Sunday, 23 March 2025
Tucson, Arizona

Here is some additional information about the Nieuw Statendam, a ship I have not sailed on previously. It is a newer sister-ship to the Koningsdam, on which I have sailed twice, so I should be able to find my way around easily. 

HAL ms Nieuw Statendam

"Fluid lines and dramatic spaces make the Nieuw Statendam a modern beauty. The second in the line of Pinnacle Class ships, her design draws inspiration from the elegant curves of musical instruments. Guests may enjoy many innovative dining and entertainment options—from Rudi’s Sel de Mer to Nami Sushi to the Rolling Stone Lounge, B.B. King’s Blues Club, and the visually stunning two-level World Stage."

Year Built:            2018

Length:                975 feet

Width:                  114.8 feet

Tonnage:              99,500  

Passengers:         2,666

Crew:                   1,025

Dining Options:

The formal Dining Room is a destination for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. At dinner, passengers may choose from international classic dishes, such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute or Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

ms Koningsdam--October 2016

ms Prinsendam--August 2013

A world of culinary delight is available in the Lido Market, the ship's primary casual dining venue. Open for three meals a day, this modern market includes a curated selection of delicious options that you can grab on the go or have made to order: Breadboard (freshly baked breads and pastries), Wild Harvest (salads), Homestead (comfort-food classics), Distant Lands (global cuisine), Sweet Spot (ice cream and desserts), Roasting Pan (hand-carved meats, fish and other entrees, Perk (freshly brewed beverages and chilled juices), Quench (premium coffee, beer, wine, and soda), Rise (quiches, croissants and sandwiches). Here are some random samples from ms Koningsdam:

The Pinnacle Grill offers an excellent dining experience with impeccable service and the finest food from land and sea. Each course is crafted with care, beautifully presented, and paired with an extensive selection of award-winning wines. I have enjoyed steak and lobster dinners in this restaurant on every one of the 11 Holland America ships on which I have sailed. Here are some random samples:

ms Koningsdam--November 2024
Filet Mignon and Lobster Dumplings

ms Maasdam--May 2013
Traditional Escargot

ms Westerdam--May 2022
Petit Fours and Jellies Before Dessert

ms Maasdam--May 2013
Tri-Color Creme Brulee

ms Prinsendam--August 2014
Will Waiting for Dinner

ms Zuiderdam--May 2023
Blueberry and Pistachio Dessert

Other food options include: Canaletto (Italian specialties), Tamarind (Asian fusion), Rudi's Sel de Mer (French approach to seafood), Dive In (poolside grill), New York Pizza, Nami Sushi, Morimoto by Sea, as well as 24-hour room service.

In the next blog entry I will provide more detail about my time in London.

Friday, 21 March 2025
Tucson, Arizona

Dear LFLatSea Companions and Friends Far and Near:

It is time once again to depart upon the high seas. I am excited to share my next adventure, coming up very soon, in my constant quest to see what the world has to offer.

After being at home since Will and I cruised to Peru and I visited Machu Picchu this past December, I will be traveling solo on a transatlantic cruise from Ft Lauderdale to Dover to spend a week in London before flying back to the US. I leave Tucson on 3 April--only 12 days from today. I am sailing on Holland America's ms Nieuw Statendam (a larger ship than I am used to), for 14 days, visiting four ports before landing in Dover. After a week in a rental flat in Chelsea, I fly to New York on 26 April for two nights and then home to Tucson on 28 April. 

Thursday, 3 April

06:30am lv Tucson (TUS) 

AA 1791 / 2C / first class / 2h 10m / Airbus 321

10:40am av Dallas-Ft Worth (DFW)

2:31pm lv Dallas-Ft Worth (DFW) 

AA 1993 / 4B / first class / 2h 38m / B737-800 

6:09pm av Ft Lauderdale (FLL)

Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale Downtown (2 nights)

Friday, 4 April

Ft Lauderdale 

Saturday, 5 April

5:00pm lv Ft Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

HAL ms Nieuw Statendam Cultural Crossing (14 nights)  

Veranda Suite 8810

Sunday, 6 April - Monday, 7 April

2 Days at Sea

Tuesday, 8 April

9:00am av King's Wharf (Bermuda) 

5:00pm lv King's Wharf

Wednesday, 9 April - Tuesday, 15 April

7 Days at Sea

Wednesday, 16 April

 8:00am av Falmouth (England, UK)

7:00pm lv Falmouth

Thursday, 17 April

8:00am av Portland (England, UK)

9:00am Shore Excursion:  Stonehenge & Salisbury

5:30pm Shore Excursion Ends

8:00pm lv Portland

Friday, 18 April

7:00am av Le Havre (France)

7:00pm lv Le Havre

Saturday, 19 April

7:00am av Dover (England, UK)

Disembarkation

8:45am lv Dover

International Friends Transportation

10:45am av London

Rental: London Chelsea Apartment (7 nights) 

Saturday, 19 April - Saturday, 26 April

London

Saturday, 26 April

12:00nn lv London (LHR)

UA 17 / 3A / Polaris Business Class / 8h, 10m / B767-300   

3:10pm av New York/Newark (EWR)

Omni Berkshire Place Hotel (2 nights) 

Sunday, 27 April

New York City

Monday, 28 April

5:06pm lv New York (LGA)

AA 1476 / 3B / Business Class  

8:15pm av Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW)

10:33pm lv Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW)

AA 785 / 2C / Business Class 

10:55pm av Tucson (TUS)

✈️

I will be posting additional information about the trip over the next several days before my departure. I plan to describe my discoveries and adventures as I travel, and to publish as many photos as I can.

Welcome Aboard!