Holland America Line’s Koningsdam Emerges from Dry Dock with Expanded Staterooms and Refreshed Entertainment
Holland America Line‘s Koningsdam returned to service March 29 following a two-week dry dock in the Bahamas, adding five new ocean-view staterooms and refreshing several entertainment and retail spaces as the ship heads into its Alaska season.
The Pinnacle-class ship welcomed its first guests aboard the updates on a final Caribbean sailing before transiting the Panama Canal, setting up for summer deployments in Alaska — one of Holland America’s strongest markets.
New Staterooms Built for Groups and Families
The additions focus on accommodating travelers booking together. Each of the five new ocean-view staterooms holds up to four guests, with two beds that convert to a queen and a double sofa bed. Four of the five rooms connect, giving larger groups the option to book adjacent space. Holland America also added sofa beds to 22 existing Vista Suites, giving more cabin categories some flexibility for extra guests.
The timing is deliberate. Alaska consistently draws multigenerational groups, and the upgrades position Koningsdam to better absorb that demand heading into peak season.
Live Music Area Gets a Layout Overhaul
The area connecting Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge received new seating and a revised layout aimed at making the two venues feel more cohesive. Additional seats were added inside each space, and new lounge seating now sits between the two rooms, allowing guests to catch performances from either side. The result is a more open, connected stretch of the ship where live music runs throughout the evening.
Casino Expands, Retail Space Refreshed
The ship’s casino grew during the dry dock period, adding floor space and improving circulation between adjacent entertainment and shopping areas. Holland America has not detailed specific games or machines added, but the expanded footprint allows the casino to handle more guests at a time without the congestion that can come with higher-capacity sailings.
The Effy jewelry boutique was also fully redesigned to match a look already introduced on Westerdam and Zuiderdam. The updated space features new flooring, lighting, display cases, and a central chandelier. The refresh is part of a broader effort to standardize the Effy retail environment across the fleet.
Additional Updates Throughout the Ship
Carpet was replaced across staterooms and public areas ahead of the Alaska season. Several specialty dining venues, including Pinnacle Grill, Sel de Mer, and Club Orange, had fixed tables converted to movable arrangements, allowing staff to reconfigure seating for different group sizes. The fitness center received new equipment as well.
What Travelers Should Know
Koningsdam’s Alaska sailings start at $799 per person, or roughly $114 per person per day. Travelers interested in the updated ship can book directly at hollandamerica.com, through a travel advisor, or by calling 1-877-SAIL-HAL.
The dry dock updates are modest in scope compared to major refurbishments, but they address two consistent friction points for group travelers: room configuration and entertainment flow. For families booking Alaska for the first time or returning guests who found the original stateroom options limiting, the changes are worth noting before booking.
