For years, I’ve heard so many admonish Holland America Line, claiming it to be a line stuck in time. I’ve rebuked these claims, having cruised Holland America Line in my late teens and truly enjoying the elevated experience and onboard atmosphere. Still, many pointed at the fleet and claimed the line was out of touch, out of date. That was until ms Koningsdam arrived.
ms Koningsdam opens a new chapter for Holland America Line. She isn’t here to revolutionize the cruise industry nor is she here to go head to head with the largest ships on the sea, ms Koningsdam redefines what a Holland America Line cruise means. I recently sailed aboard ms Koningsdam during her christening celebration and experienced a unique difference from the Holland America Line ships I’ve sailed in the past.
From the moment I crossed the gangway, the bright and light aesthetics of the ship marked a departure from the darker designs of the past, embodying the new spirit of the Holland America ships. However, I felt right at home with the smiling faces and warm greetings of Holland’s hospitable and polished crew. It was strange, the ship itself seemed unlike anything Holland would have tried in the past, but if felt uniquely “them.” As I continued to explore the ship, I was impressed by how spacious the ship felt, thanks to a smartly designed open floor plan and airy designs and accents. Passing from room to room, I discovered new spaces and venues, such as Lincoln Center Stage, Sel de Mer, and Blend, yet feeling right at home as I came upon such guest favorites as the Pinnacle Grill, the Crow’s Nest, and the Culinary Arts Center. New and old we’re seamlessly blending together to create the perfect Holland America Line experience.
This blending of experiences is no accident. With new leadership, Holland America Line is charting a new, but familiar course. They aren’t running from their past, yet they aren’t standing still. Holland knows their guests and what they expect in a cruise vacation, however, they also know what needs to be done to not only attract new cruisers, but position themselves to offer a truly world class product. This is ms Koningsdam. A ship perfected. I found her to be not too large, but not too small. She offers a wide array of culinary experiences, from fine seafood at Sel de Mer to casual bites at a redesigned and expansive Lido Marketplace. You can take in an afternoon recital at Lincoln Center Stage and settle in for the latest action film under the ship’s large Lido screen at night. Blend your own wine with fellow guests or relax in a private cabana with a cool drink.
New and old. Past and present. Remembering their roots and looking forward. ms Koningsdam is the future of Holland America Line. She pays respect to her past, honoring the ship’s before her and taking their best to sea with a new spirit. She brings together a historic and honored past while moving the line into the future, appeasing both long time guests and the next generation of cruisers. For me, ms Koningsdam is a ship I would personally design, bringing together the Holland America Line I know and love and the Holland America Line of the future.
