The Amsterdam, completed in 2000, measures 60,874 tons and is a near-twin to the Rotterdam of 1997. The pair differs from Statendam-class ships in offering more space per passenger, additional high-category cabins and a relatively fast cruising speed of 25 knots, allowing more ambitious itineraries, including an around-the-world cruise. Mostly Dutch officers and an Indonesian and Filipino crew of 658 look after 1,380 passengers.
Holland America Line got its start in 1873 and soon became one of the largest transatlantic passenger carriers. By the early 1970s, the line turned completely to cruising and by 1988 the company became part of the Carnival Corp. Since then, HAL has grown by leaps and bounds and the current fleet is remarkably homogeneous, apart from the one-off Prinsendam.
Holland America typically attracts an older passenger than Princess, with a lower average age on the 7-day Alaska cruises and a higher one on the long cruises into the Pacific and around the world. Most are Americans who like the attractively-decorated ship and the generally sedate atmosphere. Perhaps Oceania would be the closest equivalent, though the latter's ships are smaller and the dress is more casual. Tipping is $10 per day added to the bill, and it can be adjusted by going to reception.
The Amsterdam's summer program consists of 7-day cruises to Alaska from Seattle, followed by a 64-day Circle Pacific cruise via Asia, Australia and Polynesia. Then she travels through the Panama Canal to begin the Grand World Voyage, a 113-day cruise from Fort Lauderdale via the Pacific, Asia, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean and across to New York and Fort Lauderdale. For the summer she returns to Seattle via the Panama Canal and the West Coast for cruises to Alaska.
The Amsterdam's atrium centerpiece is an elaborate astrolabe with four different faces—a more attractive focal point than some of the bulky sculptural pieces on HAL's other ships. Most public rooms fill the Promenade and Upper Promenade decks. The bi-level Queens Lounge seats half the passenger list for splashy shows, and aft of balcony level are a series of bars and lounges, a card and puzzle room, a library, shops and the casino. The trademark Ocean Bar, with stools and sectioned lounge seating, hot hors d'oeuvres and a dance band, is invariably the liveliest place aboard. The Amstel Bar, an even cozier spot for a drink, and the adjacent windowed Rembrandt Lounge, lead to the Explorer's Lounge, a dance and classical music venue and a quiet place to read during the day. Relatively new, the Exploration Cafe houses a very large library area with bookshelves, reading chairs, music listening stations, Internet access and a coffee bar. The deck below is home to the front desk, shore excursion office, art gallery, wine bar and gourmet shops, and a movie theater (with fresh popcorn) that doubles as the Culinary Arts Center for cooking demonstrations and classes. The Crow's Nest observation lounge provides quiet sections for reading with a view during the day and cocktails and dancing at night. One level below, the Lido Deck has a retractable roof protecting the main pool, wading pool, two octagonal whirlpools, and some of the tables attached to the cheerful 400-seat lido buffet. A more private pool lays all the way aft. Remote, high up and aft are Club HAL for children ages 3 to 13 and The Oasis and The Loft for teenagers.
Leisure amenities include two practice tennis courts, basket ball, volleyball, and the Greenhouse Spa with a beauty salon, sauna, steam room and massage, and a gym with a terrific view over the bow. Walkers love the wide wraparound promenade, and quiet recesses with deck chairs ensure space for readers.
Formal dining features good international fare, such as Alaska king crab and prime rib of beef, served to mostly American, not particularly adventurous, diners. Dinner is in the elegant 750-seat La Fontaine at two sittings, each with staggered starting times to ease ordering from the galley. A new policy also allows passengers to dine at a wide window of dinner hours, by reservation or just showing up. A small Filipino band often plays on the balcony during dinner. A double staircase joins the two levels, with the upper tier offering port and starboard private dining rooms, one of which the captain uses for his hosted dinners during the world cruise. The lower level leads to the 88-seat Pinnacle Grill, a reservation-only alternative restaurant offering steaks, chicken and fish at an extra charge, less for lunch than for dinner. Casual buffet dining is also available in a dressed-up section of the buffet.
Standard cabins (most outsides) occupy three lower decks, and on the Lower Promenade they face the open promenade with passing foot traffic. Cabin occupants below may hear heavy footsteps above. All cabins feature twin beds convertible to queens, and some baths have tubs. Verandah Deck mini-suites offer sitting areas, desk-vanities, minibars, TVs with VCRs, CNN and TNT, twin or queen beds and balconies. Their tiled baths add hair dryers and whirlpool tubs. Navigation Deck, a full deck of 563-sq-ft suites, features the private Neptune Lounge with concierge service for restaurant reservations and shore excursions. These suites have sitting areas, king beds and large verandahs. The two fabulous penthouse suites measure 1,126 sq ft each. There are 21 wheelchair-accessible cabins.
The Amsterdam shares flagship status with the Rotterdam, and the two, with more space and speed than HAL's Statendam-class vessels, measure a cut above the rest of the fleet.
