New to HAL

[Phaedra_11]

Hi there, my husband and I will be cruising with my Mum and stepdad next year. We most likely are going to go on HAL.

My Mum and stepdad will be first time cruisers. We've been on a few lines.

My husband will be 50 next year and I will be 47. My Mum and stepdad are in their late 70s but they have quite active lifestyles. 

We are looking for good food, good service, and good entertainment.

 

We've narrowed it down to a few cruises and they are all on the Nieuw Statendam.

I have a few questions. They will be getting an oceanview room. I cant seem to figure out which categories of OV have portholes. 

 

Are there many public spaces on the ship to read a book or just look out at the beautiful scenery? 

All of us are geeky..is there trivia? Lectures? Classes (preferably free?) What about entertainment?

 

Sorry for all the questions. Anything you can share would be great.

Thanks.

 

[CNSJ]

I'll let those familiar with Oceanviews answer portholes, but I do believe most Ocenaview Cabins on Pinnacle Class have rectangular windows and are all on Deck 1 less a few in the front of the ship on higher decks.

 

You will find great service and IMHO very good food (at times great, and at times perhaps just good).  Entertainment is where HAL falls short.  Don't expect great shows etc.  Some music and events to attend, but I think HAL is about the ports to visit, with a great floating hotel in between.

 

Many places all over the ship to read a book.

 

Trivia (it is like entertainment to watch people get right and wrong answers) is available on most days and you will find some classes and lectures depending on the itinerary.

 

Where and when do you plan to sail.  Nieuw Statendam is a great ship.

 

 

[Dancing Shoes]

The Oceanview rooms have a window.  On some ships, if they are only a port hole, it will indicate when you look/book on the website.  

[crystalspin]

@Phaedra_11 There are no OVs that have portholes on the Nieuw Statendam!

 

As CNSJ said, all of Deck 1 outside cabins are OVs with windows. There are four (two per side) OVs tucked in front of the lifeboats on deck 4; their "windows" are tall, like inoperable sliding doors, but the view is partitially obstructed by the verandahs to the forward or the boats to the aft. These are near somewhat forward VB Verandah cabins with deep balconies.

 

On Decks 7, 10, & 11, there are four OV with conventional windows, that point due forward, at the front of the ship. The ones on Deck 10 are considered "Spa OVs" and may cost a bit more for no particular benefit. The rest of the "front" of Decks 10 & 11 (the corners) are Neptune Suites with quite small balconies and a long walk to the Neptune Lounge! The Verandah cabins near these forward OVs have the 'regular' balconies, not deep like the VBs on Deck 4.

 

You mention that your mom and step-dad will have an OV, but not what class of cabin you will be in. I presume you would want to be near-ish on the ship?

 

We were on the Koningsdam (sister to N.Statendam) for 16 days last winter. Daily trivia was held in the Music Walk, Rolling Stone Rock Room and/or Billboard Onboard on Deck 2. This left the Crows Nest (Deck 12) relatively quiet for reading or watching out the 270-degree windows! Another interesting venue is the Grand Dutch Cafe (Deck 3, across from Guest Services), with free snacks and small bites. It does have windows, but more of the seating is central, in the Attrium. 

[Phaedra_11]

Thank you for all the responses.

I appreciate them.

 

Thats great about the no portholes. We will probably be in an inside and I think it doesnt really matter if we are near them or not. Im more considered with getting them a great room. 🙂

 

When I was asking about entertainment, I was wondering about a singing/dancing show or comedian or something for after dinner. We're not into belly flop contests or that kind of stuff.

 

@CNSJ We plan to sail next June or July. We are looking at Iceland.

Thanks for all the help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[crystalspin]

19 minutes ago, Phaedra_11 said:

Thats great about the no portholes. We will probably be in an inside and I think it doesnt really matter if we are near them or not. Im more considered with getting them a great room. 🙂

Well, with this situation and them not having cruised -- if there is any thought of seasickness, I would favor Main Deck (Deck 1) near midship -- and wouldn't you know, there are four 'special' insides right there too!

 

Here is a youtube of a main deck C-Oceanview

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zBwvdWaNis

 

Of a "special" I-Inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_7ZN866pNo

 

And of a "regular" J-Inside

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=us4y0R1rsUE

 

[crystalspin]

37 minutes ago, Phaedra_11 said:

When I was asking about entertainment, I was wondering about a singing/dancing show or comedian or something for after dinner. We're not into belly flop contests or that kind of stuff.

We plan to sail next June or July. We are looking at Iceland.

Here are the 'dailies' from a 14-day cruise (Alaska not north Atlantic, but just for an idea). The second or third page per day, has "entertainment". I see the Step One dancers, who are supposed to be quite good, although we did not make it to any of their shows on our K'dam B2B! Look forward to that on the same ship, next February. 

 

You can also peruse any enrichment activities. I should point out that Roger Jett is Cruise Critic's own @Crew News.

https://rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/on-locations-specific-cruises/alaska-ms-nieuw-amsterdam-14-day-daily-programs-2023/

 

 

[POA1]

3 hours ago, Phaedra_11 said:

We will probably be in an inside and I think it doesnt really matter if we are near them or not.

When booking, work with your PCC or TA to choose one of the larger interior staterooms. There are some size variations and every little bit counts. I'd also look at the deck plans to see what is above and below your cabin. For example, if you are an early to bed person, you don't want to be right by the music venues. On the other hand, if you are a late night person and late riser, being under the lido pool deck can mean some morning noise as chairs are moved around the pool deck.

 

Odds are that there's not going to be a huge variance in cost, so try to choose an area that is both relatively quiet as well as close to the rest of your party.

[ski ww]

Welcome aboard. There is a lot of good info if you go to New to HAL aka HAL for Dummies. Enjoy your cruise.

[Haljo1935]

Welcome to HAL!

If your parents are not bothered by movement, the Oceanviews forward on 10 & 11 (called Spa Oceanview) have amazing views and are very spacious. They are also very convenient to the Crow's Nest for the reading area you mentioned they would like.

They are; however, quite a walk to dining (all the way aft).

They may be a better value using Club Orange, depending on your pricing.

Edited June 28, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[Phaedra_11]

Thanks again for all the useful info.

Is there smoking in the casino? And where are the smoking areas on the ship? (so I can avoid)

 

 

[Haljo1935]

58 minutes ago, Phaedra_11 said:

Thanks again for all the useful info.

Is there smoking in the casino? And where are the smoking areas on the ship? (so I can avoid)

 

 

Can't answer about casino as it varies by ship.

But otherwise smoking is on Starboard deck 9 Seaview Bar area.

[mrmoviezombie]

On 6/27/2023 at 5:04 PM, CNSJ said:

but I think HAL is about the ports to visit, with a great floating hotel in between.

That's certainly why we cruise HAL.

[CNSJ]

22 hours ago, mrmoviezombie said:

That's certainly why we cruise HAL.

Totally with you mrmoviezombie-

 

To those that complain we don't have great entertainment productions in the Main Stage, I say this....After a day climbing the Acropolis in Athens, seeing the sights at Pompeii, or walking the Streets and Rambla of Barcelona, we are ready for a good meal and a shower in my clean and well maintained stateroom.  I am not ready to watch a show in the theater.  Again, thats just the way we see things, and why we are very happy with HAL.

[badtwin]

Totally agree CNSJ. Although on last cruise on Nieuw Statendam found the Rolling Stone and BBKing quite enjoyable so may try to stay awake a liitle later than usual.

[bookmomoftwins]

On 6/27/2023 at 10:16 PM, Phaedra_11 said:

Thank you for all the responses.

I appreciate them.

 

Thats great about the no portholes. We will probably be in an inside and I think it doesnt really matter if we are near them or not. Im more considered with getting them a great room. 🙂

 

When I was asking about entertainment, I was wondering about a singing/dancing show or comedian or something for after dinner. We're not into belly flop contests or that kind of stuff.

 

@CNSJ We plan to sail next June or July. We are looking at Iceland.

Thanks for all the help.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We just returned from a 7 day Alaskan cruise on the Koningsdam, and we were very satisfied with the entertainment and on-board offerings, also not being fans of cheesy cruise activities.  There were several EXC presentations about wildlife and Alaskan culture, 2 different dance performances, 2 different singing performances, a comedian, trivia, movies, ballroom dancing, and many art / craft and wine tasting events.  We also enjoyed the music walk area for live music.