Nieuw Amsterdam: Ask Away

[SeaWatch]

Just returned from a fantastic 12 day Mediterranean cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

Instead of writing a review I thought maybe I would just open up the forum for questions.

 

Hopefully I can answer them if not there are others who joined me on this cruise - they will probably jump right in!

 

 

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[sail7seas]

Ahhh, would you consider posting a few comments about things you liked best on the ship and perhaps if there was a disappointment?

 

Thanks if you care to do that. :)

 

Welcome Back.

 

[PathfinderEss]

Glad to hear you had an excellent cruise. Welcome back.

[3ssn]

Just curious who the captain and cruise director are in NA this summer

[lynn2002]

Welcome back.

 

We're going on the Nieuw Amsterdam next month for a 12 night cruise from Venice on the Mediterranean Empires cruise. If you can answer any of the following questions, it would be much appreciated.

 

Do you remember which nights were formal nights. I want to book the Tamarind but don't won't to book on a formal night.

 

Also, do you happen to have the Daily Events papers and/or the menus that you can share?

 

Did you visit the casino? If so were there beginners blackjack tables ie lower bets?

 

What was the cost of unlimited laundry - if you did it?

 

How late did the piano bar stay open to? (We're situated just below it.)

 

Did HAL provide any bus transfers to centres of town?

 

Many thanks for any answers you can help with.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home

What did you like about the ship? Which ports did you like the best?

Really think you should do some kind of a review.

[SeaWatch]

Welcome back.

 

We're going on the Nieuw Amsterdam next month for a 12 night cruise from Venice on the Mediterranean Empires cruise. If you can answer any of the following questions, it would be much appreciated.

 

Do you remember which nights were formal nights. I want to book the Tamarind but don't won't to book on a formal night.

 

Also, do you happen to have the Daily Events papers and/or the menus that you can share?

 

Did you visit the casino? If so were there beginners blackjack tables ie lower bets?

 

What was the cost of unlimited laundry - if you did it?

 

How late did the piano bar stay open to? (We're situated just below it.)

 

Did HAL provide any bus transfers to centres of town?

 

Many thanks for any answers you can help with.

 

Bus transfers wee available for Marseille, Corfu and Dubrovnik for $14 pp RT and for Taormina but it cost more.

 

Unlimited laundry was $70, a great deal

 

Formal nights were Marseilles ( second night), Sea day, Kotor (last day before Venice)

 

Only did slots in Casino, and did not keep dailies. We loved Tamarind and ate there twice and the Pinnacle once.

[SeaWatch]

Ahhh, would you consider posting a few comments about things you liked best on the ship and perhaps if there was a disappointment?

 

Thanks if you care to do that. :)

 

Welcome Back.

 

 

Loved the Silk Den bar, Tamarind and the Dive In.

 

My only disappointment was slight smile smell on my balcony. Plus, slow internet.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, SeaWatch. I agree, Silk Den and Tamarind are both wonderful :) .....

And the internet is slow.

 

[RuthC]

Instead of writing a review I thought maybe I would just open up the forum for questions.

OK. :D

Who were the headline entertainers? And what were their specialties?

Who was playing in the Piano Bar? How long will that person be there?

[SeaWatch]

OK. :D

Who were the headline entertainers? And what were their specialties?

Who was playing in the Piano Bar? How long will that person be there?

 

We enjoyed BB King so much, we went there ore than any venue. Just passed by the piano bar so I can't say who was playing. We saw the NYC review ( well done) and the comedian was good ( from Australia, did singing impersonations).

[CGYCruisingFamily]

We are on the 12-night from Barcelona to Venice (think it's the same as yours given the formal nights you note) in a couple of weeks.

 

Did the Culinary centre have classes?

 

How many kids were on board (roughly).

 

What time did you board in Barcelona?

 

In Venice, you stay docked over night right? You don't pull out the return early - we have never overnighted in port. How late could you return to the ship?

 

I had read somewhere on CC, that there was a port workers strike in Marsaille and that HAL changed the stop to Toulon on another ship. Was the strike on when you were there?

 

What was your favourite port?

 

In Corfu, what did you do for the day?

 

I am sure I will have other question but that's about it for now. Thanks for the info especially about the formal nights.

Edited July 9, 2014 by CGYCruisingFamily

[SeaWatch]

CFY, you will love this cruise!

 

I was surprised at how many kids were on board - I can't give a number but I saw them in the pool and Lido area a lot. They were incredibly well behaved. All ages so if you are bringing your kids, if it is similar, your kids will have a great time and make many friends.

 

Marseilles did not have a port strike for us, but there was a train strike in Monaco and a taxi strike in Barcelona.

 

We got on board around noon, easy process , great port facilities. As a bonus cabin was ready and our luggage was there!

 

We chose to explore the old town in Corfu. Not much for kids ( lots of restaurants and shopping).

 

 

 

 

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[SeaWatch]

The ports are very diverse and all offer something unique. My favorite was Dubrovnik. Walking the walls was breathtaking.

 

A cry close second was Taromina.

 

I also liked being in port overnight in Venice.

 

 

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[lynn2002]

Did you book the unlimited laundry on the ship?

[RuthC]

...the comedian was good ( from Australia, did singing impersonations).

Yes, please. That's what I'm asking. Do you have the name of the comedian? Or any of the other headline entertainers?

[Surreyman]

We are on the 12-night from Barcelona to Venice (think it's the same as yours given the formal nights you note) in a couple of weeks.

 

 

 

In Corfu, what did you do for the day?

 

.

On Corfu, If you go to the fort and follow the signs to the yacht club, there is a small beach, very sheltered and great for swimming in the sea, which will be warm.

[Typhoon1]

Welcome back to reality.

[KirkNC]

Welcome home, did you go to the Silk Den? That's our favorite place pre dinner.

[SeaWatch]

Yes, please. That's what I'm asking. Do you have the name of the comedian? Or any of the other headline entertainers?

 

I am sorry Ruth, I do not remember their names :( we went with a couple, if they know I will post it.

[SeaWatch]

Welcome home, did you go to the Silk Den? That's our favorite place pre dinner.

 

Yes, not for pre-dinner but on several sail away days: in my opinion it is better than outside because you can see from both sides.

[SeaWatch]

We are on the 12-night from Barcelona to Venice (think it's the same as yours given the formal nights you note) in a couple of weeks.

 

Did the Culinary centre have classes?

 

How many kids were on board (roughly).

 

What time did you board in Barcelona?

 

In Venice, you stay docked over night right? You don't pull out the return early - we have never overnighted in port. How late could you return to the ship?

 

I had read somewhere on CC, that there was a port workers strike in Marsaille and that HAL changed the stop to Toulon on another ship. Was the strike on when you were there?

 

What was your favourite port?

 

In Corfu, what did you do for the day?

 

I am sure I will have other question but that's about it for now. Thanks for the info especially about the formal nights.

 

I forgot to mention, they have several culinary programs, often themed to port stops.

[Cazza56]

Hi , I am going on the nieuw Amsterdam on 4th august for the 24 nights. What would be the best way to see Taormina . Book a tour or wait till you get there and use a local driver?

 

 

 

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[CGYCruisingFamily]

Another quick question. How was the weather in general? As I said we are going in August and I am already starting to give some thought about what we are going to take. I am not sure if we take jackets or not. I know it is going to be hot but just thinking about the space jackets take (light ones or fleeces).

 

We are headed to Belgium for a few days afterwards.

[SeaWatch]

Hi , I am going on the nieuw Amsterdam on 4th august for the 24 nights. What would be the best way to see Taormina . Book a tour or wait till you get there and use a local driver?

 

 

 

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I would recommend a tour if you want to see more than the town of Taormina. We took a taxi, but they were hard to find. We waited 45 minutes to get one. Taormina is very walkable and a beautiful place.