amsterdam seattle-seattle

[cruisingreena]

We are in our mid thirties, we are considering the cruise that leaves from seattle, victoria, oregon and back to seattle. will there be many people our age? im a tad worried this will be a bit boring of a cruise? any reviews? any thoughts? comments. we arent partiers but we like to gamble, see shows, sit at the pool in the day...?

[Kween Karen]

My experience is that, on these shorter cruises, there are more younger people. They are often filled with people who want to experience a cruise and either can't afford or don't have the time for a longer one.

The casino will be the same on this short cruise. The shows should be pretty much the same. The weather will PROBABLY not be conducive to sitting by the pool...though the Amsterdam has a nice covered pool area in addition to the aft Sea View pool.

So....guess you just have to decide! Have fun if you decide to go for it....and let us know how you like it.

[middle-aged mom]

Are you talking about the 4-day Fall Pacific Coastal cruise, September 20-24, 2010? Click here (http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?durationCode=1&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=AM&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=A036&destCode=&dateCode=9_2010) to view.

If you live locally, this is a great little itinerary. All day in Astoria and Victoria. You can rent a car and drive down the Oregon coast from Astoria, or north across the Columbia River. Astoria is an interesting town in itself. Plenty to do in Victoria, too.

Also, if you haven't cruised before, this is a good introduction. I'm looking at this itinerary myself, however, I'm older than you are:).

[cruisingreena]

yes exactly that cruise sept 20-24. yes sitting by the pool with a cover is fine, this would be my fourth cruise. first with holland america, i have cruised with princess, carnival and royal, i found princess to have an older crowd where as carnival was a bit younger. I dont drink i just like to lounge and have nice dinners i have just never been on a cruise when it isnt hot outside...only carribean i have been. with really cool ports, this will be my first local cruise, i dont really know what to expect, i am from vancouver and will make the drive down to seattle for this. i cant find any other cruises that dont require airfare, that's what i was looking for, except alaska which doesnt really interest me right now. too cold...and i heard the ride up there is quite boring.

[cruisingreena]

Kween Karin you did you my dream world cruise!!! that's awesome...one day i hope to do a cruise like that.

[Kween Karen]

Hmmm....I hadn't thought about that itinerary....guess I wasn't looking hard enough. I might just have to consider it.....likely the price is quite reasonable. Just a hop to the boat and then a hop back home.

[cruisingreena]

Is the amsterdam a smaller boat? i am used to huge cruise ships? will it be more rocky?

[Kween Karen]

The Amsterdam is definitely smaller that those mega ships....that is what I like about it. It is very stable and not at all "rocky". IT is a beautiful ship......big enough to have lots of space and small enough to meet people and be able to find them again. Easy to learn your way around.

[cruisingreena]

okay as long as its not rocky.

[Kween Karen]

Any ship can get rocky if the water is rough enough. I spent 67 days on the Amsterdam in the open Pacific Ocean....and she barely"rocked". My understanding is that the way her stabilizers are.....she is just pretty smooth.

[Gunther1]

My partner and I will be on that cruise. It's not official yet, but there will probably be a group of singers/supporters of a large well-known Seattle chorus on there....we tend to be fun (but adult about it).

[cruisingreena]

yes i saw you did my dream cruise!! im so jealous. one day i would like to do a world cruise like you did....

[RedmondCruiser]

Short cruises like this can be a great get away. They are more fun if you can get friends to go with you. The Amsterdam is a beautiful ship and you will enjoy it. Can it be rough ??? YEP it can be but if its rough it would be just as rough in ship three times her size, so don't worry about it. Just go and have a good time. We took this itinery, with friends, three years ago on the Oosterdam and we had a great time ----- and the seas were flat calm. Enjoy and have a great cruise.

[cruisingreena]

okay i wont worry then..thanks

[PathfinderEss]

We are in our mid thirties, we are considering the cruise that leaves from seattle, victoria, oregon and back to seattle. will there be many people our age? im a tad worried this will be a bit boring of a cruise? any reviews? any thoughts? comments. we arent partiers but we like to gamble, see shows, sit at the pool in the day...?


The Amsterdam is a beautiful ship, well worth considering a cruise on. These short cruises can be a lot of fun, especially if their are many of your countrymen on board. Wow Canadians really know how to have a good time. You'll probably see a younger crowd on board. You know a cruise is what you make it, I don't understand why you think it would be boring. There will be plenty of gambling, shows and pool time to keep you busy. I would suggested you go to the Pinnacle one evening for dinner. We have been on a few of these short cruises and found they can be a nice get away.

[cruisingreena]

i guess my worry would be that it isnt hot enough to sit poolside and the ports are really not what im used to ...

[middle-aged mom]

I see that you have cruised the Caribbean on Carnival, RCCL, and Princess. I'm assuming you have enjoyed them. I'm not sure how much you will enjoy a Pacific Northwest September itinerary on HAL. I think if you looked on the cruise as a relatively inexpensive and stress-free getaway for a few days, you would probably have a good time. If you are looking exclusively for poolside weather on a bigger, more activity-oriented ship you might be disappointed. Now, as mentioned previously on this thread, it looks as if the Seattle Men's Chorus will have a group on this sailing (see Gunther1's post above), so it might turn out to be a lot of fun:). Bring some friends along and make your own party:).

[NancyIL]

i cant find any other cruises that dont require airfare, that's what i was looking for, except alaska which doesnt really interest me right now. too cold...and i heard the ride up there is quite boring.

I don't know who told you the "ride up there" to Alaska was "quite boring" - but they were wrong!

[Balliett]

We did this cruise last year with our son and his fiancee. We are in the low-sixties and they were in their upper twenties. We all had a great time. It's not a party ship, for sure, but that's not what you are looking for. Alaska cruises are more for the outdoor adventures (eagles, whales, maybe a bear) than lay-by-the-pool or beach, but Seattle is a great port to cruise from and the seafood there is great and very fresh.

If you like low-stakes blackjack, it's a good cruise too. Eastern european dealers. No free drinks or comps, of course. My wife hit a royal on a video poker machine for $1000. It was a 7/5 Jacks or Better, but... The casino has fun tournaments including hold-em, as I recall.

[Kween Karen]

I agree with that.....the ride up to Alaska is not boring....and normally just a day long. No different that the ride on this short cruise....just a different direction and less scenic. But I personally think sea days are anything but boring!!

[Balliett]

Sorry, in rereading the thread I see that you aren't cruising to Alaska. But my gambling comments will still be relevant.