The Art of a Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise

Every ship in the Holland America Line fleet is graced with a priceless art collection and Nieuw Amsterdam is no different, with artwork honoring the historic glamour of New York City, which was originally named Nieuw Amsterdam by its Dutch founders.

Upon boarding, one of the first things we noticed overhead in the lobby was the lighted, rotating sculpture of the New York skyline. From the decks above it’s right-side up; however, the view from the lobby below is upside-down, as though it is a reflection seen from New York’s harbor.

Some of the most intriguing art is found in the accommodations passageways where the walls are lined with historic photographs of Holland America ships, their passengers, officers, and crews, and the scenes in the port of New York.

Art, craft pieces, and historical artifacts documenting New York’s Native American history and Dutch influences, along with the history of Holland America Line’s 138-year association with the Big Apple, are displayed throughout Nieuw Amsterdam’s public areas. To gain insight into the pieces on display, and so you won’t miss anything, there are art tours available onboard. A trip to the Explorations Café for an iPod with the preloaded narrative gets you started. It’s so engrossing that you’ll be surprised when it comes to an end.