When Holland America welcomes ms Nieuw Statendam to its fleet in December, the cruise ship will showcase the evolution of design introduced with the first Pinnacle Class ship, ms Koningsdam.
The “artfully inspired” finishing and musical design of ms Nieuw Statendam blend Holland America’s past, present and future. The 2,666-passenger ship boasts an interior balancing contemporary styling in harmony with the renowned classic elegance of the cruise line. At the helm of the interiors and design once again are acclaimed hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and Bjorn Storbraaten, one of the leading architects working in cruise industry.
Nieuw Statendam features a dramatic 3-deck-high central atrium graced by airy stainless-steel sculpture which is meant to emulate the sense of being inside and encircled by a musical instrument. The experience changes as passengers move around and through it, with no two perspectives being the same. The atrium is capped by ceiling skylight which serves as the backdrop for high-definition projections. By evening, the ship's atrium reflects the starlit constellations of night sky or takes on dramatic lighting hues.
The Dining Room aboard ms Nieuw Statendam spans 2 floors and is framed by sea views. Curved architectural pillars accentuate the soaring ceiling. Modern glass lighting and chic furnishings are fabricated especially for the cruiser. The centerpiece is a copper sheath surrounding a 2-story wine tower that showcases impressive selection.
Holland America’s French brasserie Rudi’s Sel De Mer is reimagined on ms Nieuw Statendam with expanded seating for a total of 54 passengers. The restaurant retains the original curving shape and walnut wood accordion-inspired column structure. At the same time, its richly colored decor creates the sense of elegance and sophistication. The back wall is decorated with porcelain plates, all of which with Chef Rudi Sodamin’s Food Faces culinary pop art, made by the popular French brand Bernardaud.
Architect and designer Bjorn Storbraaten creates the design of the central pool area. Ship's Magrodome area is 2 levels to create ample glass-enclosed space. The lower level features traditional poolside elements, while the mezzanine showcases more seating, a huge screen for poolside movies, New York Deli and Pizza.
Storbraaten also designed the exotic look of Tamarind, the Pan-Asian restaurant of the line, which emphasizes nature’s basic elements: wood, fire, earth and water. On ms Nieuw Statendam, Tamarind experience expands through the addition of a new outdoor dining area, so passengers can take in the sea views and fresh air.
MS Nieuw Statendam will spend her first cruising season exploring the Caribbean, sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale FL, between December 2018-April 2019. All Caribbean voyages include a day at Holland America’s award-winning Half Moon Cay. Next spring, the vessel will cross the Atlantic and spend the summer and fall in northern Europe and Mediterranean. Nieuw Statendam returns to the Caribbean October 2019.