Nieuw Amsterdam Panama Canal Cruise Review

Day 3 on Nieuw Amsterdam, and it’s the first of two back-to-back sea days as we make our way south to our second port of call, Oranjestad, Aruba, on Thursday. If you missed yesterday’s report, it was all about Half Moon Cay, the island’s big makeover and whether the new $150 Beach Club is worth it.

Sea days don’t usually give me a ton to report on, so today I’m going to use the time to cover a few things I’ve mentioned in passing but haven’t really explained, like the Have It All package and the Mariner Society.

Roof Open, Roof Closed, Roof Open…

The day got off to a rainy start. I was sitting by the Lido Pool writing when the roof was opened. Then a shower rolled through, so they closed it. When the rain stopped, they opened it again. Then it rained again. This went on for a few hours, and it got a bit comical. I felt bad for the crew member who kept getting called to open and close it.

That retractable glass roof is one thing Nieuw Amsterdam has that her sister Queen Elizabeth doesn’t, and it makes the Lido Pool usable no matter what the weather’s doing. The trade-off is that with the roof closed and the sun trying to break through, it gets steamy in there quickly.

Lido Pool on Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam with the glass retractable roof closed on a rainy sea day — The Lido Pool with the roof closed (again)

Gray rain clouds over a dark blue Caribbean Sea seen from Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam — A gray start to our first sea day

We also picked up some swells along the way. In his noon announcement, the captain mentioned that the stabilizers were working to keep the ship as comfortable as possible.

If you’ve never thought about them, stabilizers are large fins that extend out from each side of the hull below the waterline. They work a lot like airplane wings, generating lift against the water to push back against the ship’s roll, and they adjust automatically as the ship moves. They won’t do much for the up-and-down pitching you feel at the front or back of the ship, but they take a lot of the side-to-side rocking out of a day like today. I go into more detail in my guide on how to avoid getting seasick on a cruise.

By the afternoon, things had cleared up nicely.

Orange Nieuw Amsterdam lifebuoy on the ship's railing with an MSC container ship passing on the horizon — Some company out at sea

What’s the Holland America Have It All Package?

I’ve mentioned Holland America’s Have It All package a couple of times already, so let’s talk about what it actually is. It’s a bundle you can add to your fare that includes four things for everyone on the booking:

Shore excursion credit: $100 on 4- to 9-day cruises, $200 on 10- to 20-day cruises and $300 on cruises of 21 days or more.
Drink package: The Signature Beverage Package, covering a large selection of wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, plus sodas, specialty coffees and other non-alcoholic drinks, with the beverage service charges included.
Specialty dining: One night on 4- to 9-day cruises, two nights on 10- to 20-day cruises and three nights on 21+ day cruises, at Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto or Tamarind.
Wi-Fi: The Surf package, which covers browsing, email, social media and messaging, but not streaming.

It’s $65 per person, per day if you buy it before your cruise, and it costs more if you wait until you’re onboard. For this cruise, I upgraded the Wi-Fi so I could stream, which was an extra $50 for the entire 12-days.

In my opinion, Have It All is the most affordable package of its kind in cruising, since you’re getting a drink package, specialty dining, excursion credit and basic Wi-Fi in one price. Just for comparison, Carnival’s CHEERS! drink package alone currently runs $69.95 per person, per day pre-cruise and $74.95 onboard, and that’s before Carnival switches its drink packages and Wi-Fi to dynamic pricing on December 1, 2026. Princess’s Plus and Premier packages cost more, but they do throw in a few extras.

Have It All is still a great value if you’re going to be drinking onboard. If you’re not, it’s probably not so much. You can run your own numbers with my Holland America drink package calculator, and I’ve got the full rundown on the Have It All package, too.

Those who followed along last week will remember how much I complained about the Wi-Fi speed on Queen Elizabeth. I’m happy to say that here on Nieuw Amsterdam, speed isn’t an issue. Uploading files and even videos is fast, streaming doesn’t buffer, and it’s working great.

Beverage Tastings and Classes Onboard

Speaking of drinking, there are several beverage events on this cruise. Here’s the lineup and what each one costs.

Event	Price
Beer Tasting	$15
Port & Sherry Tasting	$35
Tequila Tasting	$35
Rum Tasting	$35
Regional Wine Tasting	$35
Champagne & Sparkling Wine Tasting	$49
Premium Wine Tasting	$49
Around the World Wine Tasting	$35
Mixology Class: Cosmopolitan & Manhattan	$25
Mixology Class: Mai Tai & Old Fashioned	$25
Bar Hop	$29
Bourbon Tasting	$39
Whisky Tasting	$39
Single Malt Tasting	$55

I’ve signed up for all four wine tastings (the regional one is complimentary for Four-Star Mariners), plus the bourbon, whisky and single malt tastings. I’ll report on each one as it happens.

What’s the Mariner Society?

I keep mentioning my Four-Star status, so here’s how Holland America’s loyalty program works. The Mariner Society is built on cruise day credits. You earn one credit for every day you sail, a 10-day cruise earns 10, and you get double credits if you pay a published fare for a suite. You also earn a bonus credit for every $300 of eligible onboard spending (casino charges don’t count), and you can’t buy your way up. Here’s what it takes to reach each level:

Level	Cruise Day Credits
One-Star	1 completed cruise
Two-Star	30
Three-Star	75
Four-Star	200
Five-Star	500

Three-Star is where the perks start to get good, with 25% off specialty restaurant cover charges and an invitation to the Mariner Society reception. At Four-Star, that becomes 50% off the cover charge at Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canaletto, plus a complimentary regional wine tasting, free laundry and pressing, and priority check-in, tendering and disembarkation. Five-Star adds two complimentary specialty dinners and a day pass to the Greenhouse Spa thermal suite. And every cruise, Mariners get one of those blue and white Mariner Society tiles.

Besides the 50% speciality dining discount, the biggest perk for me is the free laundry. Since I’m going to be onboard for 60 some days on back-to-back Holland America cruises, that laundry perk is invaluable. I send my laundry out every other day, and usually get it back the next morning – all at no charge!

What’s Happening Onboard

Even on a quiet sea day, there was plenty on the schedule, including these three popular ones that drew a good crowd:

Coffee with the Cruise Director: Cruise Director Zaid sat down with Chief Engineer Paul at 9 a.m. in the Rolling Stone Lounge.
The Art of Flower Arranging: Holland America has a full-time florist onboard who handles all the arrangements around the ship, along with any flowers you order for your stateroom. Florist John shared tips and tricks at 9:45 a.m. in the Explorer’s Lounge.
Cooking show: Crackling pork ceviche at 10 a.m. in the Rolling Stone Lounge.

When it comes to live music, there’s a lot to choose from. Vivace, the classical string group, plays in the Explorer’s Lounge and for afternoon tea. Holland America took the strings off its ships for a while, and the complaints from guests were overwhelming enough that they’ve been put back on every ship. The Rolling Stone Lounge band knocks it out of the park every night. The Dam Band plays great jazz and American Songbook standards in the Ocean Bar. Gaby, the regional solo guitarist, also plays the Ocean Bar and is popular at happy hour (I sat next to her at dinner the other night). And the piano players hold down Billboard Onboard.

Dressy Night

Tonight was the first dressy night of the cruise, and guests were encouraged to dress up. As I mentioned yesterday, dressing up really isn’t a thing on Holland America. Some people do it, but plenty don’t. Country club casual is the norm, and no shorts in the dining room is about the only rule that’s enforced. Wear what you want and you’re good.

The photographers had their backdrops out for dressy night portraits. Some guests dressed up, but the majority didn’t.

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

Drinks9 items

Paper Plane

$12.00

Angel's Envy Bourbon, Nonino Amaro, Aperol, lemon juice

Como Spritz

$12.00

Cynar, passionfruit, lemon, HAL sparkling wine

Gala Lemon Drop

$14.00

Chopin Vodka, Cointreau, fresh lemon juice, simple, B'lure Pea Pollen

Penicillin

$13.00

Dewar's White Label, lemon, honey, Compass Box Peat Monster

Dutch 75

$11.00

De Lijn Gin, sparkling wine, lemon juice

Holland America Line Sparkling Wine

$10.00 / $40.00

Washington (glass / bottle)

Chateau Ste. Michelle

$12.00 / $48.00

Chardonnay, Washington (glass / bottle)

Sokol Blosser Evolution

$14.00 / $56.00

Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon (glass / bottle)

Oberon

$18.00 / $72.00

Cabernet Sauvignon, California (glass / bottle)

Appetizers7 items

Coppa, Burrata, Cantaloupe*

Arugula, roasted pistachio, balsamic reduction (gluten free)

Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail

Horseradish cocktail sauce (gluten free)

Escargot Bourguignon

Garlic herb butter, wine, French bread

Feta, Lentil Tabbouleh Salad

Cherry tomatoes, oak leaf lettuce, mint, lemon dressing (vegetarian, gluten free)

Tomato-Red Bell Pepper Bisque

Avocado cream (vegetarian)

French Onion Soup

Gruyère cheese crouton

Classic Caesar Salad

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

Mains8 items

Baked Ricotta and Asparagus Filled Paccheri

Pomodoro-basil sauce, Grana cheese (vegetarian)

Espelette Beef Tenderloin, Shrimp*

Whiskey sauce, buttermilk mashed potatoes (gluten free)

Roasted Rack of Lamb, Eggplant Purée, Pancetta-Fava Beans*

Merlot reduction

Gruyère-Brioche Crusted Sole*

Potato gratin, green peas, spinach, butter sauce

Roasted Pumpkin Tart

Tempura broccoli, yogurt dressing, fig vincotto (vegetarian)

New York Strip Loin, Steak Fries*

Garlic herb butter

Garlic-Herb Roasted Chicken

Avocado, tomato, corn salad

Salmon & Chanterelles*

Corn, oven-dried tomatoes, basil (gluten free)

Featured3 items

15 oz Pinnacle Grill Boneless Ribeye*

$20.00

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

Steamed Fresh Halibut*

$25.00

Premium Hong Kong XO sauce, seasonal vegetables (by Iron Chef Morimoto)

Broiled Lobster Tails

$25.00

Yuzu butter, roasted garlic mashed potatoes (by Iron Chef Morimoto)

Desserts5 items

Caramel Lava Cake

Chocolate ganache

Crème Brûlée

Burnt sugar (gluten free)

Black Forest Cake

Chocolate cake, Kirschwasser-flavored cream, Bing cherries, chocolate shavings (no sugar added)

Strawberry Romanoff

Grand Marnier, Chantilly cream (gluten free)

Hot Fudge Sundae

Vanilla ice cream, almonds, marshmallows, chocolate sauce

After Dinner Drinks6 items

Disaronno Amaretto

$10.50

Rémy Martin VSOP

$17.00

Highland Park Single Malt

$13.00

Graham's Six Grapes Port

$13.00

Solo Espresso

$2.75

Cappuccino

$3.75

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

🖼️ Menu Images

And here’s tonight’s dinner menu in the Lido Market.

Wild Harvest4 items

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Southwest Avocado Salad

BBQ Ranch Chicken Salad

Citrus Tuna Salad*

Distant Lands Italian8 items

Spaghetti with Beef and Ricotta Meatballs

Basil and tomato

Ham & Cheese Pasta Bake

Meat Lasagna

Create Your Own Pasta

Spaghetti or orecchiette 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

Bread Board6 items

Roasted Vegetables Focaccia

Cheese, Antipasto and Cold Cuts

Salami, coppa, mortadella, antipasto, plus a soft, a hard and a blue cheese

Selection of Fruits

Brown Rice, Broccoli, Hazelnut Salad

Caribbean Roasted Pork Sandwich

Cumin, allspice, mayonnaise, chipotle mayo, lime zest, ciabatta roll, lettuce, tomatoes

Caribbean Accompaniments

Six kinds of hot sauce, salsas, jalapeno, cornbread, fried plantains

Homestead14 items

Tomato Red Bell Pepper Bisque

Vegetarian

Espelette Beef Tenderloin, Shrimp*

Gruyère-Brioche Crusted Sole*

Salmon & Chanterelles*

Roasted Pumpkin Tart

Vegetarian

Roasted Rack of Lamb*

New York Strip Loin (6 oz)*

Whole Roasted Chicken

Mashed Potato

Roasted Potatoes

French Fries

Sautéed Spinach

Vegetarian

Vichy Carrots

Vegetarian

Selection of Fruits

Distant Lands Asia9 items

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Fried Rice

Steamed Rice

Vegetable Biryani

Vegetarian

Palak Paneer

Vegetarian

Mutton Rogan Josh

Basmati Rice

Indian Bread and Condiments

Paratha, papadum, raita, kachumber

Almond & Lychee Jelly

Sweet Spot6 items

Apple Pie

Strawberry Romanoff

Caramel Lava Cake

Black Forest Cake

No sugar added

Ice Cream

Vanilla, chocolate with chocolate, mango, berry or butterscotch sauce and assorted cookies

Crepes Made to Order

Rum butter caramel sauce with choice of fresh fruit toppings

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

🖼️ Menu Images

Dinner at Pinnacle Grill

I had dinner at Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s $52 steakhouse. As a Four-Star Mariner, I get 50% off the cover charge at the specialty restaurants, with the exception of Morimoto by Sea and Sel de Mer on the Pinnacle-class ships (Sel de Mer gets 25% off instead).

Available on: all ships

Wines7 items

Pinnacle Grill Wine Pairing

$23.00

Three 3 oz pours: Holland America Line Sparkling Wine (Washington), Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc (New Zealand), Rocky Pond 11 Dams Bordeaux Blend (Washington)

Taittinger Brut Champagne

$22.00 / $88.00

France (glass / bottle)

Domaine Du Vieux Châteauneuf-du-Pape Blanc

$16.00 / $64.00

France (glass / bottle)

Conundrum White Blend

$16.00 / $64.00

California (glass / bottle)

Willamette Valley Vineyards Whole Cluster Pinot Noir

$15.50 / $62.00

Oregon (glass / bottle)

Rocky Pond 11 Dams Bordeaux Blend

$14.00 / $56.00

Washington (glass / bottle)

Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon

$18.00 / $72.00

California (glass / bottle)

Cocktails5 items

Table-Side De Lijn Gin Tonic

$14.00

Double Dutch tonic, seasonal botanicals

Green Swizzle

$14.00

Planteray 3 Star Rum, Velvet Falernum, lime, absinthe, soda, Angostura bitters

El Presidente

$13.00

Planteray 3 Star Rum, vermouth blanc, orange curaçao, grenadine

Myrtle Bank Special Punch

$13.00

Planteray 3 Star and Smith & Cross pot stilled Jamaican rums, lime, demerara syrup, cherry brandy, cayenne

Big Youth

$13.00

Planteray Xaymaca Rum and Smith & Cross rum, condensed milk, coconut water, bitters, nutmeg

Appetizers8 items

Table-Side Caesar Salad

Heart of romaine, Parmesan, croutons, anchovies

Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad

Sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing (gluten free, vegetarian)

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

Cucumber, sweet chili-mustard

Lobster Bisque

Crème fraîche, aged cognac

Steakhouse Wedge Salad by David Burke

Crispy bacon, blue cheese, tomato, candied walnuts, ranch dressing (gluten free)

Shrimp Cocktail

Brandy-horseradish cocktail sauce (gluten free)

Clothesline Candied Bacon by David Burke

Maple, black pepper, half-sour pickles (gluten free, non-dairy)

Ossetra Malossol Caviar*

$50.00

Crème fraîche, buckwheat blinis (gluten free)

Entrées6 items

Braised Beef Short Ribs with Chow Fun Noodles by David Burke

Wild mushrooms, carrots, scallions

Grilled Lamb Chops*

Controne bean purée, garlic chips

Honey-Lemon Glazed Chilean Sea Bass*

Dill butter (gluten free)

Table-Side Dover Sole, Lemon Butter

$15.00

Boiled new potatoes

Panko Fried Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Beyond Meat mince, vegan mayonnaise remoulade, parsley, quinoa salad (vegetarian)