Worst cruise I ever had

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

onceayear

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 15

Overall rating:

1 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 10, 2016

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 5084

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

I'll keep this short - this was a senior citizen cruise. If you like to lay around the pool in total silence (usually), or on rare occasion listen to piped in classical or elevator lite jazz type music, have food served to you soft and unsalted, and activities aimed toward the senior crowd, this is the cruise for you.

It would have been greatly appreciated if someone had told us at the time of booking that this is what Holland America was offering. We would have booked elsewhere.

Never again.....we couldn't wait to get home.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Ship tip

Ship is spotless. Unfortunately lots of it is cordoned off for those paying premium prices for additional features. Being a mid size ship, having large spaces cordoned off makes the ship seem smaller than it is.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5

Grand Turk Island

3 out of 5

San Juan, Puerto Rico

5 out of 5

Philipsburg, St. Maarten

3 out of 5

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5

9 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

KarlaSue 8 years ago

We very much enjoyed the fact we could find quiet places to sit and talk or read. Even the library on Carnival had piped-in music. Not that we didn't enjoy our Carnival cruises...we did! Each line has something a little different. It may take some time to find your cruise "home" if you intend to cruise often.

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

SvetlanaS 8 years ago

Im so with you, gaddgie! I call it perfect vacation - no calls, no emails. You can really relax and take time to read and knit without feeling gilty.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Lyn45fromHolland 8 years ago

Exactly why I choose HAL and I'm not a senior, but didn't like loud music or lot of activities always around me. Sometimes listen to the sound of the sea is just what I want ;-)

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

JusMe 8 years ago

A little research goes a long way. HAL's demographic is the senior set, has been that way for decades.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

PAULnMATT 8 years ago

If you want a 24/7 non/stop party atmosphere then book a cruise on Carnival not HAL!

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

gaddgie 8 years ago

Yeah we really enjoyed the cruise and everything. It was nice to have the quietness of an older demographic but still have a lively bunch to meet up with in the evenings

Thumbs Up 3

Flag

SvetlanaS 8 years ago

LOL Do your homework before booking with new line. I personaly love HAL for the quite elegance and superb service. But Ill hate to find myself on the drinking cruise with loud music.

Thumbs Up 6

Flag

gaddgie 8 years ago

know exactly what you mean. Did Nieuw Amsterdam last year and felt like I was in a Geriatric clinic then we discover happy hours in the top bar and Silks.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Not really poor, more like not that good.

7 days fun in the easter carribean