HAL to ALASKA

Nieuw Amsterdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Mshaer

Contributor Level: Second Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 6

Helpful Votes: 243

Overall rating:

3.7 out of 5

7 Night Alaska Inside Passage With Glacier Bay (Vancouver Roundtrip)

Sail date: May 05, 2018

Ship: Nieuw Amsterdam

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: 7080

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Enjoyed the cruise overall though we expected better in certain areas. Just above average as far as cruise ships go though it should be said, we are booked on the Nieuw Statendam, a Pinnacle Class sister-ship being built next year. A week in the Caribbean ahead of the main purpose for our trip to Fort Lauderdale FLA, to sail the Celebrity Edge back-to-back. Should mention I like to play Blackjack and on any other ship, the casino has $5-$10-$25 tables. On the Nieuw Amsterdam, the casino only offers 2 Blackjack tables. A $5 and a $6 🤨! ridiculous.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

Really nice Port of Vancouver but it took over an hour to embark. Boarding same time as Princess didn’t help.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Dining room not bad. Buffet selection ok for breakfast, usual fare but be prepared to line-up to have your food spooned out for you as you line up as you did to be served school dinners or at a military camp. If you like cream in your ☕️ coffee, be sure they bring you cream and not milk. The servers seemed to not know the difference. Friendly servers but some just not up to speed. If you want a capuccino, you can get an instant in a paper cup unless you’re prepared to go all the way forward on the top deck to get a cappuccino in a decent cup and even then, it’s push-button delivery as you get in airports. Compared to Princess and Celebrity who have the proper equipment to make a good coffee and served at a user-friendly mid-ship location, the HAL offering was not good. Pinnacle specialty dining was average. Told them we had an appointment and would like to finish our meal in 90 minutes. Server smiled and acknowledged. Dinner was served on our table, one hour after we ordered!

Pinnacle Grill

2 out of 5

Food average and slow. Took an hour to get our meal even though we’ve told them we have an appointment in 90 minutes. Asked for extra anchovy on my Caesar salad. Forget it. Compared to the Murano on Celebrity for example? Not even close.

Explorations Café

2 out of 5

All the way forward on the top deck if you want a half-decent Cappuccino in a real cup.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Nice weather but Alaska trip. Too cold for pools or outdoor activity in general.

Casino Action

2 out of 5

Only a $5 or $6 Blackjack table to choose from. Other ships offer $5 $10 and $25 and 3/2 for a Blackjack, not 6/5. Good that it’s non-smoking. When they have a really poor out-of-tune lounge act adjacent to the casino, you’re trapped 😫 torturous. Casino location would be more user-friendly mid-ship.

Entertainment

1 out of 5

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

Friendly staff. Attentive.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Overall the design of the ship is user friendly, coffee shop location notwithstanding. Seems the Nieuw Statendam 2019 sister-ship build, will have a Grand Dutch coffee shop mid-ship. Smart move.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5