Holland America Nieuw Statendam Cabins to Avoid (2026): Decks 4, 8 & 10

Avoid forward cabins on Decks 10–11 (motion), Deck 8 cabins under the Lido pool (noise), and Deck 4 verandahs near the World Stage. Book mid-ship Decks 5–8 instead.

The Nieuw Statendam is one of the many cruise ships built in the Pinnacle class and launched in 2018. It boasts elegant design, great food, and a pleasant ambiance preferred by seasoned cruisers. Yet, like any other cruise liner, there are places where one can experience the negatives of noise, motion, bad views, and poor cost-value ratio. Finding Nieuw Statendam cabins to avoid on this Holland America cruise liner will be very helpful for choosing the right accommodation and ensuring your cruise experience becomes memorable in all the right ways.

Below we present the worst locations on the Nieuw Statendam cruise ship according to passenger opinions, reviews, and expert comments. Although no cabins are particularly bad on Holland America's Nieuw Statendam, there are some you should avoid if you are sensitive to motion, noise, sleep well, or simply want to get more bang for your buck on a veranda.

Cabin Types Overview on Nieuw Statendam

The staterooms on Nieuw Statendam are well-designed and have comfortable bedding, twin beds convertible to queens, enough storage space, and other amenities, such as fresh flowers in higher grades. Some notable grades are as follows:

• Interior — 141-225 square feet
• Oceanview — 175-280 square feet (including family and studio grades)
• Verandah — 228-370 square feet (standard, obstructed, aft view, and spa)
• Suites — Vista (260-365 square feet), Signature, Neptune, and the huge Pinnacle suite (1,290 square feet)

Spa staterooms provide extra amenities such as organic bathrobes and yoga mats but are priced higher than regular staterooms. There are accessible staterooms and connecting staterooms in all grades. There are no staterooms on the Lido deck (deck nine).

Cabins Most Cruisers Should Avoid

Let’s have a look at some of these cabins you should avoid for your own good and peaceful state of mind.

1. Forward Cabins on Higher Decks (Motion & Seasickness)

Cabins 8138-8201 (Deck 8 aft end near sponson), 10001-10055 (Deck 10), and 11001-11058 (Deck 11) often get marked down for being particularly bouncy. Due to their positioning and the way the ship moves, these cabins feel every bump. If you tend towards seasickness or don’t mind movement, avoid them altogether. There are plenty of mid-ship low-mid deck options for you.

2. Cabins Underneath the Lido Deck’s Adult Pool (Deck 8)

Cabins 8037-8091 located at Deck 8 are right beneath the adult pool/loungers. The noises associated with the early-morning set-up and removal of chairs will undoubtedly be heard inside of your cabin if you’re one of those folks who enjoys a late morning. It seems to be a recurring complaint from recent cruise passengers.

3. Deck 4 Verandah Cabins Near Entertainment Venues

Cabins 4002–4036 sit directly above the World Stage theater. Evening shows with loud sound systems can rumble into the rooms, especially for early-to-bed passengers.

Cabins 4050–4080 (port side, even numbers ending in 0/2/4/6/8) are above B.B. King’s Blues Club / Jazz Club. Live music until midnight often bleeds through.

Obstructed-view verandahs on Deck 4 (4042–4107 and 4120–4167) have partial lifeboat blockage. Some forward Deck 4 balconies also feature solid steel railings that block seated ocean views and increase wind exposure.

4. Low-Deck Engine and Vibration Areas

Cabin in low deck positions, especially from 1127 to 1177, or some particular cabins such as 5147 and 5174 in deck number five, experience engine vibrations or sound, even during nighttime. Although this is not very loud, it is still disturbing to some people while sleeping. If you're sensitive to motion or noise, it's worth understanding what decks to avoid on a cruise ship in general before booking, as the lowest decks are the most prone to these engine-related disturbances.

5. Cabins Near Crew Areas or Watertight Doors

Specific complaints include cabin 4143 on Deck 4, where a massive crew watertight door slams at all hours due to staff movement. Similar hidden crew access points exist on other decks but are rarely marked on deck plans.

6. Vista Suites (Grades AS, A, B, BC)

These suites offer only marginal extra space and amenities compared to standard verandah cabins. Many cruisers feel they provide poor value you pay suite prices for what feels like a slightly upgraded verandah. Unless you need the extra room or perks, a well-located verandah often delivers better bang for your buck.

7. Spa Staterooms & Suites (SQ/VQ/CQ/IQ)

Spa rooms demand higher prices due to their location near the Greenhouse Spa, with additional amenities such as enhanced toiletries and yoga mats. If one does not intend on using the spa facility extensively, there is little value in paying for such staterooms.

8. Connecting Cabins

Connecting rooms have thinner soundproofing between the shared door, reducing privacy and increasing noise from neighbors not ideal for light sleepers or couples wanting seclusion.

Best Cabin Locations on Nieuw Statendam

The most comfortable will be cabins located around mid-ship in Decks 5-8 (Gershwin, Mozart, and Schubert Decks) due to optimal stability, silence, cabins above and below, and convenience of reaching restaurants and entertainment areas, but not proximity to them. This follows the same principle behind choosing the best cabin location on a cruise ship the closer you are to the ship's center of gravity, the smoother and quieter your voyage.

• Balcony Verandahs Extended – Search for cabins such as 4154/4156 or rear-view cabins (5200 series, 6200 series) for extended balconies with good seating.
• Rear Verandahs – Provide excellent wake views and are usually more protected.
• Mid-ship Cabins or Deck 6 Ocean Views – Best value and surprisingly quiet.

Practical Booking Tips for Latest Sailings

Carefully review the deck plans on both the Holland America website and on Cruisebooking prior to book a Nieuw Statendam cruise ship. Consider what is above and below your room on board.

• Try booking mid-ship as much as possible due to stability and less noise on the ship.
• For those prone to seasickness, it’s best to stay in lower to middle decks, but away from the front of the ship.
• Take a look at the reviews from previous passengers as there could be problems that have been resolved since going through maintenance work.
• Think about where you’re sailing as an Alaskan or Caribbean cruise might move differently than a transatlantic voyage.

The Nieuw Statendam is still an elegant ship with large public spaces and good food. Almost all the rooms are comfortable and in good condition. To ensure that your cruise is relaxing, stay away from the motion prone front area, pool deck overheads, and Deck 4’s entertainment area.