Nieuw Statendam is the newest ship of the Pinnacle class, following her sister Koningsdam. Nieuw Statendam is the sixth in a long line of Statendam ships, starting in 1898 with the first vessel to bear this name. In 1910 and 1929 Statendam II and III followed. Statendam IV sailed for Holland America form 1957 onwards for a quarter of a century. She was employed extensively in cruise service and was HAL’s first vessel to sail on a world cruise, which Rotterdam V would repeat over 25 times. Finally, the fifth Statendam was introduced in 1993 (she currently sails for UK operator CMV as Vasco da Gama).
Also, like her sister Koningsdam, HAL has created a vessel that shows a radical change from the older HAL ships, which were Dutch-oriented, having many artefacts on board reminiscent of the Dutch colonial history, and also with a bit dark, albeit chic classical interiors. HAL clearly wants to expand by targeting a younger clientele with the Pinnacle-class ships. On Nieuw Statendam, Adam D. Tihany with his background as leading hospitality designer and well-known architect and designer Bjorn Storbraten have created dramatic spaces. Art objects onboard as well as innovative lighting and even the curves of musical instruments (music is the ship’s theme) can be found in public spaces like the dining-room and atrium. Focus has been towards improving the passage flows in public areas by having passageways and entrances of public spaces connected in an optimal way. The same has been tried with soundproofing techniques but there have been complaints of passengers occupying staterooms in the vicinity of public areas, but this is difficult to avoid on this kind of vessels with so many souls (2,666 which is quite modest by today’s standards) onboard…
As fas as artwork is concerned, I already mentioned that the décor has changed since the era of the pre-Pinnacle HAL ships. With the help of Art Link, global art consultants and YSA Design, interior designers, HAL has now steered away from its Dutch roots to a more contemporary worldly style. In the case of Nieuw Statendam, the ships architecture theme is “Music”. So Delft porcelain tableware and a tulip motif on the stateroom carpet and in the Grand Dutch Cafe is about all what is left of the “old HAL style”. The aim has been according to YSA design studio CEO Trond Sigurdsen to create a more edgy, worldly atmosphere,apparently to reach a broader (younger) public. There are works of art on Nieuw Statendam by 160 artists from 150 countries. There is a massive diversity: art-history works in the forward stairway, mixed styles artwork midships aft even fashion art rarely seen. But also bronze sculptures of musical instruments and completely different artwork like the statue of David holding a cell phone can be found on this ship.
The atrium again has a link to music and musical instruments as it features an airy steel sculpture rising through three decks, aiming at suggesting you are actually inside a musical instrument. The ceiling has a skylight with light projections creating different moods, just like the flow of music does. Instead of the usual quiet subdued interior onboard its earlier vessels the two story Dining Room on Deck 2 aft is decorated in bright colors, as first seen on the Koningsdam. The partly yellow carpets and chairs and colourful chandeliers make this a vibrant room. The curved pillars in the center rising two decks relate to the fret of a musical instrument.
Piece de resistance is a 2-deck high winetower. Not far from the dining-room, BLEND is found. BLEND by Chateau st. Michelle introduces guests to the art of winemaking. They can even taste their own creations at dinner or in their stateroom! Next to BLEND the Club Orange dining room is situated, a first for HAL guests. For guests in Pinnacle and Neptune suites its available automatically, but others can purchase a $50 a day package which also entitles you to dine here and on top of this priority(dis-) embarkation, priority tender service, priority lines at guest services and shore excursions desks, a dedicated concierge and even a private day room are also included. It serves the same dinner menu as the main dining rooms and the breakfast menu of the suites-only Pinnacle grill.
Let us continue touring the Nieuw Statendam:
Going more forward on Deck2, into the Atrium area, we reach Rudi’s Sel De Mer, a specialty restaurant first seen on Koningsdam, seating 54 guests with the atmosphere of a French brasserie. It is a tribute to HAL’s consulting master chef, Rudi Sodamin. On the opposite side of the Atrium, yet another specialty restaurant, The Pinnacle Grill, which reminds of a traditional steakhouse.
Deck 2 forward houses the Music Walk with its Lincoln Center stage and BB King’s Blues Club. Here the BB King’s All Stars perform at night. It’s a two story space, glass walls and curved corridors should minimize noise issues for adjacent spaces. Also included in Music Walk, Rolling Stone Rock Room, a HAL’s first, has been added, where a live band plays yesteryears Rock and Roll classics. Billboard Onboard finally is an interactive sing-a-long experience around two duelling piano’s based on Billboard’s most famous hits.
Forward on Deck 2 and 3 the two story World Stage features a 270 degree wrap around LED-screen. Apart from musical productions, BBC Earth programs shown on this gigantic screen draw crowds. Further aft on Deck 3, we find the casino and the art gallery, which differs from those found onboard other ships in that the focus is more on active art purchasing than on the more passive bidding auctions. It is run by ArtLink. Also painting classes are hosted here.
The Atrium on Deck 3 level houses the Future Cruise office and the guest relations reception, and also the Grand Dutch Café where guests can enjoy Dutch Heineken Beer, Dutch snacks and specialty coffees.
Passenger accommodation onboard the Nieuw Statendam is situated on Decks 4 to 8 and totals 1,339 staterooms, 8 more than on her sister Koningsdam. There are some enhancements here compared to her sister Koningsdam, as both staterooms for singles and family staterooms have been reconfigured. There are plenty of cabin types to choose from, Signature Suites, Vista Suites, Spa Suites and Verandah, Ocean View and interior staterooms. Piece de resistance of course is the redesigned Pinnacle Suite, measuring 1,290 square feet with a separate living room, bedroom, dressing room, dining room and an outside whirlpool! Staterooms all have a flat interactive screen with video on-demand and HAL’s signature Mariner’s Dream beds with luxurious linen.
On Deck 9, aft, the Sea View Pool and Bar is a great spot for a drink or alfresco dining. Not to be missed for Italian dining, hidden between the Lido Market buffet restaurant and the Lido pool area, the small restaurant Canaletto serves a typical Italian dinner. Going further aft, the Lido Market is the buffet restaurant. It features several themed stations like Central Market (salads, cheeses), Homestead (mains and side dishes), Wild Harvest (salad bar), Sweet Spot (made-to-order and on-the-go dishes) and finally Distant Land (diverse ethnic food).
Midships on decks 9 & 10 the Lido area spans two decks and has a magrodome (retractable roof). The lower level houses the pool and next to it the Lido Bar, Gelato ice cream and Dive In hamburger diner. On the second level the New York Deli & Pizza and the Panorama Bar complete the array of eateries around the Lido area.
All the way forward on Decks 9 and 10 , the Greenhouse Spa & Salon have all the amenities one expects in a classy spa, like thermal saunas, a fitness center and a hydro thermal spa. On decks 10 and 11, also situated forward, Spa staterooms are available for those who are addicted to spa relaxing and treatment. Aft on deck 10, the Tamarind Asian specialty restaurant presents Asian food, and part of it is the Nami Sushi Bar which is inspired by sushi master Andy Matsuda.
Like on board all her fleetmates, on Nieuw Statendam‘s top deck (12) is home to the lookout lounge Crowns Nest and part of it is EXC, Explorations Centre, which presents information on the destinations visited during the upcoming itinerary through interactive screens, but also EXC guides are there in person to help passengers choose the right excursions or help thempick activities in the different ports of call.
In all, this new scond Pinnacle-class ship, a slight improvement from her sister Koningsdam, will surely strengthen Holland America Line’s reputation as a premium cruise line.
