ms Koningsdam

The 2016-built MS Koningsdam cruise ship is the first Holland America Pinnacle-Class liner, with sisterships the fleetmates Nieuw Statendam (2018) and Nieuw Rotterdam (2021) and also Cunard's Queen Anne. These are HAL fleet's newest and largest boats.

The vessel (IMO number 9692557) is currently Netherlands-flagged (MMSI 244830547) and registered in Rotterdam.

History - construction and ownership

Holland America Line (HAL) is a Seattle-based cruise company owned by Carnival Corporation (shipowner). Between 1873-1989, HAL was a Dutch cargo and passenger shipping company operating regular Transatlantic crossings between Holland and the Americas. HAL was founded in 1873 as "Dutch-American Steamship Company" headquartered in Rotterdam Netherlands. In 1989, HAL was acquired by Carnival Corporation for around EUR 530 million. Among the company's assets are the Westmark hotel chain (Alaska-Yukon), Worldwide Shore Services (warehouses-logistics) and Half Moon Cay (Caribbean private island).

The 2700-passenger ship Koningsdam added a number of fleet-firsts, including two swimming pools and family oceanview cabins. Koningsdam's interiors reflect the work of designers Adam D. Tihany and Bjorn Storbraaten, who drew inspiration for the new ship from music. An example is the 3-deck, skylight-capped atrium featuring a stainless steel sculpture reminding a string quartet. Koningsdam represents the new Pinnacle Class for Holland America Line. The ship debuts several innovative concepts, new public spaces and venues while featuring popular amenities cruisers associate with the line. Guests enjoy HAL's first purpose-built single staterooms and staterooms for families, as well as fine dining in several alternative restaurants. The vessel's godmother Queen Maxima of The Netherlands performed the traditional dedication and naming at Port Rotterdam on May 20, 2016.

Decks and Cabins

MS Koningsdam staterooms (1331 total, in 35 grades) include 164 Suites, 748 Balcony, 142 Oceanviews (including 32x Family Oceanview and 12x Studios/single cabins), 277 Inside. Most cabins as sized ~180 m2 (17 m2). Most cabin balconies are sized 50 ft2 / 5 m2. Nearly 70% of the ship's passenger accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 27. The largest accommodation is the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite (970 ft2 / 90 m2, with terrace sized 320 ft2 / 30 m2 and fitted with an outdoor Jacuzzi).

The boat has 13 passenger decks, of which 8 are with cabins.

Club Orange is an exclusive (Suite-only) venue integrated into HAL's "Club Orange" program providing exclusive amenities to passengers booked in the Suite categories Neptune and Pinnacle. Bonus perks by the Club Orange program include:

• priority services (check-in, disembarkation, tendering, dining reservations)
• 24-hour concierge service (assistance, information, reservations)
• exclusive dining venue (Club Orange Restaurant/deck 2) serving complimentary Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Dining Room dinner, plus exclusive dishes
• dedicated Concierge Desk (Guest Services and Tours)
• room service (a la carte breakfast menu with complimentary gourmet dishes - including smoked salmon, steak and eggs)
• sparkling wine (embarkation day), Club Orange tote bag, premium bathrobes (cabin use, available for monogramming and purchasing)

Club Orange Restaurant occupies the area of the former "Culinary Arts Center". Culinary Arts Center was a premium dinner-only restaurant (cover charge $39 pp, unlimited wine included) via partnership with the “Food & Wine Magazine”. This open-kitchen/show-kitchen venue was used daily for professional cooking shows, culinary classes and workshops (cooking and cocktail) presented in demonstration kitchens. In the evenings, the venue transformed into “Dinner at the Culinary Arts Center”. This specialty dining concept ("America's Test Kitchen") provided a top-quality gourmet experience - the ship’s chefs prepared dishes in the demonstration kitchen while the guests enjoyed each course with wine pairing. At the entry, there were 9 interactive TV displays allowing guests to explore personal lives, special recipes, cooking secrets and tips from famous food and wine industry celebrities. By Holland America Line’s partnership with Koppert Cress (microgreen specialist), the Culinary Arts Center had a live garden to grow fresh ingredients. This enabled the guests to enjoy farm-to-table items from the dinner menu (veggie fare, 5 choices, dessert, cheese plate). The ingredients were displayed in a glass-enclosed garden area and harvested just before being served. Once sown, the seedlings grew for up to 2 weeks. The list of microgreens integrated in the recipes included garlic, mustard, licorice.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Ship's 2-level main restaurant venue serves open-seating breakfast and lunch, as well as a blend of flexible and set-seating restaurant-style meals at dinner. Breakfast hours in the MDR vary but start as early as 7 am on port days and 8 am on sea days, wrapping up by 9:30 am. Breakfast fare includes bread, cereals, French toast, blueberry pancakes, corned beef hash, egg dishes and yogurt parfaits. Portions are on the smaller side, so better opt for a second pastry. Lunch in the MDR is typically limited to an hour per day (from noon to 1 pm on sea days; closed when the ship is in port for an entire day). If you see a line of guests waiting to be seated, do not be deterred as the line moves fast and the tables are plenty. Lunch fare includes sandwiches, soups, light salads, fish and heartier entrees.

Holland America is famous for its exceptional dining experiences on every voyage, but the fleet's newest ship ms Koningsdam boasts even more culinary options. The Dining Room is where passengers dine in a more formal setting. The two-story restaurant features an airy and sophisticated ambiance, with several new characteristics for a HAL ship. The bright design creates a unique venue while reflecting the overall design theme of the ship, inspired by the architecture of music.

This sunny, yellow room has expansive windows allowing for maximum daylight and sea views. In the evening its color turns to a darker shade of amber, thus setting the tone for an elegant evening dining atmosphere. Structural ribs inspired by the classical harp's strings connect the first floor to the second-floor ceiling creating the sense of a more curvilinear space. A grand staircase connects the two levels.

The centerpiece of Koningsdam's Dining Room is a sculptural champagne gold wine tower planned to appear fluid and folded. Flowing over the dining room are attractive chandeliers made from strings of hand-blown, tri-color glass bulbs.

On the menu are HAL's classic selections, signature dishes, regionally inspired cuisine, Culinary Council recipes from the world-renowned chefs who compose the group, including Master Chef & Council Chairman Rudi Sodamin and international chefs David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, Jacques Torres, Jonnie Boer and Mark Best.

In addition to The Dining Room, Koningsdam guests enjoy fine dining in alternative restaurants including redesigned Lido Market (with themed food stations), the French seafood brasserie "Rudi's Sel de Mer", new farm-to-table concept dinner experience (in Culinary Arts Center, via partnership with Food & Wine magazine), Club Orange Restaurant (suite-exclusive dining experience), Canaletto (Italian restaurant), Tamarind (pan-Asian restaurant/seafood bar), Pinnacle Grill (steakhouse/seafood restaurant).

BLEND is a glass-enclosed winery room (capacity 10 seats) where are hosted daily wine blending sessions. These are reservations-only events (90 min sessions, $129 cover charge) with sommelier service. The BLEND venue is via partnership with the winemaker Chateau Ste Michelle Winery (Woodinville Washington). Wine-tasting events are seminar-like (led by a wine expert). Each session includes a sampling of 5 red wines (single-vineyard) later combined with different vintages into a personal blend. After the event, you can bottle and take your newly created wine and consume it at the ship’s restaurants or in the stateroom. At the BLEND room all guests are allowed to see the wines offered in the Pinnacle Grill and Sel de Mer, and also to choose their vintage from the impressive selection of premium wines.

Follows the complete list of ms Koningsdam restaurants and food bars.

• Pinnacle Grill (reservations-only seafood/steakhouse restaurant with fine wines selection; free for passengers under 12 yo). The venue transforms into "An Evening at le Cirque" once per cruise via a partnership with NYC "Le Cirque" French restaurant.
• Rudi's Sel De Mer is a dinner-only specialty restaurant serving French seafood. During drydock 2018, the restaurant was redesigned and expanded (to 54 seats). The venue features a curving shape and walnut wood-made, accordion-like column structure. The back wall is decorated with porcelain plates, all of which are decorated with Chef Rudi's Food Faces culinary pop art (via a partnership with Bernardaud - French porcelain masters). The food plates are arranged from classic ingredients (caviar, fruits, root vegetables, peppers, etc). In January 2018, HAL released the coffee table book "Food Faces" - available for purchase on the ship. Signature dishes in the a la carte menu include Rudi's Seafood Tower, Fruits de Mer, Broiled Lobster Tail, Whole Dover Sole Meuniere, Clams au Beurre, Duck Cassoulet, Steak Tartare, Steak Frites, Souffle au Fromage, Salt Crust Baked Branzino. Signature desserts include Rudi's Face to Face Chocolate, Rudi's Souffle, Crepes Suzette, Profiteroles with Hot Chocolate Sauce, Apple Tarte Tatin, Artisanal French Cheese Plate.
• The Dining Room (aft Dining Room; features open seating Breakfast and Lunch, two Dinner options - 2 fixed seatings or Any Time Dining between 5:15-9 pm)
• Canaletto Restaurant (Lido Restaurant annex; operates as an Italian restaurant for Dinner, reservations required)
• Dive-In (complimentary fast-food bar)
• New York Deli (fast-food bar)
• Gelato (ice cream parlor)

Lido Market (capacity 386 seats) is the ship’s self-service buffet restaurant open for Breakfast (6-11 am), Lunch (11:30-2 pm), Afternoon Tea (3-4 pm) and Dinner (5:30-8 pm). Food is complimentary and displayed at 5 themed stations. The Lido Buffet is designed as a modern marketplace, with numerous on-the-go or made-to-order food choices. Differently themed food stations (walk-up service) offer fresh-made sandwiches, grilled food, International fare, salads, fruits, desserts, daily specials. The food stations are named Breadboard (fresh-baked bread, pastries, sandwiches), Wild Harvest (salads, fruits, healthy food bites), Homestead (comfort food, including egg dishes and grilled meats), Distant Lands (themed cuisine specialties, including from the current cruise itinerary’s regions), Sweet Spot (desserts).

Tamarind (aft on Deck 10) is a reservations-only Asian restaurant open for complimentary lunch and at-fee dinner (at surcharge per person). Tamarind Bar serves the restaurant with cocktails and other beverages. Part of the Tamarind is the Japanese food bar Nami Sushi (capacity 7 seats only, also serving popular Asian spirits). Nami Sushi is open for lunch and dinner but both are at surcharge PP. Tamarind's sushi menu is created by chef Andy Matsuda and additionally includes 4 of his signature rolls.

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The World Stage is the ship's theatre (main show lounge) featuring 270-degree LED screens for multiple stage configurations. The Lido Pool (one of the ship's 2 swimming pools), has an outdoor movie screen, 3 whirlpools and a 2-tiered sunbathing area with cushioned lounge chairs.

Onboard live musical entertainment is concentrated in the Music Walk area (forward-midship on Plaza Deck 2) housing the music-themed venues Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club, Rolling Stone Rock Room, and Billboard Onboard.

The 2-tiered Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge/decks 2-3) is a grand ballroom/concert hall/nightclub with two grand pianos (on floor 1), HAL fleet's biggest dance floor (floor 1), its own bar (floor 1), balcony seating (floor 2) and has a resident 8-man band (2 vocalists, 1 drummer, 1 pianist/organist, 1 bassist, 1 guitarist, 1 saxophonist, 1 trumpeter). The lounge hosts live musical performances (concerts, classical pieces, blues, popular hits from the 60s, sing-alongs) as well as a daily enrichment program (guest speakers, seminars, special events). Lincoln Center Stage is a collaboration with "Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts" (NYC) featuring classical/chamber music with a quintet combining piano and strings.

Rolling Stone Rock Room is a classic rock club (via partnership with Rolling Stone Magazine) where are offered live 5-piece band performances.

Billboard Onboard is a signature sing-along bar with live performances (pianists, guitarists, DJ) in a variety of genres (including pop, rock, classic, country). There are 3 programs per night (each lasts 45 to 60 min). The music bar hosts dynamic evening shows, has a central stage (with two grand pianos), wood-paneled walls, three large-size TVs, comfortable seating (plush sofas and chairs, round tables).

Other amenities include: complimentary 24-Hour Room-Service, supervised Kids Program ("Club Hal"), cruise ship weddings, Internet/WiFi access, Laundry Rooms (Laundromats). Ship's laundry rooms are not self-service (no passenger-use laundrettes). Laundry services are offered via hotel staff and at an additional charge.

Follows the complete list of ms Koningsdam lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• Atrium (3-deck high midship open-floor area with live performances)
• Stuyvesant Room (multi-purpose, used for cards playing, group meetings, presentations, “Club HAL” kids program)
• World Stage (theatre/main show lounge; also serves Holland America’s enrichment program (via a partnership with BBC Earth)
• Lincoln Center Stage & B.B. King's Blues Club (fka Queen's Lounge) is a 2-deck grand ballroom/concert hall (with two grand pianos and a large dance floor) hosting live musical performances (classical/chamber music, blues).
• Digital Workshop/Microsoft Studio (powered by MS Windows)
• Photo Gallery & Shop; Art Gallery
• Shore Excursions Desk; 4 Meeting Rooms
• Signature Shops (boutiques for duty-free tobaccos and liquor, perfumes, watches, clothing, HAL logo merchandise, souvenirs); Marabella Luxury Shop; Dive-in (scuba and diving equipment)
• Club Orange (suite-only restaurant)
• Ocean Bar (fka Explorer's Lounge & Bar) is an Atrium bar lounge with dance floor, stage (for live performances), wine tastings.
• Billboard Onboard (sing-along bar with live music performances)
• BLEND (glass-enclosed winery room)
• Grand Dutch Cafe is a Holland-themed a-la-carte-priced patisserie bar for traditional Dutch snacks/sweets and beverages (including coffees and Heineken draft beer) as well as premium European beers.
• Neptune Lounge (club venue for Deluxe Suite and Pinnacle guests only)
• Sport Court (basketball, volleyball, soccer); Sun Deck; Promenade Deck, Walking/Jogging Track
• Club HAL (kids lounge, complimentary youth programming)
• The Loft (teens club lounge area, with Video Games Arcade, computers, PlayStations; teen disco)

The wellness complex (forward on decks 9-10) consists of Fitness Center (gymnasium with a separate Aerobics Room for classes) and Greenhouse Spa & Salon (Therapy Rooms, Treatment Rooms (for massages), Hydrotherapy Pool with heated seawater, Thermal Suites, Relax Lounge with heated ceramic loungers, Sauna Room, Aroma Steam Room, Relaxation Area, Beauty Salon/manicure-pedicure, barber services).

Spacious sundecks spread over 3 floors (decks 9-10 midship and aft, deck 11 aft) and are fitted with 2 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzies (deck 9). The Lido Pool area (midship) is served by Lido Bar (beverages), Gelato (ice cream bar), Dive-In (fka Terrace Grill), New York Delly & Pizza (fast food) and Panorama Bar (beverages). The Sea View Pool area (aft) is served by Sea View Bar.

“Movies by the Pool Deck” is a 2-deck outdoor Cinema served by the New York Delly & Pizza (deck 10) with light snacks (including popcorn, sandwiches, pizza, fresh chips, nachos). During movie nights, loungers and blankets are provided, as well as chair-side waiter service from the food bars (Gelato, NY Deli & Pizza, Dive-In/Terrace Grill) and waiter service for drinks at the Lido Bar.

The Retreat (deck 12) is an adults-only sundeck/relaxation zone with private cabanas available for rent. Daily rent prices are inclusive of a massage tent, lunch, concierge service.

Explorations Central & Cafe (fka Crow’s Nest & Explorations Cafe/forward on deck 11) is an indoor observation lounge with panoramic windows (270-degree views), its own Bar (beverages), Cafe (patisserie, specialty coffees/teas), and a large dance floor. The lounge is also used for pre-scheduled events by HAL's enrichment program (daily dance classes, trivia games, card playing, karaoke, live grand piano and HAL Cats performances/8-piece party band in the afternoons and evenings). Explorations Central doubles as a disco/nightclub (with live DJ music, dancing contests) and a Library (1000+ volumes, resident librarians). Here are additionally offered multimedia series of interactive videos and guides related to the current itinerary's destinations. Explorations Central also provides digital media (videos, ebooks, maps) accessed via Wi-Fi (during the voyage) and also online (before and after the voyage). At Explorations Central, there are also paperback books and paper maps for the visited regions/destinations and ports of call.

The Casino is a large gaming lounge fitted with gambling tables, 140 slots and video poker machines, a PokerPro digital touchscreen table). It is served by Casino Bar and has a separate non-smoking area. In 2023, HAL conducted 5 wet-dock refurbishments to expand the casino space on its vessels in the Pinnacle-class (Nieuw Rotterdam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam) and Signature-class (Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam).

Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association. HAL also offers complimentary beginner lessons (led by onboard instructors), sells branded pickleball starter kits (at the ship's retail shops) and Play Pickleball tutorial videos are included in the cabin TV programming.

Itineraries

MS Koningsdam itinerary program started with the inaugural season in Europe, and the Maiden Voyage (April 8, 2016) from Civitavecchia-Rome. The European deployment included itineraries in the Mediterranean and Baltic seas, British Isles and Northern Europe (out of Amsterdam). Folloed the Transatlantic repositioning crossing to homeport Fort Lauderdale Florida USA (November 2016) for roundtrips to Caribbean and Bahamas. The itineraries (7-10-11-day) visited popular island destinations like Jamaica, Barbados, Bahamas (Half Moon Cay), Mexico (Cozumel), Aruba, Grand Cayman, Grand Turk, Key West FL.

Due to the Coronavirus crisis, Holland America paused Koningsdam for 19 months (March 2020 thru October 2021). The ship restarted (on Oct 10th) with California Coastal and Mexican Riviera voyages out of homeport San Diego. For summer 2022 was scheduled an Alaskan season with homeporting in Vancouver BC Canada.

The Koningsdam ship was named after HM Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands (Holland's current king). The ship’s name means "Koning" (king, in Dutch), and "dam" is traditional for the HAL ships suffix. The vessel (Fincantieri Marghera Yard number 6241) is powered by four MAK marine diesel engines (model 12V43C) with combined power output 50,4 MW. The propulsion system is based on two ABB Azipods (azimuth thrusters) with combined output 28 MW.

On February 26, 2015, was held the keel-laying / coin ceremony at the Fincantieri Marghera Shipyard (near Venice). On March 31, 2016, the vessel was launched (floated out from drydock) and officially delivered to Holland America Line on April 1 (a week ahead of schedule).

On April 18 was officially announced the name of Koningsdam's Godmother - Queen Máxima of the Netherlands. Holland America has 11 of its ships christened by Dutch Royal Family members. In 2010 Máxima (then only Princess) named the Nieuw Amsterdam ship. Holland's previous Queen (Beatrix) named Eurodam in 2008.

On May 20, 2016, in Port Rotterdam (Holland) was held ship's naming ceremony. On May 23, 2016, HAL officially announced the name for its second Pinnacle-class vessel ((Koningsdam's sistership) - Nieuw Statendam (launched in 2018).

The Koningsdam ship design is created by both "Tihany Design” (New York, USA) and "Yran & Storbraaten Architects AS” (Oslo, Norway). The vessel boasts 2-level theatre (named "World Stage"), 3-decks high Atrium, powered by Microsoft "Digital Workshop", numerous (including new for HAL) dining options, bars and lounges, expanded kids and teens clubs, the huge "Greenhouse Spa", the "Sea View" adults-only retreat.

Inaugural itineraries 2016

Following the repositioning from builder's shipyards (in Marghera/Venice to Civitavecchia-Rome) started Koningsdam's Inaugural cruise season in the Mediterranean Sea. It started with 7-day "Premiere Voyage" (roundtrip from Rome) followed by a series of 12-day "Premiere Sailing" itineraries (April-May 2016).

(Itinerary 2016 / April 8 to 15) Koningsdam's "Inaugural Cruise" was a 7-day roundtrip from Civitavecchia-Rome visiting Croatia (Dubrovnik), Greece (Corfu), Albania (Sarande), Greece (Katakolon-Olympia) and Italy (Naples).

In November 2016, Koningsdam started its Caribbean cruise itinerary program leaving from homeport Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale) Florida. Caribbean itineraries offered roundtrips from the USA to ports in the Bahamas, Eastern, Western and Southern Caribbean.