Nieuw Amsterdam vs. Ryndam

[westoftheashley]

Hi everyone!

 

We're looking for at cruises that run sunday-sunday and have found two HA cruises that would work for us. One is a Western Caribbean on the Ryndam and the other is an Eastern Caribbean on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Have any of y'all been on both of these and can compare the two? They're both around the same price, and both have OK ports (nothing overly exciting for us). So, it's really a matter of which ship we think we'd like more.

 

Thanks for your help!

[RuthC]

I've sailed on the Ryndam, and her sisters, several times. I haven't sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam, but have sailed on her sister, the Eurodam.

 

The two ships couldn't be more different in the HAL family.

 

The Ryndam is a smaller, intimate ship. It's easy to get around, quickly. You will meet up with the same people again, so can get to know them. Because there are fewer passengers, the crew get to know you, and what you want, more quickly. Service is a little more personal.

Cabins in the same category are larger than those on the Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

The Nieuw Amsterdam is Holland America's newest ship. She's one of the two largest, although not terribly large compared to those of other lines.

It does take a while to get from here to there, due to the size. The public rooms, especially the Lido, feel very crowded compared to the smaller ships.

There are more balcony cabins on this ship, and an additional evening entertainment venue.

 

Service and food will be fairly equivalent. Atmosphere is the same traditional style on both ships, with fresh flowers displayed, and cloth towels in the public restrooms.

[cruisetrail]

Hi everyone!

 

We're looking for at cruises that run sunday-sunday and have found two HA cruises that would work for us. One is a Western Caribbean on the Ryndam and the other is an Eastern Caribbean on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Have any of y'all been on both of these and can compare the two? They're both around the same price, and both have OK ports (nothing overly exciting for us). So, it's really a matter of which ship we think we'd like more.

 

Thanks for your help!

 

The NA is a larger and newer resort cruise ship with more space, better amenities, dining options, entertainment options.

I don't know what is your benchmark for comparisons.

It's like a first class ship vs a second class.

The Eastern itinerary is marvelous.

[bachcruise]

I can't speak on the Ryndam but I've been on the Statendam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Although both cruises were great Nieuw Amsterdam was much nicer. Really a stunning ship.

[Aruba]

As much as I love the smaller size and intimacy of Ryndam, there are 2 features of Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam that I REALLY like and miss on the other ships in the HAL fleet: Tamarind (an Asian-themed specialty restaurant) and Silk Den (to me, the loveliest lounge at sea).

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed on both ships.

They are very different.

Ryndam has their Exploration Café, Internet and Library on the Upper Promenade Deck. The Crow's Nest is where the guitarist plays in the evening. This ship has the MIX which has 3 different bars in it -- sports bar with 1 small TV, Martini Bar and the Champagne Bar where the Piano Bar is located. Her Gross tonnage is 55,541. Bought in 1994.

Nieuw Amsterdam has their Exploration Café, Internet and Library located on the Starboard side of the Crow's Nest. It also has Lido Cabanas and the Cabana Club -- you rent these. As said this ship has the Silk Den and Tamarind Restaurant (which we love). The Piano Bar is in a room of its own -- near the Casino. There is a Casino Bar where there are a few small TV's. Her gross tonnage is 86,700. Built in 2010.

If I had to choose -- it would be the Nieuw Amsterdam. We just spent another 2 weeks on her November 2013.

[catl331]

One difference that no one has mentioned yet is the place where movies are shown. The N.A. has a Screening Room with very soft, comfortable seats, but it is very small (about 30 chairs IIRC) so if you are not early to a popular movie you are out of luck. The Ryndam uses the Wajang Theater with lots more seats, but unless you are early enough to get a seat near the center the viewing angle is poor for the main screen, so they add two smaller side screens. There is not as much leg room except for the row on the cross-aisle.

 

My DH likes the newer, larger, "glitzier" NA, but I prefer the smaller more classic ships with less walking!

Edited January 23, 2014 by catl331

[superoma]

As much as I love the smaller size and intimacy of Ryndam, there are 2 features of Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam that I REALLY like and miss on the other ships in the HAL fleet: Tamarind (an Asian-themed specialty restaurant) and Silk Den (to me, the loveliest lounge at sea).

 

agree with this totally. We have sailed the Ryndam and NA's sister ship the Eurodam and would choose either NA or Eurodam just for the tamarind and silk den.

[westoftheashley]

Thanks for the replies! We've done five carnival cruise, but never a HAL. Both of us being in our 30's, we were a little apprehensive from what some people told us about HAL being older and more formal. We're definitely not partiers, but at the same time, I don't really want to wear a tux all night while I'm on vacation.

From our experiences with Carnival, we've been on some of their bigger ships as well as some of their smallest. The amenities on the bigger ships are nice, but you definitely get to know people better on the smaller ones. So, we're really on the fence. We've been to all the ports except Guatemala on the Western and The Grand Turk on the Eastern.

Oh, decisions....decisions....

[jtl513]

I don't really want to wear a tux all night while I'm on vacation.

Tuxes are not needed. I've never worn one on any ship. Any suit jacket or sport coat with a dress shirt and tie meets the dress code. It seems on every cruise we see fewer tuxes - usually around 30%. Edited January 23, 2014 by jtl513

[Typhoon1]

If your looking for a more intimate experience, go with Ryndam.

 

Newer and larger ship with more to do, N.A. is the easy choice.

[Himself]

I have traveled on both ships. They are both nice ships. I must say I prefer the Nieuw Amsterdam.

[Typhoon1]

One difference that no one has mentioned yet is the place where movies are shown. The N.A. has a Screening Room with very soft, comfortable seats, but it is very small (about 30 chairs IIRC) so if you are not early to a popular movie you are out of luck. The Ryndam uses the Wajang Theater with lots more seats, but unless you are early enough to get a seat near the center the viewing angle is poor for the main screen, so they add two smaller side screens. There is not as much leg room except for the row on the cross-aisle.

 

My DH likes the newer, larger, "glitzier" NA, but I prefer the smaller more classic ships with less walking!

 

We love the ships with "Screening Rooms", the only problem is those seats are so comfortable, I sometimes fall asleep and miss half the movie.