Episode 158 - Our Review of Sailing Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam - A Mid-Size Cruise Ship
Tue Feb 03 2026
Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam Review: Alaska Cruise Highlights
Some cruise lines you try once. Others you come back to because they fit the way you like to travel. That’s been our experience with Holland America Line.
In this episode, we’re sharing our honest review of the Nieuw Amsterdam after sailing an Alaska itinerary that included Glacier Bay National Park. This isn’t a megaship review — it’s about what daily life onboard is actually like, based on real experience, not marketing.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.
Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️
What you'll Discover in this Episode:
Mid-size ship feel: With just over 2,100 passengers, Nieuw Amsterdam never felt crowded and was easy to navigate
Comfort over flash: No water parks or over-the-top attractions — just well-designed spaces, open decks, and a relaxed pace
Strong dining: Consistently good food, excellent main dining service, and a standout specialty restaurant (Pinnacle Grill)
Exceptional service: Friendly, attentive crew who remembered names and preferences throughout the cruise
Entertainment style: High-quality performers, but more low-key than mega ships; BB King’s Blues Club was popular but undersized
Alaska itinerary win: Smaller ship access allowed closer glacier viewing and a more immersive Glacier Bay experience
Who it’s best for: Travelers who value food, service, scenery, and space over nonstop activities and crowds
Some comparisions between our Holland America and our Princess Cruise
Need Help Booking the Right Cruise?
If you’re considering an Alaska cruise or any cruise and want help choosing the right ship, itinerary, or cruise line for your travel style, we’re happy to help. Our cruise booking services are completely free, and we work with all major cruise lines.
You can contact us here and get our cruise planning help for FREE!
Hear our Review of Princess Cruise Lines Here!
Resources & Links:
Get our Curated List of Travel Deals
Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide
See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources
Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear!
Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan.
Follow Sunshine Travelers
Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube
Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG
Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs
Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast
See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast
Music: This Acoustic Happy
Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay
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Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam Review: Alaska Cruise Highlights Some cruise lines you try once. Others you come back to because they fit the way you like to travel. That’s been our experience with Holland America Line. In this episode, we’re sharing our honest review of the Nieuw Amsterdam after sailing an Alaska itinerary that included Glacier Bay National Park. This isn’t a megaship review — it’s about what daily life onboard is actually like, based on real experience, not marketing. Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure. Help Support the Podcast by Buying us a Coffee ☕️ What you'll Discover in this Episode: Mid-size ship feel: With just over 2,100 passengers, Nieuw Amsterdam never felt crowded and was easy to navigate Comfort over flash: No water parks or over-the-top attractions — just well-designed spaces, open decks, and a relaxed pace Strong dining: Consistently good food, excellent main dining service, and a standout specialty restaurant (Pinnacle Grill) Exceptional service: Friendly, attentive crew who remembered names and preferences throughout the cruise Entertainment style: High-quality performers, but more low-key than mega ships; BB King’s Blues Club was popular but undersized Alaska itinerary win: Smaller ship access allowed closer glacier viewing and a more immersive Glacier Bay experience Who it’s best for: Travelers who value food, service, scenery, and space over nonstop activities and crowds Some comparisions between our Holland America and our Princess Cruise Need Help Booking the Right Cruise? If you’re considering an Alaska cruise or any cruise and want help choosing the right ship, itinerary, or cruise line for your travel style, we’re happy to help. Our cruise booking services are completely free, and we work with all major cruise lines. You can contact us here and get our cruise planning help for FREE! Hear our Review of Princess Cruise Lines Here! Resources & Links: Get our Curated List of Travel Deals Get Our FREE Ultimate Packing Guide See ALL our Favorite Travel Resources Don’t waste your precious vacation time with Jet Lag, get Flykitt and watch Jet Lag disappear! Protect your privacy, boost your security, and keep your browsing data safe with Express VPN. Plus, get 3 months free with a yearly plan. Follow Sunshine Travelers Listen on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube Read more about this and other travel destinations on our BLOG Follow our travels on TikTok @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on X @sunshinetrvlrs Connect with us on LinkedIn @sunshinetravelerspodcast Get travel tips and follow our travels on Instagram: @sunshinetravelerspodcast Follow us on Facebook @sunshinetravelerspodcast Connect with us on Threads @sunshinetravelerspodcast See our travel videos on YouTube @sunshinetravelerspodcast Save our travel ideas on Pinterest @sunshinetravelerspodcast Music: This Acoustic Happy Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay