Comparing Nieuw Amsterdam to Seascape

[morpheusofthesea]

Prompted by recent postings of fellow Yacht Club enthusiasts and our own fear of tiring of the good life in the YC we decided to try Spring Break on a more 'mature' line. We haven't cruised HAL for 30 years. Got to Port Everglades at 9:30 am with a check-in time of 11:00. Drop off was quick and easy and parking across the street was same as POM. Tipped the porter $50 to make sure ALL DW's bags made it on the ship. (They did). HAL terminal employee noticed our 'yellow' suite tag and escorted us into the terminal and through security up an elevator to immediate check-in and photo, given a Priority Card and seated in the front row waiting for the ship to clear. Noticed a couple of differences. We were escorted in without a group, where at the YC tent they wait for a group to assemble. There was a couple seated close by. It appears they are B2B and they missed their tour. Now when this occurs in POM we B2Bers have to wait until all the "zeros" are rounded up and forced off the ship before anyone is allowed back on the ship. But these poor folks were allowed to reboard the ship before clearing. Boarding began at 11:00 am and we were escorted on to our cabin by our concierge. It's not a 'ship within a ship'. The MDR is not open for lunch on port days which is a minus in our book, but the maitre d' was very accommodating with a table for two for the entire cruise and he told us that when we see a line form outside the MDR to ignore it and just go directly to "our" table.

[morpheusofthesea]

 

The longer one is exposed to most anything, the more one is liable to lose the pleasure it once provided. It’s just human nature. Many of us cruising aficionados look longingly at those of us that cruise for long periods of time on world cruises or even those that manage to live on board cruise ships as passengers. But even these modern day ‘sultans’ of the seas cannot come close to the lifestyle of Abd Al-Rahman III.

   Abd Al-Rahman lived a life of complete luxury and kept a meticulous diary. He was Emir and Caliph of Cordoba in the 10th Century Spain. He was an absolute ruler, who wrote, “I have now reigned above 50 years in victory or peace; beloved by my subjects, dreaded by my enemies, and respected by my allies. Riches and honors, power and pleasure have waited on my call, nor does any earthly blessing appear to have been wanting to my felicity. I have diligently numbered the days of pure and genuine happiness which have fallen to my lot. They amount to 14.

   What is the moral of the story? Everything in moderation? Know thyself? Grass is always greener? Let me know, please.

[bigblue1952]

Looking forward to your review and comparison.  We have not sailed HAL yet.

[morpheusofthesea]

No matter the differences, the similarities are what really draws us back time and again to cruising. Sure we all have our favorites. But we must ‘branch out’ so as not be jaded and appreciate all the times we have together. 

[morpheusofthesea]

Been finding everyone is complaining about cut backs on their favorite cruise ships. This is an industry wide phenomenon. "The grass is always greener" is what everyone is about to discover when they book another cruise line. Recommend everyone sit down with a piece of paper and pencil and write down their gratitude list of what they enjoyed most about their favorite cruise ship. One just might be shocked to find the same things missing or cut back on all the cruise lines.

[morpheusofthesea]

Been spending my time posting my 'observations' on the HAL board. They haven't been as 'entertaining' as there really is not much one can really complain about seeing the same things occurring on all the other cruise lines.

 We both can not take more than 7 days on any cruise without becoming bored with repeating menus and entertainment. We believe the S2S are the smarter aficionados amongst us (if only for the packing and unpacking aspect).

 HAL has a little more flexible E-muster drill. One does not have to wait til 4:15pm to scan ones cabin cards at the muster station. Or wait until ones deck number is called. Nor required to dial a number on the cabin phone to register viewing the E muster. When one searches the TV for the E muster the TV registers the viewing and one then is asked have ones card scanned at the muster station at any time that afternoon.

[morpheusofthesea]

The elevators are better on the Nieuw Amsterdam without key card over rides. 14 pergolas on the Retreat deck which are just like the new pergolas on the Seascape, all for hire, no first come first serve chair hogs. Very few children running amok, fewer teenagers all well behaved, very cordial group of well seasoned passengers. All the bars on board compare to the Top Sail Lounge in service. BB King venue is similar to Le Cabaret Rouge with little seating capability for the popularity of the venue. Oceans Bar is similar to The Loft with a good jazz trio. 

[styles27]

We love HAL…for us there’s a huge difference between them and MSC especially noticeable in the behavior of the passengers. 
I’ll head over to the HAL boards

for your review. 
Have a great cruise!

[morpheusofthesea]

 

2 minutes ago, styles27 said:

We love HAL…for us there’s a huge difference between them and MSC especially noticeable in the behavior of the passengers. 
I’ll head over to the HAL boards

for your review. 
Have a great cruise!

It must be mental telepathy. I was just searching for your 'handle' to thank you for your reviews, which prompted us to choose HAL for Spring Break. We will return to Seascape April 16 2023 in YC. DW now wants to cancel Oceania Insignia in favor of Rotterdam or Nieuw Statendam. Any thoughts? Your views are most welcome.

[morpheusofthesea]

12 minutes ago, styles27 said:

We love HAL…for us there’s a huge difference between them and MSC especially noticeable in the behavior of the passengers. 

Yes the entire ship is filled with 'polite' passengers.

[styles27]

23 minutes ago, morpheusofthesea said:

 

It must be mental telepathy. I was just searching for your 'handle' to thank you for your reviews, which prompted us to choose HAL for Spring Break. We will return to Seascape April 16 2023 in YC. DW now wants to cancel Oceania Insignia in favor of Rotterdam or Nieuw Statendam. Any thoughts? Your views are most welcome.

That’s wonderful to hear. We have not sailed on either of those HAL ships unfortunately but we are looking at HAL for Europe. 

[Captain-John]

On 3/19/2023 at 9:03 PM, morpheusofthesea said:

Tipped the porter $50 to make sure ALL DW's bags made it on the ship

🤯

 

Dare I ask how many bags?

[morpheusofthesea]

It is as if this entire ship is Yacht Club. 

[morpheusofthesea]

Just now, Captain-John said:

🤯

 

Dare I ask how many bags?

12

[styles27]

So happy you both enjoyed your cruise! 
We’re heading out next Friday the 7th on NCL Pearl to Bermuda for Easter with our little grandson again. 
It is school vacation week for us in RI but not in MA or NH so there shouldn’t be as many kids as last year when all of those states had the same week off. 🤞🤪

I plan on doing a live review if CC cooperates and lets me post. 
 

 

 

[morpheusofthesea]

After being home for almost a week. DW is again looking forward to sailing on the Seascape in the Yacht Club.