Rocking the boat: Holland America Line's newest ship, the MS Nieuw Statendam features world-class entertainment & dining options, or perhaps a modern memorial, this new ship is redefining luxury travel.
Boasting a US$4.A million range of contemporary art, stellar dining options along with a songs venue dedicated to rock 'n' roll, Holland America Line's latest ship – MS Nieuw Statendam – sail on its inaugural journey captured.
With expectations high, we joined this cruise from Rome to Fort Lauderdale.
Immediately on boarding Nieuw Statendam, we began to get yourself a sense of Holland America Line's new vision of cruising. Gone were the dark wood furnishings, old-style atmosphere and Dutch Masters paintings the line was traditionally known for.
Instead, the sun's rays and bright public areas were full of contemporary furnishings and avant-garde artworks.
While some Holland America traditionalists might initially miss the line's long-established style, the numerous Holland America loyalists we met onboard Nieuw Statendam were just loving the newest design.
After all, a big change can be as good like a holiday – and you reach enjoy among those too should you give Nieuw Statendam a try.
While Nieuw Statendam is similar to its sister ship – the 2,666-passenger MS Koningsdam, which debuted the line's contemporary new direction – this second Pinnacle-class ship is loaded with lots of new additions too. One of the most long awaited of these has been the debut in the Rolling Stone Rock Room – a unique partnership with Rolling Stone magazine, that can bring rock classics towards the ocean.
Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line, was confident the Rolling Stone Rock Room would be well accepted when the songs venue was announced last September.
“Classic rock attracts people across generations because the music is universal, and Rolling Stone Rock Room brings another incredible live music venue to our ships,” he was quoted saying.
He was proved right on our sailing, with guests of all ages nodding their heads to the music, rocking in their seats or striking the party area.
The rock band only at that new venue was superb. However, despite the superb array of talent onstage, this guitar rock band needed to strive every night to draw in a crowd. With multiple stages throughout the Deck 2 promenade (also referred to as the Music Walk), guests on Nieuw Statendam cruise the background music venues like they're browsing a buffet.
The Music Walk debuted on Koningsdam, nevertheless it continues to be redesigned and improved on Holland America's latest ship.
Lincoln Center Stage, which hosts an amazing piano quintet at the begining of evening, is now separated from Billboard Onboard (an interactive understanding of two pianists playing chart-topping hits) and also the Rolling Stone Rock Room by soundproof glass doors.
This is especially important when Lincoln Center Stage is changed into the B.B. King Blues Club, in which the B.B. King's All Stars Band get everyone dancing to high-energy funk, soul, and blues from 9pm until late.
Apart within the expanded Music Walk, guests could also go to the World Stage. This venue skips the standard Broadway-style theatre shows in favour of bold sound and lightweight presentations featuring dancers and 270-degree digital screens.
On other nights this stage hosts various guest performers, for instance magicians, flautists as well as an acapella group, while enrichment speakers dominate the space to supply fascinating lectures on sea days.
It was lucky the entertainment am good, as our 14-night sailing only had three port stops – which were at the start of the transatlantic crossing.
Before we'd left home, we'd wondered whenever we would lose interest spending eight days on the ocean – but any concerns were forgotten after we were aboard the ship. It wasn't well before we settled into a comfortable rhythm – enjoying breakfast within the buffet; followed by reading, relaxing and socialising in Explorations Central on Deck 12, having its sweeping floor-to-ceiling 180-degree ocean views.
Our transatlantic sailing was virtually child-free, but the ship's contemporary design, re-imagined family oceanview cabins, and also the fact it cruises to popular destinations for example Europe as well as the Caribbean means there will likely be many families on future sailings.
If you'd would rather love this particular ship with no pitterpatter of little feet, search for itineraries outside the American summer break.
Suite guests obtain access to a brand new dining venue, Club Orange, that has absorbed the America's Test Kitchen space. Club Orange serves the identical menu since the main dining room, that has a lot more dishes prepared within an open kitchen.
Access to Club Orange was being trialled at US$50 per person per day for non-suite guests during our cruise. However, few passengers used the sale, preferring to dine in the ship's excellent restaurants instead.
These ranged from Tamarind, serving Asian fusion, to Rudi's Sel de Mer, where quirky 'Food Faces' plates decorated each table and set a dark tone for any dining experience having a contemporary twist on French classics.
Dishes included clams au beurre, duck cassoulet, a steaming bowl of hearty bouillabaisse, along with a towering Fruits de Mer seafood platter which drew gasps of admiration from those at our table.
Wood-fired pizzas at Ny Deli & Pizza were a highlight for lunch, especially because this delicious casual outdoor eatery is included within the cruise cost.
Another lunch tip for sea days is Pinnacle Grill, which serves a US$10 midday menu. It's an imaginative method to experience this elegant restaurant at a fraction in the regular price.
But for cruisers looking to continue with the complimentary dining options, you can still find lots of choices – like the elegant main diner, using its sparkling two-storey wine tower; or the casual Participate in burger bar near to the pool.
With the sun's rays shining overhead and a cocktail at hand, a juicy burger with Dive In fries is the best lunch to enjoy around the deckchair when you kick back and watch the ocean.
We also discovered yet another feature on Nieuw Statendam. Round the nights the B.B. King's All Stars Band took a deserved break, their venue was taken over through the Tiny Little Bigband, a hip swing band within the Netherlands.
Having one more guest band onboard is one thing being trialled on Nieuw Statendam, plus it would be a real hit on our sailing.
The Tiny Little Bigband knew how you can swing, and so they revelled within the enthusiastic reception these were given throughout their first gig on the ocean.
“It's great to find out so many people out on the floor,” said frontman Franklin Brown, before the band launched right into a rendition of Nat King Cole's 'Unforgettable'.
This classic was followed by a swing version of 'She Is going to be Loved' by Maroon 5 – which drew surprised but delighted looks from younger passengers. As well as in many ways, this encapsulated the vibe on Nieuw Statendam.
Everything old is new again, and than ever before.
