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Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska Cruises 2024

Embark on an unforgettable Alaskan adventure aboard the magnificent Nieuw Amsterdam. As a member of the prestigious Holland America Line fleet, the Nieuw Amsterdam stands as a testament to luxury and elegance. With a multitude of decks boasting meticulously designed plans, it accommodates a generous number of guests while ensuring ample space for relaxation and entertainment. The ship's expertly trained staff is dedicated to providing exceptional service, ensuring that every aspect of your journey exceeds expectations. At the heart of the vessel lies its main attraction, a stunning atrium, adorned with sparkling chandeliers and a grand staircase, setting the stage for an unforgettable voyage. Discover the wonders of the Last Frontier as Nieuw Amsterdam set sail from in style and comfort aboard this remarkable vessel.

Holland America's Alaskan cruises typically range from seven to fourteen days, showcasing Alaska's remarkable ports of call like Ketchikan, Juneau, and Sitka. Cruises sail past breathtaking sights like the Hubbard Glacier and the Inside Passage, offering a panoramic view of Alaska's natural beauty. Holland America provides a variety of shore excursion options, allowing passengers to explore local culture, wildlife, and landscapes in depth. Each day presents a new opportunity for discovery and adventure in the stunning Alaskan wilderness.

Alaska itinerary on board Nieuw Amsterdam from Holland America Line

Almost every Nieuw Amsterdam cruise to Alaska includes a visit to a tidewater glacier, glaciers which flow into the ocean, often with powerful calving. The most popular destinations are Glacier Bay, Hubbard Glacier, Strait of Georgia, Tracy Arm. The cruises nearly all call at Ketchikan, Skagway or Juneau, with some rarer alternatives for Haines, Hoonah and Sitka. Find and plan your next 2024 Alaska cruise out of Seattle, Washington; Vancouver, British Columbia; Whittier, Alaska; with Nieuw Amsterdam.

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Timetable 2024

Please note that port orders, dates, and itinerary details, including content, are subject to change. Verify specific details for your chosen sailing date on the Holland America Line website.

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ms Nieuw Amsterdam

Former name: nieuw amsterdam iv.

Cruise line Holland America

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• San Diego (California)
• Vancouver (BC Canada)
• Whittier (Alaska)

ms Nieuw Amsterdam current position

ms Nieuw Amsterdam current location is at North America West Coast (coordinates 50.58896 N / -126.70902 W) cruising at speed of 17.1 kn (32 km/h | 20 mph) en route to Sitka. The AIS position was reported 9 minutes ago.

Current itinerary of ms Nieuw Amsterdam

ms Nieuw Amsterdam current cruise is 7 days, round-trip Alaska Inside Passage . The itinerary starts on 22 Sep, 2024 and ends on 29 Sep, 2024 .

Specifications of ms Nieuw Amsterdam

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

ms Nieuw Amsterdam Itineraries

Ms nieuw amsterdam review, review of ms nieuw amsterdam.

The 2010-built MS Nieuw Amsterdam cruise ship is the 2nd of two Signature-class Holland America liners, with sistership ms Eurodam .

The vessel (IMO number 9378450) is currently Netherlands- flagged (MMSI 246648000) and registered in Rotterdam .

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle -based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands . In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean private island).

The 2100-passenger ship Nieuw Amsterdam debuted on July 4, 2010. The ship was christened by Her Royal Highness  Princess Màxima of the Netherlands. MS Nieuw Amsterdam is classified as a mid-size cruise ship and has exclusive Signature features, such as the Asian Pan restaurant and Explorer’s (in African theme). The vessel keeps going HAL's more recent tradition of offering an onboard atmosphere that blends elements from past and present. The stylish art collection, excellently trained crew - that hail mainly from the Philippines and Indonesia - and courtly evening amusement, from a nightly string quartet to cheek-to-cheek dancing, all connect cruisers to Holland America's magnificent inheritance. 

Decks and Cabins

MS Nieuw Amsterdam staterooms (1053 total, in 38 grades) include 116 Suites, 602 Balcony, 179 Oceanviews, 156 Inside. Most cabins are sized 175 ft2 (16 m2). Most balconies are sized 45 ft2 (4 m2). Nearly 70% of all staterooms have private step-out balconies, and 86% of all cabins are outside, On Deck 11 are located Juliet cabins (false/French balcony rooms). Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 30. The largest are the Pinnacle Suites (1000 ft2 / 93 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2). The ship also has Spa cabins (54) and Spa suites (2).

The boat has 12 passenger decks , of which 8 are with cabins.

Implemented fleetwide in 2019, "Club Orange" program provides exclusive amenities to Suite passengers booked in categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by this program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes)
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing).
• Club Orange Restaurant is part of the Main Dining Room (designed as a separate VIP dining section).

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

MS Nieuw Amsterdam boasts more dining options than any other ship in the fleet of Holland America besides her sister ms Eurodam. With the addition of the Master Chef's Table, which serves an awesome tasting dinner in its own classy room, Nieuw Amsterdam cruise ship is now offering 4 distinct gourmet menus, which include those found at the Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and the weekly Le Cirque presentation. When mixed with great-dining experiences in the other dining venues, cruisers might count on a diversity of choices for longer cruises in Europe and back-to-back sailings in the winter season to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Rembrandt Restaurant is ship's 2-deck Main Dining Room, and it's open daily for open seating breakfast and occasionally for open seating lunch. At breakfast, there are a lot of choices, from yogurt, fruit and granola, to corned beef hash, pancakes and eggs prepared in many ways. When lunch is served in the Rembrandt, the choice of options is perfect and includes salads, starters, soups, entrees and desserts. It's a relaxing and civilized alternative to the Lido buffet.

Follows the complete list of ms Nieuw Amsterdam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (112-seat reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into “An Evening at le Cirque” once per cruise via a partnership with NYC “Le Cirque” French restaurant.
• Master Chef’s Room (Pinnacle Grill annex; reservations only)
• Manhattan Restaurant (1114-seat, aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options – 2 fixed seatings or “Any Time” dining between 5:15 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
• Terrace Grill (46-seat fast food pool bar; complimentary)
• Lido Restaurant (470-seat complimentary buffet restaurant; offers self-service Breakfast 6-11 am, Lunch 11:30-2 pm, Afternoon Tea, Dinner 5:30-8 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner, reservations required)
• Tamarind (142-seat Asian specialty restaurant; reservations-only)
• Slice (complimentary Pizzeria, poolside).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

Much of the action onboard ms Nieuw Amsterdam takes place on decks 2 and 3. On these decks, guests will find the casino, bars, lounges, a 36-seat cinema and rooms for computer and culinary classes. Deck 11 is home to the Silk Den bar, which offers a great sea view. Holland America Line provides opportunities for classes in the Culinary Arts Center, built like the set of a TV show, presented by Food & Wine magazine. A free photo is also available (editing photos, operating your camera, etc.) and computer classes at Digital Workshop, via a partnership with Microsoft. The enrichment programs take place during the day and most of them are free, with the exceptions of some sessions at the Greenhouse Spa and food classes with alcohol. Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, Supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi Access, Laundry.

Follows the complete list of ms Nieuw Amsterdam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances)
• The Showroom at Sea (890-seat theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America’s enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Piano Bar; Sports Bar; Pinnacle Bar (36-seat wine bar); Ocean Bar (Atrium bar and lounge, with dance floor and stage for live performances)
• Northern Lights Disco & Nightclub
• Queen’s Lounge & Culinary Arts Centre (166-seat, with live band entertainment, cooking shows, culinary classes; via a partnership with “Food & Wine Magazine”)
• Explorer’s Lounge & Bar (lounge with bar; classical concert performances); Silk Den Lounge
• King’s Room (complimentary workshops, Internet computers room, by a partnership with Microsoft) 
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Casino (served by Casino Bar and Sports Bar)
• Screening Room (36-seat indoor cinema)
• Atrium Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop
• Explorations Cafe (specialty coffee bar and patisserie; also serves as ship’s Library and Online Centre/Internet computers room)
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Fitness Center (gym with separate Aerobics Room); 7 jacuzzis
• Greenhouse Spa & Salon; Lido Pool area, served by Lido Bar and Terrace Grill; Sea View Pool area served by Sea View Bar; Cabana Club (adults-only)
• Crow’s Nest (observation lounge; bar and dance floor; becomes disco at night)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Promenade Deck, Walking Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco).

In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam). Each of the enlarged gambling facilities now has 140 of the gaming industry's newest slot and video poker machines. In addition, a separate non-smoking area was added in the casinos of Nieuw Rotterdam, Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

MS Nieuw Amsterdam itinerary program is based on Mediterranean voyages from homeports Venice and Barcelona , and Caribbean voyages out of Fort Lauderdale FL . Transatlantic repositioning crossings (Europe-USA-Europe) are offered during spring and fall.

Photos of ms Nieuw Amsterdam

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Other Holland America cruise ships

• ms Koningsdam
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• ms Oosterdam
• ms Rotterdam
• ms Volendam
• ms Westerdam
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ms Nieuw Amsterdam Wiki

Nieuw Amsterdam is Holland America's 2nd (last) Signature-class vessel, with sistership Eurodam . Named and themed after New York City (initially named "Nieuw Amsterdam" / "New Amsterdam"), the Inaugural Cruise/Maiden Voyage was on July 4, 2010. This is the 81st HAL ship servicing the company and the 4th HAL ship with this name - the previous same-named liners were launched in 1906 (17,150 GT tons), 1938 (36,300 tons), and 1983 (33,900 tons).

Holland America's "Nieuw Amsterdam IV" has 10 staterooms with floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows, 86% of all cabins are outside, 67% are with a balcony. In the ms Nieuw Amsterdam ship's Atrium area there's a sculpture of the inverted NYC skyline made from translucent blocks (created by G. Lebigre and C. Roger, Italy).

HAL's other "nieuw" named vessels are  Nieuw Statendam  (2018 - the 6th "Statendam" since company’s establishment in 1898) and  Nieuw Rotterdam (2021).

Nieuw Amsterdam's last major drydock refurbishment was in April 2017.

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Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship

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Nieuw Amsterdam Overview

Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth in a long line of illustrious ships of the same name. The first ms Nieuw Amsterdam served during WWI, the second is the model for Holland America’s logo and was a favorite amongst Hollywood heavy hitters like Rita Hayworth and Spencer Tracey. Taking a bit from each of her predecessors, this ship features the latest additions to Holland America’s fleet with Tamarind, a pan-Asian restaurant, the Explorer’s Lounge Bar, which offers wine tastings, and a new luxury jewelry boutique. This Nieuw Amsterdam also gives a nod to New York, the city she’s named after, with exquisite art displayed throughout the ship.

• Passenger Capacity: 2,106 (double occupancy)
• Year Built: 2010
• Last Refurbished:  2017

• Culinary Arts Center Holland America prides themselves on their cuisine, offering an array of delicious meals and accommodating those with special diets. Besides sharing these dishes onboard, Holland America has built a state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Center with help from Food & Wine Magazine. The Nieuw Amsterdam’s Culinary Arts Center offers passengers a chance to learn to cook their favorite dishes alongside acclaimed chefs.  

• Tamarind Restaurant Make sure to spend one evening of your cruise in Tamarind, the specialty restaurant onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam that has gotten rave reviews from Conde Nast. Serving dishes that reference the flavors of Asia, you’ll find amazing ingredients and flavors in each of your dishes. Some of our favorites include the Ying Yang Scallop Consomme, Hoison-Lime Glazed Swai and Vietnamese-Style Lamb with Mint.  

• B.B. King’s Blues Club You may be sailing in Europe or Asia, but you’ll feel like you just walked into a Memphis bar when you head to the B.B. King’s Blues Club held five nights a week in the Queen’s Lounge. An eight-piece band gets the crowded grooving to the Memphis Blues. Themed specialty drinks and video projections tracing the history of the blues help fully immerse you in the mood.  

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Destinations

Holland America Line prides itself on offering a superb variety of destinations. This cruise line visits 7 continents and over 320 ports worldwide while embarking from all types of ports, from convenient close-to-home ports to far-away exotic departure ports. You can plan a special romantic cruise to the Greek Isles or an enriching vacation in Asia. In addition, Holland America's connections with Alaskan hotels and their ownership of Half Moon Cay (their private Caribbean island) have differentiated them in Alaska and the Caribbean. 

Enjoy the natural beauty and inherent adventure of America’s 49 th State with an Alaska cruise.

Alaska Cruisetours

Thrills, massive hills, and a few chills in America’s 49 th state—that’s the way we do Alaska Cruisetours.

It’s an investment in happiness and cultural enrichment when you choose to get tropical and take a Caribbean cruise.

Eastern Caribbean

Spend some time in the sunshine and fill your nights with tropical delights in the Eastern Caribbean.

Delve into the unique Hawaiian culture and spectacular tropical delights of the islands with a cruise to Hawaii.

Mexican Riviera

Sail along the coast of the Mexican Riviera in style while you delve into ancient civilizations—take a cruise to Mexico.

Panama Canal

Man-made and natural spectacles unite when you cruise to the unique Panama Canal.

U. S. Pacific Coast

Discover the history of the West and the cultures of some of the finest America cities with a Pacific Northwest or Pacific Coast cruise.

Western Caribbean

Diverse cultures, sunny days by the sparkling water, and thrilling excursions await you on a Western Caribbean cruise.

Nieuw Amsterdam Departure Ports

Sail to the world’s hot spots with Holland America. This revered cruise line has sailings from cities around the world like Ft. Lauderdale, Valparaiso, Barcelona, Sydney and Montreal.  All of their departure ports are convenient to get to with major airports and public transportation. Get ready for an amazing cruise vacation with Holland America, your first step is to call us at The Cruise Web to speak with a consultant and find your perfect itinerary. 

With incredible weather, delicious fare and some stupendous attractions, you will find that Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades is one of the most attractive ports in the entire US.

San Diego, California

Situated on the Pacific Ocean, San Diego is known for its near perfect weather, beautiful beaches and abundance of activities.

Whether it’s your cruise destination or a launching point, Vancouver is a beautiful destination in itself with a sophisticated downtown and lots of natural elements to explore.

Whittier, Alaska

Experience the best of the Last Frontier in quaint Whittier, Alaska. Enjoy the clear water filled with salmon, red snapper and trout along with the freely roaming wildlife, all combining to make Whittier a treat to visit.

Nieuw Amsterdam Deck Plans

Lower promenade deck, promenade deck, upper promenade deck, verandah deck, upper verandah deck, rotterdam deck, navigation deck, panorama deck, observation deck, nieuw amsterdam staterooms.

Balcony (VB)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Balcony (VC)

Balcony (vd), balcony (ve), balcony (vf), balcony (vh), balcony (v).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways. Ambulatory accessible have shower only with small step, step into bathroom, standard interior and exterior door size.

Balcony (VA)

Balcony (vq).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower, sitting area, private verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows. VQ staterooms 11001-11010 have viewing balconies.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower.

Inside (MM)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Inside (IQ)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, shower. Staterooms IQ10043 and IQ10044 have fully obstructed views.

Oceanview (CQ)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower.

Oceanview (G)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower. All G-category staterooms have partial sea views.

Oceanview (H)

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower. All H- and HH-category staterooms have fully obstructed views. Ambulatory accessible with roll-in shower, standard doors.

Oceanview (HH)

Oceanview (c).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Oceanview (D)

Oceanview (dd).

Ocean-view: 2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathtub & shower.

Oceanview (E)

Oceanview (f).

2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 king-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 1 person, floor-to-ceiling windows.

2 lower beds convertible to 1 queen-size bed, bathroom with dual-sink vanity, full-size whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, large sitting area, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 1 person, floor-to-ceiling windows. Fully accessible rooms have roll-in shower and wide doorways.

Bedroom with 1 king-size bed, oversize whirlpool bath & shower & additional shower stall, living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah with whirlpool, pantry, 1 sofa bed for 2 persons, microwave, refrigerator, guest toilet, private stereo system, floor-to-ceiling windows.

Photo Gallery for Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Ship

Are you a visual learner? Check out this photo gallery of the Holland America experience. Here you can see the amazing dining venues, spacious staterooms and beautiful destinations the ship sails to. 

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Nieuw Amsterdam

Top 10 Nieuw Amsterdam Cruises

• Nieuw Amsterdam 5-day Pacific Coastal Cruise Departing From Vancouver, British Columbia (Sep 2024)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Eastern Caribbean Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Oct 2024 - Apr 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Tropical Caribbean Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Nov 2024 - Mar 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 14-day Eastern / Western Caribbean Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Nov 2024 - Mar 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 7-day Western Caribbean Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Nov 2024 - Mar 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 14-day Western / Tropical Caribbean Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Nov 2024 - Dec 2024)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 24-day Eastern Caribbean & Panama Canal Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 28-day Eastern Caribbean & Panama Canal Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 21-day Panama Canal Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2025)
• Nieuw Amsterdam 17-day Panama Canal Departing From Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida (Apr 2025)

Learn More About Holland America Line

Accessibility

Learn about Holland America's handicap accessible cruises and accommodations for guests with special needs or disabilities, including hearing impairment, service animals and oxygen needs.

Savor dining aboard Holland America, including the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tamarind, Lido Restaurant, Master Chef's Room, main dining room, room service and more.

Entertainment

Enjoy Holland America's onboard entertainment, including BB King's Blues Club, an onboard theater, casino, indoor and outdoor movie screens, bars and lounges.

Onboard Activities

Engage in Holland America's onboard activities, including culinary classes, digital workshops, regional experiences, art galleries, pools, sports courts, duty-free shopping and more.

Service & Awards

Learn how Holland America's friendly staff take care of your every need with an extensive list of onboard services. Plus, view Holland America's cruising awards.

Spa & Fitness

Relax in Holland America's greenhouse spa, salon, fitness center and fitness classes. There are also Hydrotherapy pools on some Holland America ships.

Special Events

Make the most of your Holland America Line cruise with exclusive special events and signature experiences in select cities.

Explore Holland America's deluxe cruise staterooms, including Pinnacle, Neptune, Signature and Vista Suites, along with balcony, ocean-view and inside staterooms.

Youth Programs

Learn about cruising with children aboard Holland America. Youth programs provide supervision and activities for children ages 3-17, along with babysitting programs.

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Nieuw Amsterdam

A ship inspired by old New York elegance.

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Nieuw Amsterdam OVERVIEW

The Nieuw Amsterdam is a midsize ship from Holland America Line's Signature class. The ships décor, amenities, and entertainment reflect the easy elegance of old New York. Exterior glass elevators bring the outside in as passengers move about the ship. The same is true of the main dining room, which despite its expansive space still provides both views and an intimate feel. The Explorations public room is perfect for relaxing, the Explorer's Lounge an ideal spot for live music during cocktail hour, and the World Stage a stunning venue for large-scale performances. Hands-on foodies especially love the ship's Culinary Arts Center programming, which includes cooking classes taught by the ship's talented chefs.

• Cruise Line: Holland America Line
• Dining: Anytime/flexible and traditional/set dining.
• Lower Berth Capacity: 2,106
• Crew: 929 (crew ratio 2.3)
• Launched: 2010

WHY PICK THIS SHIP?

Classic Holland America Line elegance meets wild Alaskan scenery on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The ship received modern upgrades in 2017 that only furthered its stately look and feel. Amenities and entertainment abound.

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review

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Ship Overview

At 86.7K gross tons, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam offers plenty of onboard amenities, entertainment, and dining options for a vessel that holds only 2100 passengers. This 12 year old Signature Class vessel was the first to resume cruising for the brand with 7-day cruises to Alaska. So, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to sail on a Holland America Line Alaska cruise this summer. That’s right, our second trip to the region this year!

Nieuw Amsterdam boasts several complimentary dining venues. Among them are the poolside Dive-In Burger that rivaled similar venues on other cruise lines. There is also a pizza window, the Lido Market buffet, and the main dining room. Not to mention, Holland America Line offers 24-hour room service.

When it comes to onboard activities, the cruise line offers a traditional series of cruise activities and enrichment. The cruise and travel director, Valerie, was the featured speaker during  several EXC talks. There was also trivia, sports tournaments, cooking demonstrations, and other daytime events offered in between the exciting ports of call.

The Crow’s Nest on Deck 11 was a popular daytime spot for coffee and relaxation. Not to mention, it was a prime indoor viewing spot for wildlife and the landscape.

At night, the ship featured unique entertainment in several venues. The Mainstage was home to various headliner acts, while Lincoln Center Stage hosted classical music sets. B.B. King’s Blues Club featured upbeat live performances from jazz to 70’s funky and dance music, and even comedy shows.

Billboard Onboard was home to a piano duo that played everything from classic rock, to pop, and even showtunes. With traditional sets as well as “All Request” shows, each night offered something new.

While we loved the diversity of the nighttime activities, the venues were smaller than we expected. Many of the events also occurred at the same time, likely to divert crowds, but it often forced us to choose between the main theater show or a comedy show.

As mega-ship enthusiasts, we were pleasantly surprised that Nieuw Amsterdam was able to pack in many of our favorite amenities and experiences on a ship 60% smaller than those on which we typically sail.

With personal service, well-executed dining, and diverse entertainment, Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam was an ideal backdrop to the amazing vistas of the Alaskan wilderness.

Related Post: Our First Impressions From a Holland America Line Alaska Cruise

Further, with the new health and safety protocols in place, we felt completely safe on this cruise. In addition to being fully vaccinated, cruisers must now wear masks in all indoor venues. Newly instituted, cruisers must also arrive at the terminal with a negative COVID test. These additional measures are in response to the rising cases from the delta variant.

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review Video

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 1

Your second alaska cruise.

Having just spent 7 nights on a Princess Cruises’ Alaska cruise three weeks prior, we were back out west again for another journey way up north. As guests of Holland America Line this time, we would be sailing a similar 7 night itinerary.

Although, we would be visiting two new ports, Sitka and Icy Strait Point.

Not restricted by family obligations this time, we were able to fly into Seattle the day before our cruise. Joining other members of our media group for a pre-cruise dinner at the nearby How to Cook a Wolf, the trip was already off to a delicious start.

With the time change, we were both more than ready for bed by the time dinner ended. Not needing to get to the pier too early, we slept in until about 8 am on embarkation day.

Grabbing coffee and organizing our luggage, we were ready and in an Uber before 10:30 am. For guests booking a hotel stay at the Sheraton, there is an included shuttle to the cruise port. Though, we preferred to go on our own.

It was a short 15 minute ride to the pier; although, dock officials made our driver drop us off at a different location, and we had to take a shuttle to the ship. This was not the case just 3 weeks prior.

While we were warned that we wouldn’t be let into the terminal yet, nothing was further from the truth. We breezed through the check-in process and security in less than 15 minutes.

We were directed to wait in the Boarding Group A seating area. Then, we were officially welcomed onboard shortly before 11:30 am. In fact, we were the second couple on the ship!

A Smooth Embarkation Day

With only 11 public decks, our typical cruise ship tour would be certainly shorter than most day 1 explorations. While not sunny or warm, at least it wasn’t raining.

The staterooms were ready when we arrived on the ship. Thus, we made a pitstop to drop off our carry-ons and check out our cabin first.

Our stateroom was a VB category balcony cabin, 4137. This aft cabin was right near the elevators. It was much larger than our cabin a few weeks ago. The bathroom was also bigger than typical cruise ship bathrooms, as it featured a full bathtub.

After taking some photos and videos of the stateroom, we headed out to explore the rest of the ship.

Making our way to the outdoor decks first, the layout felt similar to Viking Ocean cruise ships. With an aft pool near the buffet and a covered midship pool, we couldn’t help make that comparison.

As part of the new muster drill process, cruisers need to check-in to their muster station on Deck 3 at some point prior to sail away. So, we made sure to complete this mandatory stop along the way. We would also need to view the required safety video on the stateroom television later to complete the mandatory drill.

Eventually making our way down to deck 2, we had captured almost all of the public venues in just a few hours. With more fellow cruisers now onboard the ship, it was time to test out the food.

With a few casual options available, we decided to divide and conquer. The Princess went straight to New York Pizza located aft on Deck 9. I made a b-line to Dive-In Burger located midship on the same deck.

The sun was starting to break through the clouds, so we decided to grab some outdoor seats.

I gave the burger and fries two big thumbs up. It was certainly among the better cruise ship burgers. The pizza, on the other hand, was pretty standard cruise ship pizza. It did not match up at all to Alfredo’s on Princess Cruises.

Getting It All Done on Time

With lunch done and an early sail away, we headed back to our cabin to unpack. Thankfully, all of our bags were in our stateroom already. Although, with the Captain’s announcement broadcasting earlier than expected, we weren’t able to get everything unpacked before the 3:30 pm sail away party on the Lido deck.

While a bit more subdued that our previous departure from Pier 91, it was nonetheless exciting to be cruising again. Finishing our obligatory sail away drinks, it was back to the room to finish unpacking and get ready for our cocktail party and dinner this evening.

Our media group met for drinks at the Gallery Bar on Deck 2 near the casino. This rebranded venue was once the night club on the ship. We liked this subtly themed bar with an artful and sophisticated feel.

Following some cocktails and conversation, our group headed to the main dining room for our 7 pm dinner reservation. This 2+ hour meal had us leaving the MDR well past 9 pm.

When it comes to the main dining room, the food seemed pretty standard. The Princess enjoyed her chicken, but my Alaskan salmon was a little bit of a let down. It was rather bland with no seasoning. The cheesecake was a solid dessert offering, even if it was not truly New York style.

Getting to Billboard Onboard right before 9:30 pm meant there was not an empty seat in the house. I was quick to discover a group leaving in the back of the venue, so we were able to squeeze into a table of four with some newly made friends to listen to the end of the music icons set.

Of course, we had to try some of the signature drinks here, with the Raspberry Lemonade and Whiskey Smash both meeting our approval.

Swapping travel stories, we stayed until the duo’s set ended at 10:15 pm. With a bit of jet lag still, it was time to call it a night.

Tomorrow was a sea day, with moderately warm and sunny weather forecasted.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 2

Are you able to get a signal.

As luck would have it, we were greeted by a lovely sunrise this morning. With few clouds in the sky, it appeared the weather was going to be on our side again this trip, at least for today.

With the coffee shop located on Deck 11, my typical morning routine was a bit different. Grabbing our coffees, we were ready to test out the main dining room for breakfast.

The large menu was impressive. The service was prompt and friendly as well. While I am not a huge fan of breakfast, even I was impressed with my skillet, while the wife’s banana bread French toast was just as delicious as it sounds.  

With breakfast done, we had the rest of the morning to ourselves. Neither of us are really up on our pickle ball or ping pong, so we found a table near the midship pool to do some work and blogging. This covered space was more airy than typical indoor solariums, offering the chance to watch the scenery while not worrying about the outside weather.

Preparing for Our First Port of Call

With the WiFi being a bit spotty, we did our best to work poolside until about lunch time. Having tested the quick service venues the day before, I opted for the Lido Market today, the cruise ship’s buffet. The wife went with a grilled chicken sandwich from the Dive-In. Both sandwiches were on par with other cruise ship selections.

Now officially afternoon, we grabbed two drinks from the Lido Bar for our traditional “drink around the ship” and headed outside for some fresh air. While it was sunny, it was also quite windy. So, we only spent an hour or so here.

Our plan for the afternoon was to check out the ship’s enrichment program. The scheduled EXC Talk at 2 pm was on the Iditarod Race. I thought it was a pretty good presentation, including pre-recorded interview segments from one contestant in the race.

The 35 minute presentation abutted the 3 pm talk being given by the naturalist, Russ. So, a quick hop up to deck 11 for more coffee, and we were back in similar seats to listen to his talk on the Alaskan Wilderness.

Being our second Alaska cruise in a month, and 4th overall, much of this talk was redundant. After these trips, I don’t think we will ever forget the 5 types of salmon!

Done with his talk before 4 pm, we had some time to browse the shops and snag a t-shirt as well as one of the last ship ornaments left on the shelves.

Given that it was the first Gala Night, the Princess needed ample time to get ready for dinner, so we made our way back to the room.

A Typical Formal Night (Minus the Pictures)

While I loathe cruise ship formal nights, Heidi loves them. Taking our time getting ready, we met our team right before 7 pm at the Pinnacle Bar. Tonight, we were being treated to the cruise line’s steakhouse, Pinnacle Grill.

Tonight was also the first show of the cruise, Humanity. Presented by the Step One Dance company, it was the cruise line’s version of a production show. Of course, we wanted to see this performance.

With 14 people eating at the signature specialty restaurant, we knew this was going to be a tight schedule. Unfortunately, we were only able to fit in 2 out of 3 courses during the two hour stretch.

With a classically presented Wedge salad and some crispy and sweet candied bacon, both of our appetizers were the perfect starting point for a formal night dinner.

My filet was cooked to the perfect medium-rare texture and melted in my mouth. Heidi’s chicken was pretty standard, but she did comment it was more flavorful than other cruise lines. Our sides, which included sautéed mushrooms and fries, were slightly better than average.

Overall, we would certainly dine here again on another Holland America Line trip.

Passing on dessert, we made a b-line to the theater right before showtime. With the theater about half full, we were able to find seats that ended up being a bit too close to the stage given the pitch of the venue.

Passing on our third course at the Pinnacle Grill was the right decision, as Humanity was a stellar performance. A visual mix of well choregraphed dance and interactive lighting elements made the show feel fresh and modern.

The 45-minute production show finished just in time for us to head straight to B.B. King’s for the 10 pm Funky 70’s Fever set. Somehow, the Princess was able to find a table for two right in the front.

Here, we settled in with two signature cocktails. The All-Star band did not disappoint. Featuring both a male and female singer, this 45-minute set brought down the (brick) house. 

With a second show scheduled for 11 pm, we debated staying. Although, I had some early morning work obligations, so we headed back to the room instead.

Sadly, the cruise line is only offering one daily stateroom cleaning, so there was no towel animal to welcome us back to our cabin.

Related Post: Alaska Cruise Planning Guide

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 3

It’s a beautiful day.

We awoke early this morning to another beautiful day. I planned to work the first few days of this cruise to conserve vacation time. Though, the internet had other plans.

Struggling to get email and Teams loaded, I ended up having to adjust my work schedule. So, waking up at 5 am was sort of a waste.

Knowing I had to be up early, we ordered room service breakfast to be delivered for 7 am. Unfortunately, it was pretty uninspired, with watery scrambled eggs, fatty bacon, and a small pastry basket.

Today was our first port of call, Juneau. It was a later day stop from 1 to 10 pm.

Pre-cruise, we had decided on a rather leisurely day in downtown. We had booked a lunch at Tracy’s Crab Shack and the Mount Roberts Tramway through the cruise line.

The wife also decided she was going to put us on the waitlist for the Tracy Arm Fjord Glacier Explorer, which takes you to the Sawyer Glacier.

As luck would have it, we learned the day before that slots had opened up for the tour. So, my nice relaxing day ashore was now hijacked by a 7+ hour excursion. At least it was warm and sunny.

Now that we had to grab food before the tour, we stopped in around noon to the Lido Market. Surprisingly, the venue was not very crowded.

We found seats relatively easily, and we both opted for some Asian inspired cuisine today. I was in love with the pork stir fry and vegetable lo mein.

How Close Are We to the Glacier?

Finishing up lunch, we were packed and ready to go as soon as we got the green light from Valerie.

Exiting the ship, we found our tour provider and bus that drove us literally around the corner to board our vessel with Allen Marine Tours. Now, we were ready to set off on a sightseeing adventure.

This 7 hour tour would take us into Tracy Arm Fjord, which was about an hour and 45 minutes from Juneau. From there, it would be another 45 minutes down to the South Sawyer Glacier.

With the close to 70 degree, sunny day, the long boat ride wasn’t all that bad.

During our trip out the Fjord, our naturalist Robert offered intermittent narration, a few jokes, and bar service.  

Finally passing the buoys that marked the entrance to the Fjord, and where glaciers used to reside until the 1800s, this is where the real fun began.

Once inside the fjord, the jagged granite mountainsides, carved by centuries of glacial activity, glowed in the basking sunlight. We also had some wildlife sightings, from sea lions soaking up rays to mountain goats darting the hillside.

Passing waterfalls and other scenic landscapes, it was a good three hours into the trip when we got our first glimpse of the South Sawyer Glacier face.

Now, the captain warned us that there was a lot of ice, so he was going to get as close as possible. If he couldn’t get us all the way in, we would head over to the north face. Luckily, our boat was able to get within a quarter mile of this majestic natural wonder.

At close to a mile wide, with peaks rising up to 800 feet above sea level, our boat weaved in and out of floating ice to get closer than even we expected.

I guess that is why there was a waiting list for this tour!

Spending an hour taking photos and videos, you could sense everyone’s excitement. The combination of favorable sea conditions and warm weather meant we could marvel at the glacier for some time.

A Race Against the Clock

The extended time here meant we skipped the north face. With a few minor engine issues on the way back for good measure, we arrived about 30 minutes behind schedule. We did receive a bag lunch on the tour, so we were fine skipping dinner.

What was really on the Princess’ agenda was the planned comedy show at 9 pm. She was adamant that we were going to get to the show tonight, as this would be the only time we could catch the comedians with the nighttime entertainment lineup.

Getting back to the ship around 8:45 pm, we made a b-line to the B.B. King’s Blues Club for the doubleheader comedy with jackets, cameras, and bags still in hand. Of course, the venue was already filled. Then, out of the corner of our eye, we saw two of our fellow travelers waving at us. They had scored a table, so we squeezed in next to them.

Before the set began, I ran our excess gear back up to the room. It was bad enough we were dressed like those people who had been out all day on an excursion!

The hour long comedy show featured two stand-ups, Warren B. Hall and Steven Scott. For the most part, the jokes were predictable and mildly amusing. Though, Steven did a lot of voices and sound effects which gave his show a unique twist.

Either way, with our signature drinks in hand, it was a excellent way to finish up a very long day on our Holland America Line Alaska cruise.

Saying goodbye to our colleagues, we headed back to the room. With the internet still inoperable, we called it a night. We had another long day tomorrow, so we needed some sleep anyway.

Related Post: Alaska Cruise Packing Guide

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 4

Back to glacier bay.

We knew from the get-go that it was going to be hard to beat our first visit to Glacier Bay. During our Alaska Cruise on Majestic Princess a few weeks earlier, we were graced with a sunny, 60 degree day while in this national park.

So, when we woke up at 6:30 am to cloudy skies and thick fog, we thought the morning was going to be a complete wash.

With the major viewing occurring between 9 and 11 am, I was able to get a little work done as the internet seemed to be functioning enough to check emails.

Grabbing coffees at the upstairs Explorations Café, this forward observation area was already packed with eager sightseers looking for a glimpse of glaciers and wildlife. Sadly, I didn’t have much hope for them given the current visibility.

Ready by 8:30 am, we headed up to Deck 9 for some breakfast. Again, the Lido Market delivered a fresh mix of breakfast favorites. While not fans of buffets in general, this one was winning us over. In fact, it was running neck and neck with our typical favorite buffet on Celebrity Cruises.

By the time we finished, the first major glacier of the day, the Lamplugh Glacier, was beginning to appear through the fog on the portside.

Heading to the rear outdoor decks, we grabbed a few shots of the glacier as we slowly sailed by it. Given the weather, we didn’t stay long.

Continuing on towards the Marjorie Glacier, we listened to the narration on the bridge cam while doing some work in the cabin.

Going Wild in Alaska

By 11 am, Marjorie Glacier was viewable from the portside. So, this time, we trekked out to the covered deck 3 for some videos and photos. Back in the cabin, we waited for the ship to turn around and repeated the same routine from our balcony.

Nieuw Amsterdam began exiting Glacier Bay National Park around noon. With two enrichment talks occurring at 1:30 pm and 2 pm, it was now or never for lunch.

We opted to test out the main dining room on deck 2. Again, the MDR delivered a well executed and prepared meal. The chicken tacos and fried chicken both got two thumbs up.

We opted to skip on dessert as we wanted to get to the ranger presentation in the main theater.

Ranger James offered a similar presentation as our previous trip. Although, this presentation was more engaging with a more linear narrative. Immediately following this talk, a local native Tlingit offered an interesting look at the people, culture, and traditions.

Unlike our previous day in Glacier Bay, we would be making a short stop at Icy Strait Point tonight from 6 to 10 pm.

Following the talk, we made our ritualistic stop at the coffee shop for our afternoon infusion of caffeine.

Back to the room, we did a little work and packed our bag for our excursion. We would be soaring on the largest zip rider in Alaska this evening.

Not wanting to chance missing the opportunity to explore this new port prior to our excursion, we opted for a quick dinner at the buffet around 5 pm. Again, I was more than satisfied with my selections. The prime rib was tender and rare, and the fried rice was flavorful.

With the ship cleared right at 6 pm, we ventured off to explore the wilderness.

Who is Ready for a Thrill?

Icy Strait Point is located near the town of Hoonah. I liken this privately developed port to the cruise lines’ private islands in the Bahamas. With a few restaurants, a gift shop, a pier-side bar with fire pits, and an aerial gondola set amidst the forest, it offers just enough to experience in a short stop.

Icy Strait Point is home to a cannery “museum”, walking trails, and the main attraction, the Zip Rider. At just over a mile long, riders zip down the track from a 1300 foot elevation at speeds up to 60 mph.

We walked off the ship as soon as we could giving us enough time to essentially make a loop around the area before our 7:15 pm excursion.

The new tram from the NCL dock was running, taking cruisers back and forth to that landing area. While we did plan to ride this after the zip line, it was closed by the time our excursion was over.

After checking in for our tour, it would take another 20 minutes or so before we departed on the 40 minute bus ride from the base camp up to the loading platform. Of note, a second tram is being built that will actually take travelers from the NCL pier directly up to this area in 7 minutes. Of course, additional restaurants and shopping are planned for this mountain spot as well.

Getting dropped off at the top of the mountain, there was an unexpected .25 mile walk down a rather steep and slippery hiking trail.

Our group of approximately 30 was divided into smaller groups as six riders can take flight at a time.

With some basic safety instructions, we were loaded into our harnesses and set off for the fastest 90 seconds of our lives. It was a thrilling ride, with the beautiful scenery and even the ship lit up in the distance.

Good thing my action camera caught the entire flight down.

Back at sea level, we browsed the gift shop then returned to the ship.

While it was only 8:30 pm, we decided to stay in as there was no show this evening and we had an early day in our next port of call tomorrow.

Score Deals on Alaska Cruises!

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 5

The best of sitka.

Our next port stop of the cruise was Sitka. While we have sailed in the region a few times now, this was our first visit to this small Alaskan city.

Thus, we booked the aptly named Best of Sitka tour. This full day of sightseeing and wildlife exploration was scheduled to depart at 8:30 am.

The overcast skies and cloudy weather meant that our streak of passable weather would continue.

Getting our morning coffees and a few breakfast pastries, I was back and ready for the day by 8 am. As the ship began to approach the pier, we were in LTE, which meant we could catch up with some of our social media updates from the trip. This much needed connection to the real world had been one of the sticking points of this trip.

Once the ship was cleared, we joined the masses exiting the ship on Deck A. We easily found our tour provider, as it was the group with the largest line! Once everyone arrived, we were ushered to the next dock to begin the 5+ hours of exploring the Sitka waters and city highlights.

This Is Why You Cruise to Alaska

Our tour was divided into three portions. The first portion was an approximately 2.5 hour sea otter and whale watching boat tour.

The captain and onboard naturalist delivered with several wildlife sightings.

Among them was a raft of sea otters floating off our starboard side for quite a while. Given these “lazy” creatures’ natural camouflage, spotting and photographing them was not as easy as you would think!

There were also several humpback whales in the nearby sound with plenty of fluking and spouting off in the distance all around the ship.

Disembarking the boat at Centennial Hall, we met Justin, our quirky tour guide/bus driver. He would usher us around the city and our next two stops for the remaining 2.5 hours of the tour. His unique personality along with your typical historical narration made for an interesting city tour.

While learning about the Russian influence and history of Sitka, we passed several of the city’s major landmarks.

The 15 minute ride took us to the next stop, the Fortress of the Bear. This animal refuge is home to rescued black and brown bears.

With our tour running late, we only had about 30 minutes to spend here. Honestly, that was really all we needed.

This refuge is a great place to see these beautiful creatures up close and personal, albeit a glorified zoo. With a steady flow of tour groups, you needed to get your photos and videos of the bears and then move on.

Staff are present to provide impromptu presentations and some basic facts about the animals.

Following this portion of the tour, we took another 10 minute ride to our next stop. Interspersed with personal and state history from our guide along the way, we arrived at the Alaska Raptor Center.

Here, we had about an hour to learn more about the non-profit’s work and view some of the birds onsite.

The center is home to the largest raptor rehabilitation program in the country. With the ability to rehab up to 200 raptors, such as eagles, hawks, and owls, the center also offers educational programs.

Our visit included a narrated tour of one of the training areas, as well as a presentation with one of the permanent eagle residents, Spirit.

We also had some time to walk the grounds on our own to check out some of the other “residents”, including more bald eagles, owls, and ravens perched in outdoor exhibits. It was a great opportunity to see some of these amazing large birds up close.

Now, the Princess can’t complain that she didn’t get to see any wildlife on this trip.

Trying to Get Some Work Done

At the completion of the tour, we were given the option to get dropped off in downtown or head back to the ship. We opted to head back with the hope of getting some work done while we still had LTE.

With sail away at 5 pm, we only had a couple hours left. 

Back on the ship, we grabbed a quick snack at the Lido Market. While it was not open for “lunch”, there were select stations open for snacks. This gave me the opportunity to try the Asian salad, which was actually quite good.

Settling into our balcony, it was a struggle getting things done as the internet would come and go, and we lost LTE almost immediately upon sail away.

Tonight, we would be having dinner with our group at the Pinnacle Grill for the Rudi’s Sel de Mer experience. This French brassiere seafood concept is offered one night of the cruise.

A New Nightly Routine

Ready for dinner early, we headed down to the restaurant for a pre-dinner drink. As the rest of the crew arrived, we were sat at the same tables as our previous visit to the venue.

We are not usually fans of seafood restaurants on cruise ships. As New Englanders, we have some of the best seafood back home. Plus, Heidi is a picky eater.

Though, our meals at the restaurant were certainly better than expected. The seafood tower offered some sweet crab meat and a light shrimp and lobster cocktail. The boiled lobster was flavorful; although, I could have sworn it was grilled.

Likewise, the Princess’ cheese soufflé was light and airy. Both of our desserts were quite tasty also. I thought my profiteroles were the clear winner. Although, Heidi felt her Apple Tarte Tatin was better.

Either way, we were able to squeeze in all three courses in just under two hours. So, we excused ourselves right around 9 pm to head to the Mainstage.

Tonight’s show featured a magician, Joseph Reohm. As a headliner act, this show was a little lacking. While some of his stunts were entertaining, he certainly did not rank among the top illusionists that we have seen at sea.

The 45-minute show had us out just in time to get to B.B. King’s for the Sweet Soul set.

We found a booth at the edge of the stage and listened to a few songs. Knowing we still had a few bars to cross-off our drink around the ship, we ended the evening with a drink at the Ocean Bar.

This deck 3 venue felt under-utilized. With a small stage and a piano, there certainly could have been some live music here. Perhaps, this was the case in pre-COVID times?

With an even earlier shore excursion meeting time of 7:20 am tomorrow, we retired to our room around 11 pm.

Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 6

Another nice day in ketchikan.

During our previous stop in Alaska’s “first city”, it was a bright, sunny day. When we woke up around 5 am to find that it was not raining, we couldn’t believe our luck.

Wanting to get as many wildlife opportunities as possible, we booked a bear watching nature walk for today. It was a short tour, but an early one. We needed to meet our tour on the pier shortly after the ship docked at 7 am.

So, we found just enough time to grab coffees and breakfast pastries before heading down to deck 2.

Leaving the ship, it began to drizzle a bit. Ah, now this is what we expected in Ketchikan. Easily finding our shore excursion guide, we were boarded on a bus for the 30 minute ride to the Alaska Rainforest Sanctuary.

As luck would have it, it stopped raining by the time we arrived.

The 90-minute walking tour occurred on private property and was mostly on a manmade walking path and raised boardwalk not too far from civilization. Of course, we knew all of this ahead of time.

Worried we might not find any wildlife, we didn’t have to wait long at all! Unlike our previous Neets Bay bear watching cruise, there were multiple black bear sightings within minutes of entering the forest.

It was amazing to see these massive creatures in their natural setting.

From bears climbing trees to those hunting salmon in the stream, we were a mere few feet away from these bears. While we captured photos and videos, they didn’t seem to care about us.

In fact, at one point, the guide did not let us proceed along the platform as she was worried that the bear could climb up given its proximity to a fallen tree.

After our fill of bear sightings near the stream, we continued along the path towards the hatchery and Alaska Raptor Center.

Here, we were able to get up close to Sitka, the female bald eagle, and some other permanent residents.

Lastly, the tour concluded next to a local totem pole craftsman’s workshop. The facility is also home to an old saw mill, some totems on display, and a gift shop.

Thanking our tour guides, we browsed the property taking photos of some of the exhibits and totem poles and the gift shop until our bus was called.

Once back at the ship, we headed into town. After all, we were not going to pass up a dry day in the rainiest place in the U.S.!

Catching Up Onboard

We spent an additional 90 minutes or so wandering Creek Street and Front Street taking photos and browsing the shops.

We headed back to the ship just in time for lunch. With a few hours of LTE access left, we also wanted to make sure we could get a few social media posts done and our blog post scheduled.

Thus, we spent the rest of the afternoon on our balcony. In between work and socializing with our cabin neighbors, we admired the scenery and soaked up the sun as the ship slowly pulled out of Ketchikan.

It was a nice little send off as the ship began its journey back to Seattle.

As the second Gala Night, our media group had a 7 pm dinner reservation at Tamarind.

This gave us plenty of time to unwind before dinner. Ready ahead of schedule, we ventured up to the restaurant early to grab drinks from the adjacent lounge.

Tamarind, the Pan-Asian specialty restaurant, delivered another delicious dining experience. As a fan of this type of cuisine, we both enjoyed all of our selections.

I started with two appetizers, the pot stickers and the tempura shrimp. The shrimp was crispy and warm. The pot stickers were soft with a savory combination of shrimp and lobster. Heidi’s chicken satays were equally flavorful.

For dinner, she went with the chicken curry, which was mild and came with a light sauce. I did the Schezwan shrimp. This spicy dish had a bit too much sauce for my liking. Although, it was a hefty serving of shrimp and vegetables.

Even the dessert was better than we would have anticipated for an Asian restaurant. Everyone agreed that the “cheesecake” offered a tart, yet flavorful final course, much like key lime pie.

Finishing up at just about 9 pm, we headed downstairs to the Mainstage. Tonight was the second performance by the Step One Dance company.

Aptly named Musicology, we quickly realized that the dancers were performing numbers inspired by musical instruments. While a different concept, the troupe’s performance on Night 2 was much better.

After the 45 minute show, we tried to find seats at the overflowing Billboard Onboard. Not seeing any spaces, some of our fellow media snagged some chairs at the nearby Gallery Bar instead.

This hidden gem is tucked around the corner from the piano bar and adjacent to the casino. So, you can still hear some of the music in the background.

Past 11 pm, it was time for us to retire to the cabin. With a full sea day of our normal last minute items, and losing an hour of sleep by turning the clocks ahead, I was perfectly fine with this bedtime.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Day 7

Some morning talks.

The last day of our cruise was a sea day. According to the forecast, our string of good weather was expected to continue.

Like most of the final days of our trips, we had some last-minute items to check off the list. This included a few additional videos and photos. Not to mention, a few of the final bars for our drink around the ship.

Moving the clocks ahead one hour meant that I still felt tired when we woke up this morning. Even though we technically already sampled breakfast in the MDR, the Princess wanted to dine here again.

Remarkably, the venue was open until 9:30 am. So, we had plenty of time even after getting our morning coffees. Service was quick, and the food was pretty average at least for me. Breakfast is my least favorite meal, but the wife disagrees.

Finishing breakfast by 9:45 am, it was perfect timing to attend the Origin of HAL EXC talk occurring at 10 am. This hour presentation described the history of the company from an ocean liner transporting immigrants across the Atlantic to the modern day cruise line.

We both really enjoyed the presentation. If you are on a HAL ship, we highly recommend you attend this presentation. It is really well produced and insightful.

With the talk done at 11 am, we had an hour before our next “meeting”. The HAL PR team had put together a private Q&A with the Captain and the Cruise Director for our group at noon.

The private session lasted about an hour as we were able to ask all our questions. It was great to get this exclusive time with the Captain who has been sailing for 30 years.

A Wild Send Off

Following the session, we made the decision to grab lunch. Changing things up, I sampled one of the Nathan’s hot dogs at the Dive-In, and Heidi grabbed some snacks from the Lido Market. Given the beautiful weather, we also grabbed a drink at the outdoor Sea View Bar.

While soaking up some final rays, we were treated to perhaps the best send off of the cruise. There was a pod of orcas probably a half mile from the ship with some impressive breaching action.

Sadly, I didn’t have my camera with me, so it was difficult to capture any shots with just our phones. Instead, we just sat and watched this send off.

Once the whales were out of sight, we headed indoors to the Lincoln Center Stage. This was one performance venue that we still needed to check off our list.

Arriving just a few minutes before showtime, this small venue was pretty full. Still, we found some center seats that gave us a decent view.

 The 40 minute program featured American composers. Neither of us are classical music fans, but we recognized several of the pieces, including Copeland’s Hoedown.

Finishing up before 4 pm, it was time for our typical afternoon coffee. Officially, the Explorations Café is one of the bars on the ship. So, we upgraded our normal drink orders to espresso martinis.

We spent some time admiring the views from this forward observation lounge while sipping our drinks. Not really wanting to leave, we knew we had to get some packing done before our 6 pm farewell cocktail party.

So, we returned to the room before 5 pm to pack and get ready for dinner. Chatting with the media team, we recounted the highlights of what was a truly memorable Alaskan cruise experience.

Final Night Onboard

Tonight’s dinner was at the Italian specialty restaurant, Canaletto, at 7 pm. The venue offered a mix of traditional favorites and some unique options.

One of the better offerings was the grilled calamari. It was tender, with a light pesto sauce. Even the more predictable buffalo mozzarella starter was more flavorful than you would expect on a cruise.

For dinner, I did the braised short ribs with gnocchi. With rich chunks of beef and baked gnocchi, it was a hearty and satisfying pasta dish. Heidi also went with one of the homemade pastas, pasta genovese, which she enjoyed.

For dessert, we did classics, affogato and tiramisu. The tiramisu was the clear favorite with a light texture and a sweet chocolate finish.

Like previous nights, we finished dinner with just a few minutes to spare before the 9 pm showtime. This time around, we convinced essentially everyone to join us for the main theater show.

After the show, we learned that In Tandem was a brand new production debuting on the ship. It featured a variety of contemporary music and dancing from the Step One Dance company.

Unlike the two previous shows, this production did include some live vocals by the male lead in the All-Star band. This gave the show a more cruise-like feeling. It was a bit short, lasting less than 40 minutes though.

Following the show, some of our group ended up grabbing chairs from the nearby casino to watch the end of the British Invasion piano set in Billboard Onboard.

With the show wrapping up by 10:30 pm, we said our good byes.

Back to the room around 11 pm, we still had to finish packing.

Our flight tomorrow wasn’t until 3:30 pm again. Although, this time around, we were not going to sit in the airport all that time. The tourism board of Seattle had provided us with City Passes as part of the trip. So, we were going to take advantage of them.

We opted to use the Port Valet for our two large suitcases, so we set them in the hallway before the midnight deadline.

Our final day of the cruise was officially over. Now, we could just hope for smooth sailing back home.

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Holland America Line Alaska Cruise Review – Disembarkation

Heading home.

Our late day flight gave us plenty of options. The port valet service took care of our two large suitcases, and we were assigned the departure time of 8 am.

Wanting to get to the Space Needle when it opened at 9 am, this departure time was perfect. This would give us just enough time to head back to our pre-cruise hotel to store our carry-on items.

With some last minute packing, as well as grabbing coffees and a few bites for breakfast, we ended up leaving our room by 8:15 am. Like our recent departure, disembarkation was quick and efficient. The total time from leaving the cabin, scanning off the ship, and going through Customs was less than 15 minutes.

With a short taxi ride to the hotel, then an Uber to the Space Needle, we were there right when it opened at 9 am.

For the next three hours, we put the City Pass to good use. We were able to head to the top of the Space Needle. Then, we marveled at the colorful glassworks at the Chihuly Garden and Glass.

Finally, we toured several of the exhibits in the Museum of Pop Culture. As luck would have it, one of the special exhibits was The Art of Disney Costumes. How appropriate as a visit to Walt Disney World is our next official trip.

Grabbing a quick lunch, and then an Uber to the hotel and airport, we were right on schedule. Unfortunately, we couldn’t same the same for the airline. Due a few issues, our flight was delayed over an hour. So, we didn’t arrive in Boston until after 1 am and didn’t get home until close to 3 am!

With no more cruises booked for 2021, yet, I guess we have some time to catch up on life.

Do you have a Holland America Line Alaska cruise review to share? Have you sailed with HAL in the past? Drop us an anchor below to share what you love about this cruise line.

Disclaimer: We were guests of Holland America Line onboard this sailing. However, as always, all opinions in this post are our own.

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Don Bucolo, or “DB”, loves everything about cruising- the ocean, the food, and the atmosphere. While he may be obsessed with doing extensive amounts of research on ships and all elements of a cruise, Don enjoys sharing his new found knowledge with fellow cruisers. When he is not sailing the high seas, he does whatever his wife tells him to do-it only took 10 years to realize this.

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Don & Heidi

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 17 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our expert travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Guide

Nieuw Amsterdam is the first ship in the new era of Pinnacle-class cruising. The ship was designed with a fresh, contemporary style to match Holland America Line’s renowned classic elegance. This 2,106-guest ship features Holland America Line’s first-ever family and single staterooms.

Treat yourself to a relaxing cruise with its innovative amenities, entertainment, and quality dining options onboard. You will experience a fresh new vision that includes innovative concepts, public spaces, and venues. Plus, for the first time at sea, guests are also able to blend their own wine and enjoy it with dinner at Holland America’s intimate venue, BLEND.

Enjoy Signature of Excellence premium amenities such as the new pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den Lounge with overlooking panoramic views of the ocean and Lido Pool.

Best Nieuw Amsterdam cruise deals

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Nieuw Amsterdam cruises are among the largest cruise lines in the world. There are a variety of different ships that take you to beautiful and fascinating destinations around the world. You’ll find a variety of different experiences, including premium cabins with balconies, special dining options, and more. You can choose different lengths of stay, with the most popular being between 5 and 7 nights. Some Nieuw Amsterdam cruises also offer exclusive perks such as exclusive shore excursions or onboard discounts. Whether you’re looking for an entertaining trip with fun for all ages, or a romantic getaway, there is a Nieuw Amsterdam cruise vacation that’s right for you.

When is the best time to book a Nieuw Amsterdam cruise?

While there are no strict rules for when exactly to book, the earlier you book, the more likely you are to come across great cruise deals. In general, if you’re travelling far away then 12 to 18 months is the best time to book your cruise. This will give you the most options to select your cabin, experience, and book any necessary flights. Most travelers usually book a Nieuw Amsterdam cruise 6 to 12 months in advance. You’ll still find affordability for your destination, and you don’t leave the anticipation for your vacation too long. Nieuw Amsterdam does offer last-minute cruises at a range of prices and availability depending on your destination and dates.

How can I find the best Nieuw Amsterdam price?

You can find cheap cruise deals for Nieuw Amsterdam on Expedia easily. First, think about the itineraries and additional features you want. You can filter results based on amenities, cabins, experiences, and prices to find the one that best suits your budget.

How to book your Nieuw Amsterdam cruise?

Expedia provides a straightforward cruise booking process to make it as easy as possible to reserve your vacation. You can search by cruise ship type, itinerary, duration, and departure port. You can also filter your results by price, amenities, and area of the world. After making any necessary changes or checking availability, simply click ‘Book’ and complete your reservation.

What to look out for when booking your cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam?

When looking at Nieuw Amsterdam cruises, it's important to keep in mind multiple factors that go into choosing a cruise. These include the length, whether you prefer a smaller or bigger ship, and departure ports. Also consider who is travelling with you, as this will influence the type of cabin you choose and what activities you choose to do on board and ashore. You can choose from several types of cabins depending on your Nieuw Amsterdam cruise ship including ones with sea views and balconies.

Can I cancel my Nieuw Amsterdam booking?

Yes. Expedia does offer you the option to cancel your Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. You can do so by going to the My Trips page and clicking on the cancellation button. There is also the option to contact customer service to cancel your cruise. Be aware that each cruise has different refund policies. Usually, if you cancel early then you’ll receive a better refund.

Why should I book a Nieuw Amsterdam cruise with Expedia?

Booking Nieuw Amsterdam cruise with Expedia is an excellent option for travellers who want a high-quality, enjoyable, and reliable experience to suit a range of budgets. You can book easily thanks to the convenient booking tools. Use the cruise finder and filter options to find the best cruise deals. Expedia also provides you with information about each cruise ship so that you can pick the one that fits your needs. You can also join the Rewards Membership to earn points for future trips.

When booking an eligible cruise as a One Key TM member, you will earn OneKeyCash TM .

This is our rewards currency which you can use to save on eligible bookings across Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo. The more you book on our three brands, the more perks you'll unlock.

* OneKeyCash is not redeemable for cash and can only be used on Expedia, Hotels.com and Vrbo .

Designed for extended world cruises, Holland America’s cabins and suites are roomier than many, with significant closet space. The newly appointed cabins include Sealy soft-top mattresses, thick oversized bath towels, and elegantly patterned half-bedspreads and matching throw pillows.

Holland of America offers more than 30 different stateroom categories, from single cabins to Spa Verandah staterooms, whether you’re traveling solo or with your family, Holland will have the perfect stateroom for you!

Onboard Activities

Throughout the day, take a break from the hustle and bustle and relax in the coffeehouse atmosphere of Explorations Café, powered by The New York Times.

The expansive Crow’s Nest is the venue of Explorations Central, a Holland America’s exclusive destination program, where guests can interact with different screens and get useful information about the places they will visit during the cruise.

Don’t forget to check America’s Test Kitchen show, a culinary demonstration that will be entertaining and educational.

Other free activities such as BBC Earth Experiences, Exploration Central, Microsoft Studio, and The Oprah Magazine are also available in the Nieuw Amsterdam.

Holland America Line serves superb cuisine in a variety of wonderful ways. Offering an extensive menu with more than 500 different food items on a typical seven-day cruise, they blend modern continental cuisine, regional specialties appropriate to each cruising area and traditional favorites. You’re sure to find something to entice all five senses aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam!

If you’re feeling glamorous, head to the elegant Manhattan Dining Room where you’ll be met with crisp white table linen, polished silver, and five-course dining. For a more casual setting, head to the Lido Restaurant where you can savor made-to-order dishes, or enjoy a meal in the intimate Pinnacle Grill or indulge in comfort Italian food at Canaletto.

Bars & Lounges

The Nieuw Amsterdam features the Gallery Bar, a vibrant venue decorated with modern and colorful paintings, creating a hip atmosphere and offering high-end cocktails.

The Tamarind Bar is another great option for pre-dinner drinks, its intimate ambiance and floor-to-ceiling windows make it the perfect place for sunset-watching or a romantic evening.

Indulge in fine wines at the Explorer’s Lounge Bar for a wine-tasting session while listening to live performances by world-class musicians at the B.B. King’s Blues Club.

Presenting BLEND, a cruise activity that will give you the opportunity to blend your own wine with the guidance of the ship’s sommelier. This educational and fun activity is only available to 10 people and bookings are highly recommended.

Entertainment

With a growing variety of entertainment onboard, complemented with Holland America’s premium features, you’ll have an unforgettable cruise experience in the Nieuw Amsterdam.

The Music Walk is, without doubt, one of the most exciting innovations aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam, it is formed by 4 different venues: The Lincoln Center Stage, B.B King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard and the Main Stage.

Another unique feature to the Holland ships is O, the Oprah Magazine, a cruise program that invites all guests to participate in book discussions, yoga classes, meditation, and seminars about wellness and good eating habits.

Spa & Fitness

The upscale Greenhouse Spa features a private, inner-sanctum thermal suite with heated ceramic lounges and aromatherapy steam rooms, an idyllic retreat after a long day of sightseeing.

Work off all the buffets and midnight snacks in Holland’s lavish, oceanview gym. Holland’s fitness facilities feature a professional staff, weight and aerobic conditioning equipment, and for your relaxation, a sauna, solarium, and steam rooms are available. Tailored to your needs, the fusion of traditional exercise and cutting-edge fitness services will have you looking and feeling your best!

Kids & Teens

Nieuw Amsterdam’s youth facilities were expanded and enhanced in 2010. Teens can escape parental eyes in their own Oasis, complete with hammocks, palm trees, and a 9-foot waterfall; the hideaway also offers easy access to The Loft teen club, the video arcade, and basketball court.

In separate areas, members of the Club HAL staff engage children ages 3–7 (must be toilet-trained) and 8–12 with age-appropriate activities. To enjoy a night out, parents can arrange babysitting from 10 PM-midnight for a nominal fee.

Onboard Shopping

Holland’s Boutiques offer you the ideal gifts to create a lasting memory of your cruise. Exquisite jewelry, the latest fashion apparel and accessories, designer fragrances, liquor, and collectibles are just some of the items available for purchase onboard. Everything is tax and duty-free with great savings comparing to retail prices.

Holland Ships

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Nieuw Amsterdam

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Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 783 guests have reviewed Nieuw Amsterdam , giving it a rating of 4.1 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type, most recent reviews.

Great First-Time Cruise

Sep 13th, 2024

It was a great first-time cruise experience! There were some bumps along the way, but you just have to roll with it.

Traveler Type

1 cruise (first)

Great ship!

Sep 7th, 2024

50th birthday bucket list trip. Worth it! Go today!

Family (young children)

Great way to see SE Alaska

Aug 15th, 2024

To simplify the whole process, make plans (cruise, flights, insurance) directly through Holland. We used Viator when Holland shore excursions were full and that worked well.

Family (older children)

2-3 cruises

Cruise was good but the land tour was Awful

Jul 24th, 2024

Holland America handled our land tour portion Horrible, unprofessional in simple words ruined it and beginning of ship was bad too with the stinky room but afterwards they made it up for ONLY cruise part of our trip and we still haven't received the refund for our land portion upon calling Holland and involving United cruise agent still no refund, it feels like Holland America STOLE our money. Booking no. 2H3N9N

4-6 cruises

Staff made it wonderful

Jul 22nd, 2024

Our cabin person was so helpful, Staff were great!!!

THE best way to see Alaska at its finest

Jul 10th, 2024

There SO MUCH to see and do at each of the Alaska ports of call - Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway, this won't be our last cruise ! Holland put together an excellent cruise and likely does Alaska like no other (reportedly being The First cruise line in Alaska). There wasn't any hint of being owned by Carnival. We met several repeat Holland cruisers and look forward to our next.

Alaska Cruise

Jul 5th, 2024

Alaska cruise was good overall. A few issues but nothing to spoil the experience. Holland America music walk looks to be slowly falling apart which was a plus over the glitz and glam shows everyone else does.

Great Itinerary

Jul 2nd, 2024

We did the Denali extension after the cruise and it was wonderful! Train from Whittier was long - almost 11 hours - but we were treated well, fed well and the sights were amazing.

Singles/Friends

Fun was had!

Jun 21st, 2024

I loved it. I love Alaska. I love to cruise. I love the way HAL treats us all!

Disappointed with Holland

Jun 7th, 2024

This trip was such a disappointment. We’ve been on 9 Holland cruises and this had to be one of the worse. Wouldn’t recommend Holland for an Alaska cruise.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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MS Nieuw Amsterdam - June 16, 2024

June 16, 2024.

Jun 16th - Jun 30th

MS Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America Cruise Line

14 Night Alaska Roundtrip Collectors Voyage

from Vancouver, British Columbia

The June 16, 2024 cruise on the MS Nieuw Amsterdam departs from Vancouver, British Columbia. On this 14 Night Alaska Roundtrip Collectors Voyage (Vancouver Roundtrip) sailing, the ship will visit a total of 9 different cruise port destinations, including its departure port. The MS Nieuw Amsterdam sets sail on Sunday, Jun 16th and returns on Sunday, Jun 30th.

MS Nieuw Amsterdam - June 16, 2024 - 14 Nights

The MS Nieuw Amsterdam was built in 2010 and is among Holland America's 22 ships in its fleet. The MS Nieuw Amsterdam is included in the cruise line's Signature Class class. In the cruise ship stats below, you'll find the MS Nieuw Amsterdam vs all other Holland America ships.

This metropolis is Canada's fastest growing city. Visit Gastown, a restored turn-of-the-century district where Vancouver's first saloon still stands. See trumpeter swans at Lost Lake, contemplate the ducks at Beaver Lagoon, or watch exotic aquatic creatures at the Stanley Park Aquarium. Climb the Lookout for a 360-degree view of the city.

Alaska's Inside Passage is awash with pristine water mountain views. A cruise among the fjords and islands takes you into prime habitat for bald eagles, sea lions, and whales. The Inside Passage is home to the totem poles of the Tlingit, Haida, and Tsimshian Indians, and Russian setters, as well as prospectors, lumberjacks, and fishermen. All have added to the tapestry of this area's history.

The first cruise ship appeared in Ketchikan 114 years ago, and it has been a favorite port ever since. You can tour the area by boat, bus, horse-drawn trolley, or even a restored 1955 Chevy. The most famous part of town is Creek Street. The homes once comprising the red light district are now filled with arts, crafts and gift shops. Totem poles are everywhere, with 24 at Saxman Native Totem Park.

Alaska's capital city, Juneau, is located in Southeast Alaska. The Tongass Rain Forest climate provides Juneau with lush terrain and wildflowers. Visitors can find unparalleled glacier viewing from Tracy Arm Fjord, Mendenhall Glacier, the Juneau Icefield and Glacier Bay National Park, and outdoor enthusiasts will love Juneau's kayaking, dogsledding, rafting, biking, hiking and glacier hiking.

The picturesque town of Skagway is famous for it's hospitality, sightseeing and recreational opportunities. Visitors can enjoy scenic views of Laughton glacier and Parsons Peak, or take an evening walk across the swinging foot bridge to Yakatania point, where bald eagles and harbor seals fish for supper. No matter what you decide to do, you will be amazed with the sights and activities in and around Skagway.

Tucked into the corner of Prince William Sound, College Fjord is surrounded by over a dozen glaciers and is easily the equal of the more famous Glacier Bay. Some of these glaciers have spruce forests growing right up to the edge of the ice, giving a sense of scale not seen in Glacier Bay. These glaciers were named by the members of the 1899 Harriman Alaska Expedition.

Whittier serves as a gateway to the glacier- and wildlife-filled Prince William Sound and it is now experiencing a Gold Rush of sorts as an alternative embarkation and disembarkation port to ship-crowded Seward.