Holland America Line’s newest Pinnacle-class ship, Nieuw Statendam took her maiden voyage on December 5, 2018, crossing the Atlantic. TravelingMamas.com boarded in Port Everglades Cruise Terminal for her first US itinerary, in search of the best family spaces on this beautiful new ship.
Spacious Family Staterooms
HAL introduced family staterooms on the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam’s sister ship which was launched in 2016. The cruise line carried over this concept on the NSDM, and it seems to be a popular option for families, being one of the first cabin types to sell out.
What we liked best about the family staterooms is not only the sleeping space for five, but the TWO bathrooms, one with a tub for bathing the younger family members. No more fighting over the bathroom!
The family staterooms are ocean view only, which is a safe choice when cruising with little ones.
Club HAL
We loved Club HAL on the Nieuw Amsterdam, and Nieuw Statendam offers a similar, fun space for young cruisers in the family.
Daily activities are scheduled throughout the cruise itinerary both on the ship and a few activities on shore, depending on the port.
There are separate spaces for teens, tweens, and younger cruisers.
Fun Dining Choices
Each evening, the Main Dining Room is a practical choice for families to catch up over the fun activities experienced during the day. However, the Lido Deck offers a laid back buffet style dinner that is sure to please even the pickiest little cruisers. Nieuw Statendam also offers pizza, burgers and fries, and even a Gelato bar.
For parents trying to squeeze in a romantic dinner at least once during their cruise, specialty dining in the Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer, Tamarind, or Caneletto is just the thing. Of course, there’s always in room dining, which is available 24 hours on Nieuw Statendam for that late night club sandwich, or even cookies and milk before bedtime.
Excursions
Families will be pleased to find a number of port excursions that are fun for everyone. We noticed a number of multigenerational families on this short cruise during the holidays. The Explorations Central area in the Crow’s Nest is the perfect starting point for learning about the ports, including history, geography, and the culture of a destination. The excursion desk representatives are also knowledgeable and can assist families in narrowing down the excursion choices that fit best for their particular needs.
Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam and her sister ship, Koningsdam, offer a wide variety of options for families with all age groups. Paired together with the onboard activities including the music, the pools, ping pong tournaments, and nightly shows, families can create lasting cruise travel memories.
To book your family cruise on HAL’s Nieuw Statendam, visit Holland America Line’s official website.
