido Restaurant |
Dutch breakfast selection |
|
Apart from Canaletto, Nieuw Amsterdam has two more specialty restaurants on offer. Found only on this ship and Eurodam is Tamarind, a Pan-Asian restaurant
perched high on the ship. Be sure to go for pre-dinner drinks in the trendy Silk Den Bar that offers a spectacular view of the ship's Lido Deck and gives you a chance
to recuperate on one of the lounge beds. Then, head for Tamarind. We were invited for dinner here one night and were very impressed with the food and service here. If you
like Asian food (and I do), then Tamarind is a must! Expect to pay a nominal fee for dinner, but remember that lunch here is served free of charge.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Observation Deck Lobby |
Silk Den |
Silk Den |
Silk Den |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Tamarind Restaurant |
Tamarind Restaurant |
Tamarind Restaurant |
Satay, Tamarind style |
|
It was good to notice that Nieuw Amsterdam was 100% completed and that shipboard life was running as
if the ship had been in service for years already. Only hours after the hi-brow
dedication lunch, the naming ceremony and
the on-time departure from Venice, the Lido Pool area is revamped for a late night 4th of July Dessert Extravaganza.
With a star-studded sky, live music and many passengers enjoying the
many mouthwatering desserts, the atmosphere is extremely festive. I especially like the marzipan
fairytale castle. And yes, I am to blame for the disappearance of
the castle's moat!
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
4th of July Dessert Buffet |
4th of July Dessert Buffet |
4th of July Dessert Buffet |
4th of July Dessert Buffet |
|
All the way forward on Observation Deck is a Holland America Line favorite: the Crow's Nest. Doubling as observation lounge and nightclub, this
room is a hit both day and night. On the starboard side of the room is the Explorations Café, comprising of a library, Internet Café and coffee shop, serving
cappuccino's and espresso's at a surcharge. It was interesting to see that due to the proximity of the Explorations Café, there were always people in the Crow's Nest admiring
the view from the floor to ceiling windows. After all,
nothing beats having a morning cappuccino while seated in
one of the ultra-comfortably swivel chairs overlooking the
ocean. When you are on board, don't forget to check out the gorgeous ship model of the previous Nieuw Amsterdam and the
many memorabilia displayed on the port side of the room.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Elevator Lobby |
Crow's Nest |
Explorations Café |
HAL memorabilia |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Crow's Nest |
Crow's Nest |
Crow's Nest |
Explorations Café |
|
Taking one of the elevators down, we end up on Promenade Deck, with its gorgeous wrap-around teak deck lined with old fashioned steamer chairs.
It strikes me that Nieuw Amsterdam boasts an art collection that seems more
contemporary than that of her fleet mates. The "New York" theme
is all over the ship and in stairwells, paintings of former Nieuw Amsterdam's
are combined with collages that emphasize the link between
Holland and the Big Apple. Nice!
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Promenade Deck Lobby |
Stephen Card painting |
Stairwell art |
Pinnacle Grill |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Atrium |
Atrium |
Pinnacle Grill |
Pinnacle Grill |
|
The three-deck high Atrium has a glass staircase and intriguing rotating chandelier depicting ... what else ... New York! Lining the Atrium on Lower Promenade Deck
is the Pinnacle Grill. Gone are the whimsical iron chairs and the murals depicting scenes from well known Dutch Renaissance paintings. Instead, the Pinnacle Grill on
Nieuw Amsterdam breathes big city glamour with its dark décor and opulent chandelier. The room is used for breakfast (suite guests only), lunch (on sea days) and
dinner, offering Pacific Northwest specialties. Reservations are needed and expect to pay a supplement
here. Perfect for pre-dinner drinks is the Pinnacle Bar across the corridor.
Done in a clean and crisp, almost Scandinavian style, the contrast between the restaurant and the bar could not be bigger.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Pinnacle Bar |
Pinnacle Bar |
Art Gallery |
Explorer's Lounge |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Explorer's Lounge mural |
Explorer's Lounge |
Explorer's Lounge |
Explorer's Lounge mural |
|
Walking aft on Lower Promenade Deck, we first pass the small Art Gallery,
thankfully eliminating the need to place art auction objects all over the ship. Focal point in the
adjoining Explorer's Lounge is a huge collage of the
Manhattan skyline made out of small photos of antique Dutch furniture.
The result is nothing short of stunning.
The Explorer's Lounge with its inviting bar is perfectly located close to the Manhattan Dining Room
and serves specialty coffees after dinner. Through double doors
you enter the huge Manhattan Dining Room. First impression: this is a very red room. With its bright carpeting and intriguing lighting fixtures, the
room doesn't really seem to exude the New York feeling. That is, until you start looking at the artwork. Gorgeous black and white photos of the old days of transatlantic service
grace the walls here and give the room a distinct punch. Holland America Line offers a choice between traditional seatings and an open seating here. The meals are of
high quality and beautifully presented on fine china.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Manhattan Dining Room |
Manhattan Dining Room |
Manhattan Dining Room |
Ocean Bar |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Manhattan Dining Room |
Ocean Bar |
Ocean Bar |
Ocean Bar |
|
Lining the top level of the Atrium is the very inviting Ocean Bar, done in yellows and browns. There is a
miniature stage and small wooden dance floor here, but most
people come to the Ocean Bar to watch people as this is literally the heart of the Nieuw Amsterdam. The room is perfect as
an all-day watering hole and meeting point. Further forward is the stark Queen's Lounge, done in taupe and white. The room is home to the Culinary Arts Center and boasts a huge and very impressive
professional show kitchen. The Queen's Lounge also serves as secondary show lounge and is very popular for presentations and lectures. A very different atmosphere prevails
in the hip Northern Lights Disco. The bar area is thoughtfully separated from the large dance floor, with "cabanas" on the side to ensure late night privacy.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Queen's Lounge |
Queen's Lounge |
Queen's Lounge |
Northern Lights Disco |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Northern Lights Disco |
Casino |
Casino |
Casino Bar |
|
Grouped together with the discotheque is the small but inviting Casino Bar. On our short inaugural cruise, this is where all smokers
congregated. Doubling as a sports bar, large
flat screen TV's show the latest games here. Next: the Casino. Looking rather cavernous (like most casinos afloat), this is the place to lose money. And perhaps win some.
If you've lost money, the best place to recuperate is the intimate Piano Bar. I was told the pianists there were very good but I never made it to the room as there were simply
too many other diversions.
|
|
. |
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Showroom at Sea |
Showroom at Sea |
Showroom at Sea |
Showroom at Sea |
|
We conclude our tour of Nieuw Amsterdam in the Showroom at Sea, a huge three-deck theater done in a bright Art Deco theme. Seating and sightlines are excellent here
with enough legroom. It was here that HRH Princess Máxima officially named the ship on July 4, 2010. Holland America Line
can be extremely proud of her newest and largest ship.
Looking at all 15 "dam" ships, Nieuw Amsterdam is definitely bringing a fresh look to the fleet.
She dazzles in places, charms in other but also has a
wonderful home-like character because of her ultra-friendly crew.
I'm sure HRH Princess Máxima was very impressed so chances are you will be, too!
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
