Amsterdam-JustBack!! Still Five Star!!

[Cruising Illini]

This grand dame of the fleet is still as great as ever. All Lido Staff, Dining Staff, Room Steward, Neptune Lounge Concierge, etc. etc. were superlative. Cannot believe anyone would find any problems. The new linens, etc. in the suite rooms are so comfy and the new food service (we had upper-early) was much more prompt than in the past. Only person with little PR is the head of Tour office and was not impressed with her.
Some of the questions mentioned on this BB I'll try to answer here -- no mention of blue jeans in dining room and of course no need to talk about shorts -- too cool.
Safe was controlled with numbers each person entered. No suite breakfast or lunch in King's room. Lovely suite buffet lunch. Staff in Lido VERY prompt in carrying trays and cleaning tables -- couldn't be better. Dress for dinner very casual -- most I've ever seen. Maybe just 1/4th in tux at the most and think some of it is the Alaska influence. NO informal nights -- just 2 formal and the balance casual. Shows about the same -- individual performers great (magician fantastic-on till Nov.) and revue about average. Could use some more interesting items in the shops but just saves money since not tempted.
Alaska in general getting TOO crowded. So glad we went MANY years ago for our first trip.
As many as 4 large ships in a town at one time.
We only had Veendam with us in Glacier Bay and a great sunny day -- always a thrill.
Seattle boarding super great -- local agents, especially a gentleman named Frank, were so friendly. We were eating lunch about 11:30. Had arrived about 10:30 and no priority boarding because so few had arrived so all just went on as they were checked in. Pleased to again see Margaret Benendyk, head of Mariner office, who had a local group touring the ship. She does a super job and always so helpful. Disembarked about 8:00 and imagine most of the ship cleared by 9-10. Super fast job!!
We had 5 teenagers in our group and the 3 girls enjoyed Club HAL -- boys were 18 and didn't do much with it. A very polite and considerate group of children - have no idea how many. It was nice to have a great variety of ages and MANY were on their first cruise and also first HAL cruise. The repeaters party was smaller than usual and again that may be some of the reason for lack of dressy clothing for formal night -- many sport coats and dressy slack outfits for ladies.
Still feeling jet-lag, air delay in Atlanta and not in house until 3 a.m. Mon. so worse than usual. Any of you booked on the Amsterdam are in for a great treat -- have fun.
P.S. Learned that the Amsterdam is going into drydock for 2 weeks prior to the 62 day Asia/Pacific trip in October 2005 so she will really be shining for that cruise.

[ore-ee-gun]

Glad you had a great trip - we sail on the 27th aboard the Amsterdam for our very first cruise ever. I can't imagine it being anything less than wonderful, but it is such a relief to hear about a positive experience after hearing some folks say they were disappointed.... Thank you - Now I REALLY can hardly wait!

6/27 Amsterdam Alaska
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[localady]

Thanks for the great review. Ore-ee-gun, I think you have picked my favorite ship to date to begin your cruising days with. She is well maintained and the staff is lovely! And Alaska is so breath taking we are going back for 2 weeks this year!!

Happy Cruising!

7/04 Ryndam Alaska B2B
12/04 Rotterdam Panama Canal
7/05 Prinsendam Baltic
11/05 "Veendammers" Carribean

RCCL x2(1999), Volendam (2000), Millinneum (2000), Veendam (2001), Disney (2001), Statendam (2003), Amsterdam (2003)

[Krazy Kruizers]

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif Cruising Illini

Glad you loved Alaska and the Amsterdam.

We were on her a couple of years ago for 21 days and loved her.

We had heard while we were on the Maasdam last month that suite passengers wouldn't be able to use either the King's, Queen's or Pinnacle rooms for breakfast or lunch anymore. That is a disappointment to us as we used it a lot.

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[luv2cruise450]

Glad that you enjoyed your cruise so much and for writing the review. She's our very favorite ship since we had did a 21 day transcanal with her 2 years ago!
Happy cruising!

Victoria III 4/99 (Yangtze River)
Maasdam 5/00 (W.Med) & 11/01
Veendam 10/00
Zaandam 5/01 (Alaska cruisetour)
Millenium 12/01 & 10/03 (transatlantic)
Amsterdam 5/02 (transcanal)
NCL Star 12/02 (Hawaii)
CCL Paradise 3/03
Noordam 4/03 (transatlantic)
NCL Dawn 8/03
Regal Princess Elaine 3/04 (Yangtze River)

[mumsyo]

Thanks for your excellent review!!

My DIL and I are sailing on her on August 1st. Although I haven't as yet sailed on the Amsterdam, I have sailed on the Roterdam which I understand is the "sister ship". I am really looking forward to this cruise.

On our cruise documents, it states that boarding time is 2PM. From what you have said, it looks as if we can embark earlier than that. Would getting to the pier between 11am and 12 noon be to early?

Marilyn

MumsyO



HAL, Amsterdam, Aug. 1, 2004

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Till I'm howling with the Hounds!

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Miracle 2/13/05
Caribbean Princess 9/17/05
With the HOUNDS!!!

[Cruising Illini]

We started check-in about 11a.m. and was good to get there ahead of the big bus groups. They announced all cabins ready to be occupied about 1 p.m. but of course we went to the Lido for lunch upon embarkation. Suite passengers can take their carry-ons to either the Neptune or their own cabin (if ready) upon embarkation.
Our tickets did show one informal night and as I mentioned that was eliminated -- note the full week's schedule of dress in the Welcome Aboard program. Our men in the group did take sport coats and often wore them just on casual nights but no ties, etc. -- ship sometimes cool so good for that.
I forgot to mention on original report -- Internet access to my AOL was $30 for 100 minutes plus a small connection fee. For my purpose that time was about right and I always tell family and friends to use for an emergency number instead of the number of the ship.
Also, might mention that we tendered in Sitka but docked all other ports.

[ekerr19]

Thanks so much for the review. We love the Amsterdam, it was our kids first cruise - glad to hear she is still in fine condition!

It sounds like a great deal on internet access. On the Maasdam last April, I remember (I could be wrong) it was higher. Maybe they are lowering it fleet wide... that would be nice!

Noordam 1984
Veendam 1999
Amsterdam 2000
Noordam 2001
Statendam 2001
Noordam 2002
Zuiderdam 2003
Maasdam 2004.
Noordam 2004

[doone]

Glad you enjoyed the Amsterdam. She is still my favorite HAL ship. Glad she's still great.

[RoyW]

Do you know if they provided downloading to CD's for digital camera memory cards?

Roy W.

[SeaCruiser_1]

Thank you for the great comments!!

We are looking forward to our July 25th departure! All 30 of us! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

Sea..

[Cruising Illini]

Roy -- Sorry but I don't know. Thought I heard someone ask that question and they were told "No" but since we don't have a digital cam. I can't say for sure.

[vjw1218]

We were on the May 23rd sailing of the Amsterdam - our very first cruise ever - and we were hooked. The ms Amsterdam was elegance personified and we would cruise her again.

The question of early embarkation - even though our tickets said 2 p.m., we were welcomed on board by 12:30 and a lovely lunch was being served on the Lido. We were told our cabins would not be available until 2, but an announcement came on around 1:30 that everything was ready.

Our experience - even though we have no other cruises to compare it to - was unforgetable.

Glad to hear others have had similar experiences.

My only complaint would be the incessant Ships Photographers. They're everywhere and in your face at every port. The prices are also unreasonable for a so-so picture.

I was very pleased that John Challenger, our CD, explained the rationale for the new tipping policy. He said that there are more folks involved with the great service than those we encounter daily (i.e. steward and wait staff) and everyone should be rewarded for their hard work. He mentioned the laundry folks and others who work very hard behind the scenes to make our experience as wonderful as possible. He so right.

[jgooden1]

I'm so glad to hear the good news about the Amsterdam. We sail on Agust 1st and I can't wait!! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

[fsdj1097]

Sounds like you had great time.

You didn't mention much about your ports of call.

We, too, are planning an Alaska Cruise next year on HAL.

We were wanting to visit Skagway for the White Pass Rail trip.

We have sailed 3 time previously on HAL, all in the Caribbean.

Just curious about your ports. What excursions did you take and which were your favorites.

[Cruising Illini]

Port Info -- Since this was our 4th Alaska trip we did practically nothing with ship's tours. We had 7 guests on board so my husband arranged a van in Juneau to do Mendenhall Glacier and City -- also Chapel on the Lake -- and it was lovely. In Sitka and Ketchikan we just took a walking tour on our own and showed our gang what to see. In Victoria we didn't arrive until 6 p.m. and took the horse & wagon ride which is a favorite of ours -- nice to see the older houses and park, etc. We didn't go to Skagway and think you will have to leave from Vancouver to see it -- it is a great place to stop and the railway trip is one of our favorites at that stop. Sorry I can't be much help but on most of our cruises --except perhaps the Baltic -- we simply hire cabs or vans in the ports we are in. Have fun!!

[shellybe]

Thank you so much for sharing your views about the Amsterdam. My husband and I take our first cruise on July 18 and it is such a relief to read a positive review.

[ore-ee-gun]

Shellybe, we just returned today from the Amsterdam - our first cruise also. You are in for such a treat! I have nothing else to compare it to, but this cruise was beyond perfect. The food, the service, the entertainment, the staff, you name it. There is always something going on if you want to be active, yet you can easily just sit and watch the ocean - the Explorer's Lounge became our favorite hangout. It was the only vacation I've had that, when it ended, I truly did not want to go home. I guarantee you'll be planning your next cruise before the week ends!

[localady]

Ore-ee-gun-

Glad to hear your first cruise was such a success!! :D We too love the Amsterdam and are so excited to leave in 3 days for Alaska! And indeed, cruising is addicting, as you can see my my signature:eek: Oh well I suppose I could have worst addictions!