michelleandpaul Posted October 23, 2014 #1 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hello! We have decided to take a cruise next month for our anniversary & I was hoping to get some input. I initially was not considering Holland, but they have excellent reviews & great prices. It also looks like we would be avoiding a lot of the crazy kid fun on the other cruise lines! We have narrowed it down to the following options: Nieuw Amsterdam - Eastern Caribbean (Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Bay) Eurodam - Western Caribbean (Half Moon Cay, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Key West). I'm sure both of them would be fantastic, but I am struggling to make a decision. The Amsterdam is $100 more per person, so the prices are pretty similar. The Amsterdam is a newer ship, but I was wondering if anyone has cruised on both ships & could tell me their opinions & which one they preferred. Is the entertainment better on the Amsterdam? Pools & pool areas? Regarding the itineraries, I have been to Jamaica & Grand Cayman before, but never to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, or St. Thomas. We love to snorkel, so I was wondering if any of those locations compare to Grand Cayman. I would appreciate any suggestions! We'll be leaving in just a couple of weeks, so I've got to pull the trigger soon! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted October 23, 2014 #2 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The two ships are virtual twins, with no real difference. Yes, if you read down the board, there will be people who like one over the other, but having sailed both, there really is very little difference. Based on route, I would take the N. Amsterdam route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted October 23, 2014 #3 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I prefer the eurodam ship wise but I like the ports on the NA better. That's why I'm doing the na. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
innlady1 Posted October 23, 2014 #4 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The ships are virtual twins. However, the ports are not. I would opt for the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Amsterdam, BTW, is a smaller ship...that does more unique itineraries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 23, 2014 #5 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Welcome to Cruise Critic. We have sailed on both ships. We much prefer the Nieuw Amsterdam and her itinerary. We do not care for Montego Bay. Don't forget to try the Tamarind Restaurant -- $20 per person for dinner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 23, 2014 #6 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The ships are virtual twins. However, the ports are not. I would opt for the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Amsterdam, BTW, is a smaller ship...that does more unique itineraries. OP is looking at the Nieuw Amsterdam. OP just forgot to put Nieuw in front of Amsterdam. I think OP doesn't realize that there are different ships with almost the same name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crazy For Cats Posted October 23, 2014 #7 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Hello! We have decided to take a cruise next month for our anniversary & I was hoping to get some input. I initially was not considering Holland, but they have excellent reviews & great prices. It also looks like we would be avoiding a lot of the crazy kid fun on the other cruise lines! We have narrowed it down to the following options: Nieuw Amsterdam - Eastern Caribbean (Turks & Caicos, San Juan, St. Thomas, Half Moon Bay) Eurodam - Western Caribbean (Half Moon Cay, Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, Key West). I'm sure both of them would be fantastic, but I am struggling to make a decision. The Amsterdam is $100 more per person, so the prices are pretty similar. The Amsterdam is a newer ship, but I was wondering if anyone has cruised on both ships & could tell me their opinions & which one they preferred. Is the entertainment better on the Amsterdam? Pools & pool areas? Regarding the itineraries, I have been to Jamaica & Grand Cayman before, but never to Turks & Caicos, San Juan, or St. Thomas. We love to snorkel, so I was wondering if any of those locations compare to Grand Cayman. I would appreciate any suggestions! We'll be leaving in just a couple of weeks, so I've got to pull the trigger soon! Thanks! We have been on both ships and find them both very nice. We are booked for the Western itinerary that you are considering only because they are all new stops for us, except for HMC. Otherwise we would choose the eastern itinerary as we never seem to have enough time in San Juan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bachcruise Posted October 23, 2014 #8 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I'd go with the Nieuw Amsterdam. I love that ship and those eastern ports are great, especially San Juan. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishin' musician Posted October 23, 2014 #9 Share Posted October 23, 2014 As far as snorkeling goes, Turks and Caicos and St Thomas both offer world class areas. The first time I snorkeled at Grand Caymans it was great, most recently not so great as the coral had been decimated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michelleandpaul Posted October 23, 2014 Author #10 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Thank you so much everyone for your replies! I just booked the Nieuw Amsterdam, based on the itinerary. I am so excited!!! For those of you who have been to San Juan, can you please let me know what activities you would suggest. We are scheduled to be there from 1 - 11pm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 23, 2014 #11 Share Posted October 23, 2014 San Juan El Moro Castle San Cristobal Castle Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxxboy Posted October 23, 2014 #12 Share Posted October 23, 2014 We did the Segway tour in San Juan and really enjoyed it. Afterwards we had time to stroll around and do some shopping before heading back to the ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daisyloo Posted October 23, 2014 #13 Share Posted October 23, 2014 We loved El Moro. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crazy For Cats Posted October 23, 2014 #14 Share Posted October 23, 2014 El Morro is a very nice way to spend the afternoon. It is a nice walk up and back. We have also visited El Younge rain forest and that too us a very nice way to spend the afternoon. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 23, 2014 #15 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Though they are sister ships, I like Eurodam better than Nieuw Amsterdam but I much prefer Nieuw Amsterdam's itinerary. I'm not much help, am I? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted October 23, 2014 #16 Share Posted October 23, 2014 The ships are virtual twins. However, the ports are not. I would opt for the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Amsterdam, BTW, is a smaller ship...that does more unique itineraries. So true. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 23, 2014 #17 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Dinner ashore with late sailaway from San Juan was always a favorite thing we did when visiting that port. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted October 23, 2014 #18 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Though they are sister ships, I like Eurodam better than Nieuw Amsterdam but I much prefer Nieuw Amsterdam's itinerary. I'm not much help, am I? :D What's not to like, as long as you are Cruising .;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Folk Singer Posted October 23, 2014 #19 Share Posted October 23, 2014 Dinner ashore with late sailaway from San Juan was always a favorite thing we did when visiting that port. :) They serve some of the best Mojitos we have ever imbibed in San Juan. ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted October 23, 2014 #20 Share Posted October 23, 2014 I love the mojitos at Barrachina's. :) :) Pina Coladas are good, too. http://www.barrachina.com/indexb.php Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted October 24, 2014 #21 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Though they are sister ships, I like Eurodam better than Nieuw Amsterdam but I much prefer Nieuw Amsterdam's itinerary. I'm not much help, am I? :D Hey, I said the same thing:). I think the eurodam is my favorite. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruz chic Posted October 24, 2014 #22 Share Posted October 24, 2014 El Morro is a very nice way to spend the afternoon. It is a nice walk up and back. We have also visited El Younge rain forest and that too us a very nice way to spend the afternoon. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Thx for the info on the forest. I'm tossing that shorex around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodalicious Posted October 24, 2014 #23 Share Posted October 24, 2014 The layout is pretty much the same, as they are sister ships. The Nieuw Amsterdam is a Manhattan theme, and the Eurodam is more old world Dutch. We have done the eastern Carribean for the last 3cruises, but will be doing the western in Dec. We can't wait to see Key West. Half Moon Cay has great snorkeling Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yodalicious Posted October 24, 2014 #24 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Btw in Puerto Rico, the Baccardi tour is fun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crazy For Cats Posted October 24, 2014 #25 Share Posted October 24, 2014 Btw in Puerto Rico, the Baccardi tour is fun Yes the Bacardi your is fun but I wouldn't recommend it if this is the first time visiting San Juan. Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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