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Nieuw Amsterdam 12/6 - 12/20

GRACECRUISE

By GRACECRUISE,
in Holland America Line

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GRACECRUISE

GRACECRUISE

Posted
Posted

We did a Collectors 14 day on the NA. We had 3 to a cabin and celebrated an 80th bday and my parents 60th wedding anniversary. We do this itinerary quite often but this was our first time on the NA.

 

The ship was beautiful. The Christmas decorations were pretty and more appeared everyday. We had a cabin on Deck 5. Normally we book inside cabins but with the promotion they were running we got a verandah. We really enjoyed it, much more than I thought. It was a nice place to spend the late afternoon as well as morning sail ins. Space was not an issue for us.

 

The first week was a normal HAL cruise. The second week we had a group on. The Nation. They had about 350 people. They were an interesting group of people. The first week, the dining room was quiet and subdued. The second it was boisterous and lively. We actually changed tables the 2nd week. The servers all rotated from level 1 to level 2 during the 2nd week, so our servers went down to anytime for the second week. We enjoyed all 4 servers we had.

 

They changed the dishes between weeks. They have gone to beautiful plain white plates of different shapes. The look so nice. Some are oblong like a rectangle and the plated food looks really pretty. The soup came out in white pitchers and was poured into your bowl. It was really nice. Our guys used a little flair as they poured!

 

The food in the dining room was very good. Our favorites were shrimp and grits, mushroom ravioli and fish dishes. The desserts were a step up. The flourless molten chocolate cake and the pumpkin chocolate cake were amazing. The cheese plates were served on a nice cheese board.

 

They actually celebrated mom's birthday twice and their anniversary once with cakes and song. The cakes were like whoopie pie cakes with great whipped cream.

 

We enjoyed the Lido Market changes. There are boards up at the stations to show what they have. When we came into the Lido, the tables are set with flatware, glasses and cups. Once you sit down they come by to see if you would like OJ, water, tea or coffee. Our dinner server happened to be in the Lido at bfast so we of course tried to sit in his section. Papers were also delivered.

 

The omelet station for breakfast ran 4 pans at a time. We had some great omelets everyday. Special orders were no problem and it seemed like the had more items to toss in your omelet. Still a hang up in the eggs line. The toast was moved from the end of the station up to just before the eggs. It created a bottleneck but unlike others I walked around them and got what I needed.

 

At lunch, the salad bar is served by the staff. I did not think I would like it, but I loved it. Items were not mixed up are dragged around. They have some nice tall clear bowls. You have your choice of spinach, mixed greens or romaine. Lots of items, many more than before. You can look at the board to see what is out or look at the bowls. They will put the dressing on the side or on the salad. They always asked how much I wanted and then if I wanted them to toss my salad for me. They will build your salad as large or small as you like. The olive oil and herb rolls were amazing.

 

I was not sure how I would the sandwich bar without the fresh Panini sandwich maker but it was not a problem. There is someone there putting out fresh sandwiches continually along with bags of potato chips. There were 4 or 5 selections a day. They did have one of each out so your could see them. The tuna was wonderful. The bread was fresh bakery bread not loaf store bought bread. One of my favorites became the vegetarian selection of grilled pear with brie and arugula. Different but good. They changed every day.

 

The pizza was really good on the NA. You went out the Pizzeria by the aft pool and ordered it and got a beeper like the dive in. No more slices but fresh made pizzas. It is served on the silver pizza pan or you can get to go in a pizza box. They have 6 different ones to choose from or select your own sauce and toppings. Our favorite became The Bronx with some vegetables added. It has about 6 slices. We would split with a salad or sandwich.

 

As always, the Dive in was wonderful.

 

The ice cream was always chocolate, vanilla and strawberry. Be sure to ask what the 'guest' flavor is. There are usually one or two more in there. We had coffee, mint choc chip, butter pecan, rum raisin and some sherbets.

 

They had a Caribbean night the first week and a Mexican BBQ and Mariachi Band the second. The Mexican BBQ was really good with all kinds grilled meat and a taco bar station. There was lots of fresh fruit and desserts and my favorite candy apples. Green apples on long sticks dipped in choc and nuts. So good. No caramel though!

 

The entertainment was pretty good. The cast is a step up. They put on 3 different shows. The singers were some of the best I have seen on HAL. We also had some comedians, other singers and a ventriloquist. BB King did the welcome show than 3 shows a night. They were always packed.

 

Our cruise director was Mario. What a gem. We truly enjoyed him. He did a cooking competition against the BB King Singers that had us all rolling with laughter. Mario has the cutest laugh, would of loved to bottle it up and bring it home.

 

Can't say much about the Captain. Only saw him once at the 1st Mariner medal ceremony (we did not go to the 2nd). He was not much of a talker and never saw him out and about the ship. Saw the Hotel Manager and Bev Manager all the time.

 

Was not impress with the embarkation afternoon mariner champagne affair. To many people in the crows nest. Not a fan of HAL champagne. But some people could not get enough. Lots to drink before muster!

 

Muster drill only required for 1st week. That was NICE. Fairly quick, though we did have an elderly man go down at our station. It was warm in the sun but medical was there quick.

 

Ate at both Tamarind and Pinnacle. Dad loves lamb and finally tried it at the Pinnacle. May be his new go to. Mom is a little picky at the Tamarind and tried the new lobster stir fry and loved it. Her new go to. We ate 2 lunches at Pinnacle. It is so great. We did do a dinner at Cannelito. It was very good. They are now serving lasagna though it is not on the menu yet.

 

Since this was a Collectors Voyage we were invited to the Indonesian lunch. All of the items was really good and some spicy. We loved it.

 

We did enjoy the new interactive TV's. Lost of choices for movies, live TV and regular TV shows. They had a nice selection to pick from. They even have the specialty restaurant menus on it along with info on the Koningsdam.

 

We went to a talk on the Koningsdam. Wow, what a ship. Do like that the NY Pizzeria will become NY Pizzeria and Deli. Not sure of the Gelato shop is an extra charge. Lots of new restaurants and nice staterooms. May be to big for us.

 

There was a kiosk on the Main floor where you could scan your card and get a printout of charges. It was nice not wait in line. Never saw anyone use it but us!

 

The NA Casino was fantastic. I have never had slots pay off like they did there. We hit a couples good payouts and even one progressive!

 

The ports and weather were nice. We have been to all before. We did no excursions. Found out the Zaandam or Zuiderdam were at Half Moon Cay with us for the first stop (we had 2) so we did not even go over. Stayed on the ship and enjoyed it

 

Over all, a great trip on the NA. We all enjoyed it and hated to get off. As we came down the gangway into the terminal, Mario and about 10 other staff we there singing us off and wishing was Happy Holidays and a safe trip. One was our 1st waiter. It is always nice to hear your name called and have someone come give you a hug as you are getting off the ship. We bought our future cruise credits and can hardly wait to book another great trip.

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catl331

catl331

Posted
Posted

GREAT REVIEW! Uplifting! Hope they start checking room keys at the drill soon. On the Euro. last month I had to be dismissed to the lounge as I was getting very dizzy on the deck We waited and waited for the all clear. Some passengers did not report for the drill and we were punished. Well, maybe they were sent to the brig!! I read where they will ask you to get off the ship if you don't report for the drill. I think not!

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ger_77

ger_77

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Posted

Great review; you were so lucky to have Mario as a CD - he's wonderful. We had him on our T/A a year ago and were so impressed by him. I agree, if we could have bottled his laugh, we would have!

 

Smooth Sailing ! :) :) :)

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vicd1969

vicd1969

Posted
Posted
What is "The Nation"?

Never heard of that group.

Tried to Google it and just got an auto insurance company.

 

It is a charter organized by "The Nation" magazine, which is a progressive/liberal publication. May not be everyone's cup of tea, but hopefully this thread won't veer off to politics.

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feb29

feb29

Posted
Posted
Thank you for your review it was very interesting.

 

The Nieuw Amsterdam will be our first HAL ship so I love to read what people think of her.

 

Susan

 

Hi Susan

 

Sorry OT, but was meant to post photos of SY Signature suite on our recent NA cruise but we upgraded to a neptune suite a couple of days before we sailed. Loved the ship as well though.

 

Second everything that the OP wrote about. Ship beautiful, staff great. I'm sure you will love it.

 

Deb

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RMLincoln

RMLincoln

Posted
Posted
What did you think of the audio/music level in the main theatre?? We were on the NA on the transatlantic cruise that arrived in FL on 11/15 and we found it very loud. The EURODAM the following week was much better.

 

We were on Nieuw Amsterdam for an eastern Med cruise this fall and I thought the sound level in the show lounge was painful. I needed earplugs to make the shows endurable. The BB King groups in the queens lounge was just as bad for me and I only stayed for a couple of songs, didn't go back.

 

When we came back form Europe we were on an NCL repositioning cruise and I told the CD that I appreciated their more human decibel level on the Jade... he said they have been trying to be responsive to previous complaints. It was nice to hear that... I'm not sure HAL cares.

m--

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