Great Cruise with 12 of Us as a family together.

Item: Nieuw Amsterdam
Rating: 4.5
Author: PastorScott71

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Eastern

PastorScott71

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 41

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

7 Night Eastern Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 31, 2018

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 5018

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

A great cruise and experience. Food was amazing and the Islands were a great way to spend a week of vacation. Great time with family and lots of private time for Rest and Relaxation. More of an Older crowd 60+ for avg, which seemed to limit the Activities, but great conversations and limited lines every where we went. Our teenagers said not many activities for the two days at sea, but had fun with family and other friends they met on board

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very Fast and Easy.... Glad our Sister and her connections with Agent got us upgrade to higher # to get on board one of the 1st #s called

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Excellent, Best Buffet of an Cruise I have been on for Lunch and Dinner. Most nights we did not even go to Main Dinning because the food and the causal dress was too easy and enjoyable

Lido Market

5 out of 5

One of the Best buffets I have ever had on a Cruise. Food was similar to the Main Dinning but less formal and easy to get as much or as little as you want. Loved the Salad bar and daughter loved the all you can eat cookies and ice cream. Most of the pastries were very good and med quality

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Illussionist was one of the Best ever- Las Vegas like The Night Show of Dancing and Singing was Great The Comedian was so-so, funny the first night but unprepared the 2nd time Piano Players were great and entertaining Jazz club was good NOT as many Dancing and Group Activities More geared towards and Older crowd rather than 30-50yr olds

Casino Action

4 out of 5

It was Enough and not overly crowded Staff was great and entertaining

Gymnasium

4 out of 5

It was small but enough for the guest on board Stretching class was good and the tread mills were facing the water, so it was about avg

Sea View Pool

4 out of 5

was good and enough for the small crowd but could have had more activities or group events the 2 Hot Tube could barely fit 2 adults or 4 kids

Sea View Pool

5 out of 5

Spend most of our time here. It was never crowed, staff always ready for a refreshing drink and the view was always breath taking.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Shows were Excellent Illusionist was Amazing and Top Notch Comedian was so-so, funny first night and unprepared the 2nd

Crow's Nest

5 out of 5

Very Relaxing and a great few!!!! A great place to place cards, look out at the ocean or enjoy a great cup of coffee and unwind!!!! Also, a great place for some quiet reading. Plus the displays of the boat was very educational

Children's Programs

2 out of 5

did not have many activities for teens, limited staff for teens and lacked energy and creative games... Not a good cruise ship for teenagers. More geared towards Mature Adults

Video Arcade

2 out of 5

very few game and limited staff, no creativity for kids

Club HAL

2 out of 5

Not well staffed and limited game options

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Service was amazing and always very friendly and helpful

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

always top notch, I never saw a mess and several workers in every area cleaning or helping customers

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

I was expecting to be cramped and very small for the two of us. Yet very roomy and shower was enough without feeling cramped... My brother had a balcony and it was Great and my sister a Suite- WOW, amazing

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

4 out of 5

easy to get in and out, very scenic

Thumbs Up 1

Grand Turk Island

5 out of 5

Amazing quality and Beauty

Thumbs Up 0

San Juan, Puerto Rico

3 out of 5

Did not see much of the Island. Took a 2 hr excursion yet felt rushed and didn't get to stay at fort or stops very long.... Maybe due to recent hurricane it was limited to where we could go

Thumbs Up 2

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

5 out of 5

WOW, the Beauty was amazing. Glad we took the tour to see ALL sides of the Island.... Beach was great too

Thumbs Up 2

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5

THIS is what the Caribbean looks like in the post cards. Great weather and an amazing experience

Thumbs Up 2