Today in Cruise Port St. Maarten: Nieuw Amsterdam (Holland America Lines)
St. Maarten Ship Report: Fun facts about Nieuw Amsterdam
St. Maartens bustling cruise and megayacht port of Philipsburg is a special view for all visitors. Via this blog we try to give some interesting insights into the industry and of cruise ships visiting the island. In our look on todays Philipsburg St. Maarten Cruise Port schedule, we decided to highlight the Nieuw Amsterdam of Holland America Lines. See below some fun facts about this vast vessel.
1. An Italian-Dutch New York Melting Pot
The 285 meter cruise ship was built by Italian Fincantieri wharves in Monfalcone. Since its maiden voyage in 2010 the Nieuw Amsterdam offers lodgings to 2106 guests. It is part of the Holland America Line signature class series. Though its official port is Rotterdam and it flies the Dutch flag, the ship is partially New York themed. “Nieuw Amsterdam” or New Amsterdam was the old name for New York City and it shows via the cruise ships art collection. Because of the long standing connection via Holland America Lines between port cities New York and Rotterdam, current Nieuw Amsterdam is the fourth of Holland American Lines carrying this name.
2. Double Amsterdam in the Philipsburg Port
A fun fact for Nieuw Amsterdam visitors is that the St Maarten port for cruise ships is opposite historic Fort Amsterdam, so when this ship is in port today there is a lot of reference to the capital of the Netherlands. This is the more interesting as Philipsburg where the ships dock is a fellow Dutch capital. St. Maarten is an autonomous country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Visiting Fort Amsterdam and its many brown pelicans is a fun thing to do while in the St. Maarten cruise port, and gives a spectacular view on the Nieuw Amsterdam and other cruise ships and megayachts in port.
3. A Royal Touch to the Nieuw Amsterdam
The Nieuw Amsterdam was opened by then Princess Maxima, becoming Queen of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in 2013. As St. Maarten is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima has visited the island frequently since in her new capacity. If you are looking for “royal” things to do in Philipsburg, take the that the queen enjoyed under the guidance of one of the contributing artists, Zillah Duzon Hazel.
4. Pickleball Paradise: Inside the Nieuw Amsterdam
The Nieuw Amsterdam is the 81st ship of the Holland America Line. Its sister ship is Eurodam, though this ship has a different design. Amongst amenities of the Nieuw Amsterdam are a fitness lounge, a Rolling Stones music lounge, a kids club, a casino and a pickleball court. Restaurants Dining Room, Tamarind, Canaletto, Lido Market, Nami Sushi, Pinnacle Grill, Morimoto by Sea and New York Pizza. A digital room allows passengers to connect to friends and family to share their St. Maarten cruise experiences real time.
5. Award Winning Cruise Ship
In 2018, the Nieuw Amsterdam received the Magellan Travvy Awards as Gold Overall Premium Ship. When not in the Caribbean, she amongst others does glacier tours and crosses the Panama Canal.
Go and see this special ship! Great Bay Beach, the beach closest to the cruise port, gives a great view!
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