Koningsdam - Mexican Riviera & Sea of Cortez
Koningsdam's 11-day San Diego roundtrip goes far beyond the standard Riviera run, sweeping south to Puerto Vallarta and Manzanillo before slipping into the Sea of Cortez for La Paz, Loreto and Cabo San Lucas.
Price Range
$
Budget
*Prices vary by cabin type, sailing date, and availability. Confirm rates with Holland America Line before booking.
Ship Details — Koningsdam
View full Koningsdam detailsYear Built
2016
Tonnage
99,500 GT
Passengers
2,650
Crew
1,036
Decks
14
Class
Pinnacle
Itinerary & Route Map
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Onboard Amenities
Cruise Highlights
About the Ship
What Travelers Say About Koningsdam
Reviews of the ship itself — the same for every Koningsdam sailing. Based on 1,600 discussions.
Koningsdam, the lead ship of Holland America's Pinnacle class (2016, refurbished 2023), is the line's pitch to a slightly younger premium cruiser while keeping the calm, enrichment-focused soul HAL is known for. Carrying roughly 2,650 guests at double occupancy, it lands squarely in the mid-size sweet spot - big enough for a deep roster of dining and live music, small enough to avoid the megaship crush. Its signature is the Music Walk: a cluster of live-music rooms (Lincoln Center Stage, Billboard Onboard, B.B. King's Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room) that, paired with the LED-wrapped World Stage theater, gives it the best music-and-entertainment lineup in its class.
What People Love
- Strong 4.3/5 aggregate score from 628 U.S. News reviewers, matched by ~4.3/5 on Cruise Critic - unusually consistent praise for service and ship upkeep
- Standout dining for the mainstream-premium tier: 11 venues including Pinnacle Grill steakhouse, Rudi's Sel de Mer, Tamarind, Canaletto, plus the new Morimoto by Sea sushi venue added in 2025
- The 'Music Walk' concept is a genuine differentiator - Lincoln Center Stage (classical), Billboard Onboard (dueling pianos), B.B. King's Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room give nightly live music other mid-size ships can't match
Common Complaints
- Skews to an older demographic with little for kids - families and travelers wanting a high-energy vibe consistently report it feels too sedate
- Standard balcony cabins draw complaints about small bathrooms and an awkward toilet/shower layout where knees hit the wall
- Some reviewers call the decor and cabin furnishings dated or 'lacking class,' with worn furniture and uncomfortable sofa beds noted post-2016 wear