With Reuben Goossens

Cruise’n’Travel Journalist, Cruise reviewer, Maritime Historian & Lecturer

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site and it is NOT associated with any cruise company or travel agency! Although the author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but he continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future. Please read my statement at the bottom of the page!

ms Amsterdam

A Comprehensive Ship Review by Reuben Goossens

A Ship Inspection in Brisbane, November 11, 2010

Sister ship to the ms Rotterdam VI, ms Amsterdam is seen here at sea – both have two upright aft funnels

Photograph provided & © by Holland America Line - USA

Please Note: All Photographs on this review were taken by the author Reuben Goossens & are © Copyright in addition there is one image that was provided by Holland America Line USA! As all images are protected by international copyright laws, photographs on these pages must NOT be copied or reproduced in any manner for the use on any media or for private use without prior written consent from the author.

Part One – Decks 3 to 5

Introduction.

I was fortunate to be able to visit the ms Amsterdam whist she was in Brisbane, berthed at the Portside International Cruise Terminal on Thursday November, 11, 2010. Although I had only returned from a superb two week cruise on Amsterdam’s delightful sister ship ms Volendam the Friday prior, I had been invited to visit the Amsterdam and have lunch on her long before this cruise.

Much like my photo page on the Volendam, this page will cover the ships public venues and some of her deck spaces and as I usually do I will commence, my Ship Review with the lower decks, in this case - Deck 3, being Lower Promenade Deck and slowly work up. I will cover the superb walk around Promenade Deck, the three level Atrium and then as we go to the upper levels I will commence from forward and slowly head aft, with the exception of the Lido Deck (8) where I commence aft and head forward.

I trust that this ship review will give you a good insight to the excellent facilities on board this luxurious Holland America Line cruise ship as well as her three sisters, being the ms Rotterdam, Volendam and Zaandam, which are known as the R Class ships having been built between 1997 & 2000. The layout of all these are almost identical, however their décor obviously varies and thus they remain very much quite individual in style. On ms Amsterdam the overall colour scheme in the public venues is a just little darker considering her featuring an abundance of elegant array of fine timbers as does the Volendam, but these are timbers of a somewhat lighter shade. Amsterdam’s venues also contain a good mix of colours and special touches that make this ship stand out with its own individuality. She certainly has the feel of a modern cruise ship, yet she is a luxuriously elegant ship with touches of yesteryear’s grand Trans-Atlantic liners as the photographs below will prove!

I trust that you will enjoy this photographic tour of the ms Amsterdam and please do not forget to also read my comprehensive four page Volendam Cruise Review - the link is located at the bottom of the page!

Specifications & other details:

The ms Amsterdam is the third ship to bear the name of the Dutch capital in the Holland America Line fleet that has a 135-year history. She was built at a cost of US$400 million at the famed Italian Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera and she contains the very latest in shipbuilding and safety technology. She is 62,735-tons, 238m (781ft) long, 32.25m (105.8ft) wide, with a draft of 7.80m (25.5ft). Having Diesel Electric engines and 2 Azimuthing pods (propellers) and operates at a cruising speed of 22.5 knots.

For a ship of her size she only accommodates 1,380 passengers, thus offering far more space than most cruise ships of this size these days, as other ships will carry around 2,000 and even many more. She has a crew of just over 600! As ms Amsterdam is registered in Rotterdam The Netherlands, Holland America Line remains very much a Dutch company and thus the ship has a Dutch Captain and navigational officers, but there is also a special HAL academy trained International hotel staff sourced from Indonesia, the Philippines and other countries. She has 11 passenger decks, 4 restaurants, 3 pools (one with a huge glass sliding dome and there 12 lifts, four in each of the three hallways. She officially commenced service in October 2000.

As will become obvious throughout this review, this fine ship is filled with a multi million dollar museum quality art collection, something that is a feature Holland America Line ships. In addition Holland America Line’s fleet has a long standing reputation of being “The Spotless Fleet,” something that I can personally vouch for having sailed with them back in the great days of the SS Nieuw Amsterdam and SS Rotterdam, and only a week ago (when writing) on the ms Volendam, and hygiene and cleanliness on their ships continues to this day, which is a great relief, considering the problems with some ships around the globe!

It is time to board:

The bow of the ms Amsterdam at Portside Brisbane – November 11, 2010

I boarded the ms Amsterdam via the forward entry on Main Deck (2) and after the usual security checks I took the lift up to the lower level of the Atrium on Deck 3. and commenced my tour of the ship, which was is much the same to the Volendam, yet she offered many new visual delights, especially the huge sculpture in the atrium as you will soon see!

I arrived at the Atrium Deck 3 using the lift (elevator)

Lower Promenade – Deck 3.

This deck is mostly occupied by Staterooms and for interest and it also has a self serve laundry; others are on accommodation decks 2 & 6. Outside on Deck 3 there is spacious full walk around teak Promenade Deck. Holland America ships have one very popular feature and this is the traditional HAL wooden deck chairs complete with comfy cushions. Located far forward you will discover the entrance to the bow section, for on Holland America Lines ships the forecastle (the bow section) can be used by passengers as a viewing area, whilst cruising locations such as Alaska and other scenic regions around the world.

Note the traditional timber deck chairs have a carved HAL logo on them located on the top centre, but is hidden by the cushions

(PS: This photo was taken on the Volendam, but the deck and chairs are obviously identical!)

The Atrium – Decks 3, 4 & 5

Forward on these three levels you will discover the elegant three level Atrium that features a towering sculpture named: “Planeto Astrolabium,” which was created for the ms Amsterdam and it certainly makes a massive impression. Besides being a spectacular piece of art it is also useful as it actually works! The Atrium has many fine pieces of art as well as flower arrangements located on all levels.

The Hotel Manager and Cruise Director’s offices are located on Deck 3, whilst the Front Office and Shore Excursions Desk, and the Art and Photo Gallery are located on Deck 4 close to the Atrium. Up on Deck 5 you will discover all the shops and boutiques on board the ship as well as the superb Ocean Bar and the Terrace, all of which surround the Atrium, thus this section “The Atrium” will cover three decks and the immediate facilities around the Atrium.

Seating featuring the official Coat of Arms of the City of Amsterdam at the Atrium on Deck 3 - (Lower Promenade)

Our grand tour of the ship commences at the heart of ms Amsterdam where you will discover the amazing “Planeto Astrolabium” that was especially commissioned and it soars high up in this elegant three-story atrium. The “Astrolabe” tracks four things - the constellations, the planets, world time, but also the ships time. Throughout the ship you will discover a great deal of Dutch heritage and tradition, be through the superb historic Dutch art, or some of the original Art Deco pieces that once graced the great SS Nieuw Amsterdam of 1938, and these pieces can be found throughout the ship. For a contemporary touch, there are also some works by the noted maritime artist Captain Stephen Card.

The amazing “Planeto Astrolabium”

Above and below: Two fine views of the amazing sculpture – note the bells!

Looking towards the Atrium Terrace Lounge on Upper Promenade Deck (5) – portside to aft

The top of the “Planeto Astrolabium” - looking towards the Ocean Bar on Deck 5 – starboard

Promenade - Deck 4:

This deck has a number of venues located forward to amidships, commencing with the lower Queens Lounge Showroom, followed by the Photo and Art Galleries (port), Front Office and Excursion Desk on the Atrium. Then heading further aft you will pass Wine tasting Bar and Gourmet shops, and the “Wajang Theatre”, which is also used as the superb “Culinary Arts of Food and Wine Centre” then there is the delightfully elegant “Pinnacle Grill,” which sadly was closed whilst the ship was in port and thus the tables were not set, but I still photographed it anyway, for the superb venue still stands out!

These venues are followed by the galley’s (kitchens) and then far aft is the lower level of the massive two level “La Fontaine Dining Room,” which is surrounded on three sides by floor to ceiling windows However, I will cover the “Queens Lounge Showroom” and the “La Fontaine Dining Room” on Deck 5.

Stairs to the balcony of the Queens Lounge Showroom - portside

Photoshop, the boards on the right open up ob both sides to reveal the photographs - portside

The Front Office on the Atrium & the closed Excursion Desk to the right - starboard

The Art Gallery - looking towards the Atrium - portside

Seating area near the Theatre, Gourmet Food and Wine Tasting Centre, as well as the Culinary Art Centre - portside

Gourmet and Wine tasting Centre - portside

Above and below: The Wajang Theatre and Culinary Arts Centre - starboard

The hallway – The Wajang Theatre is behind the wall on the left and the Pinnacle Grill to the right

The “Pinnacle Grill” is without doubt the ultimate of luxury and this is where you go for a very special experience. On our cruise on the Volendam many passengers opted to go for lunch and dinner a number of times! Lunch is only an additional US$10 or US$15, and for an evening meal spectacular, just US$20. Upon entering this venue you will discover that it is much like entering an ultra luxury Italian Villa that has grand bay windows (looking into the interior) on the starboard side with gilded twisted pillars, the walls are lined with a vast variety of art, as well as the floral displays throughout the venue, and believe me the “Pinnacle Grill” simply has an atmosphere that has to be experienced. Mr. Tan and I certainly enjoyed our dining experiences whilst we were on the Volendam in Oct/Nov 2010 (both for lunch and Diner) and I can say that the cuisine was sensational. Our visit to the “Pinnacle Grill” was indeed “A food experience beyond compare!” Please Note: Early bookings are essential as this is a popular venue!

Above and Below: The elegant surroundings of the “Pinnacle Grill” where a dining delight awaits!

Upper Promenade - Deck 5:

We now come to the deck that contains the majority of Amsterdam’s public venues, including the upper and lower levels of the “Queens Lounge Showroom” and the magnificent two level “La Fontaine Dining Room.”

Commencing forward we will commence with the beautifully designed Theatre/Showroom, a venue that has excellent sight lines no matter where you decide to sit, be it up or downstairs. In addition this venue provides heaps of leg room and that is something that is missing on so many of the modern multi level theatres on ships these days where your knees are close to the back of the seat in front, and lord help you if anyone wishes to pass you! In addition on the lower level there are tables for drinks! Whilst on a cruise on the Volendam just a week before visiting ms Amsterdam, I certainly found it to be a pleasantly designed and a most comfortable Showroom, in addition it offered excellent entertainment throughout our cruise!

Queens Lounge Showroom

The entrance hall and its sculptures

The Queens Lounge as seen from the upper level – the balcony

A good view of the lower level of the Queens Lounge – Lower level

A wide angle view of the venue

Like everything on Holland America ships, even the lift (elevator) doors are superbly decorative

Each day the mats in all 12 lifts are changed, thus you will never forget what day it is!

Ocean Bar / Lounge

This venue is a delight in so many ways, and like many of the lounges, the venue is divided into sections, providing intimate areas, yet it is roomy and open. It has a bar located forward, and a band stand in the middle of the room with a spacious dance floor. The room is filled with paintings, sculptures, flowers, a variety of odd lampshades, be it coloured square glass or rather quirky ones as can be seen in these photos. Bands used are able to play a vast variety of music and will please all ages!

The delightful Ocean Bar and Lounge, perfect by day and night! - starboard

The band stand and dance floor in the Ocean Bar

Outside décor of the Ocean Bar

Casino & Sports Bar / Lounge

Alongside the shopping arcade is the Casino & Sports Lounge and Bar that features two stunning sculptures at the entrance to the lounge area. The lounge section has a large TV screen that offers sport presentations as do the five screens above the Bar just aft. On the portside there is the extensive Casino area covering all the usual slots and popular tables for the more serious gamblers.

Please note: Smoking on the Volendam was permitted whilst sitting directly at this bar, and it is the only smoking area inside the ship! However, I did not get to check if this was the case on Amsterdam, but would assume it to be so. The only other smoking area is up on Deck 8 - Lido Deck, starboard aft near to the Sea View Bar, located outside, but is under cover.

The popular Sports & Casino Bar – this section is non smoking

Casino/Sports Bar – Please note that the portside section is smoking

The Casino

“Explorations Café”

On the portside aft of the Casino, reached via a hallway is the Hudson Room, which is used as the card and games room, or it can be used for various special occasions or for parties, etc. This room is followed by the extensive “Explorations Café”, which is “Powered by the New York Times.” Available at the Café are delicious barista coffees as well as a host of pastries. These are available at a small extra charge.

Forward and aft of the café/bar are open style rooms that divided into three sections all are superbly timbered and contains a brilliantly stocked library as well as the ships internet facilities and ample lounge space for supping your coffee or just relaxing whilst reading a good book, enjoying a puzzle or playing a game!

The Hudson Room is the card & games room, but also used for private functions – portside

The Exploration’s Café / Library and Internet facilities are simply the best at sea!

Holland America Line offers without a doubt the best stocked libraries I have seen on many a ship!

A superb coffee awaits as well as a fine Danish pastry, and all for a very small fee

A quiet spot for reading or ply a game

Elegant and simply superb facilities

Future cruise booking office opposite the Explorations Café

“Amstel Café” & Rembrandt Lounge

Just aft of the Casino/Sports Bar on the starboard side you will discover the delightful Amstel Café and Rembrandt Lounge. This is the perfect spot for nightly entertainment as the pianist and a guitarist entertains with traditional Piano Man music and Rhythm and Blues style of music. These are two intimate venues that melt together and stretched into the hallway.

The Amstel Café

Looking towards the Rembrandt Lounge from the Amstel Café

This is a colourful and a charming venue

The Rembrandt Lounge as seen from the starboard side

Explorers Lounge

This lounge is sheer elegance and these photographs simply do not give the venue any justice, for the ambience is simply wonderful. At night is the home for the ships classic orchestra. Like all venues, there is an abundance of fresh flowers, as well as so much superb art to be found everywhere, which simply takes your breath away from the moment you enter this room, this is all part of the multi million dollar art collection on board this ship and all Holland America Line ships, for it is their signature!

Above & Below: At the forward entrance to this venue are some incredible Chinese antiques statues on both the starboard and portsides

Above: These two Guardians statues date from the Ming Dynasty, the 15th.century, at the side are two wooden palace doors from the 18th.century

The two Lion Guardian door holders are also from the 18th.century

The Ming Dynasty statues are all from the 15th.century

On ms Amsterdam you will find that the Explorers Lounge is superbly arranged and it tends to have a delightfully intimate feel. The band stand is located far aft together with a small round dance floor.

Looking towards the colourful aft section on the Explorer’s Lounge

The huge Dutch maritime painting is a feature of the venue

A close up of a superb piece of Dutch maritime art, revealing some of the golden years of Dutch shipping

“La Fontaine Dining Room”

The Main entrance of the upper level (Deck 5) of the “La Fontaine Dining Room”

The “La Fontaine Dining Room” is so magnificent it will impress you the moment you arrive there the first time! Not only are the meals there absolutely supreme, having had a sublime luncheon there on the day I spent on board, but what I love about this Dining Room” is like on ms Volendam the Orchestra will gently play each night up on band stand and this is delightfully soothing, and believe me it enhances a fine meal with a good glass of wine! Then at breakfast there are the soft sounds of birds chirping as well as the gentle sounds of the ocean waves coming ashore. All these things make each meal in this restaurant very special! Holland America Line certainly knows all about the fine art of having their guests dining in the most glamorous surroundings and in style!

The entrance and the menu

This was taken early prior to tables being set, but shows the magnificence of the room

A view from the balcony and the intricate metal work of the balustrades

Now looking at the lower lever – Deck 4

Portside view of “La Fontaine” all set and ready for lunch!

The author ready to have his delicious dessert!

It is a well known fact that I consider Holland America Line (HAL) to be one of the finest cruise companies in the world! The truth is that this company has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1872 and Holland America Line has continually received countless cruise awards and accolades for being one of the finest and highest rated as well as the best value Cruise Line each year, and that is for two full decades up to and including 2012. That is something that not a single other cruise line is able to match!

These are some of the International awards, including the Australian AFTA Award.

“The Highest Rated Cruise Line” – Conde Nast Travellers Readers; Choice Travellers Awards; Travel & Leisure Word’s Best Awards.

“Best Overall Cruise Value” – 20 consecutive years – World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.

“High Deluxe Five Star Rating” - World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society.

“International Five Star Diamond Award” – The American Academy of Hospitality Sciences.

“Cruise Line with the Highest Client Satisfaction” – TravelAge West.

In 2010 Holland America received the following awards “Best Cruise Operator” and “World’s Leading GREEN Cruise Line.”

“Best Cruise Operator” (Internationally based) - AFTA award 2010 at the AFTA National Travel Industry Awards.

“Gold 2010 Rear Admiral William M. Benkert Environmental Protection Award” from the U.S. Coast Guard.

“World’s Leading Green Cruise Line Award” and the “Blue Circle Award” from the Port of Vancouver.

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Please Note that the author was a guest of Holland America Line for a tour of the ship and lunch on board. However, in regard to cruises, I always pay full fares as I will not write a review on a ship unless fares has been paid. In addition, I speak to countless passengers and glean from them how they are enjoying their vacation, and my thoughts are always based on my experiences, considering, my well over 125 voyages, as well as the input from the passengers!

Also read the Two page 2010 … ms Volendam Cruise Review

By the Author – Reuben Goossens

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Other Holland America Pages online Include …

The … Holland America Line – Introduction Page

ms Nieuw Amsterdam - ms Rotterdam - ms Prinsendam & ms Volendam

ms Zaandam & ms Oosterdam

Also read our Holland America Line - Cruise News Updates - Page

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Who is the Author of Cruise-Australia & ssMaritime?

Commenced in the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960

Or go directly to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX

Please Note: Cruise-Australia is a non-commercial and privately owned cruise site. The author has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1960 and is currently semi-retired, but continues to write cruise and ship reviews and articles in order to better to inform cruise and ship enthusiasts and provide information for those intending a cruise in the future.

However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to a dedicated cruise agent in Australia, New Zealand or further afield on my recommended “cruise agents” page, for these are agents that specialise in cruising and they will be able offer excellent service you and the best fares available! Be assured, I do NOT receive any commissions or favours from these agents, and in the vast majority of cases these agents will not even be aware of my, or mu site’s involvement, as I provide the enquirer with the requested information of the agents (in their region) including their contact details. Reuben Goossens.

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This notice covers all pages, although, I have done my best to ensure that all photographs are duly credited and that this notice is displaced on each page, that is, when a page is updated!