Holland America Line's new MS Koningsdam, part of the Carnival group, was presented in Barcelona during its maiden voyage before its debut in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, becoming the first ship in the Pinnacle series. Blessed by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands on May 20th in Rotterdam, this vessel maintains the elegance of its predecessors while offering a fresh, updated, and modernized look.
All Holland America ships are characterized as “elegant,” “serviceable,” and “relaxing,” but what stands out most is their space-to-passenger ratio (38:1). This large vessel, which doesn't quite reach 100,000 gross registered tons (99,600 GT), offers amenities tailored to the tastes of its most loyal customers. Although its structure is very similar to the company's other more recent ships (those in the Vista and Signature series), it still manages to bring new features that make it unique. Its interior spaces are enhanced, especially in terms of comfort, passenger options, and natural light. The Fincantieri shipyards delivered one of the most beautiful ships in the industry to the Seattle-based company in April 2016.
Its space-to-passenger ratio (38:1) offers features suited to the tastes of its most loyal customers.
Its spacious layout, distributed across its 12 passenger decks, is another highly valued feature. It offers six decks entirely dedicated to cabins, four decks entirely to public areas, and two decks occupied by both public areas and cabins with direct access to the spa (located forward on decks 10 and 11). Clearly, another highlight of the Koningsdam is its revamped interior design, the work of Adam D. Tihany and Bjorn Storbraaten. Each area of the ship boasts a distinct, modern yet understated style, while still maintaining the classic lines that have defined the cruise line's 145-year history.
The most distinctive feature compared to other ships in the fleet is its main atrium, located in the heart of the vessel. Unlike almost all its predecessors, which feature an expansive decorative dome and a wide array of details in gold, bronze, and other colors, on board the MS Koningsdam, the central space becomes a more discreet and serene symbol, where the flow of passengers is more continuous. The atrium spans three levels and offers, on Deck 3, a pioneering café-bar for the company, the Dutch Café, where one can enjoy pastries, coffees, teas, and Dutch specialties served by Dutch staff. It is a pleasant and popular spot. The shore excursions office is located on Deck 1 of the atrium, and some of the ship's alternative restaurants are on Deck 2.
The Koningsdam offers new features that differentiate it from the Vista and Signature series.
All ships in this line offer similar spaces, but of all the public areas on the MS Koningsdam, in addition to the innovative Dutch Café, another standout feature is the Queens Room. This grand lounge is perfect for lively evenings, featuring live music, dancing, and other exclusive events. Spanning two decks in the midships, this large lounge is reminiscent of those found on Cunard Line ships. Another new feature on board is the World Stage Theater, located forward (decks 2 and 3). This is the first circular theater with visual screens in the Holland America fleet. Musical performances and other shows with visual effects are presented here, adding dynamism and spectacle to the evening entertainment.
More Dining Options
Another major improvement on board the MS Koningsdam compared to other ships in the lineup is its expanded and varied onboard dining options. A highlight is the new Culinary Arts Center (also converted into a restaurant). Here, passengers can learn new recipes and enjoy themed dinners. Adjacent to the Culinary Arts Center is another new addition: wine tasting, where the onboard sommeliers will challenge even the most discerning palates. Other notable features include the seafood restaurant Sel de Mer, with its exclusive ambiance and à la carte menu, and the main restaurant, the Grand Dining Room, which is brighter and more inviting, with décor similar to that of the restaurants on Celebrity Cruises' Solstice-class ships. The larger Canaletto (Italian), Pinnacle Grill (grilled seafood and other international specialties), and Tamarind (Asian) restaurants stand out on this ship for offering a wider range of choices. At Tamarind, for example, a sushi bar has been included this time, for tastings or more informal dinners.
Each area of the ship is decorated in a different style, modern but without eccentricities.
Other more casual options include an improved buffet restaurant, located between the main and aft pools, with dozens of stations offering a variety of continental cuisine, and the New York pizzeria, right by the main pool. Incidentally, the opening hours of all the restaurants are quite flexible, catering to passengers of all nationalities and dietary preferences.
Other areas include
the exclusive and improved Crow's Nest, with an expanded Exploration's Café (a café with internet access and reading area), offering the best panoramic views on board. It is located at the top of the ship, forward on Deck 12. The Exploration's Café offers a varied menu of coffees, teas, and infusions, as well as a selection of pastries, a newsstand with international newspapers and magazines, and internet access with available computers.
The World Stage Theater is the first circular theater with visual screens in the Holland America fleet.
Evenings on board this ship are enhanced compared to other vessels in the fleet. Onboard the MS Koningsdam, passengers have more options to enjoy before going to bed, including the inviting Ocean Bar, located in the heart of the ship and featuring a piano; the innovative Billboard Room, with two pianos and an ideal atmosphere for enjoying a drink accompanied by music; and the aforementioned Queens Room.
For even more relaxation, we highlight the expanded onboard spa, managed by the prestigious firm “The Greenhouse Spa”. It offers an extensive menu of massages and treatments of all kinds, inspired by the Orient, a circular heated indoor pool, the Thermal Suite with heated stone benches, and several saunas.
Passengers will enjoy an expanded and varied gastronomic offering on board the MS Koningsdam.
The onboard pool area doesn't differ significantly from the company's other newer ships, although there are some differences. The ship's two pools are located on deck 9, one amidships (with a retractable roof in case of adverse weather conditions) and the other aft. The aft pool, the Sea View Pool, is for adults only. It's a more intimate and relaxing space with a sun deck and a bar. The central pool spans two decks—a notable difference compared to the Vista or Signature series ships. It's reminiscent of the pools on Costa Cruises' newer ships. However, unlike Costa's ships, the MS Koningsdam doesn't have tables along the sides for dining, but rather cabanas (at an extra cost) where you can relax in privacy without being far from this refreshing area. With the buffet nearby (aft), it's ideal for passengers who prefer to spend hours relaxing in this area. In addition to having, next to the buffet, a hamburger restaurant, a pizzeria, an ice cream parlor and vending machines for soft drinks and beers that complete the gastronomic offer of this area.
It is not an ideal ship for sailing with children, but on board the MS Koningsdam there are areas for children between 3 and 12 years old, the HAL Club, with its children's program The Kid Zone, and for teenagers (fifteen-year-olds) with a video game room, board games, etc.
The
MS Koningsdam has 1,179 cabins and offers a wide range of onboard categories divided into different accommodation classes (suites, cabins with direct spa access, balcony cabins, exterior cabins, and interior cabins). There are a total of 277 interior cabins, 132 exterior cabins, and 770 balcony cabins or suites with a balcony and/or terrace. Some of these suites, the most luxurious, even have a jacuzzi on their terrace for even more relaxation in privacy with impeccable views. A good number of cabins adapted for disabled guests are also available. In this case, especially, it is recommended to book well in advance. Compared to the company's other ships, the standard cabins on the MS Koningsdam do not offer more room size, but they do offer larger closets and a more comfortable bathroom with a shower enclosure. Another major new feature on board is that solo travelers finally have their own cabins, located on deck 1 (outside cabins). These are smaller than the cabins for two people, but equally comfortable.
A very promising ship that will please the company's loyal fans.
In the suites, passengers can enjoy a wealth of amenities such as a whirlpool tub (outdoor, on the large terrace in the Penthouse Suites, and indoor in the Deluxe Verandah and Superior Verandah Suites), toiletries including Elemis perfumes, soaps, and other bath products, personalized letters, DVDs, a music system, a fruit basket, and a welcome bottle of champagne, among many other perks. Passengers staying in any suite type can also enjoy a private area called the Neptune Lounge, located on Deck 6 in the center of the ship. There, they can receive personalized service, enjoy free internet access, coffee, tea, and pastries, newspapers, a library, and complimentary CD rentals, among many other benefits.
All cabins, without exception, feature plasma TVs, a selection of Egyptian down pillows, Eurotop mattresses, linen sheets, bathrobes, slippers… Holland America continues its tradition of meticulous attention to detail. Passengers staying in any cabin type will be delighted by these high-value touches.
Overall
, the MS Koningsdam is definitely one of the most talked-about ships right now. It stands out from what's so prevalent these days. It's a very well-balanced ship structurally, with areas to suit all tastes and occasions. The atmosphere at night is "rejuvenated" without being excessive, staying true to the brand's values. Its revamped and expanded culinary offerings are also noteworthy, with different styles to suit different tastes, as are its cabins, which now have more wardrobe space. Finally, the feeling of greater light and spaciousness in all its common areas, both indoors and outdoors, is remarkable. The design is very successful, combining classic and modern elements seamlessly. In short, it's a very promising ship that will appeal to loyal fans of the company.
Technical Data MS Koningsdam
• Shipyard: Fincantieri (Italy)
• Tonnage: 99,600 GT
• Commissioned: April 2016
• Length: 285 m
• Beam: 32.25 m
• Draft: 8 m
• Cruising Speed: 21 knots
• Registry: Netherlands
• Passengers: 2,650
• Crew: 1,025
• Crew-to-crew ratio: 38:1
• Official language on board: English (Spanish spoken)
• Official currency on board: US Dollar
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