Holland America Koningsdam Caribbean Cruise Review

Day 10 on Holland America Line’s Koningsdam and today is the first of two back-to-back sea days as we make our way toward the final port of call of this cruise, Half Moon Cay in The Bahamas, where we’ll arrive on Thursday before heading back to Fort Lauderdale on Friday and wrapping up this latest adventure.

Since it’s a sea day and there’s no port stop to pick apart, let’s hit a few different topics, including one special delivery that I teased yesterday.

First up, let’s talk about value.

Holland America is not considered a budget cruise line like Carnival, MSC, or Margaritaville at Sea. It sits more in that premium tier, right alongside Celebrity, Cunard, and Disney. But here’s the thing: Holland often delivers some of the best value for the money out there. You get small to mid-size ships, generally excellent service, ships that are usually maintained beautifully, and a more classic cruise experience that you just are not getting on something like Carnival or Royal Caribbean. And yes, Holland is still one of the few lines where you’re regularly getting twice-a-day housekeeping, which in the post-COVID cruise world feels about as rare as finding a deck chair at 10 a.m. on a sea day.

What really makes Holland stand out, though, is the Have It All package. A lot of cruise lines want a small fortune just for a drink package, and once you tack on Wi-Fi and specialty dining, the total starts getting ridiculous in a hurry. Holland’s Have It All includes the Signature Beverage Package, Surf Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and shore excursion credit, with the amount of dining and shore ex credit increasing based on the length of the cruise. On Holland’s current pricing, Have It All is $60 per person, per day pre-cruise, and includes shore excursion credit, up to three nights of specialty dining depending on cruise length, the Signature Beverage Package, and Surf Wi-Fi.

The Holland America Have It All Package: Everything You Need to Know

That is where the value really starts to shows. Holland’s Signature Beverage Package by itself is currently listed at $50.95 per person, per day pre-cruise and covers drinks priced at $12 and under, with a daily limit of 15 alcoholic or non-alcoholic drinks. The Elite Beverage Package is $55.95 per person, per day pre-cruise and covers drinks up to $16, also with a 15-drink daily limit for alcohol and unlimited non-alcoholic beverages. So when you look at Have It All, you’re basically paying just a little more than the Signature package alone, but getting Wi-Fi, specialty dining, and shore ex credit thrown in. That is why I keep saying Holland absolutely wins this battle when you compare it to what other lines charge for far less.

BONUS: Check out my FREE cruise line Beverage Package Calculators to see if purchasing a package makes financial sense!

Now, the Wi-Fi that comes with Have It All is the Surf package, which is exactly what it sounds like. It’s fine for the basics. Check your email, scroll Facebook, post a photo, Google your next cruise, that kind of thing. Holland specifically describes it as the package for surfing the web, using social media, checking email, and sending messages. If you want more than that, you need to upgrade like I did for just $50 for the Premium package that allows for video calls, streaming music and YouTube videos, Google Meets, etc.

And that brings me to the Wi-Fi on this ship, which, frankly, has been disappointing.

Even though the Holland America fleet has Starlink, the internet on Koningsdam this trip has been nowhere near what I’ve come to expect from HAL. Video calls have lagged and buffered, uploading photos has taken forever, and there have been stretches where it just flat-out did not want to cooperate. Usually Holland’s internet is fast enough that I barely think about it. On this sailing, I’ve thought about it plenty, mostly because it has been frustrating.

Now let’s talk about Koningsdam’s pools.

There are two of them. The main Lido Pool and the aft Sea View Pool. Both are on Deck 9, but they serve very different purposes. The Lido Pool is the all-purpose pool area and, not surprisingly, the one that gets the most use. It has the retractable roof, which means it works in all kinds of weather, and it’s really more of a two-level hub than just a pool deck.

Lido Pool on Koningsdam

You’ve got plenty of seating on both levels, bars on Decks 9 and 10, the gelato stand, Dive-In burgers on Deck 9, and New York Deli & Pizza on Deck 10. There are loungers, day beds, tables, hot tubs, and of course the big screen, which has been used for everything from movies to events like that Artemis II launch the other night. It’s a very all-purpose space, and because it is family friendly and protected from the weather, it naturally gets the most action.

The Sea View Pool, on the other hand, is more about sun and a quieter vibe. It’s adults-only, out at the aft, and has a much larger sun deck feel with a smaller pool and hot tubs. One side of the deck is smoking, and that is the side near the Sea View Bar. There’s also table seating out there, which makes it a nice place to grab something from the nearby Lido Market and eat outside if the weather is cooperating.

Sea View Pool on Koningsdam

Speaking of smoking, let’s talk about the casino.

If you followed along with my Rotterdam posts a couple weeks ago, you know I complained quite a bit about how bad the smoke was in that casino. Bad enough that my eyes would burn and I really could not stay in there for very long. On this cruise, though, it has been a completely different story. Night and day different. I’m not sure whether there are simply fewer smokers onboard this sailing or if removing that staircase between the casino and Deck 2 finally allowed the air handling system to do what it was supposed to do all along, but whatever the reason, the smoke situation has been dramatically better. You can actually sit in the casino on this sailing and not feel like you’re slowly developing black lung while playing Lightning Link. Compared to Rotterdam, the difference has been huge.

The staircase connecting deck 2 and 3 with the Casino on Koningsdam has been removed, replaced with this piece of art on Deck 2

And finally, let’s get to that special delivery I mentioned.

Out on deck near the Sea View Pool, sitting there in a shipping cage like some kind of mysterious artifact, is a barrel of whiskey.

A barrel of Jefferson’s Ocean at the Sea View Pool on Koningsdam

And no, this is not just some random decorative prop they dragged out to make the whiskey drinkers happy.

Holland America has launched a partnership with Jefferson’s Bourbon in which barrels of Jefferson’s Ocean Aged at Sea bourbon are actually being aged onboard the ships. The program started in March 2026, with barrels loaded onto the fleet to sail real sea routes for at least six months, allowing the motion of the ship, ocean air, and changing temperatures to influence the whiskey.

A barrel of Jefferson’s Ocean at the Sea View Pool on Koningsdam

Holland says the limited releases will be available to guests in 2027, and that each barrel is expected to yield roughly 150 to 300 bottles. It’s part of the line’s larger beverage program and America’s 250th tie-ins, and yes, Jefferson’s Ocean is already being served in bars onboard. So that barrel sitting out there is not just some conversation piece. It is literally part of the aging process!

Orange Party Night

Now let’s talk about the evening activities, because tonight is Orange Party night, the one big party night of the cruise. This is the night where everyone is encouraged to dress in orange, or at least throw a little orange into the wardrobe if you do not want to go full pumpkin like some of us do.

There are a few things that lead up to the big party at 9:30, including the Koningsdam Bar Hop, which is one of the beverage events offered during the cruise along with the various tastings and mixology classes you can see in the chart. There’s also officer vs. guest trivia and a special Dutch-themed dinner, so the whole evening kind of builds toward the party.

As for why this is even a thing on Holland America, it all comes back to the line’s Dutch roots. Holland America, obviously, has deep ties to the Netherlands, and orange is the national color tied to the Dutch royal family, the House of Orange-Nassau. In the Netherlands, orange is everywhere during major celebrations, especially King’s Day, when the whole country basically turns into one giant sea of orange clothing, orange drinks, orange decorations, and people celebrating in the streets. Holland America took that Dutch tradition and turned it into one of the signature themed nights across the fleet.

That’s why Orange Party is not just some random theme night they pulled out of a hat to sell orange cocktails, orange hats, orange boas, and orange t-shirts. Well, maybe. It’s one of the more unique things Holland America does, and it actually ties back to the brand’s identity. Where as most cruise lines do a White Night, which honestly, doesn’t tie into anything. Orange night here ends up being the liveliest night of the cruise with music, dancing, Dutch-inspired snacks, and a whole lot of people-watching to see who got into the whole theme and who didn’t.

But before the party, it’s time to take a look at those special Dutch dinner menus in both the Lido Market and the main dining room.

Rotterdam Caribbean Lido Dutch Dinner (3/2026)

Available on: all ships

Bakery Shop Rise

Dark Bread

Dutch Rusk

Raisin Bread

Potato Bread

Baguette

Bay Shrimp Slider

Dutch Apple Pie

Bread Board

Dutch Cheese Corner

Old Amsterdam, Gouda, Edam, Maaslander, stem ginger, dried dates, nuts, dried figs, crackers

Port to Plate Featured Smoke Fish & Herrings

Pickled Sour Cream Herring

Roll Mops

Smoked Mackerel

Smoked Trout

Salmon Hot Smoked

Gravlax

Liverwurst

Salami Sopressata

Salami Napoli

Smoked and Peppery Salami

Dutch Shrimp Salad

Dutch cocktail sauce, chopped onions, pickled vegetables

Wild Harvest Signature Salads

Chop Chop

Chicken Caesar

Cobb Salad

Asian Sesame with Seared Tuna

Distant Lands Italian

Bami Goreng

Dutch Apple Pannekoek

Baked Ham & Cheese Macaroni

Garlic Rolls

Focaccia Wheel

Create Your Own Pasta

Marinara Pasta

Bolognese Pasta

Alfredo Pasta

Basil Pesto Pasta

A Taste of Indonesia

Gado Gado Salad

Bami Goreng

Nasi Goreng

Green Beans with Sambal

Udang Goreng Asam

Babi Kecap

Gulai Ayam

Soup

Dutch Pea Soup

Carvery

Smoked Pork Loin

grain mustard cream sauce

Sauces

Gravy

Hollandaise

Creamy Peppercorn Sauce

Apple Sauce

Sides

Braised Red Cabbage

Peas & Diced Carrots

Steak Fries

Dutch Boerenkool

Stamppot

Indian Vegetarian

Vegetable Biryani

Palak Paneer

Indian Protein

Mutton Rogan Josh

Indian Rice

Basmati Rice

Homestead Mains

Seafood Zeeland

shrimps, mussels, scallops, salmon, lobster sauce

Beef Hache

Grilled Sirloin Steak

Kibbeling

Roasted Chicken

Chicken Sate

peanut sauce

Kaassoufflé

Beef Flamande

Dutch Meatballs

Veal Kroketten

Vegan Braised Bell Pepper

Comfort Dish

Pork Cordon Bleu

Homestead Sides

Mac and Cheese

Desserts

Tompouce

Apple Pie

Lindt Chocolate Tulip

Vlaflip

vanilla custard with berries

Crepes Made to Order

Selection of Ice Creams

Rum Butter Caramel Sauce with Choice of Fresh Fruit Topping

Lido - Late Night 10:30pm - 11:30pm

Sliced Fruits

Apple, Pears, Banana, orange, Grapes

Chickpeas, Artichoke and Arugula

Roasted Tarragon Chicken

walnuts, celery, and apples

Cheese Selection

Blue, Brie, Leiden

Tossed to Order

Asian Tuna Salad

Selection of Artisan Breads

Panini Grilled to Order

El Toro

beef brisket, bourbon bbq sauce, roasted bell pepper, dill pickle, tomato, lettuce, red onion, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cilantro, chili flakes, garlic baguette

Fish Crispy Taco

Mini Pork Katsu

Southern Fried Chicken

French Fries with Toppings

Cheese Sauce, Bolognese Sauce, Ketchup, Mayo

Beef and Broccoli

Jasmine Rice

Pakoras

Spaghetti Bolognese

Garlic Bread

Boston Cream Pie

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Triple Berries

Fruit Tartlet

Rotterdam MDR Caribbean Dutch Dinner (3/2026)

Available on: all ships

Cocktails

Dutch 75

$11.00

De Lijn Gin, Sparkling Wine, fresh lemon juice

Cazadores Margarita

$13.00

Cazadores Tequila, Triple Sec, Lime Juice

Cosmopolitan

$12.00

Absolut Citron, Cointreau, cranberry, lemon

Ship Shape Manhattan

$13.00

Buffalo Trace bourbon, Carpano Antica, Noilly Prat Dry, Angostura bitters

Wines

Holland America Line Sparkling Wine

$10.00 | $40.00

Washington

Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay

$12.00 | $48.00

Washington

Sokol Blosser Evolution Pinot Noir

$14.00 | $56.00

Willamette Valley, Oregon

Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon

$18.00 | $72.00

California

Starters

Bay Shrimp Cocktail

Dutch cocktail sauce, boiled egg

Steak Tartare

capers, gherkins pickles

Chicken, Sweetbreads And Mushroom Cream

puff pastry, Hollandaise sauce

Westland Salad

tomato, cucumber, egg, mustard dressing

Green Peas Soup

pumpernickel, speck ham

French Onion Soup

Gruyère cheese crouton

Classic Caesar Salad

romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, Caesar dressing, anchovies

Mains

Bami Goreng

Indonesian stir-fried noodles, chicken and shrimp saté, peanut sauce, krupuk shrimp crackers

Hodge Podge Klapstuk

braised beef brisket, carrots, potatoes, onions, butter gravy

Beef Tenderloin, Mushrooms

chateau potatoes, sauteed vegetables

Pan Fried Dover Sole, Lemon Butter

parsley potatoes, asparagus, carrots

Vegan Braised Bell Pepper

brown rice, tomato coulis

Pork Cordon Bleu

ham, gouda, green peas, carrots, Lyonnaise

Roasted Chicken

French fries, apple sauce

Salmon Fillet, Bay Shrimp

saffron risotto, fennel

Featured

15 oz Pinnacle Grill Boneless Ribeye

$20.00

shallot confit, aged balsamic, green peppercorn, baked potato, creamed spinach

By Iron Chef Morimoto

Fresh Catch Grouper

$25.00

braised, soy ginger reduction, steamed baby bok choy, baby carrot

Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails

$25.00

seasonal Asian greens

Desserts

Crème Brûlée

burnt sugar

Tompouce

puff pastry, vanilla custard, royal icing

Apple Pie

vanilla ice cream

Lindt Chocolate Tulip

chocolate cream, flourless chocolate sponge

Lindt Hot Chocolate Fudge Sundae

vanilla ice cream, chocolate chunks, stroopwafel

Having done the Dutch dinner in the MDR a few times before and never really being much of a fan of the menu itself, I decided to make one final visit this cruise to Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s $52 per person plus 18% steakhouse. I didn’t have a reservation, but I wandered over around 8:00 p.m. and was taken to a table right away.

Available on: all ships

Appetizers

Table-Side Caesar Salad

heart of romaine, Parmesan, croutons, anchovies

Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad

sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

cucumber, sweet chili-mustard

Lobster Bisque

crème fraîche, aged cognac

Panko Fried Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Beyond Meat mince, vegan mayonnaise remoulade, parsley, quinoa salad

Mafaldine, Marinated Grilled Eggplant, Burrata & Chiles

preserved lemon, Calabrian chili, olive oil

Steakhouse Wedge Salad by David Burke

crispy bacon, blue cheese, tomato, candied walnuts, ranch dressing

Shrimp Cocktail

brandy-horseradish cocktail sauce

Clothesline Candied Bacon by David Burke

maple, black pepper, half-sour pickles

Ossetra Malossol Caviar

$50.00

crème fraîche, buckwheat blinis

Caribbean Starters

Jerked Chicken Bao

mint, coriander, tomato chutney

Crab & Shrimp Cakes

charred spring onion & pineapple salsa