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Just off Nieuw Amsterdam


mamaofami
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Some preliminary thoughts and more tomorrow.

The ship is beautiful. Lincoln Center, just added had a quintet playing in mall and beautiful concert setting.

The atrium has lost the staircase and revolving skyline. It was decorated with a pretty Christmas tree and it had a gingerbread village with trains running through it. Very impressive.

When we embarked (very fast) we headed to the lido where the staff were just standing around the salad bar talking to each other. A senior officer had to telll them what to do. Then service was very good and as soon as they saw I was walking with a cane, someone rushed to carry my food outside and then went back to get me ice tea.

Our first dinner was in Tamarind. Most of the food was very good, but my DHs steak took two tries to make it rare and they missed. Manager was very apologetic and refunded his dinner.

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The second night was at Pinnacle and a huge success. We had lamb chops and steak and both were delicious. My chocolate volcano was cooked perfectly.

Prior to dinner we had drinks in Pinnacle bar that were watered down. We mentioned it the next night and they were better.

The Pinnacle is larger than on other ships I’ve been on and very pretty. We were with friends who had just gotten married. They are foodies from NY and claimed it a 5 star restaurant.

More about excursions tomorrow. I asked staff who was Captain and no one knew.

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Some preliminary thoughts and more tomorrow.

The ship is beautiful. Lincoln Center, just added had a quintet playing in mall and beautiful concert setting.

The atrium has lost the staircase and revolving skyline. It was decorated with a pretty Christmas tree and it had a gingerbread village with trains running through it. Very impressive.

When we embarked (very fast) we headed to the lido where the staff were just standing around the salad bar talking to each other. A senior officer had to telll them what to do. Then service was very good and as soon as they saw I was walking with a cane, someone rushed to carry my food outside and then went back to get me ice tea.

Our first dinner was in Tamarind. Most of the food was very good, but my DHs steak took two tries to make it rare and they missed. Manager was very apologetic and refunded his dinner.

 

Do you mean that the glass circular stairway in the atrium is gone? What did they replace it with? No stairway in the Atrium sounds strange.

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Do you mean that the glass circular stairway in the atrium is gone? What did they replace it with? No stairway in the Atrium sounds strange.
I haven't been on NA before, but the officer fixing the train on the gingerbread village was upset v about the stairs being gone. I do have a picture and will load it later.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

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Back to the food for a minute. The pizza at Sea View pool was very popular and a twenty minute wait with long lines.

Room service breakfast came exactly as ordered and even a bit early. We always keep money to tip in our robes.

PORTS

We stopped in Nassau where DH took the ship tour to Atlantis. He went on river rides in the lagoon and down some slides even though his daughter asked him not to. He thought the ship charge of $139 was well worth it. I stayed onboard and hung out at the back of the Lido reading. I was surprised at how many people were still on the ship.

HMC

DH got off and went for a swim. He was happy to see that bar gone. The water was warm and he enjoyed it. I stayed onboard because I don’t like getting into the tenders.

Entertainment

We didn’t get to the show in the main ballroom, but loved the LincolnCenter Concerts. The musicians were excellent.

Whenever we passed BBKing, it was filled. The piano bar was directly across from the casino which I found funny. They had two players and I apologize to Ruth C but I only got the first name of Will who said he was new.

The casino was packed every night and I didn’t detect any smoke at all. Is that a new rule? Happily DH won money so it was a success.

Cabin

We were in 7139 on the stern and I loved it. It was bigger than most aft cabins I had bee n on and the veranda felt bigger too. It took a while to figure out we needed to keep the key in a slot for the lights to work.

The beds were great as always.

Finishing up, it was a very nice tease of a cruise and I was sorry to leave. Next year, Nieuw Statendam is doing a four day and I’m thinking about it.

Our friends who had never sailed HAL were very pleased also.

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I haven't been on NA before, but the officer fixing the train on the gingerbread village was upset v about the stairs being gone. I do have a picture and will load it later.

 

Sent from my SM-G900V using Forums mobile app

That makes me sad but I suppose there is a good reason. Are you able to comment on whether there were changes to the suites?

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Whenever we passed BBKing, it was filled. The piano bar was directly across from the casino which I found funny. They had two players and I apologize to Ruth C but I only got the first name of Will who said he was new.

Thank you for remembering, Carol. Now that HAL doesn't have any real Piano Bars left I am a lot less interested in the piano entertainment at night.

The Prinsendam is as close as HAL comes to a piano bar, and that isn't set up for a proper one. The thrill is gone, as the lyric says.

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We didn’t get to the show in the main ballroom, but loved the LincolnCenter Concerts. The musicians were excellent. Whenever we passed BBKing, it was filled.
From earlier reports of these changes on other ships, we're looking forward to these changes most of all. It sure sounds like they are major bonuses. Thanks.
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