Nieuw Amsterdam Panama Canal Cruise Review: Day 1

Fresh off Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, I’m back on Holland America Line to kick off the line’s Caribbean season, and I’m doing it on a ship that shares the same bones as the Queen: Nieuw Amsterdam. Outside of the interior design, the layouts of these two ships are pretty much identical, so if you followed along on my Queen Elizabeth reports, a lot of what you’re about to see around the ship is going to look somewhat familiar.

I’ll be onboard for 21 days on two back-to-back cruises. This first segment is a 12-day Panama Canal cruise, one that’s on a lot of bucket lists and a favorite of mine for one simple reason: it’s absolutely FASCINATING.

I’ve done the canal several times now, all on Holland America. The first was on Zuiderdam back in 2013, and since then I’ve done it on Rotterdam, most recently this past March. Now it’s Nieuw Amsterdam’s turn. She’s able to transit both the original locks and the newer, larger locks, so we’ll find out which ones we’re getting as the week goes on. We’re not scheduled to reach Panama until Saturday.

Here’s a look at the itinerary for this first 12-day segment.

Panama Canal: Nieuw Amsterdam

Dates: Nov 8, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026

Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Date	Port	Country	Start	End
Nov 8	Fort Lauderdale, FL	United States		4:00 PM
Nov 9	Half Moon Cay	The Bahamas	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
Nov 10	At Sea	–	–	–
Nov 11	At Sea	–	–	–
Nov 12	Oranjestad	Aruba	8:00 AM	5:00 PM
Nov 13	At Sea	–	–	–
Nov 14	Cartagena	Columbia	7:00 AM	2:00 PM
Nov 15	Cruising Panama Canal	Panama	6:00 AM	3:00 PM
Nov 15	Colon	Panama	5:00 PM	9:00 PM
Nov 16	Puerto Limon	Costa Rica	7:30 AM	4:30 PM
Nov 17	At Sea	–	–	–
Nov 18	Ocho RIos	Jamaica	8:00 AM	4:00 PM
Nov 19	At Sea	–	–	–
Nov 20	Fort Lauderdale, FL	United States	7:00 AM

DisclosureHolland America Line provided a complimentary interior stateroom for this sailing. I paid the port fees and taxes, plus a paid upgrade to an obstructed oceanview stateroom, and all onboard expenses including beverages, specialty dining and personal purchases are on me. All opinions expressed are my own and reflect my actual onboard experience.

A Quick Look at Nieuw Amsterdam

Nieuw Amsterdam entered service in 2010, the same year as Queen Elizabeth, and like the Queen she was built by Fincantieri in Italy. She’s about 86,700 gross tons and 936 feet long, carries 2,106 guests at double occupancy with a crew of roughly 929.

Holland America calls her and her sister Eurodam the Signature class, which is a slightly larger take on the Vista-class design shared by Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and, over at Cunard, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. Where the two ships differ is the decor. Queen Elizabeth leans into Art Deco and the golden age of ocean liners, while Nieuw Amsterdam takes its name and a lot of its design inspiration from The Big Apple – New York City.

My last time onboard was for a Western Caribbean cruise in November 2024, so it’s been a couple of years. I’m curious to see what, if anything, has changed.

New York skyline chandelier in the atrium of Holland America Line's Nieuw Amsterdam — New York skyline chandelier in the atrium of Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam

Embarkation at Port Everglades

With the exception of Zuiderdam, which sails out of Miami, the rest of Holland America’s Caribbean fleet sails from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale. A friend gave me a lift to the port Sunday morning since, for me, it’s easier to go by car rather than by Brightline which I use to go to PortMiami.

Anyone who’s cruised out of Port Everglades knows about the security checkpoint at the port entrance. Every single vehicle gets stopped for questioning and an ID check like you’re driving onto a military base, which it isn’t. It’s the only cruise port I know of that puts people through this before they even get near a terminal, and on a busy day with multiple ships in port, it backs traffic up for a mile. I griped about it in March, too.

Today, there was barely a line when we pulled up around 11:30 a.m. Instead, we got the most unprofessional security guard I’ve ever dealt with at a cruise port, courtesy of Allied Universal, the company the port contracts its security out to.

As we approached the gate, he walked up to my friend’s black SUV and immediately started yelling, “ARE YOU UBER OR LYFT?” My friend told him no, he was just dropping me off. The guard kept insisting my friend was a rideshare driver, even after we showed him our IDs, which clearly have us living on the same street. We explained that we’re neighbors and he was taking me to my cruise. So the guard turned to me and asked, “Are you paying him to take you here?”

“Come on, man, I need to get to my ship.”

Then came the threat. “See that guy up there? He’s going to slap you with a $1,000 fine because you’re Uber.”

At that point I told my friend, “Mike, pull forward and get away from this lunatic,” and that’s exactly what we did.

“That guy up there” turned out to be working the parking booth. He looked at our IDs again, asked if we had any weapons in the car, and told us to have a nice day. No drama.

So, Port Everglades: don’t threaten people with thousand-dollar fines, don’t turn embarkation into a nightmare before anyone’s even out of the car, and properly train the third-party security people you put at your front gate. A black SUV doesn’t automatically make someone an Uber or Lyft driver. To say I was ticked off is an understatement.

Once that circus was behind me, the rest was easy. I dropped off my luggage, got into the priority line for Four- and Five-Star Mariners, and walked pretty much straight onto the ship. There was a quick stop at security to X-ray carry-on bags, then facial recognition check-in, and that was it. The whole process took less time than arguing with the guy at the gate.

Obstructed Oceanview Stateroom 4121 on Nieuw Amsterdam

Holland America provided me with a complimentary interior stateroom for this cruise. A little before sailing, though, I got an offer to upgrade to an obstructed oceanview for an additional $60 per person. Since I’m sailing solo, that’s $60 times two, so for $120 I “moved up” to a room with a view: stateroom 4121 on Deck 4.

Crew members were telling guests that rooms weren’t ready yet as we boarded, but I stopped by mine to drop off my carry-on, and it was. Even when your room isn’t ready, Holland America lets you drop off your bags and go, which is one of those little extras some lines don’t offer.

The room has floor-to-ceiling windows that let in plenty of light. The view is partially blocked by a lifeboat and some machinery, and as you can see in the photos and video, you don’t get any kind of clear view past the equipment. That’s fine with me. I just enjoy having that window.

Queen bed, nightstand and mirrored wall in Nieuw Amsterdam stateroom 4121 with a lifeboat outside

Large window in stateroom 4121 blocked by a red Nieuw Amsterdam lifeboat and davit

Wide view of Nieuw Amsterdam stateroom 4121 from the foot of the bed toward the door, sofa and desk

Sofa bed, small table and bed beside the window in Nieuw Amsterdam stateroom 4121

Inside, you’ve got the standard two twin beds that combine into a queen, a good amount of storage, a vanity and desk area, and a separate sofa that converts into a bed, so this room can sleep three. The bathroom has a tub and shower combo and a small vanity.

There’s a safe, bathrobes, a TV and a small table for when room service shows up. There’s also a stocked minibar with items for purchase, which is located inside one of the closets. I find that a little odd, but there it is.

Desk, wall mounted TV, mirror and wardrobe in Nieuw Amsterdam stateroom 4121

Nieuw Amsterdam stateroom 4121 bathroom with sink vanity, toilet, towels and tub shower

Stateroom 4121 closet with in room safe, rolled beach towels, bathrobe and an open minibar fridge

Stateroom 4121 closet with wooden hangers, fold down shelves and an orange life jacket

One thing I’m a little disappointed in: the snacks. The snack basket that used to sit in the room, with gummy bears, candy bars, mints and those Dutch stroopwafels, is GONE. Come on, HAL, bring those back!

Now here’s something interesting. In my Queen Elizabeth Day 1 report, I mentioned there were absolutely no USB ports in my room. Nieuw Amsterdam and Queen Elizabeth are the same age and essentially the same ship, just different brands under the Carnival Corporation umbrella, and both have been through dry docks over the years where the technology could’ve caught up. Queen Elizabeth still has no USB ports. Nieuw Amsterdam does.

There’s a USB-A port on each side of the bed. Over at the desk, there are two more USB-A ports along with four U.S. outlets and two U.K. outlets. You won’t find any regular outlets by the bed, though, so bring a longer cable if you charge your phone overnight.

Overall, the room is a good size and well laid out, and the furnishings and fixtures are all in good condition and working order.

Video Tour of Stateroom 4121

Muster Drill

Muster is electronic. Head to your assigned station any time starting at 1 p.m. (not earlier, since nobody will be there), have your card scanned, and you’re done. When you go to your room and turn on the TV, you’re required to watch the safety briefing before you can do anything else with it.

Sailaway at the Sea View Pool

Our departure was set for 4 p.m., and so was the sailaway party at the Sea View Pool. That’s the pool all the way aft on the Lido Deck, with views of the ship’s wake. There was a good turnout, with special cocktails for the occasion, including a Taittinger Champagne cart rolling around selling glasses of bubbly for $22.

The cruise director kicked things off with an introduction, the entertainment team did a little dance number, and the rest of the fun was up to us to provide. For the party, the chairs and loungers were cleared out, but on a regular day they’re out for sunbathing.

The Sea View Pool is also home to New York Pizza & Deli, and don’t sleep on it. Queen Elizabeth’s pizza was worse than a 99-cent frozen one, but the pizza Holland America puts out is pretty darn good and hard to resist. It’s served from lunchtime right up until midnight. This area also has a designated smoking section, so there’s that.

We left right on schedule and headed out to sea.

Mariner Society (Loyalty Club) Reception

Next on the agenda was the Mariner Society reception at 6:45 p.m. at the Lido Pool. Sometimes Holland America holds it on the first night, other times it waits a few days. Honestly, with everything going on during embarkation day, I’d move this one to a different day.

Turnout was moderate. Some of these receptions are packed and some aren’t, and tonight was right in the middle. This one was for Three-, Four- and Five-Star Mariners plus President’s Club members. On some sailings, depending on the numbers, there’s a separate reception for Three-Star Mariners and another for Four-Star, Five-Star and President’s Club.

It ran about 45 minutes, with complimentary Champagne and wine, another introduction from the cruise director, and a chance to meet some of the ship’s officers.

If you’re wondering about those blue and white tiles Mariners collect, I wrote up the story behind the Mariner Society tiles a while back. They’re a nice little gift with some Dutch heritage that guests are given each cruise.

Gin and (No Fever Tree) Tonic at the Ocean Bar

After the reception, I headed to one of my favorite bars on the ship for a pre-dinner cocktail: the Ocean Bar on Deck 3.

The first thing I noticed when I ordered my gin and tonic was that the gin selection has been cut way back. The only choices were Beefeater, Hendrick’s, Tanqueray, Tanqueray No. Ten and Gunpowder. One other bar onboard has one more, Japan’s Roku, over at the Tamarind Bar. The whiskey and bourbon selection didn’t seem to take the same hit.

Also missing: Fever-Tree tonic. The only tonic on offer is Canada Dry, regular and light. Bummer, but oh well!

While I was there, I signed up for a few of the beverage tastings on this cruise. I’m doing the bourbon, whisky and single malt tastings. Since the regional wine tasting comes with my Four-Star Mariner status, I also signed up for the other three wine tastings, so I’ll be reporting on all of those as we go.

Here’s the full lineup if you’re onboard and want to join in, or are just curious as to what’s offered:

Raise a Glass beverage tasting and mixology class schedule with prices, dates and venues on Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam, November 2026 — Beverage tastings and mixology classes on this Nieuw Amsterdam sailing

Dinner Options on Embarkation Night

For those having dinner in the Dining Room, here’s a look at tonight’s menu.

Drinks8 items

Dutch 75

$11.00

De Lijn Gin, sparkling wine, fresh lemon juice

Bahama Mama

$12.00

Flor De Cana Rum, Malibu Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine

Harvey Wallbanger

$12.00

Skky Vodka, orange juice, Galliano with orange slice

El Presidente

$13.00

Planteray 3 Star, Vermouth blanc, dashes of orange curaçao and grenadine

PNW Penicillin

$17.00

Westland Flagship single malt, fresh lemon juice, ginger & honey syrup, float of Westland Peated Single Barrel Select

Featured Beer

$7.75

Bud Light

Featured White Wine

$13.00 / $52.00

Kendall Jackson Chardonnay (glass / bottle)

Featured Red Wine

$14.00 / $56.00

Sokol Blosser Pinot Noir (glass / bottle)

Appetizers8 items

Jerked Oxtail Croquette

Pineapple jam, jerk mayo (Port to Plate)

Chili Caribbean Shrimp Cocktail*

Orange habanero aioli, citrus (gluten free, non-dairy)

Sweet Tomato, Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella

Balsamic, olive oil, basil, focaccia (vegetarian, gluten free)

Classic Caesar Salad

Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, anchovies

Red Beet, Frisée, Orange Salad

Goat cheese, hazelnut (vegetarian, gluten free)

Green Chile and Corn Chowder

Roasted bell pepper, cilantro (gluten free)

French Onion Soup

Gruyère cheese crouton

Chilled Apple Vichyssoise

Ginger, cinnamon

Mains9 items

Caribbean 'Jerk' Chicken Breast

Jamaican peas & rice, grilled pineapple (Port to Plate)

Salmon Bucatini

Lemon cream, buttered breadcrumbs, Parmesan

Spiced Pork Belly

Pineapple salsa, roasted squash, potatoes

Veal and Sage Meatballs

Soft polenta, tomato, provolone

Beef Pot Roast*

Roasted parsnip and root vegetables, potato smash

Rustic Home-Made Lasagna

Tomato sauce, basil

Ocean Queen Hake*

Saffron risotto, mussels, clams, peppers

Southwestern Salmon Bowl*

Black bean corn salsa, avocado brown rice

Eggplant Cannelloni Parmigiano

Asparagus risotto (vegetarian)

Featured4 items

5 oz Filet Mignon & Lobster*

$18.00

Grilled asparagus, baked potato, garlic butter

12 oz Pinnacle Grill Strip Loin Steak*

$20.00

Baked potato, creamed spinach

Grilled Nigerian Jumbo Prawn

$25.00

Morimoto E'pice, seasonal vegetables (by Global Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto)

Broiled Lobster Tails

$25.00

Yuzu butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes (by Global Fresh Fish Ambassador Chef Morimoto)

Desserts9 items

Chocolate Hazelnut Bread Pudding

Warm rum vanilla sauce

Pineapple Upside Down Cake

Caramel, cherry, pecans, coconut cream

Chocolate Fudge Brownie Cheesecake

Pecans, marshmallow

Lemon Paris Brest

Almonds, whipped cream (no sugar added)

Artisan Cheese Selection

Provolone, pepper jack, Swiss, brie (vegetarian)

Strawberry Sundae

Vanilla ice cream, strawberry compote, crushed biscotti

Ice Cream of the Day

Vanilla Ice Cream, Rum Raisin, Triple Chocolate (no sugar added)

Cappuccino

$3.75

Espresso

$2.75

⬇ Download PDF All Holland America Restaurant Menus All Holland America Bar Menus

🖼️ Menu Images

If you’d rather keep things casual, Holland America’s traditional embarkation night Steak & Shrimp Diablo dinner is served in the Lido Market on Day 1.

Wild Harvest4 items

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Southwest Avocado Salad

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

Citrus Tuna Salad*

Distant Lands Italian10 items

Ziti with Italian Sausage

Tomato and oregano

Baked Penne alla Vodka

Meat Lasagna

Create Your Own Pasta

Linguini or penne with marinara (vegetarian), bolognese, alfredo (vegetarian) or basil pesto (vegetarian)

Rustic Ciabatta Wheel

Mixed Herb and Pecorino Focaccia

Garlic Scrolls

Italian Fruit Salad

Chopped fruits, citrus sugar syrup, mint

Pineapple Coconut Crisp

Baked Seafood Pasta

Bread Board8 items

French Baguette

Cornbread

Sun-Dried Tomato Focaccia

Soft Rolls

Spa Bread

Shrimp Cocktail

American cocktail sauce

Cold Cuts and Cheeses

Three kinds of cold cuts, three kinds of cheese, sliced and whole

Fresh Fruit

Two kinds, sliced and chopped

Homestead16 items