The ms Statendam is actually the fifth ship in the long history of Holland America Line to bear its name. She's a mid-sized "S Class" ship, small compared to the newer Holland America ships (like the Eurodam and Noordam) but is quite beautiful and appealing in her own right. The Statendam's onboard theme is of Dutch life and exploration, and as such there are a bunch of beautiful artifacts and pieces of art (including a 26-foot-high sculpture in the ship's atrium) throughout the ship focused on this theme.
A 2010 refurbishment of ms Statendam resulted in the addition of Canaletto, a casual Italian restaurant, as well as the conversion of select suites and staterooms into "spa accommodations." Guests staying in spa staterooms and suites benefit from special amenities, such as organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, a yoga mat, a soothing water feature, special room service menus, and more.
The Holland America Statendam will be featuring cruises in the following regions (subject to change, based on the cruise line's discretion):
2010: Eastern Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Panama Canal, Southern Caribbean
There is a nice variety of accommodations available onboard the Statendam, from standard interior staterooms to luxurious suites.
Interior Staterooms: The Statendam's most basic staterooms are its interior staterooms. There rooms are 182 square feet and have two lower beds that can be converted into one queen-size bed, as well as a bathroom with a shower.
OceanView Staterooms: The Statendam's oceanview staterooms are called Large OceanView staterooms. These rooms are 197 square feet and feature everything the interiors do, plus a window and a bathtub. Category DD staterooms have a partial oceanview, while category HH staterooms have fully obstructed views (meaning that there is something on the outside of their window blocking the view - such as a lifeboat). Category G and H staterooms may have portholes instead of a window.
Suites:
There are no standard balconies onboard the Statendam. To have a balcony you must book a suite. The most basic suites onboard the Statendam are known as Verandah Suites. These staterooms are 292 square feet and have two lower beds that can be converted into one queen-size bed, a private verandah, a whirlpool bath & shower, a sitting area, mini-bar and refrigerator.
A Deluxe Verandah Suite (category S) is 556 square feet. Such a stateroom feature two lower beds that can be converted into one king-size bed, a whirlpool bath & shower, a large sitting area, dressing room, private verandah, 1 sofa bed for 2 people, mini-bar and refrigerator.
The most premium accommodation onboard the Statendam is its one (category PS) Penthouse Verandah Suite. This huge stateroom is 1,159 square feet and features a bedroom with a king-size bed, an oversized whirlpool bath & shower, a living room, dining room, dressing room, private verandah, pantry, 1 sofa bed for 2 people, mini-bar, refrigerator and guest toilet.
The Statendam's main dining room is the two-level Rotterdam Dining Room, located on the Promenade and Upper Promenade decks. This restaurant features fine china, a great wine list, and serves a wonderful five-course dinner. There are vegetarian and low-carb options available in this restaurant. Passengers have the option of booking themselves into a traditional, assigned dining setup (at either an early or main seating) or a more flexible/open dining setup. The flexible/open dining schedule is available from 5:15 pm to 9:00 pm. You must choose which format you prefer when you initially book your cruise. You can change your mind prior to your departure, but the dining you prefer may be waitlisted or closed at that point in time.
The Pinnacle Grill is the Statendam's optional specialty restaurant, located on the Upper Promenade deck. This gourmet venue offers a 5-star dining experience, featuring upscale selections such as Sterling Silver Beef, fresh seafood and a world-class wine list. There is a $20 per person cover charge for dinner, and a $10 per person cover charge for lunch at the Pinnacle Grill. This restaurant is available by reservation only, and it is recommended that you make your reservations as soon as you know that you want to go (to avoid the restaurant being booked up when you want to eat there). Children under 12 dine at the Pinnacle Grill free of charge. Children 13 to 17 years of age only have to pay half of the typical cover charge.
The Statendam's main buffet area is located on the Lido deck and is (appropriately) named the Lido Restaurant. It's a casual and relaxed dining option that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner (with wait service). The Lido Restaurant features a wide variety of choices, from pasta, pizza, cooked-to-order omelets, and a salad bar to gourmet sandwiches, sushi and Asian stir-fry. Indoor and outdoor seating is available at this venue.
The Terrace Grill is located outside on the Lido deck (towards the front of the ship). This venue serves pizza, sandwiches, sausages, nachos, hamburgers and hot dogs. It's a nice option for a relaxing poolside lunch.
Don't forget that 24 hour room service is available for all passengers. There is a basic complimentary menu, but it's an excellent option for a late night snack, or for when you're feeling a little lazy and would rather the food come to you. There are a few items on the menu that you can order at an additional cost, such as bar drinks.
The first passenger level deck onboard the Statendam is the A deck. On this deck you'll find a wide range of interior and oceanview staterooms, as well as the doctor's office and infirmary.
The Statendam's next deck up is the Main deck, where there are a bunch of interior and oceanview staterooms.
Deck three onboard the Statendam is the Lower Promenade deck. On this deck are various interior and oceanview staterooms, as well as the offices of the hotel manager and cruise director.
The next deck up onboard the Statendam is the Promenade deck, where the lower level the Rotterdam Dining Room is located (towards the rear of the ship). Forward on the Promenade deck is the stage level of the Van Gough Lounge (the main show lounge onboard the Statendam). There are a few other public areas on this deck, including the photo gallery, the front office, the shore excursion office, art gallery, Wine Tasting Bar, Gourmet Shops and Wajang Theatre & Culinary Arts Center (where there is a demonstration kitchen).
The Upper Promenade deck is the next deck up onboard the Statendam. The balcony level of the Vermeer Lounge is forward on this deck. Also on this deck is the Pinnacle Grill (the Statendam's specialty restaurant), the Ocean Bar (a nice option for some drinks and/or dancing), Shopping Arcade, Casino (which can get a little crowded, especially after a show has let out in the evening from the Van Gough Lounge), the Casino Bar, Piano Bar, Queen's Room and the upper level of the Rotterdam Dining Room.
Deck six of the Statendam is the Verandah deck, where there are a bunch of suites and a few interior and oceanview staterooms.
The Navigation deck is the next deck on the Statendam. The bridge is located forward on this deck, and the one Penthouse Suite is located a little towards the rear from it. There are also quite a few Deluxe Verandah Suites on this deck. Neptune's Lounge and the Sea View Pool are also located on this deck.
The next deck up is the Lido deck, where the Statendam's casual buffet (the Lido Restaurant) is located. Another dining option on this deck is the Terrace Grill. The Statendam's main pool, the Lido Pool is located mid-ship on this deck, as well as the Dolphin Bar and a couple of whirlpools. There are also a ton of lounge chairs to relax and catch some sun in. Forward on this deck is the Greenhouse Salon & Spa, where you can find the fitness center, beauty salon, saunas, massage rooms and thermal suite.
The Sports deck is the next deck up. On this deck is the Crow's Nest, a practice tennis court, a basketball court and a video arcade that's by the kids (Club HAL) & teen (The Loft) areas.
The highest deck onboard the Statendam is the Sky deck. On this deck you can find the "teen only" Oasis area, where there's a pool and more things for the teens to do.
Dress during the day is casual. Holland America asks that you wear shoes and a cover-up over bathing suits when you walk in the interior of the ship.
Evening dress is broken up into two categories by Holland America: Formal or Smart Casual. Smart Casual is defined by Holland America as slacks and collared shirts for men and casual dresses, slacks and informal evening wear for women. T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. On Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a suit, cocktail dress or gown and gentlemen wear a jacket and tie, dark suit or tuxedo. There are approximately two formal nights per week.
Holland America offers a supervised youth and teen program for children ages 3* to 17. The program is broken up into three, aged based, groups.
Club HAL® Kids is for children ages 3 to 7. Activities include storytelling, fabric painting, indoor games, arts and crafts, drawing contests, puzzles, bingo and more. Children in pull-ups or diapers are not allowed in the youth facilities due to US Public Health laws.
Club HAL® Tweens is for children ages 8 to 12. Activities may include learning golf putting, disco parties, theme parties, participating in the award winning National Park Service Jr. Ranger Program (only on Alaska cruises), on-deck sports events, scavenger hunts and more.
The Loft and The Oasis (not available on all Vista-class ships) is for teens, ages 13 to 17. Activities include a teen disco, karaoke, video games, sport tournaments, trivia contests, bingo, movies and more.
When there are over 100 children onboard a HAL Talent Show is offered. *On the Prinsendam. youth activities are offered for ages 5 to 17.
Club HAL® has an After Hours program available on all ships (except the Prinsendam), from 10:00 pm to 12:00 am. This special program costs $5 per child, per hour.
Holland America automatically applies a Hotel Service Charge of $11 per person per day to each person's shipboard account. This charge is paid to Holland America's crewmembers that service you throughout your cruise, including the dining room wait staff, room stewards, galley crew and laundry staff. You are free to adjust this charge (higher or lower) if you deem this as being appropriate. A 15% service charge is automatically added to all bar charges and dining room wine purchases.
The official minimum drinking age on all Holland America Statendam cruise is 21 years of age. A corkage fee of $15 will be charged for wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars onboard the ship. Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the ship's shops, or brought onto the ship, cannot be consumed on the ship.
Guests must be at least 18 years old in order to gamble on a Statendam cruise.