SAILING AWAY ON HOLLAND AMERICA'S NIEUW STATENDAM

 

If you dream of dropping anchor off the coast of charming seaside towns and viewing stoic lighthouses as you enter quaint ports-of-call, I can't wait to share my experience on Holland America Line's (HAL) Nieuw Statendam sailing to New England and Canada with you!   

EMBARKATION DAY

My husband and I arrived in Boston the night before our cruise and stayed at the Seaport Hotel, a waterfront hotel in the heart of Boston's Seaport District. There are plenty of restaurants and shops within walking distance and it is a very short Uber ride to Black Falcon Cruise Terminal. Flying in the day before our cruise gave us peace of mind and a chance to explore Boston and try our first lobster rolls. 

On embarkation day, we left our hotel at 10:45 a.m. and were onboard the magnificent Nieuw Statendam by noon. The ship's pristine beauty did not disappoint. She exudes high-style decor with modern artwork and elegant curves evoking the spirit of musical instruments seen throughout the ship. The attention to detail was also apparent. There were fresh flower arrangements (Yes, the gorgeous flowers are real!) throughout the ship and ever-changing rugs with the day of the week in ALL of the elevators. On the first day, I could have spent hours admiring the artwork and stylish decor, but after a tasty bite to eat, it was announced our rooms were ready and I couldn't wait to see our 'home away from home' for the next seven days! 

 

STATEROOM

Our cabin, verandah stateroom (room #7178) is located on the Schubert deck aft port side (Deck 7). The cabin's design is modern and functional with ample storage for clothing, shoes, and amenities. The attention to detail is noted in the decor and the finishing touches in the stateroom and bath, such as illuminated mirrors in the bathroom and at the writing desk/vanity in the cabin. The bathroom is sleek and And speaking of the bathroom, the spacious shower was a welcome treat on Nieuw Statendam, along with ELEMIS Aromapure shampoo, conditioner, and body wash dispensers in the shower and at the bathroom sink. As seasoned cruisers know, a large shower is uncommon on most cruise ships. There are also plenty of standard and USB outlets throughout the cabin to charge cell phones, laptops, or other electronic devices. The writing desk/vanity also has three drawers which contain a 5x magnifying lighted make-up mirror and salon-quality hair dryer. The third drawer can be used for cosmetics, hair brushes, etc. It was nice not having to monopolize the bathroom in order to dry my hair and apply my makeup. 

My husband was a fan of the large flat-screen TV strategically placed on the wall across from the bed. The fully interactive television provides live views of the bow and stern, a ship tracker map, onboard activities, dining menus, etc. There is also a satisfying selection of movies and TV shows to watch while snacking on cheese, crackers, and fruit from room service.      

The floor-to-ceiling windows brighten the room and overlook the spacious private verandah with reclining deck chairs, ottomans, and a cocktail table. HAL blankets are in the cabinet above the sofa and came in handy for chilly days on the verandah. It became a ritual to wrap myself in the blanket and have an ice cream cone nearly every afternoon. 😀

 DINING

Main Dining Room

The opulent two-story dining room is stunning and elegant. I wanted to walk around and take it all in but I didn't want to disturb other guests so I admired the two-story staircase and wine tower from the comfort of my chair. 

There were so many wonderful choices on the menu that my husband and I would often order two entrees. Our waiter, Anthony, didn't hesitate at accomodating our request and would sometimes suggest his favorites if we couldn't make up our minds. Anthony and all the crew were attentive and friendly and went above and beyond to make us happy.  

The delicious cuisine was certainly one of the highlights of our trip. My husband and I enjoy trying new and tasty dishes, so every night we were salivating at the choices on the menu. From the filet mignon oscar to truffle mushroom risotto to lighter-than-air tiramisu, everything tasted fantastic. Below is a small sampling of some of our favorite dishes:

 

Room Service 

Complimentary room service is served all day with separate menus for breakfast, late night, and daytime. We enjoyed breakfast and late night snacks in our cabin many times. I felt so spoiled! The room service menus and hours of service are found in the Navigator app.    

STAFF & CREW

Amazing. Outstanding. Incredible. There are not enough adjectives to describe the staff and crew on Nieuw Statendam. I can't think of a time when a crew or staff member did not acknowledge me with a polite greeting when walking by. Latif, our room steward, was the kindest gentleman. He kept our room tidy, replenished our ice bucket twice a day, and made cute towel animals for us. But the exceptional service didn't stop there. Every evening Latif would be cleaning other rooms and when he would see my husband and I returning back to our cabin for the evening, he would greet us by name and open our cabin door for us! He is amazing! 

ENTERTAINMENT

There is an eclectic lineup of entertainment available on Nieuw Statendam. My favorite is the multi-venue Music Walk where live music is performed by talented artists every evening in the Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King's Blues Club, and Billboard Onboard. That's right. Three outstanding live musical performances every evening! It's a good time for all and the performance times are strategically staggered to give the audience an opportunity to enjoy each unique venue. 

Here is a sampling of the three venues on the Music Walk:

B.B. King's Blues Club

Rolling Stone Rock Room

Billboard Onboard

The World Stage is at the bow of the ship on Deck 2 & 3 and offers a variety of entertainment day and night. Shows such as Step One Dance Company and BBC Earth in Concert are displayed on a two-story, panoramic screen and comedic acts, EXC Talks, and more also take place on the World Stage.

There are various activities to partake in onboard such as playing bridge, beer/wine/spirit tastings, flower arranging, daily afternoon tea, fitness classes, ballroom dancing, ping pong tournaments, and pickleball, to name a few. Activities change daily and a Daily Program is provided every evening for the following day. The program is left at your door every evening or the room steward will place it on your bed if you request evening turndown service.

PORTS-OF-CALL

Boston

As I mentioned earlier, we stayed at the Seaport Hotel on Boston's waterfront. The boardwalk was within walking distance and we enjoyed discovering restaurants and shops along the way. The Barking Crab restaurant was our lunch stop where we tried our very first lobster rolls! Yum!

Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor is a charming seaside village with tons of outdoor adventure and stunning views. On the day we were there, we had on and off rain and decided not to go to Acadia National Park. I definitely want to go back to Bar Harbor.  

Halifax, Nova Scotia 

The Nieuw Statendam docks at the port of Halifax at the end of the famous waterfront boardwalk. It is a fun and vibrant waterfront to go for a stroll and discover new restaurants, shop the boutiques, and visit the Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. We also rented a car (excursions were booked) and drove to Peggy's Cove to see the iconic lighthouse and the picturesque Nova Scotia fishing village. I loved it and highly recommend it. We stopped at the SwissAir Flight 111 Memorial site approximately one mile down the road from Peggy's Cove. It is a somber yet beautiful and peaceful memorial to remember the victims. Buses are unable to enter the site which was purposely done to keep the memorial peaceful and not a tourist attraction. 

Sydney, Nova Scotia

Reflecting Sydney's strong Scottish culture, a 60' fiddle sits outside the cruise ship terminal. It is the largest fiddle in the world! We were short on time the day we visited so we limited our sightseeing to strolling the boardwalk. We stumbled upon the Merchant Mariners Memorial which is a monument dedicated to the memory of brave civilians who served Canada on the high seas during two world wars. It is my hope to return and take the Cabot Trail loop, the most famous scenic coastal highway in Canada. 

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

Charlottetown 

Charlottetown is the capital of Prince Edward Island and an incredibly vibrant seaside city to stroll or take a walking tour. Don't miss Victoria Row located  on Richmond Street between Queen and Great George Streets. The architecture surrounding the cobblestone street dates back to the Victorian era. A short walk away is the Province House, also known as the Birthplace of Canada. It was under construction when we were there but still visible for the most part.  

Quebec City, Canada

Quebec was my favorite port-of-call. The winding cobblestone streets, European architecture, and the French language, make you feel as if you are in France. It is very romantic and many of the sites are within walking distance of the breathtaking Chateau Frontenac. 

GREENHOUSE SPA & SALON

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon is a full-service salon, spa, and wellness program offering massages, facials, mani & pedicures, teeth whitening, waxing, haircuts, and more by appointment only. Daily, cruise, and couple passes are available to indulge in the ultra spa experience in the Thermal Suite, which offers a hydrotherapy pool, heated loungers, a relaxation lounge, and more. The sauna, however, is complimentary for all passengers. 

From the moment I stepped into the Greenhouse Spa & Salon, I could instantly feel a sense of calm in the sanctuary-like setting. Women in white, plush robes pampering themselves and the soothing sound of music playing softly create an ambiance for tranquility and relaxation. 

Prior to my facial, I had a complimentary skin consultation with Dr. Zuni. She gave me suggestions on how to manage my aging skin and minimize fine lines and wrinkles. Afterward, I indulged in an ELEMIS BIOTEC anti-aging facial treatment formulated to target fine lines/wrinkles and firm and lift skin. The ELEMIS BIOTEC facial combines the best part of a facial with a non-invasive cosmetic procedure. The facial was in a private room with dim lighting and tranquil music playing. Anne, the esthetician who gave me my facial, was very sweet and her technique was so gentle and soothing. The facial for aging skin uses a combination of natural active ingredients and cutting-edge technology to boost circulation, collagen production, and hydration. I loved every minute. It didn't take long before I felt a deep sense of relaxation of my mind, body, and soul. The facial ends with a hydrating mask treatment as an added hit of hydration to increase that amazing glow.

After the facial, I felt rejuvenated and my skin was noticeably smoother and glowing - a nourished, lit-from-within glow. I know people loosely throw around the term 'glowing skin' but it truly left my skin looking healthier and hydrated!

I highly recommend the ELEMIS BIOTEC treatment! It delivered on its promises of smoother, brighter skin, and it was incredibly soothing and relaxing!  

NAVIGATOR APP

The Navigator App is a free, user-friendly app for mobile phones and tablets. It should be downloaded prior to your cruise for cruise planning, embarkation, shore excursions, and managing your onboard experience. I found it helpful to access menus for all of the restaurants and room service onboard. You can even order pizza (or other food) from the app and pick it up when ready. Tap "Experiences" at the bottom of the app and you will see where to plan an excursion, view daily programs, or make a dining or spa reservation, all from your phone. The app also works with the ship's Wi-Fi in airplane mode. 

SUMMARY

It is often said that a great voyage is a journey that never ends. It is certainly true when it comes to cruising the high seas with Holland America. Extensive travel itineraries to discover the globe combined with Nieuw Statendam's classy elegance and impeccable service, beckon the worldly traveler. I have been home only a few days and I'm already planning my next adventure with Holland America. 

"Meet me where the sky touches the sea."  - Jennifer Donnelly

If you have any questions about Nieuw Statendam or the ports-of-call, please don't hesitate to email me at [email protected]. 

Bon Voyage for now!

  xoxo,

{PINTEREST PRETTY}