Not what was expected!

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 27

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Nieuw Amsterdam

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 25, 2015

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 8039

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

My wife and I are "Young" senior citizens and we have been cruising for 25 years. Being on this cruise made you feel like you were in a rest home instead of being on a cruise ship. The bingo crowd was everywhere. No daily poolside activities except for a steel pan drummer and canned music. The food was O.K. in the dining room but to get a hot dog or hamburger on deck took on the average 15 minutes to order and receive. The pay venue Pinnacle Grill was a disappointment also. I pre-reserved a dinner for two for the third night of the cruise based on the online menu which showed surf (lobster) and turf. When we were being seated, I noticed a menu in the lobby which DID NOT mention any LOBSTER. When I explained to the Maitre d' about the online menu he said that particular menu was over a year old and there was in fact no lobster available. I ordered something else that was not to my liking.

When we booked the cruise, I made it clear and double checked to be sure that my wife and I would be celebrating our 25th anniversary and was assured that there would be "something" special waiting in the room. When I saw nothing I asked the cabin steward to check with the front desk. He later came back and said I would have to PURCHASE an anniversary package!! Some surprise.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Lido Grill (buffet) was unusual in that there were tables very near the serving line.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
More of a variety needed especially poolside.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
BB King blues all-stars were excellent

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Embarktation took 2 hours

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Cabin (veranda) was tight for 2 people.

Ship tip

If you want to relax with a majority of seniors, this is the right cruise.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5
Been here several times. Just spent the night waiting for the ship the next day.

Grand Turk Island

3 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

3 out of 5
Been here many times. Enjoyed shopping and walking around downtown.

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island) Did not visit port

due to weather (rough seas) the captain cancelled our stop so we never went ashore.
Was this review helpful? 27

4 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us.

glomarrone    9 years ago

Oh by the way, I celebrated a birthday on my last HAL cruise and really didn't want a fuss.  They came out with a cake anyway.mmdid they give you a cake in the MD R?

glomarrone    9 years ago

The cruiseline's do provide a cake in the dining room for celebrations but if you want something in your room like a bottle of champagne, you do have to pay extra for that.  Whoever told you otherwise was mistaken.

 

WeCruiseToo    9 years ago

Thanks for the review Ron!