7 Nights on Nieuw Statendam: Holland America’s Caribbean Cruise in 50 Clicks

I’ve been sitting here long enough on the balcony of our stateroom aboard Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam to watch the inky night sky yield to the first amber hints of a Caribbean sunrise. Barefoot and robe-wrapped, I soak in the sea air.

A scene that's idyllic and captures the rhythm of this ship: unhurried, elegant, quietly spectacular.

This isn’t a party cruise. It’s not zip lines and robot bartenders. If that’s what you’re after, there are other ships for that. But if your idea of bliss is stateroom breakfasts, sea views, Asian-inspired fine dining, and slow strolls through Curaçao’s pastel streets — this one’s for you.

Here’s our seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise told in fifty clicks plus. A photo essay and narrative review of our time on Nieuw Statendam, where the highlights included Aruba, Half Moon Cay and Curaçao, as well as a standout dining experience at Tamarind.

First Impressions at Sea

Nieuw Statendam doesn’t scream for attention. She earns it with her graceful exterior and quiet elegance inside. Twelve decks, ten eateries and room to exhale even at near capacity, she never feels crowded.

Her passengers, mostly from the US. There's a kids club on board too, though sightings of kids were like snowdrops in the summer. Nieuw Statendam is a four-year-old ship and her very well maintained spaces reflect this.

Already one night into the seven, we'd eaten brunch, lunch, snack, and pre-dinner treats, all before the ship set sail out of Fort Lauderdale.

A Ship Built for Slowing Down

If this is your first Holland America cruise, know this: the vibe is serene. Think afternoon cappuccinos at the Explorer Café, jazz sets after dinner and long conversations with your stateroom stewards.

Our exercise, a walk through the gym, a lay down in the spa, our respite.

But as opposed to telling you about our Caribbean cruise, here it is in just a few photos (fifty plus) of the near thousand we took.

Her Exterior

On the outside, she's a head-turner for her classic, timeless lines.

Her Interior

Inside, no one space overly calls out for attention. However, the art pieces in the stairwells and elevator lobbies garner many conversations.

See that Starry Night on the right? It's all recycled toys.

Dining Options on Holland America's Nieuw Statendam

With ten onboard restaurants, deciding where to eat might be your biggest challenge. Here’s what we tried — and loved — from Tamarind to the Lido Market. Spoiler: the sushi portions are presidential.

It is the biggest decision we made on any day. That and whether or not to attend the Bill Withers Appreciation Society Meet Up. It's fair to say we never made it to the meetups as deciding which of the ten bars, restaurants, cafés and speciality diners to choose from, always 'ate' into our time.

We recommend Tamarind (a speciality restaurant) for an elegant and romantic dinner, a special celebration. Nami Sushi (another speciality restaurant) for glamorous sushi dining and generous portions that leave you presidentially stuffed. The Explorer Cafe for a quiet afternoon of reading or playing board games to find out just how competitive your other half is.

A Dining Tip: Reserve your table in Tamarind early doors. It books up quickly.

The Main Dining Room

What We Ate, And Loved

Steak at breakfast, bento boxes at brunch, and the best bacon of any ship I’ve sailed on. We were not shy with the piña coladas, either.

Had the cruise been any longer, there's a sense my arteries may have become unthankful.

The standout breakfast, the Bento Box.

The best coffees we found in the Explorer Cafe.

In between all of that, we found comfort in the burger joints, pizza parlours and the all-you-can-eat buffet bars walking from one pool to the next and back again.

Still undecided about cruising, you might enjoy this tongue-in-cheek list of Reasons Not to Cruise It’ll make you laugh, or at least nod knowingly.

And if you're curious as to the type of stories that unfold at sea, E13 of my romantic travel series, What Happens On a Cruise, Stays on.., dives right into the middle of drama, flirtation and the secrets after sunset.

For a different route entirely, I’ve written about another cruise through the Mediterranean aboard Royal Caribbean

Ajaccio, Palermo, Portofino & More. A very different rhythm, but just as full of story.

And by a unanimous vote, the most exceptional dining experience onboard was in the Tamarind Restaurant with its atmospheric lighting. Sea view window seats or centre of the restaurant, the decor as well as the wholehearted service from staff will make your dining experience feel special.

And then, there's the food. Each plate, a smile-inducing and taste bud exciting Asian cuisine.

Tamarind truly deserved an individual, mouth-watering review, but in the absence of this, I'll let the photos above do the trick.

And When We Weren't Eating?

You could find us at one of two pools closest to a restaurant. Catching a comedy sketch or dance performance in the state of the art theatre, pre-meal, or shaking a leg or four in BB Kings Live, post-meal.

That or losing very badly at a game of Connect 4 to Mr PWT and his espresso martini.

Moving to the rhythms in 'BB King Live' past midnight one night and staying out on the balcony to watch dawn give way to the day on another were the most outrageous things we did. Attempts to attend morning pottery classes with a master potter was another. And these were usurped by comical conversations with our stateroom attendants, Made and Gus.

With relaxation topping the agenda, other than getting off the ship at the ports of call, we attempted nothing else.

Ports of Call: Aruba, Curaçao & Half Moon Cay

If you're drawn to a cruise for the itinerary, this one won’t disappoint. From horseback riding on Half Moon Cay to watching the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge swing open in Curaçao, here’s what made these ports unforgettable.

Let's face it, away from the all-day lounging and the recurring dining, the stops on a cruises' itinerary are the other reasons you cruise. The chance to visit a plethora of new places. This Nieuw Statendam itinerary, the opportunity to speed date the regularly heard of Dutch Caribbean Isles of Aruba and Curaçao.

A marriage of all things Dutch.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

Ooh, Ahh, Wow!

Yes, I know.

Guess which destination stole our heart chambers? Yes, the sun-dappled Half Moon Cay, Bahamas. (photos 1, 2 and 7) Paradisiacal! It's the only word for it.

Only another cruise with Holland America Lines will see us visit this island again. Why? They own the entire island. Not just the crescent beach in the photo above, but all 2400 acres of it. It, therefore, means the people (staff or passengers) on the island are there as a result of the cruise line. The excursions too, are those of the cruise line.

We regretted not having the opportunity to horseback on Half Moon Cay.

So here's an excursion tip, should your HAL cruise call at Half Moon Cay, book your horse riding excursion asap. You can only book this excursion via the cruise line and it books up quickly! Plus, it would be a shame if like us you missed out too.

We suggest beachside dining at The Old Man and The Sea Restaurant at Aruba Ocean Villas in Aruba. Another romantic venue.

In Curaçao, we recommend a stroll from the ship, keeping right for the 'Swinging Old Lady'. That's the Queen Emma Pontoon Bridge. With time to spare, you may well see her swing open. Even better if you happen to be standing on the bridge at the time.

Plus, have you ever wanted to taste Blue Curaçao direct from the source? Visit their distillery on the island.

Want more of the same but rum? Try this...

In both Aruba and Curaçao the ship docked. At Half Moon Cay, we tendered back and forth not on the ship's tenders but designated island tenders.

Cruise Fashion — What to Pack for HAL

Resort casual by day, semi-formal by night and at least one outfit that sparkles. With two gala nights on a seven-night cruise, you’ll want to dress the part. I brought linen, stripes, and a little drama.

Holland America suggests, casual during the day and formal (tuxedo's, dark suits for the men and evening gowns pant suits for women) especially on gala nights.

Yours truly expanded on the above with resort casuals, casual chic during the day and more dressy resort casuals and semi formals for the evenings.

Here's a Look at my Cruise Fashion Runway and what I mean.

Include lots of reds, blues and stripes. Some days we even twinned in pinks and whites. After all, every colour looks good under the Caribbean sun.

Here's a Fashion tip: Bring lots of linen and cotton clothing for a Southern Caribbean cruise in December. Shorts, skirts and dresses that are floaty. And for the evenings, at least two elegant outfits (one sparkly) because HAL gives you two gala nights on a seven-night cruise as opposed to one.

Besides, you can never be overdressed on a cruise.

These are some of the pictures capturing our seven-night cruise. Lots of laughter, eating, picture taking, getting dressed up to go eating and more picture taking.

Cruising with Holland America: What we Thought

We’ve cruised before, but this was our first with HAL. Between the serenity, the food and the ease of everything, we’d book Nieuw Statendam again in a heartbeat — if only to hear Captain O’Driscoll’s lunchtime announcements (Irish lilt and all).

Eighth cruise but the first time with Holland America Lines, and we found it a very, very relaxing cruise. Just what cruising is about. That and for another chance to dine in Tamarind and another visit to Half Moon Cay, we'd cruise HAL again.

Holland America Lines operates eleven ships in ninety-eight countries and are regularly voted Best for their Alaska itineraries.

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If slow-sailing, deep storytelling and a touch of romance speak your language, you're in the right place. Fancy more cruise fiction? Start with What Happens on a Cruise, Stays on…, my original travel-romance series, set at sea. Want curated stories, cruise tips and travel picks straight to your inbox? Subscribe here, it’s like a postcard from me to you, minus the stamp. Thinking about your own cruise escape? I’m also an independent travel advisor reach me via @on.your.itinerary for personalised planning or experiential itineraries.

Post updated May 2025