Review Nieuw Statendam - Transatlantic 12/5/18

[howndder]

Well it certainly was nice to sleep in my own bed last night and get a wonderful nights sleep. All in all it was an excellent cruise vacation. Of course I have a unique respective of my own that most people did not. I will explain below. I was going to leave this review with CC but they didn't have this ship listed yet. I am Howard and I invite you to sit back and relax and enjoy the read,

 

I started booking this trip about 6 months ago as I was ready for another crossing and being on a brand new ship, was very appealing. Being single I have not choice but to swallowed hard and booked my single occupancy 200% room as I only want balcony or bette, I never gave thought to the single cabins. Actually I usually stay in a Neptune suite but they wanted $12,000 for me to stay there. Even I have a limit. I had wanted to use miles to get to Europe but that was successful, so I used Flightease from Holland and was quite surprised at the wonderful airfare. In business class I wound up paying under $1,200 from Ft. Lauderdale to Rome with a connection in NYC. And got double miles, thank you very much. Another important point for me is that I always fly in at least a day in advance for "JUST IN CASE". Having been to Rome many times, this is my 25th crossing, I ordered a private car service, 130 Euros, to meet me and take me to Civitaveccia. That was great. I stayed at the "Maison De Ville" on the waterfront, very near the city center. I took their shuttle the next day to the ship, arriving there around 1100. I must tell you all that the hotel was 68 Euros for a waterfront room and quite large and came with a full buffet breakfast. What a deal. That day as my room wasn't ready I wandered around town and had lunch and in the evening a outdoor dinner. Yes it was a bit cool for outdoors but, it was lovely. I suggest you check this town out as it's very near to the Etruscans for history and very close to the ship. I also picked up 2 very nice bottles of wine for my cabin. 

 

Check-in was a breeze. I am 4 star Mariner and that gets some small privileges. Most people on board were 5 Stars. and we were allowed to board around 1115, where we all went off in different directions to see this new ship. I went immediately to my cabin to drop stuff off and meet my stewards and to see my room. The cabin was spectacular for the category because it is wide instead of long, with my 2 beds together as a king there was still a huge space to the desk and further back was a comfortable chair and coffee table and the sliding doors, Plus I had a large window and my balcony was immense. This was category VH and I started there as a guarantee. I didn't get upgraded out of category but got that room. 4045. The ship has all new showers and they were fabulous.  Very large and great shower heads. Spoke to my stewards and gave them a tip,  as I like early cleaning and I like banana as my fruit and want them every day. (TIP) Do you want something extra? A couple of 20's go a very long way. 

 

The ship is stunning. The Lido pool area is huge and gorgeous . The sliding dome roof is still there and on one end there is a huge screen for movies in the moonlight. Service is accomplished by having a button on each table both outside and inside the Lido restaurant. Quick service sometimes. The Lido is on deck 9 and on deck 10 is the Panorama Bar and the New York Deli and Pizza Kitchen. They also serve breakfast and that will be a big draw, no one found it but I did. Great Rueben sandwich and actually quite good pizza. The sides of the upstairs deck itself is very difficult to get around especially if you use a walker or a wheelchair. There are many lounge chairs there, but not much used as the weather was cool for some. The crossing was very smooth though. Also on deck 9 is the spa and gym. I didn't use the spa and didn't go to the gym enough. But, it is well equipped. As far as the Lido Buffet Restaurant inside goes, very good for me and rather crowded for others. I made friends with one of the waiters there, named "IKA", she was Thai and very friendly and she brought me my oatmeal and juice every morning and a small tip for her was greatly appreciated. I never wanted for service on this sailing. I never ate other meals there, or in the dining room. I only eat at the specialty restaurants because I love great service and the food is better than the main dining room. I am willing to pay the extra and because I'm a 4 Star Mariner, I pay 1/2 off. The specialty restaurants are: Pinnacle Grill, steaks and seafood and my favorite; Rudi's Sal De Mar, brand-new fully on it's own (it used to be a pop up before ). I loved this too. They had the very best Coq Au Vin I ever had. Strange Object D'art glass sculptures that looked like teeth to me. Also available was 'The Tamarind" A Chinese / Indonesian beauty with wonderful spice flavors. Great location on deck 10 at the back of the ship overlooking the pool . For lunch on sea days the Pinnacle is open for the nominal amount of $10.00, so of course I go there as well. Remember the 1/2 off? I also took a 8 bottle wine package with fair to good wines that also got me 1/2 off. It really pays to become a 4/5 star Mariner. Thanks Holland America. 

 

I was not a fan of the art on board as to me it looked if not cheap, inexpensive, and child like. The show rooms are interesting. The world stage is in the round almost, sightlines are fabulous but there no tables to rest a drink on, but that doesn't mean they won't try to sell you one. I don't and din't get to any shows so I can't give info there. I'm sure others will weigh in soon and you'll hear more there. Then on deck 2 there were a series of lounges that were in constant use due to great scheduling of acts. Unfortunately, for me it was so loud in those open room that they drove out. During the day and some evenings, at a venue that is labeled Lincoln Center Stage, or B.B. Kings at other times, they had a quintet of ladies that were fabulous and talented and fun to talk to and I love classical music. Friends that I spent time with , went to BB Kings and they loved that more. I do like Jazz but the sound level for me was too much. That room was also 2 story and had people standing up watching from there as well as sitting in comfortable chairs. Further up the hallway, was the Billboard lounge that served as 2 venues also. Either the "Rolling Stone or the Duo pianists". Rolling stone too loud, Pianists were playing a well rehearsed act and didn't hear requests very easily. However they were superb musicians. They are a married couple and lovely to talk to. The casino was on Deck 3. I'm sorry, but why are people still allowed to smoke in an enclosed room? There is not enough money to keep me there in that atmosphere. At the machines the customers were puffing away that I had to run out. Plus the room is open at both ends and that's just wrong. Also on deck 3 is the "Dutch Cafe". Didn't use this room too much because it's filled with rich tasty carby foods and a coffee bar as well,  with nice seating, (not enough) that is sometimes very busy. The dining room, that I never ate in, was absolutely beautiful. I was very impressed. I'm certain that people that ate there were thrilled with their surroundings. It is on decks 2 and 3 and the openness is very modern. We'll have to hear about the food from others. 

 

Activities. As I had been on our thread for a few months I had already arranged a Mahh Jong game on board with some wonderful people and the others that I met there. A big hello to Ellen, (brought her own set!!!), Susan, Sandie, Hoagie, Felicia, Paula, Mary, Molly, Carol and Pam. I could be found there after lunch every day. The problem with our game was it was always at the same time as the trivia games. Ellen was always running off for this activity because she is very good and loves them. I like them too but like Mahj better. I know there other activities but can't remember much about them. I know there were many activities planned from my thread. Our thread was very active which is always nice. 

 

There were many special interest groups on our thread. Mah Jong players, trivia players, friends of Bill W, knitters, singles, LGBT, veterans, brige players, etc. I say this because I feel one our groups didn't get a fair share and I want to bring it to Peoples attention. I have already filled out my report on their web site. I am a out gay man and in our group of about 60 men and women, we were treated poorly by, in my opinion the cruise director or the hotel manger. Either way, I am annoyed. On the 1st night in the program an LGBT event was being held at the Panorama bar on Deck 10 at 6PM. I was not very thrilled with that time, because on Holland America, the largest crowds are in 1st sitting and that time will cut a large percentage of our group from attending. I went to the office the next day asking for a 7PM start time and was told they would look into it. I also asked if they could give us a nicer space,  other than an open bar in a very public space. That didn't happen for the next 2 nights and since I eat at 6PM myself, I never got there much. I finally sought out Ross, the cruise director who did change the time for me but stopped announcing the change in time. I really don't know what had happened but I don't think he has the sensitivity for our group. He said to me a few days later that the company doesn't like to advertise special interest groups. Not company policy. Hence my opening. This is unacceptable to me, at this time in our lives and we should not have to take it.

 

There so many people that I met and enjoyed and that is why I like Trans-Atlantics. But I also made many friends with the great crew and want to give acknowledgment to them here. In the Pinnacle Grill, Managers, Denise and Hazel; on the staff, Leslie, Kathleen, Sylvia, Sara and sommelier Elmer. In Rudi's Sal De Mar, Managers Arlin and Agatha, staff Sara and (eek, I have forgotten) I think Irene ? , Tamarind , Mgr. Ponca and staff Ari and sommelier Phoebe. In my room Gedde and Harry. Thanks to all of you

 

My room had s few weird noises and I needed to have them checked. My window gave off a cricket like noise for most of the cruise and no one could find it. The bars that pull the drapes closed are metal, you  will need to separate them for a good nights sleep. My TV went off and on 1 night and I had to have that fixed and the ship accounting system didn't work much and the bill were always wrong. But,

 

I would recommend this cruise to anyone. Wonderful staff and beautiful ship and not too large and plenty to do occupy yourself on sea days. Hope to see you on the high seas,

 

 

Howard, from Beautiful Ft. Lauderdale