Nieuw Amsterdam or Nieuw Statendam?

[In Toronto]

Planning a 14 night to Caribbean in November on either of these ships - similar prices - suggestions one over the other?

[eroller]

26 minutes ago, In Toronto said:

Planning a 14 night to Caribbean in November on either of these ships - similar prices - suggestions one over the other?

 

 

I've sailed both.  For me NS wins out hands down.  Better spa, better pools, more speciality restaurants, the newest shows, and a great Music Walk. Best of all the two level BB Kings Blues Club which is also used for Lincoln Center on Stage.  It's a beautiful space.  

 

Overall just a much more beautiful ship IMO.  Also the cabins are a lot nicer, with very modern bathrooms that have large walk-in showers instead of that mini-tub and shower curtain which I find useless.   

 

I have lots of pics that I took from both ships.  

 

NIEUW STATENDAM

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157706810856841

 

NIEUW AMSTERDAM

https://www.flickr.com/photos/eroller/albums/72157630332390262

Edited May 7, 2019 by eroller

[Saphire]

I have sailed both and loved both. For me, the benefits of Nieuw Amsterdam are: wiser spa layout and nicer hydrotherapy pool, smaller more intimate ship, beautiful wide promenade deck, glass elevators in the center (we always used these), Silk Den next to Tamarind (quiet, peaceful place for a drink), less cramped feeling around sea view pool. Things I liked better on the Nieuw Statendam: additional venues like the Grand Dutch Cafe and NY Deli, more music choices with better seating and stage area, beautiful layout of the Signature Suite including awesome shower, new ship so everything felt fresh. Both ships are great, have fun deciding!

[doone]

I have been on the Nieuw Amsterdam, she's a great ship.  I have not yet sailed the Nieuw Statendam, but have sailed her sister ship the Koningsdam, here are my thoughts.

 

NA, love the ship, love the smaller size, cabins are a little larger.  I have always found service on all my HAL cruises to always be great and no exception on the NA.

 

NS is newer, larger and, for me, has more options for entertainment.  Cabins are a little smaller, especially the inside cabins, but I can make anything work as long as i am on a dam ship.  I liked the Koningsdam and truly booked her with my family thinking I would not like her....we had such a great time on the KDam  that we booked the NS for March 2021 and are really looking forward to that cruise.

You can't go wrong with either ship IMHO, I am sure others will share their experiences as well.

[RMLincoln]

Pick itinerary first then enjoy what that ship has to offer.

If there's no itinerary preference check out the room categories that you are interested in and compare those.

NA is only a bit smaller, and bit older; NS is brand new, a bit larger.  Both have the things that many people like:  BB KIng blues band, Lincoln Center Stage classical musicians, Tamarind Asian restaurant, Pinnacle Grill NW seafood and steaks... 

NS has the new-style promenade deck, narrower and without lounge chairs or good views because the lifeboats are on that level, whereas NA has the more open promenade deck.  

NS has the evening movies outdoors on the pool deck.  

 

Do you have any criteria we can help you evaluate:  ports, activities, rooms... ?

[In Toronto]

WOW!  Thank you so much all!  I am still making my way through the photos, eroller.  Thank you for those.

One more question - which one allows smoking in casino?  We are not big gamblers - perhaps a short time after evening show - but, do enjoy that and don't enjoy smoke drifting outside of casino.  

One person says cabins better in NS and one says better in NA.  We will book a balcony cabin - so any thoughts on that?  Also a possibility of booking guarantee - thoughts on that?

Many thanks.  Thinking of booking quickly on the $1.00 deposit before the end of day.

 

[eroller]

19 minutes ago, In Toronto said:

WOW!  Thank you so much all!  I am still making my way through the photos, eroller.  Thank you for those.

One more question - which one allows smoking in casino?  We are not big gamblers - perhaps a short time after evening show - but, do enjoy that and don't enjoy smoke drifting outside of casino.  

One person says cabins better in NS and one says better in NA.  We will book a balcony cabin - so any thoughts on that?  Also a possibility of booking guarantee - thoughts on that?

Many thanks.  Thinking of booking quickly on the $1.00 deposit before the end of day.

 

 

 

The cabins on NA are slightly larger, but much more dated looking.  On NS they are new and very fresh, with the latest color schemes and design.  Much brighter IMO.  A great interactive TV.   As mentioned earlier the bathrooms on NS are far more modern and have a much more quality finish to them.  Large tiled showers with the best shower head I've ever had at sea, as opposed to the much more dated small tub with shower curtain.  

 

I can't speak to the smoking as I don't smoke and rarely visit the casino.  

 

I booked a balcony gtee for NS and got assigned a very nice balcony cabin and a great location about 4 days prior to sailing.   

 

On NA we booked an aft facing balcony cabin.  It was a larger cabin but the vibration was pretty bad, even sitting still in port.  Not good if you have any inclination to motion sickness.  I don't, but my partner does.  

Edited May 7, 2019 by eroller

[Moriah]

Nieuw Amsterdam would be my choice because it is in the class of ship (along with Eurodam) that maintains the broad walking deck - the wrap -around deck that makes you feel you are really at sea on a ship!!!

[RMLincoln]

Both NA and NS have the interactive TV/Entertainment center.  m--

[Sunshineliving]

41 minutes ago, In Toronto said:

WOW!  Thank you so much all!  I am still making my way through the photos, eroller.  Thank you for those.

One more question - which one allows smoking in casino?  We are not big gamblers - perhaps a short time after evening show - but, do enjoy that and don't enjoy smoke drifting outside of casino.  

One person says cabins better in NS and one says better in NA.  We will book a balcony cabin - so any thoughts on that?  Also a possibility of booking guarantee - thoughts on that?

Many thanks.  Thinking of booking quickly on the $1.00 deposit before the end of day.

 

I sailed on both and like NA more than NS. I felt NA had a bigger room. Both had smoking in the casino, but a non smoking day (on a seven night cruise). The balcony felt the same size. I liked the Retreat better on NA than NS. I was happy that I was on the NA before the NS. 

[In Toronto]

So, looks like we are going for NA.  Love the thought of both but husband is leaning to NA.  Thanks do much for all your help.  Wonderful!

[san diego spartan]

We were just on the NA and I'm writing a review soon - loved the cruise - BUT if I could have a walk in shower and not he shower/tub combo - to me that is a reason to choose NS over NA.  Also the seating in the BB Kings was so limited - sometimes we were "shut out" - sounds like the NS has a better -more seating option.  

[Moriah]

7 hours ago, In Toronto said:

So, looks like we are going for NA.  Love the thought of both but husband is leaning to NA.  Thanks do much for all your help.  Wonderful!

 

Great! You won't be sorry, and really, how can you actually go wrong with any HAL ship - and you are going on a cruise! WOO HOO!  Enjoy!

[asebastian]

Wow, great photos of the NS. We're 3 months away from our first voyage with her in the Baltic cruise, and I can't wait!

[Copper10-8]

Nieuw Statendam because of the Rolling Stones Rock Room and Grand Dutch Cafe