Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam Dazzles …Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam: This Mid-Size Ship Dazzles a Small-Ship Lover
Talk to me about cruising and you’ll likely hear about a 112-person yacht, a 106-passenger riverboat, a 136-guest sailing ship or an ultra-luxury cruise ship with a capacity of 596 guests.
I’ve always believed that there’s nothing that can’t be improved by removing thousands of people from it.
That mindset changed with a sailing aboard Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam, an 87,000 grt, 2,106-guest ship that, while not changing my love of small ships, opened my eyes to the advantages of sailing a larger one.
THE SHIP: Easy to Navigate…Easy to Love!
I have no sense of direction. None. If I ever sailed one of those 200,000+ grt ships, they’d probably be searching for me on disembarkation day only to find me beneath a park bench in some out-of-the-way “neighborhood,” having passed out days before while trying to find my way to a specific lounge or restaurant.
By today’s standards, Nieuw Amsterdam isn’t a “big” ship. It is, in fact, classified as mid-size with that 2,106-passenger capacity a far, far cry from the 6,000, 7,000 or even 8,000 guest count that’s becoming more and more common these days.
Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam was launched way back in 2010 yet looks and feels fresh and new. A short 2023 refurbishment focused not only on the ship’s technical aspects, but also on the replacement of all carpeting and window treatments, installation of automatic sliding glass doors, the addition of specialty restaurant Morimoto by Sea, and transformed the ship to ADA compliant status. Her extensive art collection, inspired by namesake New York City, has also been enhanced and includes stunning pieces that range from the city in its original incarnation as a 17th century Dutch settlement to contemporary images like John Lennon in his iconic “New York City” t-shirt. Even her elevator doors—engraved with copper and gold floral design—are works of art!
With decks 4 through 8 of this 12-deck passenger ship devoted entirely to cabins and suites, Nieuw Amsterdam is simple to navigate and includes forward, midship and aft elevator banks (as well as midship starboard and port glass elevators for those who’d like a ride with a view). It is a pleasure to know that most of the action aboard Nieuw Amsterdam takes place on decks two and three while those seeking the sun and fitness pursuits will find them beginning on deck 9.
Perhaps my greatest apprehension as I boarded a ship much larger than what I’d been accustomed to was the potential for crowds and chaos. Ample deck space at poolside and, in fact, two separate deck 9 swimming pools, prevent that. The more gregarious claim their spot at the bustling Lido pool, beneath its retractable roof if weather is not ideal, while those seeking a quieter poolside experience choose the aft Seaview pool or, for complete solitude, a lounger on the deck above.
Even those who shun the sun can find quiet spots aboard Nieuw Amsterdam. Grab a book and head for Tamarind Bar with not only wraparound ocean views but little furnished nooks where you can slip off your shoes and put your feet up. Or try Crow’s Nest, hopping at night, but in the daytime a quiet oasis perfect for reading or card games. And if you forgot your book, Nieuw Amsterdam’s library (sadly, designed to look more like a Barnes & Noble than a classic old-fashioned library) will come to the rescue not only with books, but games and puzzles as well.
THE ACTIVITIES: So much to do!
I never believed I needed “activities” when I sailed and, as a fan of smaller ships, yachts and riverboats, you won’t hear me complain about a sea day filled only with a lecture or two.
Nieuw Amsterdam’s daily program (a printed version delivered to staterooms or viewed on the line’s pretty spectacular and simple-to-use app) made my head spin—in a good way. Watercolor painting, coloring and origami at the Art Studio, a cooking class (printed copy of the recipe provided), pickleball, health and beauty seminars, movies (with popcorn!), poker tournaments, fitness classes, broadcasts of popular sporting events, cornhole and more or, for an additional charge, a bar hop ($25), beer tasting ($15), or premium wine tasting ($45). My only disappointment is that music trivia always—always!—conflicted with my 7:00 p.m. dinner reservation!
Entertainment can be as simple as a visit to the ship’s lavish casino, a stop at The Rolling Stone Lounge for dancing to rock classics performed live by the in-house band or a sing-along at Billboard Onboard. Yet Nieuw Amsterdam pulls out all stops with a variety of ambitious shows that range from a dynamic performance by The Step One Dance Company to a hilarious stand-up comedian or a melodic evening of song with an award-winning vocalist/songwriter/guitarist. Even Holland America itself is in the spotlight with “A City on the Sea,” a video which takes us behind the scenes of the ship we’re sailing for a look at its technical marvels and some amusing conversations with crew members; and “Origin Story,” a fascinating peek at the colorful history of Holland America from its beginnings in 1873 as a cargo and transatlantic passenger company transporting immigrants to the New World to its standing today as a cruise industry leader.
DINING : Dam good variety!
Small ship dining is among the best at sea, with elegance and service that rival the best fine restaurants ashore. Yet the number of guests served and the limited area aboard a small ship prohibits them from offering the vast options and multiple specialty restaurants you’ll find on a larger ship.
Nieuw Amsterdam’s Lido Market buffet occupies half the 9th deck, for pete’s sake, and the challenge here is to scout out all of its offerings before deciding what you’ll select. That way you won’t, like me, entirely miss the trays of delectable sushi on your first visit or not notice the superb Indonesian dishes at the International table until you’ve already eaten.
At Lido Market, open for breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks, you’ll find innovative sandwiches, hot dishes, carving stations and, on many evenings, themed culinary events like steak dinner, barbecue and Caribbean or sweet celebrations like “Cake Me Away” with—you guessed it—the most elaborate cakes.
As a larger ship, Nieuw Amsterdam considers all of its guests in its dining program. Want a piece of pizza? New York Deli & Pizza, aft of Lido Market, is the place to go. Just a burger? Head for Dive In, a fast-food joint that serves succulent 1/3-pound burgers as well as non-beef options like grilled portabella mushroom, brown rice burger and grilled chicken breast.
Another complimentary option aboard Nieuw Amsterdam is the ship’s Main Dining Room and a menu that leans toward “Cruising Classics” like Caesar Salad, escargot Bourguignon, French onion soup, garlic-herb roasted chicken, New York strip loin or, at an additional charge of $18, filet mignon and lobster tail. Vegans aren’t forgotten here with selections just for them and desserts are decadent and often include crème brulee and double chocolate tart.
Out for a splurge? Morimoto by Sea, added during the ship’s 2024 refit and strictly overseen by Iron Chef America’s Chef Masaharu Morimoto (I was told by Nieuw Amsterdam’s Restaurant Manager that the ship’s chefs are forbidden from adjusting any of Morimoto’s recipes even slightly) is a place that perfectly combines Asian and elegance. Don’t miss the sticky pork ribs in hoisin sweet chili sauce or the perfectly spiced Angry Lobster Pad Thai and plan to finish your meal with the dark chocolate sphere, a globe of the darkest chocolate, drizzled theatrically with hot salted caramel sauce.
Nieuw Amsterdam specialty dining also includes the Far East flavors of Tamarind ($35 per person), the Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse ($52 per person), and the Italian Canaletto ($25) as well as a Seafood Boil ($35 per person) at Lido Market.
Additional treats for those sailing the Caribbean aboard Nieuw Amsterdam (or any Holland America ship sailing Caribbean waters), are new programs celebrating the cuisine and the rums of the islands. On restaurant menus, look for the “Port to Plate” logo that designates the addition of a local dish or dishes like Caribbean shrimp cocktail, Jamaican beef patty, jerk lamb shank or spiced pork belly with pineapple salsa, jerked chicken bao and creamy crab and shrimp cakes.
Drinkers will love the innovative Rum Ambassador program, developed in partnership with James Beard Award-winning drinks historian David Wondrich and Jeff Berry, who has been called “The Indiana Jones of Tiki Drinks.” Tastings and seminars conducted by the ship’s meticulously trained Rum Ambassador are part of the program as are five newly created cocktails including a rum punch that duplicates what was drunk aboard the sailing frigates of the real pirates of the Caribbean in the 1600s!
A small ship is like a small city: Cozy, intimate and friendly. And while I’ll always love the small-ship experience, I’ve now learned that sometimes even the greatest small city lover can appreciate the bustle, the excitement, and the vast entertainment and dining options that may only be found in a much, much bigger place–a place like New York…or, in this case, Nieuw Amsterdam.
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