Does Statendam seem more crowded than zuiderdam, Westerdam, etc?

[TomBeckCruise]

We are considering sailing on the Statendam in 2020, but given the gross tonnage and number of passengers it appears to have less space per passenger than Zuiderdam.

 

Any thoughts?  any areas that seem crowded?  Theatre, Restaurants?

 

Hopefully HAL will change the smoking policy before the fall of 2020.

[avian777]

28 minutes ago, TomBeckCruise said:

...Hopefully HAL will change the smoking policy before the fall of 2020.

 

Change "the smoking policy" in what specific regard?

[TomBeckCruise]

5 minutes ago, avian777 said:

 

Change "the smoking policy" in what specific regard?

Prohibit indoor smoking.  People have said in recent reviews that the smoke in the casino lingers and spreads to other areas.

 

[catl331]

The smaller ships feel less crowded to me, especially in the theater and MDR.

Edited April 2, 2019 by catl331

[Fouremco]

Based on our experience on the Koningsdam, I don't think that you'll find it more crowded. The only time that we felt that there was a negative impact from the higher number of passengers was when we tendered.  

[Taters]

I have to agree with Fouremco - I've sailed on both Koningsdam and Westerdam, and I did not feel like Koningsdam was more crowded at all.  Yes, there are more passengers, but there is also more space.

[CrusinAgain]

55 minutes ago, TomBeckCruise said:

Prohibit indoor smoking.  People have said in recent reviews that the smoke in the casino lingers and spreads to other areas.

 

What people don't tell you is there is no smoking at the casino tables and only selected slot machines allow smoking and you must be playing at a machine to smoke.  They have 2 non smoking days in casino and I am a non smoker and think their ventilation system is very good.  There are not many slots that allow smokers to smoke and the machines are labeled in a group together if smoking is allowed.  I have never been bothered with the few machines that allow it and one certainly does not need to sit at one that allows it if it bothers that person.  Otherwise smoking is only allowed at the aft pool deck on one side of the ship where I do smell it and bothers me but these people have rights also, so you just go to the other side of the ship...simple.

[FlaMariner]

We were on the NS in January and we never experienced lines or crowds.  

 

I don't know how they did it but no line at check in, no line at MDR, short waits, if any, at the different lido food sections....walked onto the tender to HMC and no long wait waiting to come back......15 minute disembarkation.  

 

No problem finding good seats at the dueling piano bars, shows in the main showroom, America Test Kitchen.....no issues with elevator wait times.

 

I'm now a fan of the larger ships....So much more to do, great HAL service and they've figured out how to herd us cats without lines!

 

[rkacruiser]

Simple answer from me for the OP's question:  No, I did not feel that there were too many guests for the size of the ship.  Found a seat for whatever and whenever event I wanted to attend.

 

Ask me that question about my cruise on Royal Princess that preceded my Nieuw Statendam cruise, my answer would be quite different.

[cheezenip]

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

Ask me that question about my cruise on Royal Princess that preceded my Nieuw Statendam cruise, my answer would be quite different

 

Out of curiosity, which buffet did you prefer betw/ the 2 ships? Also, which ship do you prefer and why.

[rkacruiser]

19 hours ago, cheezenip said:

 

Out of curiosity, which buffet did you prefer betw/ the 2 ships? Also, which ship do you prefer and why.

 

Nieuw Statendam's Lido Restaurant was easier to navigate to find what I wanted and had sufficient seating for the number of guests using it every time I was there.  The Horizon Court/Bistro on Royal Princess was a confusing series of aisles with lots of selections, but maybe only one aisle had an item that I wanted, but then, could not find it again when I was ready to obtain my food.  Seating at prime breakfast/lunch times was hard to find.

 

I've struggled this afternoon as to how to answer your question as to which ship I prefer after I read your post.  Both ships were the largest on which I have sailed.  In my mind, both ships have their positives and negatives.  Both are beautiful vessels with the modern decor of Nieuw Statendam a bit jarring initially.  Service was excellent on both as was stateroom comfort.  Neither ships' Galley produced consistently memorable MDR dinners; Nieuw Statendam's Sel de Mar provided the best dinner I had on her in any of her specialty restaurants while Crown Grill and Sabitini's on Royal Princess fully met my expectations.

Main Theater entertainment on Royal Princess was much more enjoyable for me than on Nieuw Statendam; music offerings in all public lounges was very good to excellent, but I do think Royal Princess has an edge offering the kind of music that I most prefer.

 

I left Royal Princess thinking:  "this will be my first and only cruise on this Class of ships."  I left Nieuw Statendam thinking:  "do I want to return to a Pinnacle Class ship?"

 

As time has passed since January, I have decided that these two cruises were "learning experiences" for me on ships that are different from the Princess and HAL ships on which I have sailed.  As such, I think I could sail again on one of the sisters of these two ships and, having learned from my first experience on that Class of vessel, have a better cruise experience than I had.  If the opportunity arises to book a Royal Class or a Pinnacle Class vessel again, I'd do so.

 

"Which ship do you prefer and why", you asked.  Your simple question produced a complex answer.  I hope it's useful for you.

[cheezenip]

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

"Which ship do you prefer and why", you asked.  Your simple question produced a complex answer.  I hope it's useful for you.

 

I appreciate your thoughtful response.

 

In 3 weeks, I will be on my 1st HAL ship which happens to be the NS. I am a big fan of Royal's buffet with the amount of variety offered (I was not as happy with the MDR and considered eating all my dinners upstairs). I've been reading how many passengers end up eating many of their dinners at K-Dam / NS's Lido buffet which brings memories of my feelings with Royal's Horizon Court. I am trying not to build my expectation on Lido's buffet compared to Royal but was curious since you've been on both.

 

I suspect I might have mix feelings about NS's entertainment. I enjoy classical music so the Lincoln Center should be fun; however, HAL's cutbacks (from what I have read) reduces the amount of productions shows and variety acts so I might feel less satisfied after doing 2 weeks aboard NS. Not a rock n roll guy but enjoy jazz and good musical arrangements with all instruments.

 

In the end, variety is the spice of life as each will have their own pros/cons.

Edited April 4, 2019 by cheezenip