A Feast for the Modern Explorer on the Nieuw Statendam

This month, we boarded the inaugural voyage of Holland America Line’s newest ship, the Nieuw Statendam, for a 3-night Mediterranean press trip between Rome to Malaga.  After we disembarked, the ship continued its transatlantic journey to Fort Lauderdale, where it will stay through Spring 2019 for Winter cruises to the Caribbean.

During the cruise we met Orlando Ashford, President of Holland America, who noted, “The Nieuw Statendam is for the Modern Explorer.”  He shared that Holland America will maintain its traditional elements from high levels of service and classic experiences, as their fleet expands with the new Pinnacle-class ships offering a feast for the senses – music, art, cuisine, wine & amazing destinations.

Ashford’s vision is focused on delivering a more personalized and customized cruise tailored to the wishes of each guest.  The goal is to make everyone’s journey unique and more “engaging, vivid and meaningful.”

After a few days onboard, we were hooked.  Sharing some highlights from this maiden cruise on board the Nieuw Statendam.  View more photos from our cruise at this link,  click here!

Music!  The “Music Walk” is the heartbeat of the ship, where guests can stroll along and listen to live tunes from one stage to the next.  The music on this ship is phenomenal.  Holland America has partnered with world-class brands like Lincoln Center Stage, B.B. King’s Band, Rolling Stones Rock Club, Billboard Onboard, that help to maintain high standards for every musician and performer on board.

We were entertained with some of the best music from classical chamber to rock n’roll.  Each evening, we danced from one music venue to another, singing along the way.  Listen to the live bands, click here!

Entertainment!  We enjoyed the Spanish Rumba Kings performance in the two-story 270-degree wraparound LED screen theater.  BBC Earth has also partnered with Holland America and their presentations will be shared on these screens.

Art!  With a $1.4 million art collection on the ship, art lovers can wander hallways, stairwells and dining rooms and discover 1,920 works of art from over 150 of the world’s top artists, creating one of the largest collections at sea.  The art was acquired and curated by YSA and ArtLink.  There’s even an art gallery on board that represents young artists, where guests can purchase affordable art and support emerging artists.

Cuisine!  Passengers can dine in the beautiful main dining room, or choose from a variety of restaurants on board.  Fresh pasta at an authentic Italian restaurant Canaletto or pan-Asian dishes at Tamarind.

We met Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and dined at his French seafood brasserie Rudi’s Sel de Mer, and were delighted with whimsical presentations on each platter of food.  Delicious too!

Our favorite morning stop was at the Grand Dutch Café where we had cappuccinos and freshly baked goods.  Also, be sure to visit the Healthy Station at the Lido Market where you’ll find an array of non-dairy choices (soy, almond, coconut), fresh fruit, multi-grain breads, organic and gluten-free items.

BLEND:  Wine lovers can blend their own wines while cruising.  BLEND has partnered with Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest and most acclaimed winery.

Design! The ship’s grand design was created by internationally acclaimed hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten, one of the world’s leading architects working in the cruise industry.  With a focus on musically inspired décor, you explore the ship’s fluid curves and enjoy the “colors, movement and impact of sound” through the ship’s interiors, live music and art.

Exploration Central (EXC)!  Located on the Observation Deck, cruisers can use high-tech devices to plan their cruise itinerary with touch screen monitors.  There’s also an Excursions Team available to offer their local insights to the different ports.

Workshops & Lectures:  The daily program keeps guests busy all day long, whether you’re at Sea, or visiting a Port.  There are several workshops like Photoshop, and a variety of lectures to attend.

There was so much to experience on the ship, we hardly spent anytime in our room!  We stayed on the Gershwin Deck, in Stateroom 5011 with approximately 228-405 sq. ft. including the verandah.  Our twin beds were comfortable, and we had a desk, sitting area, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking our private verandah. Our bathroom had a modern designed bathroom, sink, hairdryer, plush robes, towels and a vanity mirror.  We had ample closet and storage space, a mini-fridge, large screen TV.

We hope to get on board for a longer cruise next time, so we can experience the pool, jacuzzis, outdoor cabanas, hydropool, Greenhouse Spa & Salon.  Had a quick look at each of these areas and they looked amazing.  Also, can’t wait to attend an on-board cooking class and workshop presented by America’s Test Kitchen, and learn some local recipes from each port.

Don’t miss cruising on this new ship!  You can find deals today for as low as $549 per person on a 7-day Caribbean Cruise in February 2019.  Book your reservation today!

In fact, the vessel’s Godmother Oprah Winfrey will be on board for a Girl’s Getaway Cruise.  The cruise sold out in 24 hours!  Oprah will officially dedicate the ship at a ceremony end of January.

Holland America Line shares 30 fun facts about the newest Pinnacle Class ship – Nieuw Statendam

1. Nieuw Statendam will visit more than 75 ports during her first year in service.
2. Nieuw Statendam‘s stunning interiors were designed by internationally acclaimed hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and Bjørn Storbraaten, one of the world’s leading architects working in the cruise industry.
3. In its first year, Nieuw Statendam will sail 92,723 nautical miles, more than four times around the globe.
4. The ship’s dedication ceremony will be held at a private event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Feb. 2, 2019.
5. Twelve Seattle-based businesses are key partners in the building, launch and operation of Nieuw Statendam, which is important to Holland America Line as Seattle’s hometown cruise line.
6. Artists from 150 different countries are represented in Nieuw Statendam‘s artwork.
7. More than 150 bottles of red wine will be made each month at BLEND, the first purpose-built wine blending venue at sea.
8. At 975 feet in length, Nieuw Statendam is a long as 12 blue whales.
9. Captain Sybe de Boer has been master of Statendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and Eurodam and served on Maasdam, Ryndam, Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam and
10. Two hundred pounds of pasta will be prepared at Canaletto during a seven-day cruise.
11. It would take 70,667 standard bottles of Champagne to fill Nieuw Statendam‘s Lido Pool.
12. On a weeklong voyage, 9,331 towel animals will be created.
13. In the first year, 42,760 pounds of lobster will be served.
14. There are 1,920 works of art on board.
15. On a seven-day cruise, 4,200 cups of coffee will be served.
16. The hull of Nieuw Statendam is made up of 720 individual blocks.
17. In Lido Market on a weeklong cruise, 5,600 freshly made, personalized salads will be prepared at Wild Harvest.
18. The ship’s crew members represent 33 countries.
19. On a seven-day cruise, more than 42,000 eggs will be used.
20. More than 9,360 songs will be performed in Rolling Stone Rock Room during the first year.
21. Guests will indulge in 11,440 massages during the first year.
22. Pinnacle Grill will serve 600 pounds of Double R Ranch Beef during a seven-day cruise.
23. Nearly 20,000 guests will attend a Digital Workshop powered by Windows class in the first year.
24. During a seven-day cruise, 3,000 burgers will be served at Dive-In.
25. Seventy performers will grace the stages of Music Walk during the first year.
26. Eighteen different flavors of gelato will be made on board each cruise.
27. In the first year, 260 live America’s Test Kitchen shows will help our guests master their home kitchens.
28. Grand Dutch Café will serve 1,250 beers on a seven-day cruise.
29. New York Deli & Pizza will serve up 350 breakfast sandwiches on a weeklong cruise.
30. Nieuw Statendam is a sister-ship to Koningsdam, which was delivered in April 2016. A third Pinnacle-class ship will be delivered in 2021.

Nieuw Statendam sets sail on its 14-day Premier Voyage from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy, to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Dec. 5, 2018. The ship then spends a season in the Caribbean before returning to Europe for summer explorations to the Mediterranean and Norway.

About Nieuw Statendam

The 2,666-guest, 99,500-ton ship will reflect the ongoing evolution of Holland America Line. From familiar elements that reflect a rich heritage and classic style to state-of-the-art enhancements that chart a bold new course forward, guests on board Nieuw Statendam will delight in details that are artfully inspired and perfectly presented to create the ultimate Pinnacle-class experience.

While much of the ship’s design will be similar to Koningsdam, the first Pinnacle Class ship, Nieuw Statendam will have exclusive public spaces and its own style created by leading hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and designer and architect Bjørn Storbraaten. The ship will feature all of the hallmarks of Pinnacle-Class design: grand, light-filled spaces; visual drama; and sumptuous interiors inspired by the fluid curves of musical instruments.

Holland America Line’s first ship to be called Statendam sailed in 1898, and this will be the sixth ship in the company’s history to carry the name. In combining the Dutch word for “new” with the classic “Statendam,” Holland America Line celebrates the company’s past, present and future.

For more information, contact a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or click here.

Global Adventuress would like to thank Holland America Line for hosting this trip.  All opinions shared in this post are our own.