Nieuw Amsterdam Cabins

Standard inside, outside and balcony cabins range in size from 175 to 200 square feet, with two beds that convert to a very comfortable queen.

Windowless inside cabins have two basic designs but at least three different sizes: 175, 185 and 200 square feet. The larger cabins are more of an L shape and feel particularly roomy. Outside cabins without balconies are 185 square feet. Verandah cabins are 200 square feet inside, most with balconies of 54 square feet. There are also 10, Curved Verandah cabins with balconies of only 22 square feet.

Each cabin includes a small sofa and sitting area; an adjustable table big enough for two at breakfast; a desk; a stocked fridge with soda, beer, wine and whiskey for sale; and a safe. Closets have sufficient space, though without drawers. Each cabin has at least three storage units. One has shelves and a lower space for hanging shorter clothes. Two other units may be adjusted from hanging closets to large shelves for folded items. Cabins have two side tables; each has two small drawers and a shelf. One of the drawers in each side table can be locked, so roommates might each have a lockable drawer with a key that does not open the other. Beyond the closets, there are two drawers under the beds, though in my cabin, the cleaning crew used these drawers for stored blankets and a decorative bedcover that was stowed below at nightly turndown. A cabin supervisor responded that these drawers often are used by the cleaning crews, but that passengers may ask for the drawers to be emptied for their use.

Cabins with balconies each come equipped with two chairs (one straight-backed, one rounded) and a footstool -- all of which look like brown wicker but, for fire safety reasons, are actually plastic -- and a tiny table that would hold about two drinks. Each chair has a foam cushion.

All cabins have flat-screen televisions that offer a typical range of channels, including news, movies and Holland America promotional programming. The ship offers more than 1,000 movies at no charge; they may be viewed on your cabin television, available one movie at a time. The daily movie shown in the cinema also is available the next day on your television. There is no interactive system for booking shore tours or spa treatments.

While the 156 inside cabins on Nieuw Amsterdam have showers only, all of the other accommodations have at least a combination bathtub and shower. Amenities, including shower gel, shampoo, conditioner and body lotion, are from Elemis, the company that operates the ship's spa. Except for the body lotion, they are dispensed from containers attached to shower walls.

Nieuw Amsterdam is the first Holland America ship with a power cutoff at the cabin door, similar to the process in hotel rooms in Europe. When passengers enter their cabins, they place their cabin key cards into wall slots that turn on the power. When they leave their rooms, they take the cards out of the slots, which turns off all the power, except for highly useful directional reading lights on either side of the beds. (Note: This can be a problem if you want to charge electronics in your room when you're not there.) Not only do these adjustable reading lights work well for couples who go to sleep at different times -- allowing one person to read in bed with a strong light, while the other sleeps in near darkness -- but they also can provide a softly lighted room when you return from dinner. A tip: When you leave your room at night, perhaps to go to dinner, either open the cabin door before you pull the key card from the slot, or turn on one of the reading lights; otherwise, suddenly, you will find yourself in a room so dark you can't see even the cabin door handle.

My verandah cabin (confusingly called deluxe, though there are no standard verandah cabins) was roomy enough for two, as long as neither would be standing at the closets while the other wanted to get to the bathroom or leave the cabin, as an open closet door filled the entry space. I felt at home in my cabin, with its three playful prints on the wall, a chair with a back that I used to sit at the desk and a comfy couch with more stuffing than in those found on most ships.

Staterooms designated as Spa cabins are spread across two decks. Spa cabins are designed with soothing natural colors and are equipped with yoga mats and healthier in-cabin dining menus. Occupants have access to a concierge for booking spa treatments, but no spa treatments are included in the fares.

Of the 1,053 cabins onboard, 114 are suites. They come in three styles -- Superior, Deluxe and Penthouse -- and all have larger balconies and sofa beds. Bathrooms feature full-size whirlpool tubs, separate shower stalls and double vanities. The 50 Superior Verandah Suites are 300 square feet with 98-square-foot balconies. Each is the equivalent of a cabin and a half in width, with a large sitting area that includes a sofa bed for one person, chairs and a large desk. The 62 Deluxe Verandah Suites measure 380 to 570 square feet, each with a 130-square-foot balcony. These suites, each the equivalent of two standard cabins in width, include king-size beds (convertible to twins), large living areas with chairs and sofa beds big enough for two people and separate dressing rooms.

The most elaborate accommodations are two 1,000-square-foot Penthouse Verandah Suites. Each has separate sleeping and living quarters, a dressing room, a powder room, a butler's pantry with refrigerator and microwave and a 318-square-foot balcony with four lounge chairs, an eating table for four and a whirlpool tub.

Occupants of the suites are given perks that include breakfast each morning in the Pinnacle Grill (same menu as the Manhattan), free laundry and dry-cleaning and priority tender boarding. These passengers also have access to the Neptune Lounge, a private living room area on Deck 7 with beverages and snacks throughout the day, a computer and a concierge.

Next: Nieuw Amsterdam Dining

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