Live from Nieuw Statendam 4/8/23 TA

[L454S]

Just some observations from an RCI / Princess sailor. Some things we like very much like the music venues, the cabin(Bcy 4191), and the service.

 

Have not sailed on HAL since 2005 on the Zuiderdam. It was OK, but not enough to book additional cruises. The Pinnacle Class ship is a nice upgrade.

 

Trying still to get used to the "hybrid" Lido dining. Some things you do for yourselves(serving CERTAIN items), other things are done for you. The tables are set up with hand towels/silverware as well as glasses. There are salt and pepper shakers, but no Splenda, etc.

 

There are NO dispensers for OJ, iced tea, lemonade, etc. so you have to ask for each. At each serving station, they have pitchers of these items. Problem is, they come and pour a glass of tea that has no ice because the pitcher won't let the ice out. I now have a glass of tea, water or lemonade with no ice. Have to ask for this now, and they don't have it at the server station.

 

Early morning coffee is entertaining. The urns at the Lido are not plugged in, so they cool off after fresh brewed. I asked a manager about this, his laughing reply was to run it on your finger a while to see if it would get hot. If not, go to another urn and repeat. It actually has helped.

 

HIA has so far been a plus for us and glad we booked this way. Upped WIFI to premium for $50 and worth it. As good an internet connection as we have ever had and we are about halfway across the Atlantic now.

 

Glad to answer questions if I can.

Edited April 11, 2023 by L454S

[Sea42]

I hope you continue to enjoy your sailing. Could you tell me if you feel there are enough activities to keep you entertained during the day?

[L454S]

We have done many T/A's. That said, we have found things to keep us occupied like the music trivia and a Meet and Greet from a facebook page, music venues, etc. Games in the Crows Nest area are plentiful.

 

Heading to the Dutch Cafe for Latte and Cappuccino.

Edited April 11, 2023 by L454S

[AlexCherie]

4 hours ago, L454S said:

We have done many T/A's. That said, we have found things to keep us occupied like the music trivia and a Meet and Greet from a facebook page, music venues, etc. Games in the Crows Nest area are plentiful.

 

Heading to the Dutch Cafe for Latte and Cappuccino.

Tell Lesley "Alex and Cherie say hi!" - we were on the NS from mid March to April 1. I know he is on his way home to disembark for awhile ... presuming he is still on board. Him and Martin were a good team.

Drip Coffee to go, with a heated ceramic cup!

[mgatc]

Glad to hear you like your cabin. We have that cabin when we board in Barcelona. Have you had coffee from room service? Not a fan of lukewarm coffee, lol.

[L454S]

11 hours ago, mgatc said:

Glad to hear you like your cabin. We have that cabin when we board in Barcelona. Have you had coffee from room service? Not a fan of lukewarm coffee, lol.

 

No room service yet. During the day on a trip to the Dutch Cafe, I get a few extra large paper cups/lids/sleeves for the room and make a trip in the AM to the Lido and bring back a couple cups.

 

Yesterday evenings dinner in the MDR was very nice with prime rib etc. Enjoyed some 70s music trivia(BB Kings) then across to Rolling Stone for the live band. A really good day overall.

 

It rained for about 4 days straight out of FLL, with some choppy seas, supposed to get a little worse today. Nothing real bad, but I see those little round patches showing up more often. We don't feel it much.

 

Let's see what today brings...............

 

Internet is still pretty fast, a bit slower at peak times, but great for mid Atlantic.

Edited April 12, 2023 by L454S

[L454S]

Another very rainy day out here mid Atlantic. It's about 930AM and hard rain.

 

This is the view from the Dutch Cafe seating area.

Edited April 12, 2023 by L454S

[L454S]

A pic from the balcony of cabin 4191. Very nice large balcony. We had the cabin attendant bring a deck lounger for DW. She likes to read on sea days on the lounger.....NOT on this sailing so far.

 

[0106]

Thank you for your posts.Do you have a speaker onboard for a daily lectures? Have there been any cooking demonstrations?

[L454S]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Thank you for your posts.Do you have a speaker onboard for a daily lectures? Have there been any cooking demonstrations?

 

Yes there is a lecturer onboard and has one scheduled for today on the Azores. Have not heard about any cooking demos yet.

 

Another nice surprise is the piped in as well as live music onboard. it's 60's, 70's, and 80's rock/ top 40.

 

Royal Caribbean should be ashamed of the c**p they play in the lounges and other venues. Many times I would look at my wife and comment "Does RCI even realize the demographic onboard this ship?" Yes, these were T/A's and repositioning sailings.

 

Actually this T/A has a very similar demographic as any RCI T/A we have been on.

 

 

[L454S]

19 hours ago, mgatc said:

Glad to hear you like your cabin. We have that cabin when we board in Barcelona. Have you had coffee from room service? Not a fan of lukewarm coffee, lol.

 

Will try to take care of the cabin for you. Will see if they will leave the lounger for you.

 

One thing very different about this Holland America Pinnacle Class cabin and the Royal Caribbean version is the size of the shower. This one is double the size.

 

[mgatc]

Oh, that is nice, my husband will like that! Lounger sounds like heaven 😊

[L454S]

Want to give a shout out to the crew onboard. For being 5 years old, it is very clean and not a spot of rust.

 

The guest services desk is a pleasure to speak with. Very professional, and seem to be able to take care of an issue right there.

 

I have spent 39 days on RCI  ships since covid. Always a chore to visit guest services for ANYTHING. Nice people, but unable to answer questions or correct problems.

 

The dining room staff are hard workers, but a bit understaffed.

[cruising sister]

Thanks for your report. I will be sailing on the NS for 22 days in May and I enjoy reading about what my experience will be like. 

[mooseridge]

Thank you for your posting! Great job.  Your photos are great.  Please continue.

 

Have been on the NS & thoroughly enjoyed it!  Have they upgraded the library area like on the Rotterdam? 

 

How about the Lincoln Center Kids?  We understand their contract has expired.  Do you see them on your daily news? 

 

Have you tried the early morning coffee in the Crows Nest?  Usually hot and wonderful.  

 

Let us know how you like the food please.  PHotos always appreciated. 

 

Again, thank you.   Be safe & enjoy!

 

mooseridge

[L454S]

20 hours ago, mooseridge said:

Thank you for your posting! Great job.  Your photos are great.  Please continue.

 

Have been on the NS & thoroughly enjoyed it!  Have they upgraded the library area like on the Rotterdam? 

 

How about the Lincoln Center Kids?  We understand their contract has expired.  Do you see them on your daily news? 

 

Have you tried the early morning coffee in the Crows Nest?  Usually hot and wonderful.  

 

Let us know how you like the food please.  PHotos always appreciated. 

 

Again, thank you.   Be safe & enjoy!

 

mooseridge

 

Asked about Lincoln Center Kids........crickets.......

 

These are pics of the library offerings in the Crow's nest

 

 

[L454S]

Pic of our location as of now, about 9 AM this morning.

 

 

[L454S]

This is how the tables in the Lido are set up for breakfast. If you ask a server for coffee, they will bring you a new cup! If you ask for a glass of OJ, you will get a new glass.

 

Note there is sugar, but no Sweet/Low, Splenda, Equal, etc. You ask for that...........

If a server with a pitcher of orange juice comes by, they will fill an existing glass. If a server with a carafe of coffee comes by, they will use an existing cup on the table.

 

I guess it just takes time to get used to the way things are done here.

 

The Main Dining Room food is on a par or just below RCI IMO. The Lido is not up to RCI in selection or quality IMO. Remember food is always subjective.

 

 

[L454S]

On 4/12/2023 at 10:48 AM, mgatc said:

Oh, that is nice, my husband will like that! Lounger sounds like heaven 😊

 

@mgatc, I spoke with the cabin attendant, he said he would leave the lounger for you on the balcony.

Are you an air traffic controller?

Edited April 14, 2023 by L454S

[cruzngal]

On 4/11/2023 at 4:18 PM, mgatc said:

Glad to hear you like your cabin. We have that cabin when we board in Barcelona. Have you had coffee from room service? Not a fan of lukewarm coffee, lol.

On this sailing as well and get the RS coffee every morning.  They have nice thermal pots which keep the coffee hot, but they use old fashion cup and saucer so it gets cold quickly.  If you want coffee to stay hot, you might want to pack a thermal mug.

 

Otherwise, as L454S said, ship is beautiful.  The food has been excellent, as has the entertainment.  You will enjoy!

[mgatc]

2 hours ago, L454S said:

 

@mgatc, I spoke with the cabin attendant, he said he would leave the lounger for you on the balcony.

Are you an air traffic controller?

That’s great, thank you! My husband was, retired now. I stole his moniker, lol. Were you, since you figured this out? He was at IAH radar.

[L454S]

1 hour ago, mgatc said:

That’s great, thank you! My husband was, retired now. I stole his moniker, lol. Were you, since you figured this out? He was at IAH radar.

My son is an ATC Supervisor at Baton Rouge. I am a private pilot.

Edited April 14, 2023 by L454S

[L454S]

Had dinner in Canaletto last night. I'm sorry to say that I can't recommend it .

 

First, it is just some seating in the Lido that has been chopped off with a glass wall. Everybody passing in the lido looking in. It's very small and the servers have to make a trek to get your orders.

 

The food was very hit/miss. Appetizers: The antipasti plate was good, but tiny. The calamari was TOUGH. The veal meatballs were very good.

 

Mains: The lamb chops were tough and TINY. The beef short ribs/gnocchi were very good though not very Italian. Good thing they let you order a few apps.

 

Royal Caribbean's Giovannis is a far better experience overall though it costs more.

Edited April 15, 2023 by L454S

[Kamfish642]

We are on the Nieuw Staten in June, and greatly appreciate your insights.

[Florida_gal_50]

7 hours ago, L454S said:

Had dinner in Canaletto last night. I'm sorry to say that I can't recommend it .

 

First, it is just some seating in the Lido that has been chopped off with a glass wall. Everybody passing in the lido looking in. It's very small and the servers have to make a trek to get your orders.

 

The food was very hit/miss. Appetizers: The antipasti plate was good, but tiny. The calamari was TOUGH. The veal meatballs were very good.

 

Mains: The lamb chops were tough and TINY. The beef short ribs/gnocchi were very good though not very Italian. Good thing they let you order a few apps.

 

Royal Caribbean's Giovannis is a far better experience overall though it costs more.

That’s too bad.  I’ve found it to be very good but I order a few things only.  The tomato seafood soup is hot and delicious.  For mains I’ve ordered the osso bucco or veggie tomato risotto.  Both really, really good.  I’m not Italian though, so not comparing it to my moms home cooking.  It’s easily better than the tamarind or pinnacle to me.