I have not sailed on the New Amsterdam, but have sailed on other Holland America ships. With the sole exception of Cunard, Holland America is my favorite cruise company. The ships are spotlessly clean, well decorated, and quite comfortable. The crew is excellent, as is the food. What I happen to like most about Holland America is precisely what many people do not like -- a MUCH older group of passengers, with very few children. Instead of rock music in a disco, you hear a string quartet in a formal parlor. Instead of flashing neon, you see wonderful collections of antiques. Instead of wel t-shirt contests and "pool games", you may enjoy playing trivia or bridge or scrabble in the afternoon. Passengers use the excellent libraries on board. It is not a cruise company for young families, for teens, or for people who want to "party hearty". Price-wise it is significantly more expensive than companies such as Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and a bit less than Cunard. People who want to sail with almost all adults who are retired, who are more reserved and staid, who have good manners, who don't drink to excess, and who dress up will enjoy Holland America.