When the new 2,650-passenger Koningsdam enters service in February 2016 it will be the first of a new, larger class of ship for Holland America Line. The vessel will debut several innovative concepts and new public spaces and venues while retaining popular features that loyal guests expect from this much-loved company. Its design will be stylish and contemporary, taking the style of the existing ships to a new level.

At the heart of the ship, the designers are creating visual drama with a three-deck-high central atrium graced by a stainless-steel sculpture that represents the synthesis of a string quartet. The atrium is capped by a ceiling 'skylight' that serves as a backdrop for subtly changing high-definition projections. Guests will look up by day and see wispy cirrus clouds floating in an azure sky; by evening the atrium takes on dramatic lighting hues or reflects the starlit constellations of the night sky. Koningsdam will also feature a two-tier Queen's Lounge and two swimming pools, one with a retractable glass roof, as well as an elegant dining room that spans two decks and features a two-storey wine tower as its centrepiece.

Twelve single cabins ranging from 127 to 172 sqft are another feature that will debut on Koningsdam, in acknowledgement of the growing number of solo travellers. Family oceanview cabins, ranging from 222 to 231 sqft, will feature two bathrooms and accommodate up to five passengers. All cabins will be equipped with bedside USB ports and frameless glass shower doors. Following her launch, Koningsdam will sail a series of 12-night Mediterranean cruises.