Anyone recently cruised Nieuw Amsterdam Western Caribbean? A few questions for you.

[allisons]

Which nights were the two formal nights?

How early were you able to get on the ship?

Did you book the Master Chef Room? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book the Rijsttafel at Tamarind? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book An Evening at Le Cirque? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book Pinnacle Grill dinner? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book Pinnacle Grill lunch? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book Tamarind dinner? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book Tamarind lunch? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

Did you book Canaletto Restaurant? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?

[sail7seas]

We sailed Nieuw Amsterdam Thanksgiving week and the week after.
Embarkation for our first cruise commenced at about 11:15 and went smoothly.
Embarkation on the second week was just about the same.

We prebooked Tamarind and Pinnacle on line and our reservations were perfectly in order. We are four star Mariners and the discount automatically applied to our on board bill with nothing required for us to do to get it.

We have done Le Cirque previously so did not go again.
Our Pinnacle dinners, three or four in all, were all excellent. Nieuw Amsterdam's Pinnacle layout is different than other Signature and the Vista ships and we liked it. It feels more open.

Our two or three dinners in Tamarind were outstanding. We could not have asked for better. Seated immediately all times in great location, Service and food outstanding.

We have had Rijstaffel in the past (not in Tamarind) and it isn't our favorite so we did not book that.

Enjoy!

[sail7seas]

Sorry.....

Meant to add you can only book Canaletto on the ship. YOu can call, can ask the concierge to book for you if you are in a Suite or go to the Reservations Station located just outside Lido. There is always a steward there taking reservations.

Let us know if you think of more questions. :)

[allisons]

We sailed Nieuw Amsterdam Thanksgiving week and the week after.
Embarkation for our first cruise commenced at about 11:15 and went smoothly.
Embarkation on the second week was just about the same.

We prebooked Tamarind and Pinnacle on line and our reservations were perfectly in order. We are four star Mariners and the discount automatically applied to our on board bill with nothing required for us to do to get it.

We have done Le Cirque previously so did not go again.
Our Pinnacle dinners, three or four in all, were all excellent. Nieuw Amsterdam's Pinnacle layout is different than other Signature and the Vista ships and we liked it. It feels more open.

Our two or three dinners in Tamarind were outstanding. We could not have asked for better. Seated immediately all times in great location, Service and food outstanding.

We have had Rijstaffel in the past (not in Tamarind) and it isn't our favorite so we did not book that.

Enjoy!

Thank you! Which two nights were formal nights? Thanks!

[allisons]

Sorry.....

Meant to add you can only book Canaletto on the ship. YOu can call, can ask the concierge to book for you if you are in a Suite or go to the Reservations Station located just outside Lido. There is always a steward there taking reservations.

Let us know if you think of more questions. :)



Thanks again! At that reservation station, can you book all specialty restaurants upon boarding? Or is that reservation station only for Canaletto? Are there other reservation stations to book the other specialty restaurants upon boarding? Thanks!

[sail7seas]

You can book at the reservation station for all dining venues on the ship.

First week, (Western Itinerary) formal nights were Day two, at sea and Day 5, Thanksgiving.

Second Week, (Eastern Itinerary) formal nights were Day two (Monday, sea day)and Day 6 (Friday, sea day).

If you wish, you can go directly to Pinnacle and Tamarind to book each at the restaurant. You also can call.


You're welcome.
Have a great cruise.

[allisons]

You can book at the reservation station for all dining venues on the ship.

First week, (Western Itinerary) formal nights were Day two, at sea and Day 5, Thanksgiving.

Second Week, (Eastern Itinerary) formal nights were Day two (Monday, sea day)and Day 6 (Friday, sea day).

If you wish, you can go directly to Pinnacle and Tamarind to book each at the restaurant. You also can call.


You're welcome.
Have a great cruise.


Thanks again! It appears that your itinerary was different than mine due to Thanksgiving. Hmm . . .

[CruiserBruce]

Mine was the same as yours. Formal nights were Monday and Friday.

[allisons]

Mine was the same as yours. Formal nights were Monday and Friday.

Thank you! That is very helpful! When did you cruise? That's what I was assuming the formal nights would be. Thanks!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Which nights were the two formal nights?

How early were you able to get on the ship? We get to the ship by 11 and boarding usually begins at 11:30

Did you book the Master Chef Room? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? This is done once on the ship -- at the Pinnacle Grill

Did you book the Rijsttafel at Tamarind? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?
Rjisttafel -- book once on the ship -- check to see if it is still being done -- it has been rumored that it may be stopped -- make it right at the Tamarind
Did you book An Evening at Le Cirque? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? We pre-book le Cirque right on line as soon as it becomes available

Did you book Pinnacle Grill dinner? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? Again we prebook Pinnacle dinner

Did you book Pinnacle Grill lunch? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? You can not book Pinnacle lunch until you are on board the ship -- right at the Pinnacle

Did you book Tamarind dinner? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? Again we prebook Tamarind

Did you book Tamarind lunch? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation? Can only book Tamarind lunch once on the ship

Did you book Canaletto Restaurant? If so, how, when, where did you make your reservation?As soon as we get on a ship -- we book the Canaletto -- went right to the Podium in the Lido -- sometimes it is right in front of the Canaletto -- sometimes in the hallway.


We like to prebook as many restaurants as possible so that we will not be disappointed once we get on the ship. It has happened. One time on the Eurodam we made reservation s for the Pinnacle before we left home for the first week. Thought it wouldn't be a problem to get reservations for the second week while we were on the ship. Wrong -- every night and time slot was completely booked.

[allisons]

As soon as we get on a ship -- we book the Canaletto -- went right to the Podium in the Lido -- sometimes it is right in front of the Canaletto -- sometimes in the hallway.


We like to prebook as many restaurants as possible so that we will not be disappointed once we get on the ship. It has happened. One time on the Eurodam we made reservation s for the Pinnacle before we left home for the first week. Thought it wouldn't be a problem to get reservations for the second week while we were on the ship. Wrong -- every night and time slot was completely booked.

Thank you! That is very helpful! I really appreciate it! Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

Thank you! That is very helpful! When did you cruise? That's what I was assuming the formal nights would be. Thanks!

Our cruise sailed 12/4.

[allisons]

Our cruise sailed 12/4.

Perfect! Thanks!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hope you have a great cruise!!

[allisons]

Mine was the same as yours. Formal nights were Monday and Friday.

Actually, it looks like we have a slightly different itinerary than you did. For example, we go to Costa Maya, whereas you went to Cozumel. I wonder if it's similar enough that the formal nights are the same. Huh!

[allisons]

Hope you have a great cruise!!

Thank you very much!

[CruiserBruce]

Actually, it looks like we have a slightly different itinerary than you did. For example, we go to Costa Maya, whereas you went to Cozumel. I wonder if it's similar enough that the formal nights are the same. Huh!

Ahhh, we went to Costa Maya. I am getting old, and the meory is a little shaky some times, but I know we went to Costa Maya.

[allisons]

Ahhh, we went to Costa Maya. I am getting old, and the meory is a little shaky some times, but I know we went to Costa Maya.

Oh! Good! I looked it up online and the itinerary was different. Thanks again!

[tangerinebunny]

We cruised December 4 and got to the pier by 10:30. As we stood near the door a HAL employee came out and told us they were doing early boarding.

He sent us around the back to another door and we were processed and done.

[sail7seas]

Actually, it looks like we have a slightly different itinerary than you did. For example, we go to Costa Maya, whereas you went to Cozumel. I wonder if it's similar enough that the formal nights are the same. Huh!


We went to Cozumel on the November 20 Western Itinerary.
November 27 was Eastern itinerary and we disembarked December 4.

[CruiserBruce]

We cruised December 4 and got to the pier by 10:30. As we stood near the door a HAL employee came out and told us they were doing early boarding.

He sent us around the back to another door and we were processed and done.

We were in that group around 10:30 as well.

[tangerinebunny]

Why us Bruce? Are we really cuter?

Whatever, it worked for us.

[allisons]

We cruised December 4 and got to the pier by 10:30. As we stood near the door a HAL employee came out and told us they were doing early boarding.

He sent us around the back to another door and we were processed and done.

Ooh! Great to know! Thank you so much!

[allisons]

We were in that group around 10:30 as well.

Yay! I'm so excited to try this! Woo hoo!

[sail7seas]

Do Not count on embarkation beginning at 10:30 as that is unusual and not the norm. If it happens great, but it is less rather than more likely.

We've boarded in FLL dozens and dozens of times....... 10:30 was a rare treat.

[CruiserBruce]

Why us Bruce? Are we really cuter?

Whatever, it worked for us.

I think HAL was being polite, as the people on the in progress B2B were being held in the main hall and checkin area of the terminal at that time. HAL was being considerate of people. Who woulddya thunk? They could have just made us stand outside near the drop off area. That was what I figured we were going to do.

Cuter? For you, I am sure. Me? Not so much!!:D

Do Not count on embarkation beginning at 10:30 as that is unusual and not the norm. If it happens great, but it is less rather than more likely.

We've boarded in FLL dozens and dozens of times....... 10:30 was a rare treat.



Sail, we weren't allowed to board until 11:30. We were just arriving for our first day on the ship. We were processed through the checkin part, tho. It was a little disorganized, as they seemed not fully set up to handle us at 10:30.

[DFD1]

The 10:30 check-in, around at the back door, is just a courtesy. HAL tries to keep early arrivers from standing around outside. They aren't really set up to do this with large numbers of people.

It can be a bit disorganized. We've done it several times and appreciate that they try and accommodate us.

IMO

[allisons]

Do Not count on embarkation beginning at 10:30 as that is unusual and not the norm. If it happens great, but it is less rather than more likely.

We've boarded in FLL dozens and dozens of times....... 10:30 was a rare treat.




Huh! Good to know! We'll arrive by 10:30 a.m. just in case! But we'll be prepared for a long wait with our Nooks charged and books loaded!

[sail7seas]

We never get there at 10:30 and we are always among the very first to board.

That's too early unless you really want to stand/sit around.

[allisons]

We never get there at 10:30 and we are always among the very first to board.

That's too early unless you really want to stand/sit around.



What time do you get there?

[Krazy Kruizers]

We ususally arrive around 10:45 or 11 - for us it all depends on how soon we get a taxi from the hotel.

[allisons]

We ususally arrive around 10:45 or 11 - for us it all depends on how soon we get a taxi from the hotel.

Well, since we'll be coming from the Ruby Princess, I think we'll be lucky to get there as late as 10:30 a.m.! I'm sure they'll be trying to throw us off the ship much earlier!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Right -- Princess needs to get their passengers off as soon as possible as well so that they can get their cabins ready for the next group.

I hope you are not thinking about trying to walk from the Princess ship to the Nieuw Amsterdam -- it is a long walk if you have a lot of luggage.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Check out this Map of Port Everglades -- Ruby Princess usually docks at Pier 2 while the Nieuw Amsterdam docks at Pier 26:

http://www.porteverglades.net/includes/media/docs/Port-Map-2009.pdf

[DFD1]

Nice map, KK. Thanks for sharing it.

[sail7seas]

What time do you get there?


We get there about 11:00 - 11:10.

Yes, you will have to leave Ruby Princess and will have something of a wait. If it is nice out, it won't be bad. If it is bad weather, won't be as pleasant, of course.

[allisons]

Right -- Princess needs to get their passengers off as soon as possible as well so that they can get their cabins ready for the next group.

I hope you are not thinking about trying to walk from the Princess ship to the Nieuw Amsterdam -- it is a long walk if you have a lot of luggage.

No, we are planning to take a cab.

[allisons]

We get there about 11:00 - 11:10.

Yes, you will have to leave Ruby Princess and will have something of a wait. If it is nice out, it won't be bad. If it is bad weather, won't be as pleasant, of course.

We'll have to wait outside?! HAL won't let us into the terminal?!

[allisons]

Check out this Map of Port Everglades -- Ruby Princess usually docks at Pier 2 while the Nieuw Amsterdam docks at Pier 26:

http://www.porteverglades.net/includes/media/docs/Port-Map-2009.pdf

Thanks for the map and the Pier information! We've cruised out of Ft. Lauderdale several times, so we're aware of the size and the distances.

[CruiserBruce]

We'll have to wait outside?! HAL won't let us into the terminal?!

That was part of the point of the earlier discussion about several of us getting there at 10:30. They can't let you in the main part of the building, as the "In Transit" people are being held in isolation (per Immigration policy) until the ship "zeros". But HAL has found a way, at least at Terminal 26, to create a small inside area for "early checkin" and sit down waiting area, then eventually moves you into the sit down waiting area upstairs, where everybody eventually goes prior to boarding.This "early checkin" area is part of the employee security area.

Again, we "checked in" around 10:40 or so, but weren't allowed to board until around 11:30 or so.

[allisons]

That was part of the point of the earlier discussion about several of us getting there at 10:30. They can't let you in the main part of the building, as the "In Transit" people are being held in isolation (per Immigration policy) until the ship "zeros". But HAL has found a way, at least at Terminal 26, to create a small inside area for "early checkin" and sit down waiting area, then eventually moves you into the sit down waiting area upstairs, where everybody eventually goes prior to boarding.This "early checkin" area is part of the employee security area.

Again, we "checked in" around 10:40 or so, but weren't allowed to board until around 11:30 or so.

Oh! I thought you meant that you boarded at 10:30 a.m.!