MS Nieuw Amsterdam is the latest Signature class cruise ship from the Holland America Cruise Line (HAL). Nieuw Amsterdam is the 81st ship to enter the cruise line’s service. It is also the second largest ship from Holland America Line.
MS Nieuw Amsterdam was built by the Italian ship builder Fincantieri at Marghera ship yard in Venice. It was launched on the 4th of July, 2010. Her Royal Highness Princess Maxima of the Netherlands will be the ships godmother. The ship will sail in Europe and the Caribbean.
Specifications
MS Nieuw Amsterdam has a GT (Gross Tonnage) of 86,700 tons. It has a capacity of 2,106 passengers. There are eleven decks. The maximum speed of MS Nieuw is 23.9 kt.
Design, Interiors and Artwork
Nieuw Amsterdam was a former name of New York City, and MS Nieuw Amsterdam celebrates the glorious history and the glamour of New York with its interiors and collection of art. The ships design is inspired by New York and Dutch influences. The ship’s interior has a substantial art collection. The entire collection of works is valued at over $ 3 million. There are traditional Dutch antiques and also contemporary works by renowned artists. In the ships atrium, a sculpture equipped with light emitting diodes (LED) represents the New York skyline inverted. This abstract center piece was created by Gilbert Lebigre and Corinne Roger, famous Italian artists. Works by legends such as Richard Estes, Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein are displayed throughout the ship.
Holland America Line has also included the popular glass elevators with splendid outside views.
The Guestrooms
Several types of state rooms are offered by The Nieuw Amsterdam. Ocean-view state rooms, interior state rooms, verandah state rooms and veranda suites are the available rooms. Private verandas are also offered by more than half the state rooms.
Spa state rooms, situated on the Panorama and Observation decks, are also on offer. These provide facilities like bath salts, spa treatments, aromatherapy and yoga mats.
In the state rooms, amenities such as King size beds, plasma television, DVD and CD players are offered. Make-up mirrors and hair dryers are also available. Fruit baskets and fresh flowers are complimentary. Whirlpool tubs, fridges and ovens are provided at the verandah suites and state rooms. These rooms also have huge French windows that extend from floor to ceiling.
Facilities and amenities
MS Nieuw Amsterdam has a wide variety of amenities provided.
Two out door pools are available. One of them has a glass roof which is retractable.
The Screening room, Stuyvesant room, Half Moon room, Hudson room and Kings room are the main meeting rooms. Meeting rooms are equipped with audio and visual equipment.
There is also basketball and volleyball court on board.
The atrium extends to over three decks and has boutiques and gift shops.
Dining
There are several excellent restaurants on board, and a variety of dining options are to be had. The restaurants include the Tamarind(Pan-Asian cuisine), The Pinnacle Grill and Bar (wine and cocktails), The Canaletto Restaurant(Italian cuisine), The Lido Restaurant, The Terrace Grill, Slice, Explorations Café and The Manhattan Dining Room ( continental and vegetarian five course meals).
Entertainment
Several excellent café’s, lounges and clubs are on board the MS Nieuw Amsterdam.
The Showroom at Sea has live entertainment, stand up comedians and singers. The Crow’s Nest, Ocean Bar and Show Lounge has live bands playing.
The Casino placed on the lower promenade deck and has blackjack tables, table games and slot machines.
The Greenhouse Spa is another good place to unwind. It offers whole body treatments. The spa has a hydrotherapy pool and Turkish baths. A fully equipped gymnasium is also featured.
Itinerary
The ship will travel in the Europe and the Carribean. From November 2010 to March 2011, it will sail seven day east-west trips in the Carribean.