At Home Aboard Holland America Line’s Koningsdam

Embarking for a cruise on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam—the first ship in the new Pinnacle Class—is like entering a gracious, yet familiar, home. Once on board we quickly settled in and made ourselves comfortable in 8056, our oceanview stateroom with verandah. Ample drawers are available for storing folded garments, the closet features shelving and hanging space and we found plenty of room to stow everything, including in the deep drawers at the foot of the bed.

The décor is soothing in tones of grey and cream with jewel toned accents. One of my favorite features on Holland America ships has always the very useful vanity/desk, but sadly there is no lighted make-up mirror on Koningsdam as on older fleetmates. However, there is a magnifying mirror stowed away with a very functional handheld hairdryer. Beneath the wall mounted flat-screen television is a recessed ‘book’ rack to keep papers organized and out of the way.

A home at sea, our verandah adds real usable space. Furnished with two wicker-style chairs and a table, there is still plenty of room to move about. Like our accommodations, all categories are outfitted with amenities that include the Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Bed dressed with fine linens, deluxe bathrobes for use during the cruise, plush Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel televisions with video-on-demand, hand held hairdryers, massaging shower heads, personal safes, mini-refrigerators, and two closets configured for hanging and also with shelves close to the floor. Wall mounted bedside lamps and reading lights don’t take up space on the nightstands. We can also take advantage of complimentary fresh fruit upon request and complimentary shoeshine service. As we explored our space, we found there’s even more to like.

New features that are very handy and truly appreciated are the USB charging ports found at the desk alongside three electrical outlets. In addition, there's an electrical outlet and USB charging port above each nightstand. Also new, in the bathroom the shower curtain will no longer stick to you—the entire shower is glass enclosed with a door. No more clinging shower curtain is a big deal to us. In addition to shampoo and shower gel dispensers, ladies, there is a bar to prop you foot on when shaving your legs.

This is Holland America Line at its best. Someone has been listening to passenger wants and needs.

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