Nieuw Statendam March 17-24 Review

[Sunshineliving]

Nieuw Statendam 3/17-3/24

Pre Cruise Hotel: Ramada by wyndham fort lauderdale airport/cruise port

We drove to Fort Lauderdale the day before we left and stayed at Ramada. It was ok. It was dated in the bathroom and a bit dirty for my liking. It was a quick drive to the port, so that is a plus. I will be looking for a different place to stay for the next cruise.

Port drop off and parking

We drove to the port with my parents. We left at 10:20 and for to port 4 and arrived at 10:45. We dropped of my parents and luggage to check in. We parked and they went in to check in. Found a spot quickly and took the stairs to check in.

Check-in

We had a small suitcase and a carry-on bag with 2 bottles of wine. Everything went through without a problem. We got in line to check-in. While standing in line we were given a number (16) to board. With a quick check in, no need for new pictures, we were off to sit and wait for our number to be called.

Getting on Board

Boarding went by quickly and we were on our way to deck 6. We took the stairs and got to our room quickly. The room was ready when we arrived.

Room 6161

We noticed that it was smaller than our room on Nieuw Amsterdam. It was clean and neat. Overall the room was fine, and we learned how to move around without getting in each other’s way. We had the mini (smaller than Nieuw Amsterdam) fridge clear out. It could easily fit two bottles of wine, a liter of water and a shelf to fit desserts. I liked the balcony and the chairs reclined some and had a foot stool. The bathroom was just fine. I felt there was plenty of room to store items. I did notice in my parent’s room that could be shared with the room next to it was louder than our room.

Retreat

I learned of the Retreat from this board. I don’t think I would like to cruise if I didn’t know about the Retreat.

We booked two, 13 and 14, because we had four people and the family one was booked. After seeing the family one, I am glad we got two. They family one is smaller than Nieuw Amsterdam. We went up to the Retreat and they had us in one cabana. I had the printed reservation and the email to show the guys. After much discussion we were able to have our two cabanas. There some other issues that followed by others, but things worked out. Now my complaint about the Retreat. One cabana had 4 to 7 people in it every day. They would close the curtain when they were all in there. They would spread out to the loungers, even one day drying their underwear on them.

I thought each cabana would only hold two people and that is why we booked two.  

Food

We mostly ate at the Lido. Everything was fine, we found something to eat. We at the Pinnacle for lunch. We had a free meal there. The reservation card was in our free tote for the first night on board but didn’t see it until the next day. We went to change the dinner to a lunch and the hostess said that she needed a manager’s approval and stop back later. We stopped back later and were told we didn’t need a reservation. Later to find out we needed one (my dad helped us with this). I called to see what the dress code for men at lunch and were told pants and a white undershirt. The food was fine.

Billboard Onboard 

We went here for the pianos. The guys were great. The schedule was set up so you could hear and or see (depending on your seat) into the Rolling Stones Room. I didn’t notice smoke form the casino. If you want a straw for your drink you need to ask for one. Also, some nights they had some appetizers sent up in the corner around 7.

Casino

I like casinos. We go to Vegas once a year and have a large casino near home. This casino is small. Yes, there is smoking, but I understand that I am in a casino. We broke even with slots and tables.

Ports

The ports were great, even though we didn’t get to HMC. My favorite was St. Thomas.

Disembark

We were in group 2 pink. It was quick and got us through fast. There was a shuttle to take us back to port 4 where we parked. The shuttle didn’t wait for it to be filled to take us to the lot.

We took the stairs to the car and left to go home. 

[wdw1972]

Please let HAL know about your displeasure with the extra guests in that cabana.  On my Nieuw Statendam cruise in January the cabana next to us had 3 people, and while it never got too crowded up there and the 3 people were never a problem, I know it's supposed to be 2 people.  HAL needs to either enforce 2, or say it's 3 (or 4 or whatever).  

 

Sue/WDW1972

[Sunshineliving]

1 minute ago, wdw1972 said:

Please let HAL know about your displeasure with the extra guests in that cabana.  On my Nieuw Statendam cruise in January the cabana next to us had 3 people, and while it never got too crowded up there and the 3 people were never a problem, I know it's supposed to be 2 people.  HAL needs to either enforce 2, or say it's 3 (or 4 or whatever).  

 

Sue/WDW1972

Thanks I will. It has a bit busy since I got home. 

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review!

[erewhon]

Thank you for reviewing your cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for your review.

 

Glad you enjoyed your review.

 

Do agree -- HAL needs to know about the cabana situation and enforce the rules.

[kaiiak]

Thanks for your review. Did you book the cabana by the week or day and what were the prices? Do you recall seeing any poker tournaments in the casino or a poker table? Thanks!

[jr8934]

Where is the retreat? I called HAL about a pool cabana and was told they didn't have any on NS. Joyce

[3rdGenCunarder]

The Retreat is on a higher deck, where there are just the cabanas and a shared area with loungers and tables. I think one or two of the older, smaller ships have cabanas at the Lido pool, but on most ships they're on a different deck.

 

[RuthC]

2 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I think one or two of the older, smaller ships have cabanas at the Lido pool, but on most ships they're on a different deck.

The Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam are the ships with the Lido cabanas. "Older" and "smaller" being merely relative terms in this case.
On the E-dam they are on port side, which interferes with walking from the Lido restaurant to the forward salon/spa/staircase. This was improved with the Nieuw Amsterdam when the cabanas were moved to starboard side.

[3rdGenCunarder]

1 hour ago, RuthC said:

The Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam are the ships with the Lido cabanas. "Older" and "smaller" being merely relative terms in this case.
On the E-dam they are on port side, which interferes with walking from the Lido restaurant to the forward salon/spa/staircase. This was improved with the Nieuw Amsterdam when the cabanas were moved to starboard side.

 

Thanks for clarifying. I thought it was the Rotterdam, but I wasn't sure. Must remember this because I really don't like the idea of cabanas taking up space by the pool. 

[firecrewcapt]

The TA coming up Apr.21 to May 12th the cost for booking via phone to HAL's customer service is $748 for ALL 21 days, you must book all 21 days doing via phone, with that said if you only want a day or two here or there you make the arrangements onboard, first come first serve. I made the call and this is what I was told on Tues. of this week. That is all.

[Sunshineliving]

On 4/2/2019 at 11:06 PM, kaiiak said:

Thanks for your review. Did you book the cabana by the week or day and what were the prices? Do you recall seeing any poker tournaments in the casino or a poker table? Thanks!

We booked it for the week back in August. I didn't see any poker tables. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

16 hours ago, firecrewcapt said:

The TA coming up Apr.21 to May 12th the cost for booking via phone to HAL's customer service is $748 for ALL 21 days, you must book all 21 days doing via phone, with that said if you only want a day or two here or there you make the arrangements onboard, first come first serve. I made the call and this is what I was told on Tues. of this week. That is all.

 

All advance bookings are for the whole cruise. Individual days are booked onboard IF there are cabanas available. If you don't want to do the full 21 days, go up to the Retreat ASAP and find out if you can get the days you want.

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

On 4/2/2019 at 11:06 PM, kaiiak said:

Thanks for your review. Did you book the cabana by the week or day and what were the prices? Do you recall seeing any poker tournaments in the casino or a poker table? Thanks!

 

There were poker tournaments on the K this past January, so I would expect the NS to also do that. One of the men at my table in the MDR was an avid poker player and we got a report on his tournament success/lack of success each night at dinner.

 

[kaiiak]

5 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

There were poker tournaments on the K this past January, so I would expect the NS to also do that. One of the men at my table in the MDR was an avid poker player and we got a report on his tournament success/lack of success each night at dinner.

 

Yes I have never sailed on a ship that did not have poker type tournaments, etc. but I had read a few other posts about the NS saying there was none, and then one person claiming yes they did. So I guess we will see in another week when we board.  thanks!