We sailed on Holland America Line’s new ms Koningsdam cruise ship on the July 3rd 7-Day Viking Sagas cruise from Amsterdam.
Big and beautiful, the first Pinnacle Class ship features 13 guest decks and houses 2,650 guests (not counting third and forth guests sharing a stateroom), in addition to 1,036 crew.
The fluid curves of musical instruments inspired the ship’s design by hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany and ship architect Bjorn Storbraaten.
Curved shapes appear throughout the ms Koningsdam, as seen in the Panorama Deck over the Sea View Pool at the aft end of the ship. This area also includes the Sea View bar and outdoor tables for dining just outside of the Lido Market restaurant.
Sun seekers have three decks of lounge chairs to catch rays at the aft end of the ms Koningsdam. The view pictured above is from the Deck 11 Sun Deck overlooking additional sunning areas on the Panorama Deck and the adults only Sea View Pool.
Mid-ship on Deck 11 near the ship’s stack, you will find the Sport Court for basketball and other games. The area is fully-enclosed to keep errant balls out of the sea. The blue-surfaced Sport Court has bleacher seats for spectators.
Mid-ship, the Lido Pool is a two-level affair, with a retractable roof and a poolside outdoor movie screen.
On the deck 11 Sun Deck, a jogging track circles the sliding doom cover that is closed during inclement weather. The photo above also provides a view of the popular lounging areas on Deck 10, one deck above the Lido Pool.
The lounge chairs and day beds are popular spots for folks to hang out in shade during the day, and/or to watch the evening movie showing on the outdoor screen while perhaps enjoying a cocktail from the Panorama Bar or a casual meal from the New York Pizza and Deli.
During one of only two sea days during our cruise, the hot tubs in theLido Pool area where popular.
Further forward on Deck 9 is the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, and then the fitness center. At the front of the ship, this gym offers treadmills with an ocean view.
Another room in the Fitness Center houses Ryde Indoor Cycling and TRX classes, which cost $20 per class on the ms Koningsdam.
You will find the Crow’s Nest up three levels on the Deck 12 Observation Deck. Like other Holland America ships, it features floor to ceiling windows.
The rest of the Crow’s Nest is quite a departure from the prior Holland America standard design.
The contemporary decor is fun and fresh, but not very functional for cocktails, events or conversations.
The bar is square, and the tall backed chairs cut up the room. 
Our biggest disappointment on Deck 12 was the library. A highlight of other Holland America ships filled with New York Times bestsellers, the library on the ms Koningsdam has been relegated to a small corner with only a few destination books and magazines.
One thing that has not been removed from the ms Koningsdam: beautiful fresh flower arrangements are found throughout the ship.
Another highlight of Deck 12 is The Retreat, a private sunning area for those who pay extra for a private cabana space. The green bunny keeps a watch over this area, sure to be popular on Mediterranean and Caribbean cruises.
Have you sailed on Holland America’s new ms Koningsdam? What is your favorite spot?
Stay tuned for more of our photo tour.
Meanwhile, you might want to check out these other cruise ship photo tours:
- Views from the Star Princess Cruise Ship
- A Look Around Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam
- Setting Sail from Singapore on the Seabourn Sojourn
- A Look Around the World’s Largest Cruise Ship, the Allure of the Seas
- A Look Around Holland America’s Maasdam Cruise Ship
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