my review - NA Panama reposition- April 10/16

[retiredkid]

19 DAY PANAMA NIEUW AMSTERDAM – APRIL 10

 

Captain: Bas Van Dreumel

Cruise Director: Hamish

 

Our 19 day cruise was the absolute highlight of a 29 day tour… Toronto to Ft Lauderdale via coach, the cruise and then the 5 nights on the train from Vancouver to Toronto.

CREW: The HAL crew, to a person, were friendly, helpful and very efficient in all areas. Cant say enough about them. We found the staff in the Photo Gallery aggressive when we went searching for our photos…..so much so that we left without purchasing any, although we did have 2 free ones. We did purchase the dvd package and we were please with that. We were not in them, but that was our own doing. They did a great job in capturing the events on the cruise.

DRESS CODE: We had two formal nights. We saw a few tuxedos, but mostly suit and ties for the gents. Lots of sparkly tops for the ladies. A couple of times on regular nights, we saw jeans and shorts, particularly on the men. Oh well, we were pretty spiffy.

FOOD: All breakfasts were either room service or the lido buffet. Room service always delivered on time, or earlier and the food was usually the correct temperature. The food in the MDR was very good and we averaged about 1½ hours for our dinners. We had open dining at a two-top, number 127, which is secluded behind a pillar and next to the service area. Not everyone would like it, but we did, and when they asked us if we would like to keep the table for the entire cruise, we jumped at the chance. They quickly learned our preferences, and we have absolutely no complaints about the MDR. We both enjoyed the Dive In Burgers and the New York Pizzas. We ate in all three specialty restaurants, and all were superb both in service and the food itself. I ‘hosted’ (not really, but ykwim) a luncheon for 29 people in the Pinnacle Grill. All 29 were served at the same time. OUTSTANDING SERVICE!!

EXTRAS: We had a cabana and a balcony, which was overkill. Next time, I would forego the cabana and stick to our balcony. We did not use the cabana as much as expected. We were busy with other things. Having said that, the cabana attendants were excellent. A couple of times, they brought us menus and they got us lunch during peak times. They actually insisted, telling us it was their job. The central leisure area was great for lying out in the sun for a bit. The Cabana Club was a very quiet area, as it should be. We purchased the unlimited Internet package for $249 and we found it to be just fine. My daughter and I were on Factime practically every day. The speed was perfectly acceptable. We also purchased the unlimited laundry plan, which we made very good use of (almost $500 worth if we paid per piece). We will do both internet and laundry again. We took the tour of the ship $150 pp which was spread over two days. We learned a lot. We got a group shot with the Captain as well as an individual picture of the two of us standing by the telegraph. They were included in the swag bag which also had the hardcover HAL Cookbook, as well as a paperback about cruising and a DVD of a crew show. Worth the money for us, but no need to repeat.

I took a cooking class, which I enjoyed somewhat, but discovered that it totally will depend on the people that have signed up. There was a group of about eight friends and then myself. During the preparation lesson, I was edged out of the group and therefore did not get a chance to participate. At the end of the lesson, we enjoyed lunch in the Pinnacle. Eating a chef-prepared version of what we learned to cook. We also received an apron. Worth the money if you are with friends, but not so much otherwise.

ENTERTAINMENT: I remembered to take note of names, just for RuthC. ;) We enjoyed practically all of the shows that we attended. The comedian the first night, Mick Lazinski was not to our taste, so we did not attend his other shows. The ship’s singing and dancing troupe were excellent, and they put on two shows.

Mark Haslam, the sleight of hand artist, was excellent. We were confounded. We actually talked about it for a long while afterwards.

Synergy - a duo of electric rock violinists who were very good. Different.

Modern Gentlemen – A very capable tribute group of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.

Rogerio Tutti – A pianist extraordinaire. This is one act we would buy tickets for, if he ever comes our way. He actually played one song with his left hand and another with his right at the same time. And you could actually recognize both. Just wonderful!

JPGR Beatles – obviously, another tribute band. Quite good, but we have seen better.

Russ Rivas – Now this comedian made us laugh out loud. There was some audience participation, and his improvisation skills were fabulous!

Elvy Rose – A multi talented singer, keyboard, dancer. Very high energy. Think of Charo meets Gloria Estefan. A little too Energetic for some, as several people left the show early. Such a shame, because she worked her buns off.

All in all, we were pleased with the entertainment.

 

SHORE EXCURSIONS: We only did one of the ship’s tours. The Mini-Sub in Cabo. It was okay. They did not get us in close to shore as was expected and the water was quite murky, so the fish difficult to see. We wouldn’t do this one again. All others were independent tours.

Because of the nature of this next statement, it cannot be considered as a legitimate complaint. However, the only thing about the cruise that I did not like was the casino.

IT ACTUALLY SUCKED!! LOL! The slots (for me) were very tight. Never once in all my (daily) visits was I ever up more than $40. I’d hate to tell how much I lost, so I wont.

 

We had a wonderful trip altogether and a terrific cruise. Yes, we would do some things differently, but we have absolutely no regrets.

[KenNMB]

I have found the HAL casinos as tight as a drum. Must be a huge profit center. Glad you enjoyed it. We always have.

 

 

 

KenNMB

Volendam: NYC to Bermuda (1978)

Nieuw Amsterdam Seattle to Alaska (2007)

Noordam: Port Everglades TA to Rome (2014)

Zuiderdam: to Panama (partial) (2015)

Veendam: Port Everglades to Montreal (Spring 2016)

Zuiderdam: Quebec City to Port Everglades (Fall 2016)

[RuthC]

ENTERTAINMENT: I remembered to take note of names, just for RuthC. ;) We enjoyed practically all of the shows that we attended. The comedian the first night, Mick Lazinski was not to our taste, so we did not attend his other shows. The ship’s singing and dancing troupe were excellent, and they put on two shows.

Mark Haslam, the sleight of hand artist, was excellent. We were confounded. We actually talked about it for a long while afterwards.

Synergy - a duo of electric rock violinists who were very good. Different.

Modern Gentlemen – A very capable tribute group of Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons.

Rogerio Tutti – A pianist extraordinaire. This is one act we would buy tickets for, if he ever comes our way. He actually played one song with his left hand and another with his right at the same time. And you could actually recognize both. Just wonderful!

JPGR Beatles – obviously, another tribute band. Quite good, but we have seen better.

Russ Rivas – Now this comedian made us laugh out loud. There was some audience participation, and his improvisation skills were fabulous!

Elvy Rose – A multi talented singer, keyboard, dancer. Very high energy. Think of Charo meets Gloria Estefan. A little too Energetic for some, as several people left the show early. Such a shame, because she worked her buns off.

All in all, we were pleased with the entertainment.

Thank you! This is one area where my cruise could duplicate yours, so the information is appreciated.

I will definitely look forward to seeing Modern Gentlemen on my program some day. Charo meets Gloria Estefan? I'll be on the look-out for Elvy Rose, too. This I gotta see!

 

Glad you had a good time. Thanks for the report.

[SilvertoGold]

Thanks for this review. Very informative and a good read.

 

I agree about the Cooking Classes. They can be a hoot, or not. Depends a lot, also, on the chef. We've been lucky and had a good one several times, with one dud in the mix.

 

We've never taken them too seriously because we've never really learned much. it is just a fun time and a nice meal.

[portofrome]

Thanks for the review.

[CruiserBruce]

We have had Table 127 as well. Loved it.

 

Was Synergy two Asian males? Played "Kashmer" by Led Zeppelin? Started their show coming down the aisles? If so, saw them on Dawn Princess in Australia last August. Excellent!

[erewhon]

Great review.

Thank you.

[Keith1010]

Thank you for your review.

Keith

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

 

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for taking the time to post your informative review.

Glad you had a good cruise.

[retiredkid]

We have had Table 127 as well. Loved it.

 

Was Synergy two Asian males? Played "Kashmer" by Led Zeppelin? Started their show coming down the aisles? If so, saw them on Dawn Princess in Australia last August. Excellent!

 

We will certainly ask for that table again.

Synergy were not Asian. They were identical twin brothers... Sephan and Jeff Neil.