styndallmpt Cruise Review on Nieuw Amsterdam on Mar 12, 2017

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review

styndallmpt

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Sail date: March 12, 2017

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

Overall this was a great experience. In general, a more mature and calmer crowd with on-board events catering to the average age guest. Food and service were overall excellent. The only issue occurred with open seating- often a wait which I have never experienced before and very difficult when you have a large party. The staff did not tell us until the 3rd night that tables were bolted down and therefore we would always have to be split up- but they always worked to get us side by side! My only other issue is with medical. Care was below standard for an ankle sprain, and then 2 days later wanted to charge $45 to "open" the clinic just to purchase an ace wrap (not offered/supplied during initial visit), even without further medical advice needed. Also be warned- during a 24 he period at sea with no port of call, medical is only "open" for 6 hours and will require the emergency opening fee for anything in the other 18 hours, in addition to the standard fees for service and supply charges. Working in orthopedics I am appalled at the hours and level of care provided.

5 Comments

dolds67 7 years ago

I have SLE and I'm in stage 4 of renal failure. I have been fortunate enough to to only need the clinic once. Our first Cruise to the Mediterranean, years ago. It was a Princess Cruise....next to the last day as we were headed to Rome to debark.....everyone it seemed was coughing. My husband and I were both running fevers and were clearly sick. They gave us antibiotics....plus some Tylenol #3s to quiet the cough. We were charged $60. I thought it was pretty fair for the service and meds for 6 days. She took her time checking us over. Since most of the ship was infected..they did extended the clinic hours. Princess, Norigeon and Carnival cruise lines....the clinic hours are skimpy. I'm surprised that your uncle wasn't offered an ace bandage for a sprain. I think your uncle experienced....sorry to say....a lazy doc. You can find them on land too....unfortunately. Did he try to return during open clinic hours to get an ace bandage? My husband is a PharmD and I'm a science teacher so we are better off , knowledge wise, than the average....like yourself. We have seen a couple of times the cruise line of Princess in action during a medical emergency. They always appear to have very organized contingency plans and the extremely ill or hurt was taken care of swiftly. Here's hoping happier cruises are in your future....and your uncles too! :-)

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b10ant 7 years ago

I do not work for anyone in the cruise industry. I just enjoy cruising. Bad assumption on your part. Sorry you had a bad experience.

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styndallmpt 7 years ago

Comments to every *review even* close to negative.

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styndallmpt 7 years ago

b10ant you clearly work for HAL/Carnival as all of your comments to every event close to negative are fairly biased. I'm not asking for X-rays on board, just that the hours when at sea are extended (as there is no port or option for alternative care) and that the simple standard of care that you would get from an Urgent care clinic be provided. The cost of care is not the big issue, but is instead compounded. When no other care is possible and they have the tools needed (yes, the had ace wraps in stock) it should be offered at the time. Not have to be sought out later as I did for my uncle who doesn't have the training that I do.

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b10ant 7 years ago

Read your contract. It's not a hospital; it's a ship that can offer medical assistance at a price.

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