Nieuw Amsterdam

The Lido Pool sits under the Magradome, Holland America's retractable glass roof. It opens on sunny days and closes in bad weather, so the pool deck works anywhere in the world. The pool is big enough for laps in the morning or evening, with a shallow ledge for sitting, hot tubs, a fountain and loungers all around. Dive-In serves complimentary burgers in one corner, and the Lido Bar covers the whole deck.

The Crow's Nest sits at the very top front of the ship. Recliners and couches face big forward windows, and the space flows into a library, board games and a learning center for lectures that was added during a renovation. The Crow's Nest Café serves coffee and pastries, and the bar handles cocktails later in the day. Large navigation screens show where the ship is and what's coming next, which fits Holland America's focus on lifelong learning.

The Retreat is a private sun deck above the Lido Pool. Guests rent a cabana for a day or for the whole cruise, which also opens up the shared loungers, day beds and sun deck. Standard cabanas have two loungers and a table for two, with food and drink service delivered. There are only two corner family cabanas, with extra loungers and a family-size dining table. Danny pictures them for glacier days in Alaska.

The Lido Market is the ship's complimentary casual dining spot, with seating on both sides and along the windows. Distant Lands has a large Asian setup with rotating poke and sushi. There's a main entrée line with carved meats like prime rib, a customizable salad bar, a pasta station where guests choose their own sauces and toppings, a bakery, and a dessert station with ice cream and cookies. Complimentary coffee, teas and juices are on offer all day.

All the way aft past the Lido Market, the Sea View Pool is now an adults-only retreat. The pool is big enough to swim laps early or late in the day, and bench seating runs around the edge. Hot tubs sit just above, a welcome feature in places like Alaska. The Sea View Bar has some of the best views on the ship, and the deck hosts themed parties and dances on select nights.

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon offers massages, facials, seaweed wraps, a full medi-spa, a barber shop and salon stations with ocean views. Couples treatment rooms let two people share the experience. The Thermal Suite is a paid day or cruise pass, with a hydrotherapy pool with bubble loungers and high-pressure jets, six heated stone loungers, a dry sauna, aromatherapy steam rooms and rainforest showers. The fitness center wraps around the front of the ship.

Pinnacle Grill is Holland America's original specialty restaurant, an unapologetic steakhouse with fine cuts of beef, seafood and classic appetizers and sides. Booths and tables for two or four line the windows, and some tables look down into the three-story atrium. Next door, the Pinnacle Bar is a quiet spot for a cocktail before or after dinner. Specialty dining carries an extra charge, though some fares and packages include a specialty night.

Live music is a big part of an evening on Nieuw Amsterdam. Billboard Onboard has dueling pianos every night, playing the top hits from the last 50 years and taking requests, with lounge seating all around and a full bar. The Rolling Stone Lounge has replaced B.B. King's since the tour was filmed, with a live band playing rock, pop and country classics. The Ocean Bar above the atrium adds dancing and live music.