Westerdam or Nieuw Amsterdam?

[SurferJoe57]

We're looking at a Christmas cruise, and the two choices boil down to these two ships - Westerdam sails on Saturday 19th of Dec, N. Amsterdam on the 20th. Same iteniary, both out of Ft. Lauderdale. There's a little price difference - Westerdam is a little less pricey for the balcony.

Having never been on either, but realizing the N. Amsterdam is a newer ship -- any suggestions whether the $500+ increase in cost is worth it for a 7 day Caribbean trip?

[cruz chic]

It would be worth it to me. Is it worth it to you? Only you can answer that. I like the tamarind restaurant on that ship as well as the cabanas.

[ScriptOhio]

Both are good ships, I'd go with the less pricey one.

[Pathfinder1964]

I can only speak about the Westerdam because we just finished an Alaska cruise, June 20-29. It's a beautiful ship with an wonderful crew, food and entertainment. A $500 savings by sailing on this ship would buy a lot of extras on the ship....specialty restaurants or a day at the spa.

[RMLincoln]

If the dates work for you I'd go the lower price and use the savings for fun stuff. But the dates may make a difference in your travel arrangements.

 

We've been on Oosterdam, sister to Westerdam, and I thought it was the most elegant ship I'd been on. NA has more to offer with Tamarind and the Silk Den if you care. We'll be on NA in September but I doubt I'll use either Tamarind or Silk Den so they don't sway me.

 

Others could tell you if there is much difference in the rooms. Enjoy, m--

[Scrapnana]

I enjoyed my three weeks on Westerdam (haven't been on Nieuw Amsterdam yet). Personally, I would use the savings on something else and cruise on Westerdam.

[Crew News]

We're looking at a Christmas cruise, and the two choices boil down to these two ships - Westerdam sails on Saturday 19th of Dec, N. Amsterdam on the 20th. Same iteniary, both out of Ft. Lauderdale. There's a little price difference - Westerdam is a little less pricey for the balcony.

Having never been on either, but realizing the N. Amsterdam is a newer ship -- any suggestions whether the $500+ increase in cost is worth it for a 7 day Caribbean trip?

 

Here are my two photographic tours of the Westerdam and Nieuw Westeredam during the last eight months so that you can make an informed decision:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have sailed on both ships quite a bit.

If I had to choose -- I would select the Nieuw Amsterdam as she has the Silk Den and the Tamarind Restaurant which we love.

Don't know if you are interested in Cabanas, but the Nieuw Amsterdam also has the Lido Cabanas and the Retreat -- costs to rent them.

[Cruisin Kay D]

CREW NEWS: Both links to photo files are of Nieuw Amsterdam -- no photos of Westerdam!!!

Do you have a file of pictures of Zuiderdam? Have a group going on the 1/4 Canal cruise & would love to share with my friends a photo file of pictures of Z!!

[SurferJoe57]

Thanks so much everyone - thinking I might just go with the Westerdam as the airfare to FLL from DCA works out much better. We'll be on the Eurodam in October and the Oosterdam next year...this is a spontaneous thing, relatively speaking.

[Crew News]

Here are my two photographic tours of the Westerdam and Nieuw Westeredam during the last eight months so that you can make an informed decision:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

My apologies for the double link. Here is the link for the Westerdam photo tour:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-westerdam-tour/

[Crew News]

CREW NEWS: Both links to photo files are of Nieuw Amsterdam -- no photos of Westerdam!!!

Do you have a file of pictures of Zuiderdam? Have a group going on the 1/4 Canal cruise & would love to share with my friends a photo file of pictures of Z!!

 

As requested, here is my photo tour of the Zuiderdam taken in 2013. There have been some upgrades recently but what you see will be mostly the same:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-zuiderdam-onboard-images/

 

To give your friends an idea of the typical daily activities, here are my scanned copies of our On Locations from Dec 2013:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-zuiderdam-panama-canal-2013-on-locations/

 

Per the original question, I would go for the Nieuw Amsterdam for the more dining options but the Westerdam has much better aft cabin overhead coverage.

[Cruisin Kay D]

MANY MANY THANKS to CrewsNews for posting both Westerdam & Zuiderdam photos!!!

[Typhoon1]

I would choose the Nieuw Amsterdam for the additional amenities such as Tamarind and Silk Den.

 

If dining isn't important to you, you'll be well served by the Westerdam.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Need I say more! Have done the inaugural 24 day b2B Mediteranaen Romance 2010, 2 more 24 day Med cruises in 2012 and 2013, and finished a B2B Carribean cruise in late March! Love the Nieuw Amsterdam! To us it is home. If you are going by price of a balcony either are nice.

Denise:)

[SurferJoe57]

Thanks so much to everyone for the great advice!

[innlady1]

We did 24 days on the NA in the med and across the pond in '13, and a quick 7 day this winter while we were in the process of moving. Love the NA!