Was expecting "Exceptional" but cruise was "Good"!
Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review to Transatlantic
13 Night Passage To America (Barcelona To Ft. Lauderdale)
Sail date: November 02, 2015
Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 6133
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 9 years ago
Review summary
This was our first HAL cruise after being a fan of Celebrity for years! We expected at least equal to or even better but I'd say definitely not in the same category.
The ship was lovely, no complaints! The overall experience was good! The food just did not match up to Princess, Celebrity and get this, not even Carnival.
My 87 year old Mother and I took the Carnival Breeze and the experience was far above that of HAL. I was shocked, both at Carnival and HAL. Carnival did a wonderful job. Is Carnival my line of choice, No! I prefer an older crowd, fewer twenty somethings, fewer children.....but the experience was still very good and the food on Carnival exceeded our expectations. No comparison. What's odd is that both lines are owned by Carnival Corp.
Bottom line, I'd take the HAL ship and the food and service of the Carnival Breeze. I specifically refer to the Breeze because it was an exceptional experience, and wonderful ship......not sure if all Carnival ships would offer the same experience.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Children's Programs
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
We had "As you wish" dining and it worked out fine! Desserts are not worth the calories......ask HAL to bring the "Chocolate Melting Cake" from Carnival to HAL.....best dessert you will ever have. My thoughts......the executives of HAL need to have a few meals on the Carnival Breeze....!
Ports of call
Ponta Delgada, Azores Did not visit port
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida