If I had it to do over, I would have picked a different cruise line. I was disappointed in this cruise, even before being admitted to the ship’s Hospital with a high fever. I received excellent care there!
Embarkation
3 out of 5
We sailed on the Holland American Nieuw Amsterdam, and were quite disappointed. We had sailed years ago on the Westerdam and had a blast so we had no reason to think this cruise would different. There weren’t as many activities to do, especially when the ship was in port. One day, we went to the theater room to see a movie, but the sound wasn’t working! Because of the Hurricanes, we couldn’t go to San Juan, so a second Port in Dominican Republic was substituted instead. We already were disappointed about going to Amber Cove, now we also have Semana. We never got off the ship, and overheard others that took the excursions were very disappointed and that they wasted their money. We are just average people, not rich, and therefore didn’t care for the food in the main dining room, as we thought it was too fancy, and portions too small. We thought the food on the Lido Deck much more our style! We ate there for brunch and late night dessert/snack! The shows were a disappointment, as we have been on other cruises where the entertainment was excellent! We decided that this was our last cruise! We live in Florida and there are many places to visit in our own state, just taking a few long weekends, where we don’t have to walk about 1/2 mile just to get to our cabin that was all the way forward (although nice and quiet)!
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
2 out of 5
The Manhattan dining room was beautiful, but we did not care for the fancy food and small portions. Our last night, I ordered “noodle soup” that had no noodles! It was basically chicken broth with a piece of chicken in the bowl. The food on the Lido Deck was much more to our liking. We ate one night at their Italian restaurant which was an up-charge, and that too was a disappointment.
Ocean Bar
5 out of 5
This bar usually had buy one get one free drinks at certain hours. We didn’t buy the alcohol package as my hubby doesn’t drink, so I would splurge and get my late night drink! Like most ships, if one person in the cabin gets the alcohol package, everyone else in that cabin over 21 must as well. I don’t drink a lot and with my hubby not drinking at all, it wasn’t worth the expense.
Onboard Activities
2 out of 5
My husband loved the fitness center, and used it every morning. He said the equipment was top notch, and since he is an early riser, he was down there about 8 am daily and never had to wait!
Entertainment
1 out of 5
The one show we really enjoyed was the Filipino employee show. Very entertaining! The comedian on another show wasn’t bad, but the other shows were just mediocre.
Children's Programs
No children
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Our cabin boys, and waiter ( we had anytime seating, and usually were lucky enough to have the same waiter) were wonderful. As a matter of fact, we found all of the staff to go above and beyond. No complaints there.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Because of my age (70), and the fact that I boarded the ship with a painful right knee, I thought the ship was too big, and caused too much walking. Our cabin was all the way forward, the last cabin on the hallway, instead of improving, the pain worsened. Yes, everything was well maintained and clean!
Cabin / Stateroom
5 out of 5
The cabin size was adequate. The bathroom quite small, as are most cabins on ships we have sailed. Our Cabin boys, Gede and Nissan were amazing. The cabin was cleaned and towels left twice daily, and if we were walking down the hall, and they saw us, they stopped what they were doing to say hello and ask if everything was ok and if there was anything they could do for us. Very pleasant young men.
Ship tip
Do your research. I based my upcoming trip and how I would like it on my past cruise experience on the same cruise line. I had no idea that instead of improving things like activities for Seniors, especially when in port, they cut back on them, compared with the previous cruise.
It was a little confusing trying to find the right terminal at the port. Fort Lauderdale itself, however, has a lot to offer, and it’s well worth it to go a day ahead, or stay on an extra day after the cruise to take in some of the many things to do!
This was actually called Amber Cove, built by Carnival. It about a 20-30 walk from the ship, consisting of a pool and shops. We didn’t get off the ship.
We have visited St Thomas several times.and have always loved Charlotte Amalie. They are still feeling the effects of Hurricane damage, but most of the shops are open.
Very organized. Only had a short wait to get thru customs. We had gotten a porter to help with our bags, and he stayed with us through the Customs, then told my husband exactly which way to go after he retrieved our car from the garage, and took me to the covered waiting area, and found me a seat, before leaving me to go help the next person. We gave him a nice tip.
We are going on the Nieuw Amsterdam in March. Heard many good and bad reviews. Hoping for the best. Please don't give up on cruises. We have been on many and love them. Best value for the money. Our favorite cruise line of all time is Celebrity. First class in everything they do. Fantastic food, which by the way you mentioned small portions in main dining room of Amsterdam. On any cruiseline you are allowed to order as much as you want and more than one of anything. Please let me know if you try Celebrity.
We cruised in 6003 on a different cruise and found the room adequate with the nice convenience of being near the deck doors. Quick access to outside for an Oceanview room.
Sounds like you need to take some supplements for your knee. I know what that feels like. Great review on the cruise. HAL is our favorite line. We usually eat in the Pinnacle Grill. I agree that sometimes the entertainment is not the best, but we love the quietness of less kids running around making noise and the drunks we have encountered on some of the other cruise lines.
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