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SS NIEUW AMSTERDAM

In an era of undisguised luxury and leviathans, the Nieuw Amsterdam stands out as a ship of untarnished stature. She was the Netherlands' "ship of state", just as the SS Normandie was France's, the Queen Mary was Britain's and SS United States was the United States'. 

With a large cash reserve, the Holland America Line set out to build a national flagship for the fleet. By all accounts, the Nieuw Amsterdam took ocean liner interior decor to a new plateau. Her accommodations and interior appointments were the finest afloat.  Lavishly decorated in light colors and possessing the supreme luxury of spacious accommodations, the Nieuw Amsterdam was the most modern and contemporary liner of the 30's. 

Modern in every way, her owners proclaimed her "the ship of tomorrow". She followed the Art Deco trend of the day in both interior decorations and exterior design. The interiors were distinguished by fluorescent lighting, aluminum motifs, and gentle pastels throughout the ship that created an understated elegance that would make the liner a favorite among seasoned transatlantic passengers.

One of the ship’s centerpieces was the first class restaurant, having a Moroccan leather ceiling which was adorned by numerous Murano glass light fixtures, and columns covered in gold leaf. Tinted mirrors, ivory walls and satinwood furniture all contributed to create the luxurious atmosphere. The restaurant had no portholes or windows facing the open sea, making it depend solely on artificial illumination.

Passengers must have found it difficult to believe they were at sea when in the First Class Theater. The deeply cushioned seats commanded an unobstructed view of the stage, and the egg-shaped contour of the auditorium took advantage of the latest in scientific sound-proofing materials and amplifying equipment to ensure perfect acoustics for concerts, dramatic performances and pre-release motion pictures. The Nieuw Amsterdam was the second ship in the world after the Normandie to boast a theater which the larger Queen Mary did not have.

First Class staterooms on the Nieuw Amsterdam were unusually attractive, ranging in size from cozy single person cabins to elaborate cabins-de-luxe. The handsome and modern decorative scheme made the cabins comfortable spots for daytime and evening relaxation. All First Class cabins on Nieuw Amsterdam had a private bathroom, a unique feature which no previous liner could boast.

The new liner's maiden voyage was set for May 10, 1938, and upon her arrival in New York she immediately won adulation and acclaim. Her sleek outline and two slim funnels provided a striking profile and she soon garnered a loyal following.

In 1957, HAL decided to update their best ship. Nieuw Amsterdam received a upgrade, which included her being fully air-conditioned. Externally she had her hull painted grey giving her cooler more modern look.

In 1961 Nieuw Amsterdam received major alterations to her accommodations, including more cabins with private facilities, and became a two class ship accommodating 574-first class and 538-tourist class.  She became one of the most loved ships on the Atlantic, and many dignitaries and movie stars sailed on her. Her name regularly appeared in the “Who’s Who” columns of the New York papers.

This primarily wood Nieuw Amsterdam model is 40" long x 14" tall x 7" wide $2,590    Shipping and insurance in the contiguous USA included. Other places: $400 flat rate. This model is in stock and can be shipped within 5 business days.