canuckinindia Posted May 25, 2014 #1 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I'm looking at two cruise options on HAL and would greatly appreciate the communities advise. I've also attached the itineraries at the bottom. Noordam - July 1 2014 - Barcelona to Rome 11 Nights Nieuw Amsterdam - July 23 2014 - Venice to Barcelona 12 Nights As background i've taken two cruises before (bahamas and alaska) with my parents and family a few years ago. This is her first time cruising and is our much delayed honeymoon, so a bit anxious to get the selection right. Questions 1. Thoughts on ports? Both cruises seem relatively similar in terms of big ports but there are differences with the loss of Venice on the Noordam being of note. 2. A bit worried that Noordam is a few years older than Nieuw Amsterdam, should i be? 3. Looks like I could do a Noordam suite for pricing similar to a balcony on Nieuw Amsterdam so feedback on balcony vs suite and on the boats is appreciated as well. Any and all feedback greatly appreciated. Added itineraries below Noordam - July 1 2014 - Barcelona to Rome 11 Nights Ports of Call: Day 1: Barcelona, Spain Day 2: Barcelona, Spain Day 3: At Sea Day 4: Marseille (Provence), France Day 5: Monte Carlo, Monaco Day 6: Calvi, Corsica Day 7: Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy Day 8: At Sea Day 9: La Goulette (Tunis & Carthage), Tunisia Day 10: Palermo, Sicily, Italy Day 11: Naples, Italy Day 12: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy Nieuw Amsterdam - July 23 2014 - Venice to Barcelona 12 Nights Ports of Call: Day 1: Venice, Italy Day 2: At Sea Day 3: Dubrovnik, Croatia Day 4: Kotor, Montenegro Day 5: Corfu (Kerkyra), Greece Day 6: At Sea Day 7: Naples, Italy Day 8: Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy Day 9: Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy Day 10: Monte Carlo, Monaco Day 11: Marseille (Provence), France Day 12: Barcelona, Spain Day 13: Barcelona, Spain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeaWatch Posted May 25, 2014 #2 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I have not been on the NOORDAM but we have been on the Nieuw Amsterdam and loved it - in fact we are booked on the exact NA cruise the week before yours - the ports can NOT be beat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted May 25, 2014 #3 Share Posted May 25, 2014 You cannot see the ports of Venice or Rome in one day. If you can stay pre/post cruise to see one of these then that to me adds value to your cruise. N Amsterdam has a number of fans. Just because she is newer does not mean she is better though. ;) Venice is easier to see on a port day though IMO than Rome as Rome takes time to get to. For Europe, neither of these ships would be my preference - they are both good ships though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 25, 2014 #4 Share Posted May 25, 2014 We have sailed on both ships. But I would go with Nieuw Amsterdam as she has the Tamarind restaurant (which I know not everyone loves Pan Asian food but we do). I also like her itinerary -- and I would spend a few days in Venice before the cruise. On a land tour (many, many years ago) we spent 4 days in Venice and still didn't see everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMuir Posted May 25, 2014 #5 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I voted for Nieuw Amsterdam because of Venice. As KK says, you can arrive early and enjoy Venice for a few days. That's what we're doing on a later cruise that begins and ends in Venice. With Venice-to-Rome you could also extend your stay in Rome for a few days, if time and budget allow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
taxmantoo Posted May 25, 2014 #6 Share Posted May 25, 2014 Dubrovnik and Kotor also largely surpass La Goulette and Calvi in terms of beauty and interest. The cruise in to and out of Kotor is simply breathtaking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare POA1 Posted May 25, 2014 #7 Share Posted May 25, 2014 I wouldn't worry about the Noordam being a little older. She's in excellent shape. We were on her earlier in the year. I'd recommend that you make your choice based on itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfanderso Posted May 26, 2014 #8 Share Posted May 26, 2014 I have been on both ships and Nieuw Amsterdam wins hands down based on the itinerary. I sailed this itinerary in the other direction in April and all the ports are outstanding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CGYCruisingFamily Posted May 26, 2014 #9 Share Posted May 26, 2014 (edited) We are booked on the Nieuw Amsterdam out of Barcelona on Aug 4 (so the one right after the one you are looking at). We looked at the 11 night on the Noordam but liked the itinerary better on the NA. Haven't been on either ship so can't speak to the ships. We do tend to like the smaller ships so we will see how it goes. Edited May 26, 2014 by CGYCruisingFamily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mskaufman Posted May 26, 2014 #10 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Both have an overnight in Barcelona, which is great. In going to this area I would want to go to Mykonos and Santorini. However, given the choices I would go with the N. Amsterdam. Dubrovnik and Kotor are excellent stops. Last year Dubrovnik very much exceeded our expectations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canuckinindia Posted May 26, 2014 Author #11 Share Posted May 26, 2014 Thanks everyone for the feedback, sure i'll be coming back to CC for lots more advise. Seems like N. Amsterdam is the way to go especially based on the ports of call and general feedback on the boat, although sounds like we can't go wrong either way. Still researching (including reading up on CC) on HAL and other cruise lines. Especially trying to appreciate if the the smoking policy has a significant impact since we aren't smokers and if we will fit in well on the different boats as a younger (early & mid 30s) couple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now