Holland America Cruise Line

MS Nieuw Amsterdam

Rating: Submit your review here Operator: Holland America Line Year Built / Last Refurbished: 2010 / 2010 Length / Tonnage: 935 / 86,700 Number of Cabins / Passengers: 1,080 / 2,160 Officers / Crew: Dutch / International Operating Area: Caribbean, Mediterranean

Deck Plans Sports Deck Observation Deck Lido Deck Navigation Deck Rotterdam Deck Upper Verandah Deck Verandah Deck Upper Promenade Deck Promenade Deck Lower Promenade Deck Main Deck Deck Legend

Launched from Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Venice on July 4, 2010, the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates the glamour and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam, with its inspired interior design and art collection.

The first Nieuw Amsterdam was launched in 1906 and used both a full set of sails and steam engines. She was 17,149 tons and carried 2,886 passengers, 2,200 of them in third class. She sailed in regular service through World War I and then through to 1932.

The famed Nieuw Amsterdam II joined the fleet in 1938 as the company's flagship. The silhouette of this ship can still be seen today behind Henry Hudson's Half Moon in the company's logo. At 36,287 tons, "the Darling of the Dutch," as she was known, was decorated in great style and was launched by Her Majesty Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands. Nieuw Amsterdam II served proudly in World War II completing 44 war time voyages carrying nearly 400,000 passengers (mostly troops). Following the war she was rebuilt and, as the queen of Holland America Line's "spotless fleet," hosted countless well-known figures among her guests, including Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Spencer Tracey and Albert Schweitzer.

Nieuw Amsterdam III was launched in 1983 as one of the most elegant ships of her time. At 33,900 tons, Nieuw Amsterdam III sailed in Alaska in the summers and in the Caribbean in the winters.

Holland America Line has installed an array of works valued at over $3 million, ranging from antiques by traditional Dutch masters to creations by renowned contemporary artists. Some pieces reflect the Dutch Golden Age while others, such as the spectacular centerpiece in the atrium, express a contemporary curiosity. Adorning the ceiling of Nieuw Amsterdam is an eye-catching abstract sculpture of the inverted New York skyline made from clear translucent blocks that hang upside-down. The sculpture was created by husband and wife Italian artists Gilbert Lebigre and Corinne Roger of Creazioni Lebigre & Roger. The significant collection, which includes works by celebrated artists Andy Warhol, Richard Estes and Roy Lichtenstein, continues with astounding displays throughout the ship.

Nieuw Amsterdam joins the recently launched Eurodam to further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured The Showroom at Sea, and a new photographic and imaging center.

The new ship continues several Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Café -- a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft. In addition the ship will feature the family-style Canaletto Italian restaurant.

Nieuw Amsterdam features 11 guest decks and staterooms spotlight all the Signature of Excellence® premium amenities. Also featured are innovative spa staterooms with additional spa amenities.

Guests aboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam, Holland America Line's newest Signature-class ship, will experience a blending of modern and historic elements in the stateroom ambience.

Created by Seattle-based NB Design Group, Nieuw Amsterdam's staterooms reflect a refined interpretation of the contemporary motifs that debuted aboard sister ship ms Eurodam, launched in 2008.

"We received such positive feedback about the stateroom decor aboard Eurodam that we knew we wanted to continue this innovative direction with her sister ship," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs for Holland America Line. "Nieuw Amsterdam's stateroom decorations are an evolution of Eurodam's modern design vision and meld earthy tones into fabrics and wall coverings."

The 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam features stateroom decor reflecting contemporary art influences that tie in classic themes. Mixed-media wall art that combines classical painting with surrealist themes plus colorful abstract landscapes and historic photographs of old New York and Amsterdam adorn the walls in guest accommodations. The rich artwork is paired with sophisticated bedding, upholstery and furnishings that create a premium cruise experience honoring the historic glamour of New York City, known as Nieuw Amsterdam to its Dutch founders.

"With all of the exciting activities that take place on a cruise ship, we wanted to create a stateroom environment that is an escape for guests to relax and enjoy, yet at the same time remains visually intriguing," said Nancy Burfiend, principal, NB Design Group.

Staterooms on the 11-deck Nieuw Amsterdam feature upscale interior design. The ship's 60 deluxe verandah suites and 50 superior verandah suites will emphasize rich walnut wood and powder blue and champagne-colored fabrics, along with contemporary leather furniture and brushed nickel finishes. Deluxe verandah suites will display reproductions of original Matisse and Picasso drawings, along with colorful Tuscany landscapes created from original woodcuts.

Superior verandah suites also utilize historic photographs of New York and Amsterdam and colorful reproductions of original paintings by avant-garde Dutch artist Karel Appel. Following similar themes with understated colors and woods paired with classical art themes, the ship's two penthouse verandah suites were designed by Architectenbureau VFD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Nieuw Amsterdam's 558 deluxe verandah ocean-view and 175 ocean-view staterooms showcase coffee, burgundy and sandstone tones in window coverings, bedding and fabrics, plus rich wood and metal accessories alongside custom furniture. Artwork exhibits reproductions of surrealist oil paintings and feature classical themes combined with contemporary photography.

The ship's 152 interior staterooms switch color schemes to light maple wood, bedding and fabric in slate and sky blue with tangerine accents, and sleekly finished wood and metal accessories. Stateroom art is highlighted by reproductions of surrealist oil paintings.

Nieuw Amsterdam's guest accommodations also include 56 luxury spa staterooms -- 46 deluxe verandah ocean-view, four ocean-view, four interior and two exclusive spa deluxe verandah suites located on the ship's two highest decks, Panorama and Observation. Named for their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, the exclusive spa staterooms offer special in-room amenities such as yoga mats and an iPod docking station, and provide guests with the ultimate in relaxation, privacy and serenity. All spa staterooms are decorated in a naturalist theme, with furnishings, bedding and window treatments finished in soft earth tones with bright aqua blue and charcoal accents. A water feature provides a natural, soothing ambient background sound.

Staterooms offer Signature of Excellence premium amenities: plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel televisions, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional-grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary baskets with guests' personal fruit choices and Elemis bath amenities.

The staterooms and suites offer a calming, more mono-chromatic design, accented with bursts of color, replace the floral schemes used in the past. The elegantly simple design is enhanced with rich wood tones and the use of burnished nickel fixtures. Passenger corridors leading to the guest staterooms are decorated in the same contemporary theme.

"There is so much taking place aboard a cruise ship – diverse activities, exciting dining, theater shows, and more – that we wanted the guest rooms to reflect a soothing environment," said Burfiend. "For example, the deluxe verandah suites will feature rich walnut furniture, charcoal gray seating, crisp white draperies and a patterned gray tip sheared carpet – accented with powder blue and citrius orange in strategic areas to add dimension and interest.

"Inside staterooms have blond, maple-toned furniture to create a lighter environment, with the recessed area behind the beds painted sky-blue and covered by sheer curtains with a burn-out, wave pattern that allows hints of blue to show – in effect, creating the sense of a window," Burfiend added.

The new décor is used in all staterooms on the 11-passenger deck Nieuw Amsterdam. As with her sister ship Eurodam, staterooms have been added to the top decks. Deck 11 just off the Crow’s Nest features 10 verandah staterooms and, just below on Deck 10, 28 staterooms with verandahs and four, forward-facing "panorama" rooms are located.

With one more deck than Holland America’s 10-deck Vista-class ships, the Signature-class Nieuw Amsterdam features three alternative dining venues, including a new pan-Asian restaurant on Deck 10. The Explorations Café – powered by The New York Times – islocated on Deck 11 on the starboard side of the Crow’s Nest.

Staterooms feature all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities: plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel televisions, DVD players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets.

A hotel service charge of US $10 per passenger is automatically added to each guest's shipboard account on a daily basis. Passengers can adjust this amount at the end of the cruise by visiting the hotel manager's desk. A 15% service charge is automatically added to bar charges and dining room wine purchases.

Nieuw Amsterdam currently sails on alternating 12-day Europe and Mediterranean itineraries.