Inspiring New York Themes Highlight Public Areas on ms Nieuw Amsterdam, the Newest Holland America Line Ship

SEATTLE, March 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The extensive array of upscale public areas aboard the new Holland America Line Signature-class ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam reflects the brand's enhanced premium-class facilities and amenities, highlighted by decor honoring the historic glamour of New York City, known as Nieuw Amsterdam by its Dutch founders. Art, craftwork and historical artifacts documenting New York's Native American history and Dutch influences, along with the history and glamour of Holland America Line's 138-year association with the world's greatest city, are displayed throughout the ship's expertly finished public areas.

The new facilities are highlighted by Silk Den, a serene 52-seat lounge on Observation Deck (deck 11), featuring sweeping views of the ocean. Immediately adjacent is Tamarind, Nieuw Amsterdam's Pan Asian restaurant, which also features pan-optic sea views and, like Silk Den, is decorated with fine Asian handicrafts, including framed leather carvings set against gold leaf.

Guests in search of their own private outdoor haven need only visit the Observation Deck Cabana Club, a private, outdoor oasis located high above the lower decks. Guests can reserve the airy, tented Cabanas by the day or for an entire voyage. Nieuw Amsterdam also offers a second collection of Cabanas lining Nieuw Amsterdam's mid-ship Lido pool area.  Equipped with luxurious chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees, the Cabanas feature bathrobes and plush towels, refreshments ranging from iced fruit skewers and frozen grapes to chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne, and iPods™ uploaded with a choice of music.

Additional premium facilities found on deck 11 include the Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times. This comfortable, seagoing coffee bistro features an extensive library, Internet terminals, international newspapers, plush chairs and sofas, and a comfortable, upscale environment for reading and conversation. The Crow's Nest lounge, which completes Observation Deck's public areas, overlooks Nieuw Amsterdam's bow and features a collection of Nieuw Amsterdam memorabilia dating back to the original ship's 1906 launch and the heyday of Nieuw Amsterdam II, which carried the cream of international society between New York and Rotterdam in the post World War II era. A plush and quiet vantage point by day, the room transforms into a stylish dance club in the evening.

Kids are in control on Panorama Deck (deck 10), which features Club HAL®, the dedicated youth facilities and activities center offering supervised, age-appropriate programming for kids 3 to 12. And, because teens desire their own space, Holland America created The Loft, a hip lounge where teen-age cruisers can meet, have fun and hang out. The Loft is equipped with comfortable chairs and sofas, games and a new video editing facility, and is decorated as a typical New York street design of large murals featuring creations by top New York City graffiti artists, crosswalk, street signs, a real New York yellow cab and old-fashioned hot dog stand.

In addition to a fully equipped Fitness Center offering the largest gymnasium ever on a Holland America Line ship, Lido Deck (deck 9) features the inspiring Greenhouse Spa and Salon, providing premium beauty and wellness rituals from facials to bamboo and Thai poultice massages. The Greenhouse Spa's Thermal Suites offer premium private settings for detoxifying and relaxing therapy. Ladies can have their hair and nails done in the Salon. A relaxing Hydrotherapy Pool and Sauna complete the Greenhouse Spa facilities.

Lido Deck is also home to the ship's largest pool, the Lido Pool, which also features three Jacuzzis, and is flanked by the Cabanas. The entire area is covered by a retractable magradome, offering year-around opportunities for relaxing on deck. Guests can stop by the nearby Lido Bar and Terrace Grill for burgers, fries and grilled fare. Continuing on Lido Deck, the nearby Lido Restaurant features a wide variety of casual "comfort" cuisine with individual stations offering specialized ethnic and regional dishes.

The Sea View Pool on Deck 9 aft offers a sunny retreat with inspiring views of the ocean and ship's wake. Guests can break for refreshments at the Sea View Bar, which completes deck 9.

Promenade Deck (deck 3) begins with the Half Moon, Hudson and Stuyvesant meeting rooms, which offer flexible and functional meeting facilities including full audio/visual capabilities. The rooms provide the ideal private settings for group meetings and other gatherings. Nearby is the Screening Room, an ultra-plush 36-seat movie theater screening first-run films and special presentations.

Promenade also features The Signature Shops, an upscale shopping area headlined by Merabella, a luxury boutique offering high-end designer jewelry collections.  Promenade also features Fine Jewelry, which specializes in diamonds and exotic gemstones; Fine Watches, offering top global brands; and Destination & Apparel, which features classic nautical wear and designs tailored to specific cruise regions. The Ocean Bar, centrally located on Promenade in the ship's atrium, provides a stylish vantage point from which to enjoy pre- or after-dinner drinks.

The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine, a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen featuring gourmet cooking lessons from Holland America Line Master Chefs and celebrity guest chefs on many voyages, highlights the Lower Promenade (deck 2) public areas.  The Culinary Arts Center is an interactive demonstration center providing guests with up-close access to the newest food preparation techniques and practices taught by the masters. When not providing cooking demonstrations, the room becomes the Queen's Lounge, an upscale performance venue and presentation room.

Meanwhile, night club Northern Lights offers guests a magical venue for late evening dancing.

Lower Promenade's Explorer's Lounge continues Nieuw Amsterdam's New York theme with a stunning wall-to-wall mixed media collage of the 17th Century New York City skyline by Dutch artist Harald Vlugt. The room also features sculpture and decorative accessories from New York's early Native American and European inhabitants. Nearby is the Digital Workshop powered by Microsoft Windows, an interactive design studio featuring free workshops led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts" who show guests how to take better pictures, make movies, edit images and create scrapbooks using Microsoft Windows and Windows Live. Here, cruise image-makers can also learn to share images via email, blogs and social networks, creating instant vacation updates.

Lower Promenade also includes a fully equipped Casino, offering 116 slots,  blackjack, roulette, craps and a variety of poker games.  Located adjacent is the Casino Bar, highlighted by a display of large-format contemporary and classic photographs of New York City (NYC) street scenes, sports icons, and American and Dutch celebrities. The NYC-centric decor is continued in the nearby Piano Bar, which also features live keyboard music.

Nieuw Amsterdam's soaring Atrium is highlighted by a majestic telescoping chandelier designed to honor New York City's iconic skyline. The LED-equipped chandelier is lit in an ever-varying spectrum of rich colors.

The Deck 2 Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar offers an exclusive, reservations-only dining experience and exclusive wine lounge in a glamorous setting. The grand, three-level Showroom at Sea spans decks 2 and 3, and offers impeccable sightlines for feature production shows and headline entertainment.

Built at Fincantieri's Marghera yard near Venice, Italy, the 2,106-guest Nieuw Amsterdam will sail its maiden voyage July 4, 2010.  After several 12-day Mediterranean sailings, Nieuw Amsterdam embarks on a fall crossing of the Atlantic for the warmth of the Caribbean with seven-day eastern and western island itineraries from November through March of the next year.  For more information on Nieuw Amsterdam, visit www.hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on Twitter, Facebook and the Holland America Blog.  Access all social media outlets via the Online Communities quick link at www.hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE:  CCL and CUK)]  

Holland America Line's fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies.  Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.  A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet on July 4, 2010.

Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine — a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Cafe powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.

World's Leading Cruise Lines

The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises.  Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets.  The World's Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

SOURCE Holland America Line

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