Since we prefer the smaller ships, HAL is for us the cruiseline of choice. Have sailed on a big guy (Yuck - not HAL), have sailed on a smaller Celebrity ship (a good line). I can't tell you why but, Holland America always feels like home. Perhaps it's the traditions unique to them like Dutch Pea Soup at the glacier. Or physical things like "OH, look - it's Monday in the elevator." Or the continued smiles and willing attitude of the crew. (THIS, folks, is a huge thing - the others may look like a cruise ship and dress like a cruise ship - but, it's the people that staff these ships that make Holland America THE cruise ship - at least for us.)
The Ms Amsterdam (flagship of the fleet according to our captain) is not the newest boat on the water. This means that things can and do go wrong - and may not get totally fixed until the next port of call if parts are needed. That being said, she is still graceful in the water, well tended by her crew and glorious to behold. I never saw a needed repair more than once. It was fixed immediately.
My favorite perk about HAL ships is that it's all about you. Therefore, windows are for YOU, not for the money making restaurants of other ships. (Remember that huge ship we went on?? They had no(or very limited) windows for wildlife viewing. The common areas there were right down the center of the ship - the "give me money" restaurants were by the windows.) By contrast,there are all kinds of places to watch for whales on HAL right by a window - and if it's a lounge or bar - no purchase of a drink needed only the possibility offered.
Adequate room with lots of storage. Close to outside viewing. Only gentle rocking when the bow was making our friends queasy. You can hear muffled engine noise when steerage changes but, it is not disturbing.