Nieuw Amsterdam- Casino 100% Non-Smoking?

[EngSet]

Greetings- Trying to confirm if the Nieuw Amsterdam's casino is 100% non-smoking. (Info on Hal Web site seems inconsistent; thus, if anyone can confirm, much appreciated.) Sent an email inquiry to HAL a week or so ago, but, no answer as of yet.

 

Wishing all a great day,

 

EngSet

[baggal]

It was in late February/early March of this year. And I have to say that that the casino was the most crowded we have ever seen a HAL casino in over 10 years of sailing on HAL.

 

 

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[ShipsInBergen]

It was in late February/early March of this year. And I have to say that that the casino was the most crowded we have ever seen a HAL casino in over 10 years of sailing on HAL.

 

 

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It's great to hear that! I'm definitely one of those who will pay a visit to a smoke-free casino, but wouldn't otherwise bother because of the smell :)

[EeyoreRN]

We were on NA last month and yes, the Casino is completely smoke-free!! This made us so happy, as it is very centrally located, and there are many lovely areas around it which we were able to thoroughly enjoy!

[Jeremiah On a Cruise]

Great news! We are going in a few weeks, and we always like to donate some money to smoke free casinos.

[bEwAbG]

Confirming it was smoke-free in May. There was only one smoking area on the entire ship and it was outside (starboard side outside the buffet).

 

This policy is what tempted me to try HAL, so I hope they expand it to the whole fleet.

[Italy52]

Just returned from the Nieuw Amsterdam and it is indeed smoke-free in the casino. A definitely plus to us when making our future cruise plans.

[EngSet]

It was in late February/early March of this year. And I have to say that that the casino was the most crowded we have ever seen a HAL casino in over 10 years of sailing on HAL.

 

 

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Thanks for sharing this info. One of our travelers has very, very sensitive lungs and this will news will be a big relief to them.

 

Appreciate all of the super-fast responses from everyone---love this board! :-) My apology for not responding to the replies faster...schedule today was uber hectic.

 

My biggest challenge is going to be waiting until next summer for this cruise and not caving and going a year early. ;-) From all the great reviews as of late re: the NA, it is very, very tempting to just grab a last minute stateroom this year and go.

 

Wishing all a nice night,

 

EngSet

[EngSet]

Just returned from the Nieuw Amsterdam and it is indeed smoke-free in the casino. A definitely plus to us when making our future cruise plans.

 

Thanks, Italy52! Makes a difference for many in our travelling party as well.

[EngSet]

Confirming it was smoke-free in May. There was only one smoking area on the entire ship and it was outside (starboard side outside the buffet).

 

This policy is what tempted me to try HAL, so I hope they expand it to the whole fleet.

 

Thanks for confirming this change.

[pspercy]

In another thread Eurodam was stated to also have a non-smoking casino:)

[tv24]

Aren't all the casinos on HAL smoke free? Just off a Princess ship where there was smoking on most nights in the casino. An extra reason to not sail Princess again...as if I needed any more!

[bEwAbG]

No, they are not. The smoking policy on their website says the only non-smoking casinos are Oosterdam and Eurodam. However, the old website had Nieuw Amsterdam listed as well once it came out of its drydock in December, and that was indeed the case onboard even though the website doesn't list it. This is one of the examples of problems with the new website (reverting to outdated info that isn't true).

[bEwAbG]

For comparison purposes, here is what the language is on the old website, as it relates to casinos:

 

Designated areas for active slot players in Casinos*. Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam casinos are completely non-smoking. Noordam Casino is completely non-smoking, with the exception of two nights per cruise.

 

Considering that reports of this are true, then it appears the info on the current website is outdated. Makes it frustrating to plan when they cannot get their info straight.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Some guest will be very happy.

[curtdesilets]

What about the OLD Amsterdam? We sail her on Sunday. Is it smoke free?

[tv24]

No, they are not. The smoking policy on their website says the only non-smoking casinos are Oosterdam and Eurodam. However, the old website had Nieuw Amsterdam listed as well once it came out of its drydock in December, and that was indeed the case onboard even though the website doesn't list it. This is one of the examples of problems with the new website (reverting to outdated info that isn't true).

 

Bad news. We board the Rotterdam in 3 days.

[bEwAbG]

What about the OLD Amsterdam? We sail her on Sunday. Is it smoke free?

 

Not based on what's on either the old or new version of the website. Smoking is allowed:

• Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow’s Nest on starboard side
  
• Designated areas for active slot players in Casinos
  

[Iamthesea]

Great news! We just booked this ship yesterday after being away from HAL for many years.

 

As long as we are talking about the Nieuw Amsterdam, hope nobody minds if I ask a few questions here. :o

 

1. Since dry dock, have the staterooms changed in decor? We booked an SY. I have seen 2-3 different websites that have photos of SY's. Some are stock photos, while other are personal photos. Some show a dated and dark interiors, while other photos show a light gray scheme. Some show darker gray marble bathroom vanity tops, while others show a like gray or white marble vanity. None of the photos, except one dated before drydock have dates of the sailing.

 

2. We booked one of the larger angled SY's...7079. Now upon further research, I am reading some reports of noise across the hall from a service area, lack of privacy on the balcony, wind, etc. Hope I didn't make a mistake! I did see some photos of this angled type of stateroom and do love the extra room, though.

Does anyone have personal experience with this type of stateroom?

Since our stateroom is on the Starboard side, close to the aft and one deck down from the open deck, will we smell cigarette smoke when out on the balcony?

3. Does the Yum Yum Man still exist outside of the dining room? We have late seating.

And is late seating on the upper or lower level of the MDR?

How about the steward that goes around ringing the dinner bell... Still around? We have fond memories of that tradition and hope it is still happening. We even heard him when on HMC several years ago. :D

 

4. Are there still 2 shows per night so that both early and late dinner seatings can see them?

 

Are reservations needed for any shows? I sure hope not. That's what drove us away from RCCL and to Celebrity. Now we think that Celebrity is going to start the same reservation system on their new ship. Which, BTW, we will be taking immediately after getting off of the Nieuw Amsterdam. :cool:

 

5. What are the current specialty restaurant prices?

 

6. We are not big drinkers, but are used to having an included drink package on Celebrity. We like that as we do not have to worry about signing tabs or watching what we spend. Would we be better off purchasing a drink card for say $100 each for a 7 night cruise? We will probably average 4 drinks a day (2 glasses of wine with dinner, perhaps a froo froo drink during the day, or maybe a specialty coffee, bottled water, or soft drink.)

 

7. We have had 3 other HAL cruises. I cannot remember, but are we entitled to eat in the MDR for lunch on embarkation day? Or am I thinking about another line?

 

Thank you so much!

[sail7seas]

Fixed Main Seating (late as you term it) is upper level of MDR.

[Iamthesea]

Thank you!

[MajMom96]

1) the Nieuw Amsterdam has beautiful decor.

2) don’t know

3) yes; main seating is upper level

4) yes, two shows per night, no reservations

5) Pinnacle Grill is $35, Tamarind is $29. Canaletto is cheaper, but I’ve not eaten there. Definitely try Tamarind. It’s well worth it!

6) no need to get the drink card if you’re not big drinkers. You need 5-6 alcoholic drinks a day (or a similar combination of fewer alcoholic drinks and non-alcoholic specialty drinks like lattes) to break even and if one person gets it, both people in a stateroom must get it.

7) yes, you can eat lunch in the mdr on embarkation day. It’s usually open until 1:30.

 

 

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[Iamthesea]

Thank you. ;)

 

For #6, I did not mean to get the drink package. I know that we do not drink enough to warrant purchasing that. :eek:However, I have read that we can buy a card in certain denominations, like $50, $100, $200, and then add to it if needed. And if we do not use all of the worth, we will get a refund on what we don't use. Just wondering if a $100 card per person would be enough for the week?

[MajMom96]

Thank you. ;)

 

 

 

For #6, I did not mean to get the drink package. I know that we do not drink enough to warrant purchasing that. :eek:However, I have read that we can buy a card in certain denominations, like $50, $100, $200, and then add to it if needed. And if we do not use all of the worth, we will get a refund on what we don't use. Just wondering if a $100 card per person would be enough for the week?

 

 

 

Sorry, I misunderstood. Yes you can purchase beverage cards in set denominations. The alcoholic drinks for decent (not very high end) brands are about $9.00 with an automatic 15% gratuity added on. So you can pre-purchase the cards or just “pay as you go” and they will be on your final invoice. The cost would be the same either way.

 

 

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[CherryG]

This is great news! We’ve been on this ship twice and just booked it again for November. Smoking was bad before, so looking forward to a smoke free time in the casino.