Holland America

Natalie went on a ship visit

Natalie was invited to view the spectacular new Holland America cruise ship: the Nieuw Statendam. With fluid lines and dramatic spaces, the ship's modern design draws inspiration from the elegant curves of musical instruments.

“I visited Holland America Line’s (HAL) stunning pinnacle-class ship, the Nieuw Statendam, in Dover. On arrival, I met with HAL representatives Serena and Lucy along with other travel professionals. I could see right away, after boarding the ship, why the Nieuw Statendam is classed as one of its ‘Pinnacle Ships’.

The ship’s centrally located atrium is pretty special as it soars up through three decks of the ship. It has a relaxed atmosphere with a stylish decor. Throughout the ship there are four million dollars worth of beautiful sculptures and artworks from some of the world’s leading contemporary artists.

There’s a music theme throughout the ship, from the luxuriously designed carpets, with cabin decks named after famous composers, such as Beethoven, Mozart & Gershwin, as well as the B.B. King’s Blues Club, and the Rolling Stone’s Rock Room. Entertainment on board include The ‘World Stage Theatre’ which seats 660 people and hosts spectacular shows and concerts!

There’s a two-tier main dining room, with both traditional dining at set times and flexible ‘as you wish’ dining. During my visit, we enjoyed a lovely lunch, with excellent food and service. For more informal dining, The Lido Market Place is bright and airy with a great selection of food stations. There are also four specialty restaurants (with an additional supplement): Italian, North West Cuisine, Sushi and À la Carte Seafood.

They have a Global Fresh Fish program, which offers more than 80 varieties of fresh fish sourced locally from across Holland America Line’s worldwide network. 

The lovely Lido pool has a retractable glass roof to let the sunshine in, as well as a rooftop area with gorgeous cabanas, plenty of sun loungers and a large screen for sports, movies and evening events. 

Rejuvenate at the Greenhouse Spa & Salon which has a fitness centre, saunas, massage rooms, thermal suites, steam and aromatic rooms, heated ceramic loungers, manicure and pedicure areas, plus a hair salon and barbers.

The cabins are beautiful, with floor-to-ceiling glass doors on the balconies, large sitting areas, whirlpool baths, coffee machines, complimentary dry cleaning and laundry. There are also family cabins with additional bathroom facilities, and single occupancy cabins as well as disabled access.

The ship’s facilities include sports courts, a running track, a casino, shopping area, art gallery, cafés, cabanas and a library. There’s an observation deck with interactive touch screens, digital stories, and port planners, and guests can enjoy local expert's talks about each port.

I really enjoyed my time on the Nieuw Statendam and am happy to discuss with Abbotts Travel clients looking for a particular cruise.”

by Natalie Fox

Holland America Line offers cruises departing from and returning to Dover, with various itineraries ranging from 14 to 42 days including the British Isles, Northern Europe, Eastern Mediterranean, Norwegian Fjords, and a special 28-day “Solar Eclipse” cruise to the Arctic Circle, Greenland, and Scotland.

A few examples of cruises from Dover in 2026:

15-Night Wild British Isles: Departing on April 30, 2026, this cruise explores the islands and cities of the British Isles. 

14-Night Norwegian Fjords: Departing on June 12, 2026, this itinerary features a journey through the stunning Norwegian fjords, with stops in cities like Trondheim and Tromsø. 

14-Night Northern Europe (Scandinavia & Baltic): Departing on June 26, 2026, this cruise visits key cities and capitals in the Baltics and Scandinavia, such as Copenhagen, Helsinki, and Stockholm. 

28-Day Legendary Solar Eclipse with Greenland & Scotland: This long voyage departs on July 24, 2026, offering a unique opportunity to experience the Arctic Circle and a solar eclipse. 

For more info or to book, contact Abbotts Travel on 020 8989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com