Nieuw Amsterdam 12/7 Review; still a great experience

This was our second cruise this year on the beautiful Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam (NA). We received an absolutely smoking Club 21 Casino offer that was way too good to pass up, so we jumped on a 12/7 one week, Eastern Caribbean sailing out of Fort Lauderdale.

Embarkation: Even though we booked an SA Neptune suite with priority boarding, we didn’t need it. We arrived at the ship about 1:15 PM and there was virtually no wait and no line to check in. I think we were onboard in no more than 10 minutes. Luggage arrived in about 90 minutes.

Neptune Suite 7062; this is a mid-ship room on deck 7, right near an elevator and it is very close to the Neptune Lounge. What a great location! Being so close to the elevators made navigating around the ship very easy and convenient. We loved the room; it was very bright, extremely clean and nicely appointed. The balcony is very spacious with 2 lounge chairs as well as a table and four chairs for room service dining al fresco.

There was way more storage space than we could ever use plus a shower/Jacuzzi/ double sink bathroom with plenty of storage space under the counter for my wife’s toiletries and cosmetics. There is also a nice little dressing area that my wife really appreciated.

The only disappointment with our balcony was a smoker next door. When the ship was in motion, this wasn’t a big deal for us but it probably was for any non-smoker down wind. However one day in port, this guy lights up an obnoxious cigar. I called the concierge and was told that cigarette and cigar smoking was allowed on the balcony and there was nothing they could do. Within minutes however they called back and said that cigars were not allowed and promptly contacted the guest and addressed it. I heard him grumbling about it to his wife.

Neptune Lounge: we love this little retreat. There are nice quiet tables with fresh flower arrangements and comfortable chairs and sofas; and they always have a great selection of cereals, pastries, cold (soft) beverages and a very nice assortment of fresh canopies. I love smoked salmon and there was always an ample supply available throughout most of the day. The concierge staff is terrific and they are always there to help with a reservation, or to assist with any issue and answer any question. They make a point of remembering everyone’s name and always greet you with a cheerful “hello”.

Entertainment: There was usually something to do to please all tastes. We attended only 2 shows – a guest singer (Trish) who did a great performance and Cantare, who we absolutely love.

Amber and the Hal-cats perform often on the ship and in many different venues (pool deck, Ocean Bar, Half Moon Cay and in some of the shows). Whoever recruits these performers should be commended because they are fabulous. They can perform anything and although Amber just joined the group at the start of our cruise, you would have thought they were playing together for years. They are all very talented and we enjoyed every performance.

The piano bar performer was very good and always got those in attendance engaged in the show. Each night was a different theme but twice was more than enough for us. There is also the obligatory steel drum performer – not bad but mostly pre-recorded; and a duo that played classical music (definitely not our cup of tea) in one of the venues near the MDR.

Finally, the sports bar by the casino always had a televised NFL or NBA game or some other sports analysis show on – or, sometimes a soccer game.

Casino: the Club 21 casino is one of our favorites and is well run. The dealers are friendly and well trained; even the slot machines were a little looser than some other ship casinos we have been played on. Unfortunately, this is not a smoke free environment; nothing more annoying for a non-smoking slot player than to have someone light up right next to you. But we did learn that the tide may be turning on HAL’s casino smoking policy. I could not tell if the tables were non-smoking because of the ship’s policy or coincidence but there was never anyone smoking at the tables, so I believe it is not allowed (but not positive).

Dining and Beverage: we chose open seating and were always wiling to sit at a table with others. I think there may be a wait during peak hours for a table for 2 but seating with a group was almost instantaneous. We met some very interesting people.

We are not wine snobs by any stretch but we really didn’t like the wines by the glass selection on our last voyage so we chose to bring our own wine on board. We brought 6 bottles and paid corkage on 4. This was still a better way to get the selection we wanted at a decent price. The concierge had a few bottles delivered to the MDR and it was never an issue getting the right vino. NA also serves some nice beers. Bar service anywhere on the ship was always prompt and friendly.

Food in the MDR was good, but never great and it definitely was not up to the same standard as our first sailing in January. I believe that the purveyors can have a lot to do with this variation and it is not necessarily a cruise line trying to cut cost.

Service was pretty good but often hot dishes were served barely warm; I guess this is understandable considering the number of diners being served.

We had occasional snacks at the Lido, which we liked. On the first day (only) they serve a fried chicken that I have been dreaming of every night since I got home. I am really glad that it is only available one day because I could not resist it otherwise. I also liked the pasta station; you can ask to have additional ingredients so where else can you get olives and anchovies crushed into your Bolognese sauce?

Shore excursions: We booked an excursion through the ship at Grand Turk. At one stop, the driver instructed everyone to be back at the bus in 10 to 15 minutes. Although we returned in the window, he actually left without us. Evidently no one told him it may be a good idea to do a headcount before leaving. He eventually returned for us after some passengers convinced him he left passengers behind. I went to the excursion desk, spoke with a nice young lady and asked to speak with the manager (“Joey”) to report the incident. I went back three times that week and spoke with the same girl about having this guy contact me but he was either too busy or unconcerned to do that. I was hoping for an apology and to give him a chance to make corrective action on this tour and driver – but it was not meant to be. I thought it was very poor customer service, particularly in contrast with the fine effort everyone else puts in on this ship. Attention HAL, talk to “Joey”!

Disembarkation: HAL does this better than anyone in my opinion. Guests are allowed to remain in their room and also order room service on disembarkation day. We were in group one and just happened to arrive downstairs as the group was called; ship to FLL curbside check-in in just under 15 minutes.

In summary, HAL still gives passengers a great value. The service in general is wonderful. From our first HAL cruise about 6 years ago, it seems obvious to us that HAL is marketing to (and attracting) a younger demographic. On this cruise, all age groups were represented; it is great to see that. Kudos to CCL for allowing the brand to continue to offer a quality product. I am sure that every cruise line is understandably trying to optimize profit, but HAL does it right in my opinion. If you are scheduled to cruise on NA or you are thinking of it, go for it; you won’t be disappointed.

Thanks for the review!

this is the first I heard that cigars were not allowed on balconies, when did this happen?

Thanks for the review, glad you had a good time. What a relief to hear cigars are not allowed on the balconies.

Great review and great news on the cigars.

I had the pleasure to sail with a great CC member who was a cigar fan. He never ever smoked on the balcony but went to the Lido under the Stars. I joined them as a dare, but couldn't do it. I did have the pleasure of their company though.

Cigars should not be allowed on balconies. Cigarettes are on thing - cigars are another.

Nevertheless, this is one of the reasons we avoid aft cabins.

Thanks for the review of your Nieuw Amsterdam cruise, glad you had a good time.

Interesting about the cigars. I had a dude next to me on my Panama canal cruise that lit one up every day. Not good.

Agree on the tempature of the food. I mentioned I would like my food served hot on the NA and I think that happened twice. It seems select people get their hot every time. I guess you and I are unlucky. Like I've said there is no way everything can be hot just like you mentioned.

Thanks for the review, glad you had a good time. What a relief to hear cigars are not allowed on the balconies.

this is the first I heard that cigars were not allowed on balconies, when did this happen?

According to the current Know Before You Go, cigar smoking IS allowed on balconies. But ... we'd better stop discussing smoking on this thread. :)

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs.

Thank you for your review my DH and I will be on this ship in March I think we got the same deal as you! Can't wait really need the sun and fun! Vicki

Thanks for your review.

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Cigar smoking -- all the different ships we have been on -- it has been allowed. And we always end up with someone smoking a cigar near us - even on the Nieuw Amsterdam last spring.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review.

Thanks for your review.

Was the smoker in the room beside the elevator, or the other side?

Hmmmmm, no complaining about the "Smoking" Club 21 deal....sorry had to.

From the HAL Website:

Is Smoking Allowed On Board?

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. While smoking is not permitted in staterooms, guests are allowed to smoke on stateroom verandahs. Smoking is also permitted on certain other designated, outside decks. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted.

• Stateroom verandahs
  
• Casino (Active players only)
  
• Seaview Bar
  
• Outside Decks
  
  • Sports Deck
    
  • Observation Deck (ms Prinsendam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, and ms Zuiderdam only)
    

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed and on stateroom verandahs. Electronic cigarettes are permitted in staterooms but not in other public areas of the ship other than on outside decks designated as smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation.

Thanks for your review.

 

Was the smoker in the room beside the elevator, or the other side?

The neighbor was in 64, next door and towards the stern.

I was not aware of the policy and just assumed that cigar smoking was restricted only to specified areas. It surprised me after learning this here that the ship staff I spoke to was not aware of this either and responded to my complaint. I certainly would not fault them but I'm sure the neighbor felt differently.

The neighbor was in 64, next door and towards the stern.

 

I was not aware of the policy and just assumed that cigar smoking was restricted only to specified areas. It surprised me after learning this here that the ship staff I spoke to was not aware of this either and responded to my complaint. I certainly would not fault them but I'm sure the neighbor felt differently.

Can't say I'd blame him. He was in the right.

An officer once approached us and said we were in a non-smoking area. We looked confused at each other, knowing we were on the correct side for smoking, but put out the cigarettes anyway. Five minutes later that officer returned and apologised - he'd got it wrong.