The Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle-class ship from Holland America Line, delivers a refined holiday for up to 2,666 passengers. Launched in 2018 and refurbished in 2024, this vessel combines elegant design with innovative amenities, creating a welcoming atmosphere for couples and families.
Guests can anticipate a holiday blending relaxation and cultural enrichment. Days offer cooking classes, spa treatments, or pickleball, while evenings feature live music, comedy, or fine dining. The ship’s mid-sized design feels uncrowded, except at peak buffet times, and the crew’s attentiveness fosters a warm atmosphere. Family-friendly activities like Club HAL ensure kids are entertained, while adults enjoy refined spaces like the Crow’s Nest or Tamarind. The focus on music and cuisine suits those seeking a sophisticated cruise with modern touches.
Reception Areas: Stylish and Welcoming
The Atrium, a three-deck hub capped by a ceiling with high-definition projections of clouds or stars, greets guests with a bright, modern space on Deck 1. Guest services and shore excursion desks offer prompt assistance, while the nearby Grand Dutch Café serves Dutch-inspired pastries and coffee for a fee. Ocean Plaza on Deck 3 provides a relaxed lounge with sea views, live music, and trivia, fostering a social hub. The ship’s intuitive layout and clear signage ensure easy navigation.
Dining: Diverse and High-Quality
Nieuw Statendam’s dining options cater to a range of tastes. The Dining Room, a two-level venue with a wine tower centrepiece, serves daily-changing menus with open seating for breakfast and lunch, and fixed or flexible dinner via the Navigator app. The Lido Market buffet offers international dishes with crew-served stations for hygiene, though some guests note crowding at peak times. Casual options include Dive-In for gourmet burgers and New York Deli & Pizza for thin-crust pies. Specialty dining features Pinnacle Grill for steaks, Rudi’s Sel de Mer for seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine, and Canaletto for Italian fare. The Culinary Arts Centre offers cooking classes, and Club Orange provides a private dining venue for suite guests.
Entertainment: Engaging and Musical
The ship’s entertainment keeps guests entertained throughout their journey. The World Stage, with a 270-degree LED screen, hosts Broadway-style shows, BBC Earth concerts with live music, and guest performers like opera singers, though some guests report inconsistent show quality. The Music Walk on Deck 2 includes BB King’s Blues Club for soulful tunes, Rolling Stone Lounge for rock hits, Billboard Onboard for duelling pianos, and Lincoln Center Stage for classical recitals, though recent feedback notes occasional shifts to karaoke. Families enjoy Club HAL for ages 3–17 with crafts and video games, while adults can visit the casino or try BLEND wine-making classes. The Crow’s Nest lounge offers evening music with panoramic views, and pickleball courts add active fun.
Accommodation: Spacious and Elegant
With 1,339 cabins across 12 decks, Nieuw Statendam offers interior, ocean-view, verandah, and suite options. Standard cabins range from 228–420 square feet, with verandahs at 54–65 square feet. Family Oceanview staterooms accommodate five with two bathrooms, while Neptune Suites offer 510 square feet and access to the exclusive Neptune Lounge. Solo cabins cater to single travellers, and all rooms feature plush bedding, Elemis toiletries, flat-screen TVs with on-demand content, and USB ports, though medication must be stored in the infirmary. Thirty-two wheelchair-accessible cabins ensure inclusivity, but some guests note dim lighting in interior cabins.
Hospitality: Courteous and Professional
The crew’s attentive service, primarily Filipino and Indonesian, creates a welcoming environment. Cabin stewards provide daily cleaning and towel animals, with complimentary 24-hour room service offering light meals. The Greenhouse Spa offers massages, a thermal suite with heated loungers, and complimentary sauna access, though daily passes cost $40. Staff at bars and dining venues maintain a friendly demeanour, though some guests report delays at peak times. Club HAL and The Loft keep kids and teens engaged, offering parents relaxation time, while Club Orange provides suite guests with priority perks and a private dining room. Recent feedback notes occasional understaffing at guest services.
Standout Features
The World Stage’s wraparound LED screen enhances performances with stunning visuals. The Music Walk’s live music venues, including the Rolling Stone Lounge, offer diverse nightly entertainment. The double-deck Lido Pool with a retractable roof ensures swimming in any weather, and private cabanas provide a resort-like retreat for $89 daily. The Culinary Arts Centre’s cooking classes and Tamarind’s Pan-Asian menu stand out for quality. The onboard art collection, with over 2,000 music-inspired works, adds cultural depth, and enhanced Wi-Fi ensures connectivity, though slowdowns occur at peak usage.
