Holland America Koningsdam: The Perfect Cruise for Multigenerational Travelers

Passengers: 2,650 Best for: Multigenerational travelers and passengers looking for a sophisticated experience without a sky-high price tag Sails: The Caribbean, the Mediterranean, and Northern Europe At a Glance: With a 2,650-passenger capacity, this is Holland America’s newest and largest ship—the first of the new Pinnacle class. It’s also the line’s most luxurious vessel, featuring an airy, modern design, world-class entertainment, and restaurants you’ll want to come back to again and again.

The Staterooms Are Made for Multigenerational Voyages

Well laid out with a contemporary design, cabins on the ship feel larger than they are. They range from 127-square foot solo cabins (new for the line) to the 1,290-square foot Pinnacle Suite, which features a living and dining room, sound system, and a plunge pool on the balcony. Also new are 32 family oceanview cabins, which can fit a party of five. Starting at 222 square feet, they feature a sofa bed and a pullout bunk bed, along with two bathrooms, so children can have one all to themselves.

The Design Feels Fresh But Familiar

Holland America tapped Adam D. Tihany and architect Bjorn Storbraaten to design Koningsdam and create a template for Holland America ships of the future. The result is a lighter, more modern look with lots of glamorous touches, such as the chic white lounge chaises that line the deck overlooking the Lido Pool, reminiscent of a boutique South Beach hotel. Moreover, a screen for outdoor movie nights has been added to the Lido Pool.

Music-themed art covers the ship, from a statue of a cello to mod portraits of Mozart, highlighting the ship’s Music Walk. Even the rib-like arches that soar in the two-food dining room were inspired by the strings of a harp. In the dining room, guests will find streamlined furnishings in light fabrics, a dramatic grand staircase, and a stunning wine tower dramatically framed in bronze.

The Restaurants Impress

There are 13 restaurants on board, ensuring that passengers will never run out of dining options. On gala nights, you might find dishes by Holland America’s Culinary Council members—Rudi Sodamin, Mark Best, Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Elizabeth Falkner, and Jacques Torres—featured in the main dining room, which is also open for breakfast and lunch. Passengers can choose between two set seating times or simply walk in and ask for a table whenever they wish.

Lido Market resembles not a buffet restaurant but a modified food hall: With unique stations like Breadboard (sandwiches and fresh-baked breads), Wild Harvest (salads), and Distant Lands (international options), each area feels self-contained. Other dining options included in the price of the voyage are the Grand Dutch Café, serving Dutch pastries and dishes; New York Deli & Pizza, overlooking the Lido Pool; and Dive-in, a hot dog and hamburger eatery.

However, the for-fee restaurants are where the cuisine really shines. Brasserie Sel de Mer specializes in seafood, excelling with its bouillabaisse and profiteroles. Holland America favorites Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Italian nook Canaletto, and pan-Asian Tamarind continue to be crowd pleasers. Furthermore, the Culinary Arts Center boasts a farm-to-table restaurant with an open kitchen, where the chef discusses each seasonal dish, providing recipe cards for passengers to take home.

Make Time for Cooking and Wine-blending Classes

The Culinary Arts Center hosts demos and tastings, soon to be operated by America’s Test Kitchen: Expect pasta making, wine pairing, and mixology classes. Additionally, Blend, an intimate tasting room, offers passengers the opportunity to sip varied vintages from Chateau Ste. Michelle, Washington State’s oldest winery, blending them into personalized creations for $129 per passenger, complete with unique labeling for their dinner bottle.

Music Row Is a Must

Cruise-ship entertainment can often stray too far into kitsch territory; however, Koningsdam manages to elevate the experience, creating nightly events that passengers eagerly anticipate. After dark, the hottest spot is Music Walk on Deck 2, where the culinary venues align, allowing passengers to enjoy performances by B.B. King’s All Stars, classical music at Lincoln Center Stage, and the Billboard Onboard piano lounge. Most shows play several times each evening, changing nightly to ensure that guests enjoy a unique experience every time.