curtdesilets Posted February 22, 2018 #1 Share Posted February 22, 2018 After doing our last cruise on an overbooked Thanksgiving week Princess ship with over 3500 passengers, we are looking for a smaller ship experience!! I understand Amsterdam is getting refurbished in May. Do any of you have details on the refurbishment? We were on Amsterdam for a similar cruise in 2003, our 3rd cruise ever. She must have aged by now. Hopefully gracefully! Any insights from you Holland America frequent cruisers? I think this will be our 5th HAL cruise, but it's been a few years since we sailed Holland America. Thanks for any tips! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted February 22, 2018 #2 Share Posted February 22, 2018 After doing our last cruise on an overbooked Thanksgiving week Princess ship with over 3500 passengers, we are looking for a smaller ship experience!! I understand Amsterdam is getting refurbished in May. Do any of you have details on the refurbishment? We were on Amsterdam for a similar cruise in 2003, our 3rd cruise ever. She must have aged by now. Hopefully gracefully! Any insights from you Holland America frequent cruisers? I think this will be our 5th HAL cruise, but it's been a few years since we sailed Holland America. Thanks for any tips! Per the Cruise Critic website (apparently they have an entire section on "Cruise Ship Refurbishments"), here's what I found. I don't know how accurate it is: Ship: Amsterdam Dates: May 2018 Details: As part of a $300 million investment, Holland America is updating entertainment, dining and suites across its fleet between 2016 and 2018. While enhancements will vary by ship, all Vista- Signature- and Rotterdam-class ships will receive new furniture, carpeting and wall covers, as well as a new quartz stone top on the desk, dresser, nightstands and makeup vanity. Electronic upgrades include a USB outlet added the bed's headboard, LED reading lights and a lighted closet rod. Suite passengers will also have access to a new interactive TV system with free movies on demand, in-cabin coffee and espresso machine, binoculars for use during the sailing, free mimosas with ensuite breakfast and more. Amsterdam will receive the transformation that will turn Crow's Nest into the line's new interactive destination experience center, EXC or Explorations Central. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted February 22, 2018 #3 Share Posted February 22, 2018 I would say the Amsterdam is maintained as well or better then any ship in the fleet given her Grand and World Voyage itineraries. Some may say thats a low bar and perhaps they are right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtdesilets Posted February 23, 2018 Author #4 Share Posted February 23, 2018 Thanks for your responses. We had a lovely time on Amsterdam back in 2003, when she was barely 3 years old! She was the flagship for many years, apparently, and i am sure they keep her nice for those fancy World Cruises. This was interesting, for you historians out there, describing the Inauguration of this version of "Amsterdam" : http://www.sealetter.com/Nov-00/newamst.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted February 23, 2018 #5 Share Posted February 23, 2018 We sailed on her twice before her latest dry dock and thought even back then she was in good shape. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiz'nBaers Posted February 23, 2018 #6 Share Posted February 23, 2018 We sailed on the Amsterdam last year in May to Alaska, she was in great shape. She has the prettiest showroom at sea that I have seen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KanCruise Posted April 10, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 10, 2018 Joining in this conversation a bit late but soooo glad to hear all the refurbishings going on. We sail in June for Alaska and first time on this ship. It sounds like they are making some significant upgrades. Sailed on Holland before and love it. It suits us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruises42 Posted April 11, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 11, 2018 Too bad they are just updating the suites. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sail7seas Posted April 13, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 13, 2018 Thanks for your responses. We had a lovely time on Amsterdam back in 2003, when she was barely 3 years old! She was the flagship for many years, apparently, and i am sure they keep her nice for those fancy World Cruises. This was interesting, for you historians out there, describing the Inauguration of this version of "Amsterdam" : http://www.sealetter.com/Nov-00/newamst.html Amsterdam and Rotterdam are co- flagships of HAL and have beenffor many years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
curtdesilets Posted April 15, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted April 15, 2018 Made our final payment today. Looking forward to Amsterdam after the refurb! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruizer Bill Posted April 15, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 15, 2018 The Amsterdam is our favorite cruise ship. You will love her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catsngoats Posted April 16, 2018 #12 Share Posted April 16, 2018 We are booked on N Amsterdam for the August 18th Alaska trip. It will be our first with HAL (7 previous on other lines) so I've been eagerly following all feedback on the December major overhaul. Comments have been very good, plus a few pix here and there. Hopefully more pix will be available soon. Definitely looking forward to the trip, as I will be retired by then!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted April 16, 2018 #13 Share Posted April 16, 2018 We are booked on N Amsterdam for the August 18th Alaska trip. It will be our first with HAL (7 previous on other lines) so I've been eagerly following all feedback on the December major overhaul. Comments have been very good, plus a few pix here and there. Hopefully more pix will be available soon. Definitely looking forward to the trip, as I will be retired by then!!! Be aware that HAL has two ships with the name "Amsterdam": the R-class vessel "Amsterdam", built in 2000, and the Signature-class vessel, the "Nieuw Amsterdam", constructed in 2010. So be careful when you are reading reviews, that you have the correct ship. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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