Nuiew amsterdam

[sheridan318]

Hi just back from a med cruise Venice to Venice


Flew Emirates to Venice and knowing we would be tired booked a hotel near the airport which worked really well it was called Quid Big Western, they picked us up at the airport for 10 euros and we were in our room in no time at all, its a very modern hotel and wouldnt hesitate to recommend it.

Following day took a short walk to a near by shopping centre and bought some wine to take on board, and by the way they dont check hand luggage for drinks you could take on as much or as little as you wanted.

We then took shuttle from the hotel and got dropped off straight at the ship really good no hassles at all.

The ship is really nice very well kept and we had balcony cabin 6008 very comfortable and very quiet. It also helped that it was a long way from the lifts as it kept the usual kilos from attacking us.

The restraunt was a bit odd tho very strange colours, but I suppose you can just put that down to personal taste, food was ok not terrific but you could always get something that you would like to eat.

Unfortunatly because this trip was so port intensive we ddnt really see shows etc, as the temperature was always in the high thirties it really took it out of us

This trip was all about the ports and they didnt dissapoint

Athens we did a private tour that I set up with eight others we went to the Acropolis and we were not dissapointed, but I must emphasise if any one is going to do this trip make sure you get to the Acropolis early as possible we arrived at just on nine, nice short queue, but when we got out the lines were horrific and it was so hot.

Ephosis was terrific also all the marble and the terrace houses etc

We couldnt get into one port because it was so choppy

The port that I thought the most beautiful was Santorini like a picture post card, took the chair lift up and then had private tour again, it was really good as on most tours we had the same couples with us.

Istanbul we did the blue mosque and a few other places

By the way I always said I didnt think anything could beat sailing out of Sydney, but Venice really is something else, quite spectacular.

If you want any more info please feel free to ask

Jacquie

[lizzy77]

Have to agre that Venice is the most spectacular port, after Sydney of course!!

[markarmel]

Glad to hear you had a great cruise. Sounds like the one we did in September 2011.Loved Istanbul,Loved Oia in Santorini,Loved Venice,Split,Mykonos,Athens,Ephesus. Unfortunately on the day we were to depart Nieuw Amsterdam moved at 5.00am to another location in Venice so we did not get the spectacular departure and when we came back into Venice 12 days later we arrived early morning when it was dark. Looks like we may have to do another cruise where we will get to see Venice in all it's glory from the ship. Can't wait!

[Omega1]

Hi Jacquie. We were on the same cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it. The high temperatures in Kotor and Athens were something else but we were glad of the more reasonable temperatures in Istanbul and Kusadasi. It was disappointing to miss Mykonos as it was one of the ports we hadn't been to before.
We probably had a more favourable take on the quality of food in the main dining room and really enjoyed the food in the Tamarind speciality restaurant. Although we had sailed out of Venice before, it never fails to impress.
We have sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam before but felt that this time the service wasn't as sharp as it used to be. Staff seemed to be running round in circles and simple requests.that we're out of the ordinary seemed to floor them eg skimmed milk with tea or coffee, or a different vegetable with a main course. I'm not sure why this was - fewer staff, training issues? Having said that we really enjoyed the trip.