Nieuw Amsterdam 5/19 - 5/26

[nw gardener]

My first try at posting pics with the tapatalk app so hope it works. Just a quick review of my cruise, which I loved. First time on this ship and my favorite HAL ship now. Great staff, food was good, and even though DH and I have been to AK many times, great times in the different ports. Saw mountain goats in Glacier Bay and bear on our excursion into the Yukon. Will post some more today as household chores allow and break down what we liked the most/least about the ship and trip for us.

 

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[*Miss G*]

WOW. Amazing pictures! Thank you.

[nw gardener]

Embarking/disembark. We live an hour from Vancouver so relatively easy for us to do AK cruises providing I can get time off from work. About 5 weeks out I started looking as I was able to get time off and was hoping to snag a deal. Harder to do for AK cruises anymore. And when looking at HAL, saw there were some price drops for this week, AND there was an aft cabin (8168) available! Texted DH and he gave the thumbs up and we booked. Moving on, day of cruise - we left the house at 9:30 and parked at Canada Place at 10:30, onboard at 11:30, cabin was ready! Lunch in the MDR at noon, and off to explore the lovely ship. DH enjoys the size of the Maasdam more, but the aft cabin was convenient for dining. Our room stewards were great, balcony was wonderful, and enjoyed this space.

 

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[nw gardener]

Just a couple of other pics from around the ship. I didn't take very many of the ship.

 

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[nw gardener]

Ports- Juneau was rain on and off. Nothing planned and did a little walking around town, if the weather was clear we were going to do the tram. Of all the times we have visited Juneau, I can only remember 3 sunny days lol. On the other hand, have always lucked out with sun in Ketchikan, go figure. So no pics when in Juneau. On to Skagway!

 

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[nw gardener]

For Skagway we booked with Frontier Excursions for the full day drive up to the Yukon. They were wonderful with a great guide, plenty of picture opportunities, and sunny weather once we got out of Skagway helped. Lunch at Caribou Crossing included. Emerald Lake was stunning.

 

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[nw gardener]

Glacier Bay- some low clouds as we entered but it cleared as we moved further into the park. Saw several whales at the entrance, lots of sea otters through the entire day, and seals on ice near Marjorie glacier. No matter how many times I am privileged to see this, never ceases to amaze me.

 

 

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[nw gardener]

Ketchikan- A sunny day. 5 ships in port, that is the Jewell tendering. A tad bit congested in town! Did some shopping as this is my favorite place to pick up art cards to frame for gifts. After lunch at the Pioneer Cafe, visited our favorite stores and the Tongass national park museum. Crowds thinned after 2:00 so that was nice.

 

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[RunnyBabbit]

Love the photos! I’ll be on the same ship/itinerary in July, so I’m very interested in your experience and review. Jealous of your aft balcony - that is always my favorite cabin location :) Question - was the ship able to dock at every port, or did you ever have to tender? Was there crowds and long lines of people waiting to disembark at port?

[nw gardener]

We docked at each port. We were never in a rush to get off, normally within an hour of docking, and never had to wait in a line. There is a website that has which ship is using which dock for all the AK ports this summer. I can't remember the name offhand but if you google it you will find it. Don't know HAL does it but they normally get good dock locations in AK it seems.

 

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[BirthdayGirl30]

Thanks for this review. We’re sailing on the NA in August and can hardly wait.

 

What type of camera are you using for these amazing shots?

 

 

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[nw gardener]

Entertainment- we went to 2 of the main stage shows (singing and dancing shows) which were very good. Our favorite by far were the BB Kings, this particular group is very good!!! Sat through at least one set each night that they played. Also enjoyed having an evening drink in the Crow's nest to enjoy the views. There is a long thread on the redesign of this space and I don't like the redo. A loss that there is no longer a full service bar there, with a watered down library sharing that space. Also not enough servers there for the people attempting to be there. One of the few negatives I (IMO) encountered.

 

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[DeeniEncinitas]

You did really good on the pictures!!!

We have sailed on NA 3 times to Europe and once to The Caribbean and she is our fav! Her sister Eurodam 👍 too!

Alaska is a breath to behold, and you have wonderful memories!

Denise:)

[nw gardener]

Thanks for this review. We’re sailing on the NA in August and can hardly wait.

 

What type of camera are you using for these amazing shots?

 

 

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I used a Panasonic Lumix dmc-zs50 camera. It is a couple of years old but does great, and not too complicated for me, lol. Sometimes I would like a little more zoom, but at least my pics of the mountain goats have legs, and not just some white dots!

 

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[nw gardener]

Dining- overall food was good to very good.. I discovered the nutella filled round donut holes in the Lido at breakfast and I am in love. We did a mix of MDR and Lido for breakfast. We get up early so we missed the crowds in the Lido. After 8 a.m. it gets busy there. For lunch, when onboard, did a mix of Dive In and MDR. Love the Dive in. For dinner, we had anytime dining but normally went early . Made reservations for a 2 top in the MDR for a couple of nights and also sat with others. Did Canaletto and Tamarind and preferred the Tamarind - very good service there and excellent views. Did happy hour in the Ocean bar most evenings. Only other negative for us was the coffee! Either luke warm, burnt, or barely passable. Spent a lot of OBC at Explorations Cafe. If the cafe was more centrally located (rather than in the Crow's nest) they would do better $$. Anyway HAL, your headquarters are in Seattle, you can do coffee better!

 

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[nw gardener]

So in a nutshell, had a very nice time and weather wasn't too bad for May. Beautiful ship and great service from a friendly crew. Awesome scenery and that is all I need for a great vacation. Would be happy to answer any questions if I can. Attached a few more various photos in no particular order of ports.

 

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[erewhon]

Thank you for your review, and sharing your super photos.

[BirthdayGirl30]

Was the coffee in Explorations passable? Best part of my day is my morning coffee and I was so looking forward to having a cup on my balcony in the AM. Willing to spend the $ and head to the Crow’s Nest for decent coffee.

 

 

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[nw gardener]

. Not the best latte I've had but hands down better than the coffee in the Lido or MDR. On more than one morning at Explorations we were trading jokes with others in line about the coffee.

[nw gardener]

Update! After a few weeks of cruise withdrawal, DH and I decided to do this cruise again! Yes, we loved the ship and experience so much we put down a deposit for the May 25th cruise next year where the itinerary shows both Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm.

 

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[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review and pictures.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Update! After a few weeks of cruise withdrawal, DH and I decided to do this cruise again! Yes, we loved the ship and experience so much we put down a deposit for the May 25th cruise next year where the itinerary shows both Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm.

 

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Glad you enjoyed your cruise so much that you have booked it again for next year.

We love Alaska and have done quite a few cruises there.

[penguinscott]

Wow, thanx for the great pix. I'm sailing on this ship for 7 days in the Caribbean. I can't wait.