When Koningsdam debuted in 2016, it heralded both a new class (Pinnacle) and a new era for HAL. Koningsdam was the biggest, most technologically advanced and most luxurious Holland America Line ship ever built.
The ship took some of the best features from the rest of the fleet such as partnerships with well known chefs, music link-ups, adults-only areas and excellent specialty restaurants, and enhanced them by making them bigger, such as the double-deck lido. It also added more options, such as the Billboard Onboard music venue, which joined the B.B. King Blues Club. More recently, the Rolling Stone Lounge was placed onboard.
Koningsdam also saw the debut of a number of new features such a Rudi’s Sel de Mer; a double-deck, retractable glass-roofed Lido Deck, a stunning theater space with a giant surround screen; and the line's first family, spa and solo cabins.
Fast forward almost 10 years, and the ship has aged surprisingly well. Regular refurbishments, including a two-week dry dock in 2023, has kept it looking and feeling fresh. A library was installed in a little-used Microsoft learning space on Deck 2; a tie-up with Iron Chef Morimoto has led to a pop-up once a cruise and an Arts Center on the top deck ensures enrichment is at the forefront of a Koningsdam cruise.
Koningsdam’s Deck Plan Allows for Good Passenger Flows
Koningsdam’s deck plan is well designed, with almost all the action centered on Decks 2 and 3, meaning all the noise is contained to these two decks. It’s here that you’ll find the main theater at the front of the ship, and the main dining room at the aft, with gorgeous wake views. The Music Walk – BB King’s Blues Club, Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard Onboard – as well as Pinnacle Grill, Rudi’s Sel de Mer and The Library, are all in between.
Directly above is Guest Services, the shops, the Casino and the Grand Dutch Café, as well as a Promenade Deck that you can walk the full way around.
Decks 4 through 8 are dedicated to cabins. Lido Market and the Italian specialty restaurant, Canaletto, are on Deck 9, along with the Lido pool area, aft pool the Spa and Gym, allowing for a seamless walk through, with no bottlenecks.
Above here, you’ll find Tamarind and Club HAL, as well as quieter sun decks. The Sport Court is on Deck 11; the Crow’s Nest and Arts Center, as well as a jogging track and outdoor gym equipment, are up on 12.
This layout means you can always find a quiet spot, inside or out, where you can read, soak in the views, or just fall asleep on a lounger.
Koningsdam Has 13 Different Cabin Types Including Suites And Family Rooms
Koningsdam has 1,331 cabins and 13 cabin types, including family cabins and solo cabins, as well as a variety of suites and spa cabins. Despite the years, all feel surprisingly fresh and contemporary thanks to successive refurbs.
The balcony (or Veranda) cabins make up the vast majority onboard and it’s worth seeking out those at the “humps” of the ship as they have an oblong layout and much longer balconies.
Entry-level Vista Suites are also popular as although broadly the same as a Verandah cabin, they come with an array of perks.
Cabins to avoid are those down on Deck 1, below the busy and noisy Music Walk.
Food Quality Varies by Venue on Koningsdam
Food varies by venue, with the specialty restaurants and Lido Market buffet coming out tops, while the main dining room is hit and miss, even on Gala night. It’s a pity, because HAL spends a lot of time and effort on culinary partnerships (its latest is with Iron Chef Morimoto), and you’d hope that would translate into food quality across all venues.
Standouts are the Pinnacle Grill and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, with Tamarind getting an honorary mention. We also loved the “secret” spots such as the Observation Café and the New York Deli for a quiet breakfast.
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Inclusions
Included with your cruise fare:
Meals in the main dining room and Lido Market buffet, as well as at New York Pizza & Deli and Dive-in Burgers
Water, basic coffee, tea, and select juices in the Lido Marketplace buffet
All theater shows, and musical performances at Billboard Onboard, B.B. King’s Blues Club and Rolling Stone Lounge
Hors d’oeuvres offered during cocktail hour
Use of the fitness center and sports facilities, excluding most classes
Most daily activities unless noted otherwise
Club HAL kids facility and programming for kids, ages 3 to 17
In-room movies-on-demand
Pinnacle Grill breakfast and Neptune Lounge access for passengers staying in Neptune Suites only
Not included with your cruise fare:
Crew gratuities ($17 per person, per day for guests in standard staterooms and $19 per person, per day for suite guests)
Specialty dining in Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Canaletto, Rudi’s Sel de Mer and the Grand Dutch Cafe
Beverages outside of water, tea, coffee and select juices in the Lido Marketplace
Auto-gratuities of 15 percent on beverage purchases and 18 percent for Greenhouse Spa services
Spa and salon treatments and services
Most fitness classes
Use of the Thermal Suite at the Greenhouse Spa
Shore excursions
Wi-Fi
Activities such as bingo, beer and spirits tasting events, and wine events in Blend
Photos and art gallery purchases
Fellow Passengers
Your typical passenger on Koningsdam will vary depending on where the ship is based. When it sails from Amsterdam, passengers will skew toward European, but with Americans and Australians making up a sizable chunk. When the ship is based in Fort Lauderdale, expect the majority of passengers to be North American.
Holland America has a reputation for attracting more mature passengers (65-plus), who are well traveled and well off, but the average age drops during European and U.S. vacation periods. Families make a strong showing on Koningsdam during vacations.
There are gatherings for Solos and LGBTQ+ passengers most evenings.
As you might expect, the ship is very focused on accessibility, with ramps, wheelchair-accessible cabins and tables put aside in all dining venues for mobility-impaired.
Holland America Koningsdam Dress Code
Daytime: The dress is resort casual during the day.
Evening: Holland America passengers like to dress up, certainly on formal nights, and there are two of those per seven-night cruise. A tux and a long gown are not obligatory, but you certainly would not be out of place with them. A jacket and tie and a cocktail dress or nice pantsuit would be regarded as the minimum. Outside of these times, men are requested to wear shirts and slacks for dinner, and for women, a dress or an elegant skirt with blouse -- though this is not always enforced.
Not permitted: Swimsuits and other pool wear, men's tank tops, shorts and distressed jeans are not allowed in any of the restaurants during the evening hours.
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Holland America Line.
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Great crew, destination but average cruise
many10+ Cruises
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Age 25s
A well-rounded and relaxing cruise to Alaska!
couple2-5 Cruises
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Age 40s
Wonderful cruise to Alaska on the Koningsdam
couple2-5 Cruises
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Age 47s
