Overview

Nieuw Statendam is Holland America Line’s flagship. She is larger and has more on board amenities than other cruise ships in the fleet. My Nieuw Statendam review explains what makes her different. I rate the restaurants, reveal the popular Verandah Stateroom and detail the entertainment and recreation options. In addition, my review includes video tours so you can see what Nieuw Statendam is really like.

Nieuw Statendam deck plan

The Nieuw Statendam deck plan is somewhat difficult to get around.

• Reception: Deck 3
• Main dining room: Deck 2
• Theatre: Deck 3
• Accommodation: Decks 1 to 11
• Observation lounge: Deck 12

It is worth noting the lowest deck is -3 (a crew deck).

About Nieuw Statendam

Nieuw Statendam was built in Italy and debuted in December 2018. She is the 14th cruise ship in the Holland America Line fleet and the second of the large Pinnacle-class vessels.

Nieuw Statendam is 292 m. / 975 ft. in length with space for 2,666 guests, which is slightly more than her sister-ship Koningsdam. All guests stay in tastefully decorated rooms ranging from Inside and Verandah Staterooms to spacious Pinnacle Suites. The guest rooms are spread across the entire length of the cruise ship, however it’s worth noting that the larger suites are located on higher decks.

The cruise ship feels like a chic, modern hotel. Indeed, the decor is bold and eye-catching with striking pieces of art decorating many of the public spaces. It’s all very lively, yet there are subtle elements of design that echo the Dutch heritage of the brand.

As my Nieuw Statendam review explains, dining is a highlight of any voyage. In fact, there are five excellent specialty restaurants including the Pinnacle Grill steakhouse and the superb Tamarind Asian restaurant. There is also the spectacular two-tiered main dining room, as well as burger and pizza venues.

Music is a big part of any voyage on Nieuw Statendam. In fact, there are four live music venues including the B.B. King Blues Club, the Rolling Stone Rock Room and Billboard Onboard, which I especially enjoyed during my Nieuw Statendam review voyage. Indeed, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. In addition, the World Stage is the place to see full-scale production shows. These are usually very good.

There are also a range of recreation and wellness options on board including two pools, a fully equipped gym, a basketball court and a jogging track. In addition, the luxurious Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers a range of indulgent treatments. There’s even a barber shop for male grooming.

What’s included

Generally, a cruise fare on Nieuw Statendam only includes accommodation, meals in the main dining room, in-room dining and entertainment. Almost everything else on board comes at an additional cost.

Beverages are not included in the cruise fare, so I recommend purchasing an Evian Water Package of 12 bottles. In addition, other beverage packages are available which include tea, coffee, sodas, wine and spirits.

Dining in all of the the specialty restaurants comes at an additional cost. Usually this involves payment of a dining supplement, however Rudi’s Sel de Mer and Nami Sushi are a la carte with prices marked on the menu. My Nieuw Statendam review details each of the on board restaurants.

Guests staying in the top suites have access to Holland America Line’s premium service offering known as Club Orange. It includes perks like welcome champagne, priority boarding, priority specialty restaurant reservations, upgraded room amenities and a dedicated Club Orange Guest Services desk. There is even an exclusive Club Orange Restaurant. Non-suite guests can enjoy these benefits with a Club Orange add-on.

There are no self-service launrdy facilities on board Nieuw Statendam. However there are a range of laundry packages, some of which represent good value.

Gratuities are not included in a Nieuw Statendam cruise fare, so beverages and spa treatments will incur a 15% service charge. It’s also worth noting that there is a daily hotel service charge of USD14.50 per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and USD16.00 per guest per day for suite guests.

Nieuw Statendam dress code

The Nieuw Statendam dress code ranges from casual to formal, though formal ware is not a requirement on gala nights.

During the day casual attire is appropriate for most venues on the cruise ship. In the evening, HAL suggest resort casual attire. This includes slacks and collared shirts for men, and casual dresses, slacks and informal evening-wear for women. 

On gala nights women usually wear a suit, cocktail dress or gown, while men wear a jacket and tie, dark suit, or tuxedo. There will usually be at least one gala evening per 7-day sailing. On my Nieuw Statendam review voyage most guests enjoyed dressing up on gala nights.

Fellow guests

Nieuw Statendam is very popular with both HAL regulars keen to sample the new cruise ship and first time cruisers.

There is a mix of young families and older couples on board. Indeed, during my Nieuw Statendam review sailing guests ranged in age from 2 to over 75.

Most guests generally come from the U.S.A, U.K. and Canada, although this is dependent on where in the world the cruise ship sails. For instance, on my Nieuw Statendam review voyage from Amsterdam the vast majority of guests came from the Netherlands and Belgium.

It’s also worth noting that Nieuw Statendam is gay-friendly, with special LGBT get togethers on board.

Review conclusion

Nieuw Statendam is a top quality, large cruise ship. She is strikingly beautiful, both inside and out. 

The specialty restaurants offer some of the best dining at sea and the entertainment options are a real drawcard. 

However, it’s worth noting that the cruise ship can feel crowded – especially on sea days. Also, during my review voyage I noted that service can be patchy, particularly in the busy entertainment venues.

Cruisers should also remember that Nieuw Statendam does not have the inclusions of some other premium cruise lines.

Read the accommodation section of this Nieuw Statendam review by clicking the button below.

The author sailed as a guest of Holland America Line.