Back to cruisng after 5 years: Nieuw Amsterdam

[cruzngal]

Hi all,

 

It's been a long time since we have been on a cruise and been back to these boards! Mid-life crisis got me interested in taking up sailing so we've been doing that for the last 5 years. But we're looking at the Thanksgiving cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam to celebrate both my husband's and my 50th birthdays (with the kids).

 

It seems like so much has changed! What do you think of the Nieuw Amsterdam? We have never been on a ship this big. Always loved the smaller HA ships, so this will be something new.

 

After spending time on sailboats where cabins are small, heads are primitive, and the the closest thing to a pool is the water under the boat, we're not picky about rooms. All HA rooms are lovely!

 

Love to hear your impressions! It's fun to be back!

 

Fair winds...

Cruzngal

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you are back to sailing on cruise ships.

 

Haven't been on the Nieuw Amsterdam yet.

[catl331]

Since the N. Amsterdam launched only in July many of us have not sailed her yet. We will be on her in the Med. in Sept. and will post a review. If she is like the Eurodam, I think we will like her. We especially are fond of the Tamarind restaurant and the Silk Den lounge. True, these ships and the Vistas ask for a little more walking than my fav. HAL ship. the Amsterdam!

[scottjeanne]

We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam in July. She is a wonderful ship. Though she is larger, there were never any lines anywhere. Tendering was efficient as was embarkation and disembarkation.

 

The only place we encountered crowding was in the piano lounge. Most nights you could not find a seat.

 

The Tamarind was fabulous. It is a lovely setting with extraordinary food. They charge a service charge at night but not for lunch.

 

We did not eat in the Pinnacle as we did not decide to do so until the last few nights of the cruise and they were sold out.

 

The MDR had great food and our table mates were engaging and entertaining. We enjoyed it so much that we did not want to eat anywhere else. The decor of the room is a bit garish-pink, red and orange, but the food and the service is suberb.

 

The only issue we had was we sent out laundry and some pieces were never returned. The ship compensated us for the missing items.

 

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them.

[packyourbags]

You have chosen a lovely way to return to cruising, the NA is beautiful and the staff is excellent. The cruise director, port guide and several entertainers are veteran HAL staff and they have established a very nice environment for a lovely new vessel. The captain reports on sea conditions and port news each day. The dining experience was very nice, Pinnacle and Tamarind are a must. Skip the italian theme dining venue...

 

The rooms are brand new, the spa is superb. We are big fans of the thermal suite and the hot tub and thermal benches are the perfect way to end a busy day of touring. The aft pool is "adult only", so there a place to escape.

 

Entertainment is great. Try to catch "Cantare", they are a group of young men who are very talented. They could sing italian tenor music all night, but they do a mix of old and new... The piano bar is great and so is the guitar music.

 

We spent 24 days on board and we've just returned home. I have to say it was one of our best trips. Our cabin was on the 10th deck, a spa suite, which was perfect. Right between the spa and the coffee bar :)

 

Happy Sailing!

[kiwixmas]

We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam in July. She is a wonderful ship. Though she is larger, there were never any lines anywhere. Tendering was efficient as was embarkation and disembarkation.

 

The only place we encountered crowding was in the piano lounge. Most nights you could not find a seat.

 

The Tamarind was fabulous. It is a lovely setting with extraordinary food. They charge a service charge at night but not for lunch.

 

We did not eat in the Pinnacle as we did not decide to do so until the last few nights of the cruise and they were sold out.

 

The MDR had great food and our table mates were engaging and entertaining. We enjoyed it so much that we did not want to eat anywhere else. The decor of the room is a bit garish-pink, red and orange, but the food and the service is suberb.

 

The only issue we had was we sent out laundry and some pieces were never returned. The ship compensated us for the missing items.

 

Feel free to ask any questions and I will try to answer them.

 

hi i just read your thread about nieuw amsterdam could you tell us about your tendering experiences please ???

i have read else where at thira where passengers not on shore tours didnt get off till 11.00am ( arrival was 8am and sailed again at 5PM )

[sapper1]

Hi all,

 

It's been a long time since we have been on a cruise and been back to these boards! Mid-life crisis got me interested in taking up sailing so we've been doing that for the last 5 years. But we're looking at the Thanksgiving cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam to celebrate both my husband's and my 50th birthdays (with the kids).

 

It seems like so much has changed! What do you think of the Nieuw Amsterdam? We have never been on a ship this big. Always loved the smaller HA ships, so this will be something new.

 

After spending time on sailboats where cabins are small, heads are primitive, and the the closest thing to a pool is the water under the boat, we're not picky about rooms. All HA rooms are lovely!

 

Love to hear your impressions! It's fun to be back!

 

Fair winds...

Cruzngal

You mean you are ready to trade jumping off the stern ladder with a bar of soap for a real hot water shower?:D Of course, I am talking about fresh water sailing----if you sail in salt water, that is not even an option.

 

I do seem to recall that being fun for quite a large chunk of my life. Now I like my creature comforts too much.

[dot73]

Did you, by chance, have a good look at the Lido cabanas? Is the area very crowded? Thank you.

[cruzngal]

You mean you are ready to trade jumping off the stern ladder with a bar of soap for a real hot water shower?:D Of course, I am talking about fresh water sailing----if you sail in salt water, that is not even an option.

 

I do seem to recall that being fun for quite a large chunk of my life. Now I like my creature comforts too much.

Hi Sapper1 - Yes, I know what you mean!! We've done both fresh water and salt water sailing. And while a quick swim in Lake Superior can be...well...refreshing...this will have it's merits too. Even better than just creature comforts, we're talking THANKSGIVING onboard -- NO COOKING!! Whooo Hooo!!!

[victorpunto]

Hello.

 

Can anybody tell me what is included in stadard cruise rate and what have additional charge?

 

- Hot tubes

- Club Cabana

- Thermal pool

- Lunch in Tamarind

- Piano bar

 

How many hot tubes does the ship have? And how many pools?

 

Does it have casino on board? And a disco, does it have?

 

Thanks!

 

Victor

[E-500]

Hello.

 

Can anybody tell me what is included in stadard cruise rate and what have additional charge?

 

- Hot tubes Hot Tubs free 3-5 on the ship

- Club Cabana Charge

- Thermal pool Charge

- Lunch in Tamarind Free, charge at dinner

- Piano bar Free, not the drinks

 

How many hot tubes does the ship have? And how many pools? 2 pools

 

Does it have casino on board? And a disco, does it have? Casino, yes, disco is called Northern Lights

 

Thanks!

 

Victor

 

See bolds above hope this helps

[victorpunto]

hI E-500. Thanks!

 

I have read that the disco is completly dead before midnight as 90% of 2000 passenger went to sleep early at night. Is it true? Is the disco really boring?

 

And what about disembarkation policy, does the ship prioritize passengers that booked shore excursions?

 

Thanks again. Regards,

 

Victor

[ariawoman]

Priority goes to HAL excursions then the masses :-) (perhaps the suite folks THEN the general masses).

[sapper1]

Priority goes to HAL excursions then the masses :-) (perhaps the suite folks THEN the general masses).

The only time I have seen priority given for disembarkation in ports is when tenders are used. Generally as soon as the all clear is given you are good to go, HAL excursion or not. At least that has been my experience.

[RuthC]

The only time I have seen priority given for disembarkation in ports is when tenders are used. Generally as soon as the all clear is given you are good to go, HAL excursion or not. At least that has been my experience.

Mine, too.

 

Victor, you seem to have a lot of very basic questions. Reading, and asking, here is a good idea, but I suggest you also sit down with a good TA. A travel agent can discuss the basics thoroughly with you. They may even prompt some questions you haven't thought of. Then you can discuss those ideas here, too.

[victorpunto]

Hi Ruth, you are right. My only problem is: I am from Argentina and here it is very common some kind of cheating from TA and expensive prices.

 

Then I prefer to ask my questions to experts here and cruises lines (from US).

 

I am pleased for the help that I receive here. Thanks!

 

Victor

[boingy300]

I've never sailed with HAL but have tendered to Gr. Cayman quite a few times. I can easily get off the ship in 1 hour (from arrival time 8am to 9:15 non-HAL excursion). I'm a tad concerned about HAL's ability to unload quickly. Is this a problem unloading? I may have misread a comment. I am back in March and can do the excursion then. I realize no one truly "knows" how NA will unload in Gr. Cayman as it hasn't been there yet, but what about other tendering HAL ships that have been there. Any delays in unloading? Honestly I am picturing some very slow moving suite cruisers delaying the tendering. I am thinking this mental picture is not fair. Please help me.

We can always just spend the day in our cabana.

Thanks.

[RuthC]

Hi Ruth, you are right. My only problem is: I am from Argentina and here it is very common some kind of cheating from TA and expensive prices.

Got it.