Holland America Line’s Koningsdam Ship Review
Holland America Line’s Koningsdam debuted in 2016 to much fanfare as the first of the cruise line’s Pinnacle Class of vessels. At the time, it was the largest ship for Holland America and has since been joined in its class by fellow vessels Niew Statendam (debuting in 2018) and Rotterdam (debuting in 2021). The ship’s name ‘Koningsdam’ is derived from the Dutch word ‘Koning,’ which means ‘King,’ with the full title name playing tribute to King Willem-Alexander, King of the Netherlands.
Cruiseline.com recently sailed on Koningsdam from Vancouver to Alaska’s Inside Passage and got an inside look at this guest-favorite ship of Holland America Line regulars. Follow along as we review Koningsdam to give you a preview of what you can expect on your next cruise onboard this ship.
First, here are some fast facts about Koningsdam:
- Delivered to Holland America Line from shipbuilder Finciateri in 2016
- Total Gross Tons: 99,863
- Passenger Capacity: 2,650 / Crew Members: 1,036
- 12 Decks in Total
- 1,331 Staterooms (78.4% have an outside view and 68.5% have a balcony)
- 8 Specialty Restaurants and 5 Included Eateries
- Ship Highlights - Music Walk, World Stage, expansive outdoor spaces, spa and fitness center
Now, let’s take an in-depth look at Koiningdam’s design, staterooms, dining, activities, and more.
Ship Design
Elegant and relaxed was the first thought that came to mind as I boarded the Koningsdam. As I made my way through the ship it felt very open and not busy, despite the general chaos that ensues during an embarkation day.
One of the things that I noticed about the design of each public area was the extensive attention to detail given to the artwork and decor of the ship, making each room look and feel unique with its own special touches. This is very apparent when in the elevator banks around the ship. Many of these areas look similar in coloring and signage, but what makes them stand out from each other is the artwork and other design elements that Holland America has introduced to the space.
I made my way up to Koningsdam’s Lido Deck, located on the ninth floor of the ship. This was my first encounter with the elevators; they were quick, but the cars were a bit smaller than other elevators I had seen on newer ships. Again, they were speedy, which guests appreciated. I ventured to the Lido Deck's outside area to find this lovely ship's shining element - the awesome retractable glass roof over the pool, hot tub, and outdoor seating area. It was a beautiful day in Vancouver, and the roof was open so that all could enjoy the outdoors and experience this beautiful ship fully.
There are windows and seating areas everywhere on Koningsdam. You are never more than a few feet away from a great view and a comfortable place to sit onboard. With the ship’s mid-sized capacity, you will not likely have to jockey to get a primo spot for viewing passing landscapes or an ocean view. After exploring the Lido Deck and other upper floors with walking tracks and sports courts, we ventured down to our stateroom on Deck 4.
Overall, Koiningsdam is relatively easy to figure out after a day or so and a thorough examination of the ship’s map. Many public spaces and eateries are grouped together in an easy-to-understand way. I recommend reviewing the deck plans before boarding so you have a general idea of where all the venues and restaurants are located around the ship.
Decks 2 and 3 are home to many restaurants and lounges (including the 2-story Main Dining Room), the World Stage (the ship’s main theatre area), shops, a casino, and the popular Music Walk (3 separate music-focused venues), the Atrium, and other public gathering places. Decks 4-8 are reserved for all passenger staterooms. Deck 9 starts more public spaces, many with outdoor access. On these floors, you will find more restaurants (including the Lido Market), the Greenhouse Spa and Fitness Center, pools, hot tubs, outdoor sports areas, HAL Kids Club, and the Crow’s Nest (the indoor viewing area at the ship's bow).
Everything is exquisite on this ship, with no attention to detail spared by Holland America’s interior design team. And I must mention the beautiful fresh flower arrangements throughout the ship - from the entrances to the bars, the Atrium, elevator banks, and all around. How the crew managed to pull off such intricate floral designs on an Alaska cruise is truly to be noted. Be sure to take in all these fun elements during your time onboard Koningsdam.
Staterooms
Following is a breakdown of the stateroom categories available on Koningsdam:
- Inside - An interior (no view) room with two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed.
- Ocean View - Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed with a window offering an ocean view.
- Verandah - Includes a private balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows, a small seating area, and a desk.
- Vista Suite - A bit larger suite with a verandah and a seating area.
- Signature Suite - A large, comfortable suite with a sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed, and one Murphy bed to accommodate a third guest.
- Neptune Suite - The largest suites, with a private verandah, large sitting area, fresh flowers, daily pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres, priority boarding, use of the Neptune Lounge, a private concierge, and many other complimentary services.
If you are traveling with a larger party and looking for adjoining cabins, the Koningsdam offers several options across various stateroom categories.
I stayed in a standard Verandah Stateroom onboard Koningsdam, located on the fourth deck. Although it was listed as an ‘Obstructed View,’ surprisingly, it had minimal blockage by railings or lifeboats and a huge balcony to enjoy the passing views.
The room comfortably accommodated two people for a week and had a fold-out bed from a convertible couch, so up to four people could sleep in the room.
There were plenty of storage spaces throughout the cabin, enough for the one-week sailing. The closet was located at the cabin entrance, across from the bathroom, so it felt separate from the sleeping area. Two suitcases were stored under one of the beds, giving us room to walk around as needed.
Adjacent to the beds were the seating area and desk/vanity. There was more storage space and a great area to enjoy the complimentary continental room service. A TV is in front of the bed area, with free on-demand movies to view.
The bathroom was a standard size, featuring shelving above the sink to store smaller items and a cabinet below for toiletries and more oversized items. Both the shower and sink offered large fixed Elemis-branded soaps, shampoos, conditioners, and lotion.
The balcony was the shining star of the cabin for this sailing, especially for a visit to Alaska. The balcony was large—like really large. It had two chairs, an ottoman, and a small table. Note that the room’s location did make the balcony jut out a bit farther, so there was more view from the cabins above.
At Cruiseline.com, we always strongly recommend booking a balcony cabin in Alaska if you have the option. On my sailing, I saw whales and glaciers and even enjoyed morning coffee under the fjords—all with the benefit of having a balcony cabin!
While my cabin was the only stateroom I could visit on this sailing, I invite you to read the dozens of other member reviews of cabins from community members who have sailed on Koningsdam here. You can access pictures, read about feedback for specific staterooms, and get a better idea of cabin types before you book.
Dining
You can’t go hungry on this ship, even if you are the picky of picky eaters. There is a wide variety of eateries; both included and specialty, so it’s easy to find something to please everyone when it comes to dining.
As a benefit of an Alaska cruise, I experienced Holland America Line’s Global Fresh Fish program in action. This program sources and serves fresh fish onboard all of Holland America’s restaurants, bringing fish from port to plate in less than 48 hours. You will find regional staples prepared with incredibly fresh ingredients across the menus in specialty and included eateries.
I enjoyed the dining experience onboard Koningsdam as a whole. There were some definite standout restaurants and dishes, and the food quality was excellent overall.
Included Dining
The Dining Room is the main sit-down eatery on Koningsdam. Open for dinner each night and breakfast or lunch (depending on the port day), you will find a robust menu of local fare, Dutch dishes, and traditional cruise line staples. I had the chance to dine here several times, and some of the standout items were a Fresh Halibut main dish, French Onion Soup, and a Stroopwafel Cheesecake. The Main Dining features a rotating menu full of included items. However, the menu does offer special items for an additional charge. Additionally, on some sea days, The Dining Room will host an afternoon tea with scones, sandwiches, and tea service.
Lido Market is Koningsdam's buffet area. It serves a wide variety of items day and night. Options include a salad bar, taco station, bread bar, roasted meats, and a variety of other changing cuisines. There’s seating indoors and out at Lido Market.
The Grand Dutch Cafe is an elegant space that’s part coffee bar and part eatery. It serves traditional Dutch sandwiches and pastries along with Holland America’s signature Dutch Pea Soup. All food is complimentary; however, beverages are charged extra unless they are part of your drinks package. This venue has a very comfortable seating area that half overlooks the atrium (great if you want to people-watch) and a small hidden space that offers floor-to-ceiling views out the window.
Other included eateries on Koingsdam are Dive In, which serves burgers, Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs, milkshakes, and fries. There is also New York Pizza that serves pizza, sandwiches, and bagels. Both of these eateries are located in the Lido area.
Club Orange - Photo by Brooke Franco
Holland America’s Club Orange members (for guests a certain tier of the line’s loyalty program or suites of a certain tier) can opt to dine at their own included restaurant.
Room Service is open 24 hours for all guests, with coffee and continental items included in the morning.
Specialty Restaurants
Pinnacle Grill is the traditional steakhouse on Holland America’s ships. The venue recently rolled out a revamped menu with guest favorites and new regional dishes. We opted for steaks at Pinnacle Grill with traditional sides and appetizers of Lobster Bisque. All were excellent, and the service at the venue was great. Note—Request a table near the windows when dining here! The menu here is flat-priced, with specials at an additional fee.
Tamarind and Nami Sushi are two additional specialty venues on Koningsdam, both located within the same venue at the aft of the ship. This restaurant space was gorgeous and comfortable, making it a memorable experience. Tamarind serves a menu of Pan-Asian cuisine with standouts like Lobster and Shrimp Potstickers. Thai Basil Szechuan Shrimp, Dan Dan Noodles, and the Passion Fruit Cloud - a unique dessert made of egg white souffle and passion fruit sorbet. Nami Sushi offers a robust sushi roll and nigiri menu, with special Japanese-inspired cocktails. Each sailing, Nami Sushi does a Morimoto by the Sea pop-up night, serving dishes created by the famed sushi chef. If you are a sushi fan, watch out for that! Dining at Tamarind is a flat extra charge, with select menu items having additional fees. Nami Sushi menu items are priced a la carte.
Rudi’s Sel De Mer is Koningsdam’s elegant seafood and French restaurant, with a menu developed by Chef Rudi Sodamin. Here, guests can enjoy raw fish, Dover sole, duck cassoulet, lobster, or baked escargot. If you are looking to celebrate a special occasion onboard, Rudi’s elegant setting and great service make for a perfect option. Dine at Rudi’s for an extra flat-rate price, with specific dishes at an additional charge.
Canaletto is a specialty Italian eatery onboard. It serves a menu of pastas and other Italian specialties. It is a smaller restaurant, just off the Lido Market.
Dishes at Canaletto - Photos by Brooke Franco
Not to be forgotten is Gelato, a part gelato stand and part juice bar by the Lido Pool. Enjoy freshly made gelato as you enjoy the ocean views—I highly recommend the peach yogurt.
Bars & Lounges
Tons of bars and dedicated lounges dot the public areas of Koningsdam. Many bars are adjacent to other places, like the Lido Deck or restaurants. However, a special spot we discovered was the Ocean Bar on Deck 2, which is a comfortable area with great loungers, window views, and table service.
Most beverages served onboard Koningsdam come with an additional fee unless you have a beverage package. Consult here for more information about onboard drinks and pricing.
Onboard Activities
As with all Holland America Line ships, ‘extreme’ is not the theme on Koningsdam, however, ‘fufilling’ and ‘fun’ are certainly two words I would use to describe the activities onboard the ship. Instead of rock climbing walls, roller coasters, waterslides, and mega-activities, expect more dedicated programming and traditional cruise activities.
This is something to keep in mind when traveling with younger sailors. There are certainly things for kids and teens to do, but it will not be the bells and whistles that other cruise lines may offer. However, the line does offer its popular Club HAL programming for sailors ages 3-17.
To find out what's going on each day of the sailing, consult The Daily, an organized list of all the activities, programs, organized events, and venue hours. The Daily is available on the Holland America Navigator app, and print copies are delivered to your stateroom the night before.
Each day, all guests are invited to a robust selection of group activities, such as music trivia, board games and mahjong, store events, arts and crafts, fitness classes, and educational seminars.
During my time, I experienced Holland America’s ‘Alaska Up Close’ programming which includes talks from regional experts, and onboard naturalists that lead organized wildlife spotting, presentations about the culture of Alaska, and much, much more. Enrichment and learning about the region where you are cruising is a big element of the Holland America experience. If this is something you are looking for in your cruise experience, we highly recommend you give them a closer look.
For those looking to spice things up and for nightlife, Koningsdam is home to the Music Walk, a fan-favorite area of Holland America guests. Located on the same floor, with all venues leading to the other is the B.B. King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Lounge, and Billboard Onboard. From 8 PM onward, this is the hot spot. There are multiple stages of live musicians playing the hits of then and today, and cocktails being poured left and right. It’s a fun lively spot, with a lot of energy and happy cruisers.
Guests looking to relax can check out the Greenhouse Spa, which offers a menu of massages, facials, and more, as well as an extra-charge Thermal Suite area with more hot tubs and special lounge areas. Pools can be found on the Lido Deck as well as the aft Sea View pool. A casino and shopping arcade are also onboard.
Service
The service on Koningsdam was excellent. With a mid-sized ship, it can be a mixed bag as to the service level, however each crew member I encountered on this ship was kind, helpful, and willing to go above and beyond to make the passenger experience that much better.
Our cabin stewards were wonderful and very attentive to our needs, the staff in all eateries was exceptional, and our embarkation/disembarkation process was a breeze.
A+ marks all around, and kudos to the Koningsdam crew for an outstanding job!
Final Thoughts
As a whole, I enjoyed my time onboard the Koningsdam, and my experience gave me a new perspective on the Holland America brand. For an Alaska cruise, I definitely see how impactful their dedicated programming is for the overall passenger experience in Alaska and giving guests a better understanding of the region not just in port, but on-ship as well.
If you are considering sailing on this ship, I do recommend checking out the line’s ‘Have It All’ package (read more here) or other special offers from your travel advisors. Many items like certain restaurants, beverages, and other services come at an additional cost. By purchasing one of these packages or taking advantage of other promotions, you may be able to save just a little bit extra on your overall cruise cost.
I had a very worthwhile and memorable experience and am looking forward to my next time sailing with Holland America!
Want to experience Holland America Line’s Koningsdam for yourself? See All Sailings
Related: Inside Report: Sailing Alaska’s Inside Passage on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam
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