MS Nieuw Amsterdam Review March 13-20

[BellBoys]

We had a terrific experience onboard this ship, our third time on board and our second time in a Pinnacle Suite. We have grown to love this ship and find that as the ship matures the service and food on board become better and better. We especially loved some of the upgrades to the room: new carpet, coffee maker, Nespresso machine, and some Elemis samples (lip balm, relaxation mist, and eye gel).

 

Hits:

Food: we ate in the MDR only once but found the selections a bit smaller than in the past but the food was good. Pinnacle was terrific with steaks cooked well and service very spot on. Tamarind was also special as the servers really took care of our large group and the lobster was cooked perfectly. We had a cabana so the staff regularly offered the Dive In menu which we took advantage of a few days with great burgers and hot dogs. The buffet sandwiches were pre-made but better than anything I could make on my own so no complaints there. The Greek style sandwich was especially good.

 

Suites: our Pinnacle suite featured new carpet and televisions. We were also offered a tour of the bridge, kitchen and crew areas by the marketing manager as a perk. We really enjoyed this as we got to see how the crew lived and some of the other operations of the ship. As there were only five of us on tour it was an intimate experience.

 

Service: the Neptune concierges Patricia and Carene were terrific in arrange a party in our suite one night to anticipating our needs each day. If we didn't get a cup of coffee in the morning as we usually do they would ask if they could get us one!

 

Cabanas: we had four in a row to share with friends and loved the service from the staff. Only drawback is that the pool side band noise now drifts up to the cabanas. Rather than quiet solitude to read or socialize you have 1.5 hours of steel drum music.

 

Technology: we appreciate the new televisions and while they are not state of the art they are better than what was available in the past. The selection of movies is much better and we loved that you could pause a movie and pick up later in the day or week to watch.

 

BB King: great, soulful and original! HAL is smart in keeping this venue as the singers and musicians put their heart and soul into their singing.

 

Misses (very few and minor)

Le Cirque: this maybe our last time dining as after 5 times the menu is just getting a bit stale for us and we prefer the regular Pinnacle menu and at near $100 per couple the value is just not there for us versus half that cost for the Pinnacle. We by no means think the food is bad its just doesnt have the spark it did in the past.

 

Room Service: eggs are just an overall miss each time we order. We found them undercooked most times.

 

Bar Closing Times: we really enjoy a late night or two (1am or 1:30). We were surprised that the Crow's Nest was closed at 11pm most nights which forced us down to the Sport Bar, while the bar is nice enough the smoke from the casino got a bit much after some time.

 

We have booked our fourth cruise next January for 11 days and can't wait to spend some more time than usually on this great ship.

[Keith1010]

Glad you enjoyed the cruise and thank you for your review.

 

Keith

[KirkNC]

Thanks for your report, glad you had a good time.

[CruisinHarvey]

Bar Closing Times: we really enjoy a late night or two (1am or 1:30). We were surprised that the Crow's Nest was closed at 11pm most nights which forced us down to the Sport Bar, while the bar is nice enough the smoke from the casino got a bit much after some time.

 

Thanks for the review. We'll be on her April 3rd, in an aft corner Neptune suite. We love those balconies.

 

Just curious. Given that's probably the only bar on the ship that open then, was the sports bar overly crowded? Our experience on HAL is that they don't need many venues open late. Not a lot of late nights partyers in that demographic.

[Clarea]

Thanks for the review.

[retdon]

Thanks for the review, will be on her in October and wondering if the Alaskan King Crab legs were on the Pinnacle menu and if yes was it an additional charge. Thanks, Linda

[kelleherdl]

Thanks for mentioning that the Pinnacles Suites received the suite updates in dry dock. I had not seen specific mention before even though it seemed reasonable to assume. I just took an upsell for the Oosterdam for 18 April ( right out of dry dock).

 

Dennis

[jhsocal]

On Veendam cruise last Fall piano bar open until midnight every night but the last. Crows Nest was "dead" even before 11PM.On cruises with a younger crowd might be more activity after 11PM. Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[BellBoys]

Thanks for the review, will be on her in October and wondering if the Alaskan King Crab legs were on the Pinnacle menu and if yes was it an additional charge. Thanks, Linda

 

They were on the menu and at no additional charge.

[BellBoys]

Bar Closing Times: we really enjoy a late night or two (1am or 1:30). We were surprised that the Crow's Nest was closed at 11pm most nights which forced us down to the Sport Bar, while the bar is nice enough the smoke from the casino got a bit much after some time.

 

Thanks for the review. We'll be on her April 3rd, in an aft corner Neptune suite. We love those balconies.

 

Just curious. Given that's probably the only bar on the ship that open then, was the sports bar overly crowded? Our experience on HAL is that they don't need many venues open late. Not a lot of late nights partyers in that demographic.

 

It wasnt overly crowded but about 1/3 full.

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for taking the time.