Amsterdam Roundtrip Seattle 5-15-17 to 5-22-17

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Here are my thoughts on our recent cruise to Alaksa

 

We flew into Sea-Tac the day before the cruise and stayed at the Hampton Inn Airport on 28th Street, the hotel was a fine, no frills stay with an adequate breakfast provided in the morning. We arranged for a shuttle to the port the day of the cruise and then for a transfer to the airport after the cruise, $14.00 per person each way, good service each trip.

 

Embarkation was the easiest we have ever done, we left the hotel at 11:15 and were on the ship by 12:15. Disembarkation was also a breeze, we had a 8AM time slot and were off and through customs by 8:15. Seattle seems to have getting on and off the ship figured out.

 

The ship was in fine shape, we stayed in an ocean view stateroom on Deck 1, slightly forward, the stateroom was in good shape and our cabin attendant, whom we never met, did a fine job. We never saw him/her, but he/she seemed to learn our habits very quickly, most of the time while we were at breakfast our room was serviced, ice was delivered twice daily without a special request.

 

We ate in the dining room on embarkation day, a change for us, but a very relaxing lunch with a nice sandwich and glass of wine, followed up with a Bailey's coffee. We sat with a lovely couple that we ran into throughout our cruise. Hello to Karen and Frank. The other days we ate breakfast and lunch in the Lido Marketplace or Dive In and dinner in the dining room 4 evenings, 1 evening in the Pinnacle Grill and 2 evenings on shore. The food in the Lido was fine at breakfast, though not exceptional, lunch was never great, we had a hard time finding something that appealed to us, so we ate burgers and dogs from the Dive In, they were always tasty. The dining room food seems have gone down in quality and selection from when we first began cruising, but the presentation and wait staff were very good. It is not surprising, with all of the cutbacks and low fares, that the food quality has diminished, something has to give, just wish it wasn't the food.

 

The entertainment was what we expected during the evening. The singers and dancers seemed to be a cut above on this cruise, we also had a ventriloquist, magician and comedian. The BBC film did not blow us away, and the musicians live accompanying of the film did not add much, good digital music would have been fine. The entertainment during the day was very lacking. Unless it was a lecture for a paid spa service, it seemed non existent. Sea days were rather boring, unless you like the casino or using the spa, teeth whitening or acupuncture (we don't). Most of our sea day time was spent having drinks by the Lido pool or taking naps in the afternoon. Don't get me wrong, drinks with new friends and taking naps is great, I just wish a little more activity would have been offered.

 

Bar staff was very good, with the exception of the Ocean Bar for before and after dinner cocktails. If we wanted a drink before dinner in the Ocean Bar we sat at the bar, if we sat at a table and waited for a server, it took a very long time (another example of cutbacks). We began visiting the Sports Bar for our before and after dinner cocktails, much better service. Bar service in the dining room was very good, Doris was our bar attendant and she did a wonderful job. The wine staff was n/a, as I just ordered a glass of wine with dinner that was covered by the SBP, chardonnay and cabernet were both very drinkable.

 

The only HAL excursion we took was in Juneau, it was the seaplane flight over the glaciers with a salmon lunch at the Taku Lodge. It was very nice, but very pricey. We had a beautiful, sunshiny day for our seaplane tour of the glaciers and the weather made for an enjoyable afternoon at the lodge. Sitka was just a walk around day, we walked to the state park and enjoyed the Totem Poles on display. Ketchikan was a bus tour of the town, Creek Street, Saxman native village and a little wildlife viewing, a nice tour for the price. In Victoria, we spent the evening walking around the harbor and having dinner with friends that live on the island. Victoria is a very beautiful port, I wish we would have had more time there.

 

In all, it was a nice vacation, if a bit underwhelming. I know other people who were on this cruise may have differing views, this is just my opinion.

 

If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

 

Linda

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Glad you enjoyed Alaska.

We have also noticed that the quality of the food is not what it used to be. And there were very few activities.

[CAMREIN]

If you don't mind my asking, what shuttle service did you use? Thank you

[Harry1954]

Thanks for the informative report. We are on that ship next week, so your comments help.

harry

[Cruiz'nBaers]

If you don't mind my asking, what shuttle service did you use? Thank you

 

The shuttle service was provided by National Towncar Service, 206-261-4806, and was provided by the Hampton Inn, we did not contact them ourselves, just arranged through the hotel.

[easyboy]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for the feedback.

 

Sent from my SGH-M919 using Forums mobile app

[ArtsyCraftsy]

Thanks for posting this. I'm booked on the Amsterdam September 11 for a 14-day Alaska adventure (Great Alaskan Explorer), so I'm always interested in reports from that ship, especially recent reports. This will be my first ever cruise -- total cruise "virgin" here -- so I have no standard for comparison. Hoping for a relaxing getaway with gorgeous scenery. :)

[pengu1n]

Any advice on clothing? Was a windbreaker and a sweatshirt warm enough or do we need a heavier coat? Not leaving until June 19, so I expect a bit of a warmup. Did you wear shorts or capris or was it too chilly?

[Marianne]

You will be sailing in June during the longest day of the year. I'd throw in a pair of shorts and a capri, but also clothes for when it gets cold. The weather hopefully will be good then, but maybe not quite settled yet. A windbreak should be enough, but have some kind of sweater or warm long sleeved shirt. For Alaska I'd just pack a little of everything. To me it's cold there, but then, I live in Phoenix and am used to the warm weather. That 14 day Amsterdam cruise to me, is the best itinerary to see Alaska, and I know you will enjoy it. Hope all this helps. :halo:

Marianne

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Any advice on clothing? Was a windbreaker and a sweatshirt warm enough or do we need a heavier coat? Not leaving until June 19, so I expect a bit of a warmup. Did you wear shorts or capris or was it too chilly?

I began watching the long range (10 day) weather forecasts and packed with that in mind. We took a fleece jacket and a lightweight rain jacket and gloves for our outerwear, it was all we needed. We wore jeans and long sleeve shirts during the day on shore. It was about 48°F in the mornings, warming up to 55-60s. We were quite comfortable. We are from the Midwest, so we are used to all weather extremes. We did not pack any shorts or capris.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Be sure to pack umbrellas.

[pengu1n]

Good thoughts, thank you!

[Sue from Canada]

Here are my thoughts on our recent cruise to Alaksa

 

We flew into Sea-Tac the day before the cruise and stayed at the Hampton Inn Airport on 28th Street' date=' the hotel was a fine, no frills stay with an adequate breakfast provided in the morning. We arranged for a shuttle to the port the day of the cruise and then for a transfer to the airport after the cruise, $14.00 per person each way, good service each trip.

 

Embarkation was the easiest we have ever done, we left the hotel at 11:15 and were on the ship by 12:15. Disembarkation was also a breeze, we had a 8AM time slot and were off and through customs by 8:15. Seattle seems to have getting on and off the ship figured out.

 

The ship was in fine shape, we stayed in an ocean view stateroom on Deck 1, slightly forward, the stateroom was in good shape and our cabin attendant, whom we never met, did a fine job. We never saw him/her, but he/she seemed to learn our habits very quickly, most of the time while we were at breakfast our room was serviced, ice was delivered twice daily without a special request.

 

We ate in the dining room on embarkation day, a change for us, but a very relaxing lunch with a nice sandwich and glass of wine, followed up with a Bailey's coffee. We sat with a lovely couple that we ran into throughout our cruise. Hello to Karen and Frank. The other days we ate breakfast and lunch in the Lido Marketplace or Dive In and dinner in the dining room 4 evenings, 1 evening in the Pinnacle Grill and 2 evenings on shore. The food in the Lido was fine at breakfast, though not exceptional, lunch was never great, we had a hard time finding something that appealed to us, so we ate burgers and dogs from the Dive In, they were always tasty. The dining room food seems have gone down in quality and selection from when we first began cruising, but the presentation and wait staff were very good. It is not surprising, with all of the cutbacks and low fares, that the food quality has diminished, something has to give, just wish it wasn't the food.

 

The entertainment was what we expected during the evening. The singers and dancers seemed to be a cut above on this cruise, we also had a ventriloquist, magician and comedian. The BBC film did not blow us away, and the musicians live accompanying of the film did not add much, good digital music would have been fine. The entertainment during the day was very lacking. Unless it was a lecture for a paid spa service, it seemed non existent. Sea days were rather boring, unless you like the casino or using the spa, teeth whitening or acupuncture (we don't). Most of our sea day time was spent having drinks by the Lido pool or taking naps in the afternoon. Don't get me wrong, drinks with new friends and taking naps is great, I just wish a little more activity would have been offered.

 

Bar staff was very good, with the exception of the Ocean Bar for before and after dinner cocktails. If we wanted a drink before dinner in the Ocean Bar we sat at the bar, if we sat at a table and waited for a server, it took a very long time (another example of cutbacks). We began visiting the Sports Bar for our before and after dinner cocktails, much better service. Bar service in the dining room was very good, Doris was our bar attendant and she did a wonderful job. The wine staff was n/a, as I just ordered a glass of wine with dinner that was covered by the SBP, chardonnay and cabernet were both very drinkable.

 

The only HAL excursion we took was in Juneau, it was the seaplane flight over the glaciers with a salmon lunch at the Taku Lodge. It was very nice, but very pricey. We had a beautiful, sunshiny day for our seaplane tour of the glaciers and the weather made for an enjoyable afternoon at the lodge. Sitka was just a walk around day, we walked to the state park and enjoyed the Totem Poles on display. Ketchikan was a bus tour of the town, Creek Street, Saxman native village and a little wildlife viewing, a nice tour for the price. In Victoria, we spent the evening walking around the harbor and having dinner with friends that live on the island. Victoria is a very beautiful port, I wish we would have had more time there.

 

In all, it was a nice vacation, if a bit underwhelming. I know other people who were on this cruise may have differing views, this is just my opinion.

 

If anyone has any questions, I will try to answer them to the best of my ability.

 

Linda[/quote']

 

I'll be doing this cruise on July 17th for a third time and enjoyed your comments. I just got off the Zaandam a few weeks ago and totally agree with your comments about entertainment and service in the Ocean Bar. HALs motto should be "Entertain yourself cruises." Sad but I'll still cruise with them - for now.

[jhsocal]

Did you spend any time in the Crow's Nest? On our Alaska cruise last July on Westerdam, service during "Happy Hour" there was very good, and a great viewing area. Ocean Bar was quiet at that time.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Did you spend any time in the Crow's Nest? On our Alaska cruise last July on Westerdam, service during "Happy Hour" there was very good, and a great viewing area. Ocean Bar was quiet at that time.

We did not to the Crow's Next for happy hour, but did spend a little time there a few evenings to listen to some music and have a drink or two. The service was pretty good, music was both DJ and live.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

I'll be doing this cruise on July 17th for a third time and enjoyed your comments. I just got off the Zaandam a few weeks ago and totally agree with your comments about entertainment and service in the Ocean Bar. HALs motto should be "Entertain yourself cruises." Sad but I'll still cruise with them - for now.

We will still, most likely, cruise with HAL in the future because we like their smaller ships. We are trying Celebrity in October and are thinking about trying Oceania. We were not crazy about Royal Caribbean, too many people, and we were not on one of their mega ships. HAL does offer good itineraries.

[osofish2]

Thank you for your review. We are booked for July 31 in a Neptune Suite, thanks to a great Casino offer. Did you use the Neptune lounge? Also, when were the 3 formal nights? Thx.

[rkacruiser]

Cruiz'nBaers,

 

I thank you for your comments.

 

I am considering the float plane trip to Taku Lodge offered by HAL. Photos that I have seen show that there is a stairway attached to the plane that helps passengers board and exit the plane. Was that your experience? Was such available both at Taku Lodge as well as in Juneau?

 

Thanks for your information!

[retafcruiser]

The only HAL excursion we took was in Juneau' date=' it was the seaplane flight over the glaciers with a salmon lunch at the Taku Lodge. It was very nice, but very pricey.[/quote']

Could a person with walking difficulties have boarded and exited the seaplane? Just asking for your opinion.

[erewhon]

Thank you for reviewing your cruise on the Amsterdam.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Thank you for your review. We are booked for July 31 in a Neptune Suite, thanks to a great Casino offer. Did you use the Neptune lounge? Also, when were the 3 formal nights? Thx.

We were not in a suite, so did not have access to the Neptune Lounge. The cruise was 7 days, so had 2 Gala Nights, both on sea days.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Cruiz'nBaers,

 

I thank you for your comments.

 

I am considering the float plane trip to Taku Lodge offered by HAL. Photos that I have seen show that there is a stairway attached to the plane that helps passengers board and exit the plane. Was that your experience? Was such available both at Taku Lodge as well as in Juneau?

 

The stairway is more like a ladder the actual stairs. You will have to stoop a bit to enter the plane. DH and I had no issues, but we are pretty mobile. The stairs/ladder is available at the lodge, as well as the dock in Juneau.

[Cruiz'nBaers]

Could a person with walking difficulties have boarded and exited the seaplane? Just asking for your opinion.

That would depend on how much difficulty you have. My opinion is that someone that depends on a cane might have a problem. Without knowing your situation, it's hard to say.

[puppycanducruise]

Thank you for taking the time to post your comments.

Glad you had an enjoyable cruise.

[RuthC]

Could a person with walking difficulties have boarded and exited the seaplane? Just asking for your opinion.

I did it wasn't easy, but I think I could do it now, too (a bit less mobile).

I climbed the ladder facing it, and climbed down the same way. I took the closest seat to the door, even though the one next to the pilot was available at the time.

 

At the lodge there was a fairly long walk, uphill, to get to the cooking/lodge area. They gave me a ride back to the dock in a little cart when getting ready to leave. Ask for the cart when you arrive; maybe they can drive you up.