Niew Statendam

[hobgoblin]

Have only ever cruised Celebrity so thought I would  try a  different ship this year as Im becoming a bit disappointed in Celebrity overall .

Can anyone give some feed back about the Itinerary going to Turkey,Egypt and Greece in September this year(Ancient mysteries)

What places were walkable off the ship?

Did you go on the Cairo trip or to see the war museum ,how about Izmir?

Any feed back about comparisons with Celebrity would be great too.

 

[ski ww]

Find the roll call for your cruise & post there.

[VMax1700]

1 hour ago, ski ww said:

Find the roll call for your cruise & post there.

I believe OP is asking for the experience of those who were on the similar cruise in September 2023.

 

Perhaps the port of calls board would be a good source.....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/8-europe/

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/19-africa-amp-middle-east/

 

 

[crystalspin]

11 hours ago, hobgoblin said:

Can anyone give some feed back about the Itinerary going to Turkey,Egypt and Greece in September this year(Ancient mysteries)

What places were walkable off the ship?

Did you go on the Cairo trip or to see the war museum ,how about Izmir?

Any feed back about comparisons with Celebrity would be great too.

This is not really feedback, but some observations and my own plans. Look for feedback on your Roll Call(s) -- some pax may be repeating ports!

 

Here is your Roll Call

Nieuw Statendam Sept 21, 2024 - Oct 5, 2024 (14 days) - Rome to Athens - Nieuw Statendam - Cruise Critic Community

 

You may also want to scan this Roll Call which is the 28-day cruise. Someone didn't follow the Roll Call guidelines, which would have been to join the above RC for the first two weeks and start an additional RC for the second two. (Collectors Cruises are supposed to be broken into any segment that is sold separately, but the mods don't always catch ones in error.)

September 21, 2024 - October 19, 2024 28 Day Ancient Mysteries, Kingdoms & Holy Land - Nieuw Statendam - Cruise Critic Community

You might want to read quickly avoiding the later ports and picking out your ports of interest.

 

We are going on a B2B2B on the Oosterdam that includes Alexandria (for Cairo) and Istanbul. Our Kusadasi was switched to Izmir, with Shore Excursions TO Kusadasi. I found a map of the port of Izmir (link is on a different computer!) and it looked like a walkable waterfront with side streets having shops, particularly rug-shops or factories. As purchasing a Turkish rug is high on our priorities, DIY is my plan!

 

The ports in Egypt do not have sterling reputations. We are taking a ship's excursion to the Pyramids. We have been to Istanbul on a land-trip, but we missed the Blue Mosque so we are signed up again with the ship on a multi-stop tour that visits that site.

 

Our Rhodes was moved to Kos. Assume this has to do with much of Rhodes island burning last summer. 

 

This is getting long! But wanted to say, discontent with Celebrity is being mentioned around the CC boards. I think you will like Nieuw Statendam. Here is a resource from our @Crew News -- to explore things like menus and select "dailies" of activities. 

Roger Jett Photography - Digital Images in Time Roger Jett Photography (rogerjett-photography.com)

The Pinnacle ships have SO many venues; there is something for everyone!

[Crew News]

As a former resident of both Athens and Istanbul, my tourist list for Athens (the port of Piraeus requires a taxi ride to Athens) is the Plaka for shopping and eating, Parthenon (Acropolis) to stroll through the same halls as Homer, and any beach.

 

Istanbul stops should include the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, and definitely the Grand Bazaar for shopping (a youngster will meet you at the entrance and lead you to whatever you wish to purchase).

 

Both of these cities are huge and not walkable.  Negotiate with a taxi driver for a full day.  FWIW close your eyes when riding in the taxis in both cities if you are easily panicked. 

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

I would recommend you take some Holland American shore excursion.

[hobgoblin]

Many thanks to everyone ,I will check the roll calls ,never thought to look there .

Much appreciated .

 

[REOVA]

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

 FWIW close your eyes when riding in the taxis in both cities if you are easily panicked. 

💯 %  😁

[cruisemom42]

@hobgoblin  I sail with both Celebrity and HAL. I was on Nieuw Statendam for the first time in November and I really enjoyed her. I love the S-class Celebrity ships, and the NS reminded me in some ways of those ships while still retaining many classic HAL touches. I think you'll like the ship.

 

As to itinerary, I would say:

 

Katakolon: You need a tour or local transportation to get to Olympia, home of the ancient games, no other real draw for this port. There are buses and taxis at the port offering transportation.

 

Souda Bay (Chania):  Take ship shuttle to Chania from port and then wander the charming city with picturesque Venetian harbor. Or take a ship or private tour to see some of the smaller, charming Greek villages.

 

Istanbul:  You can do on your own but I would say you need to be a fairly confident DIY-er. The trams run close to the ship and are an easy way to get around. Must-sees (I've been there 6 times) for me the Number One would be Haghia Sofya -- do not miss it!!  Much more interesting and historic than the Blue Mosque. Also recommend the unique "Basilica Cistern" (a Roman/Byzantine reservoir).

 

Izmir:  Just went here last fall. If you like ancient history, take a tour to Pergamon. (If you've been to the museum in Berlin, this is where the HUGE altar is from.) Great raked theatre on hillside as well as a well preserved temple. Closer to Izmir are the ruins of ancient Smyrna (which is Izmir's Greek/Byzantine name). If you take a ship tour of Izmir make sure it includes the "Izmir Agora Open Air Museum".

 

Kusadasi:  Ephesus is the "must do" and you really need a tour, whether by ship or private. Be sure it includes the Terrace Houses, an elite enclave of housing with mosaics and frescoes being excavated at Ephesus for the last 15 years or so....

 

Rhodes: Ships dock just steps from the ancient walled city of Rhodes. You can DIY here easily. Plan to go to the Grand Masters Palace and the Archaeological Museum (in another old building associated with the Knights), as well as walking the ancient cobblestones of the street of the Knights.

 

Limassol:  Limassol itself is a dusty, dispiriting place. Try to get yourself to Paphos to see lovely Roman mosaics as well as the birthplace of Aphrodite (allegedly!), or visit the closer ruins of Kourion.

 

Cairo (via Port Said/Alexandria):  Assuming you've not been to Egypt, you should plan an overnight in Cairo to maximize your ability to see the pyramids, Egyptian museum (whether it's the old one or whether the new one is finally open....), and parts of old Cairo. (The Khan-el-Khalili bazaar is a favorite for me, the Citadel was rather dull, so pick carefully.). I've done this via ship tour and private tour in the past. Not sure if I would pick a private tour at this point in time...  As a side note, if you have been to the sights near Cairo before, Alexandria is also very rewarding and here you COULD do a private tour if desired. The lighthouse (Qait Bey), the ancient Catacombs, some of the old mosques, the library, the museum in Alex are all worthwhile.

 

DO plan to spend time in Rome before and Athens afterwards. With a well-located hotel in each city, you can walk to most historic sites and DIY.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[montythecat]

Cruisemom42 gives you a very helpful guide to the ports you

will visit. The local transport at Katakolon to get you to

Olympia is a very convenient train service. The station is a 

gentle 10/15 minute stroll from the ship. HAL’s Pinnacle

Class ships are our favourites. They are of a size, design
and quality which appeals to us. We also love the 

entertainment. We have enjoyed Nieuw Statendam twice

post COVID and will be looking forward to being on the

ship again in November.

[Ipeeinthepools]

On 2/22/2024 at 3:33 AM, hobgoblin said:

Have only ever cruised Celebrity so thought I would  try a  different ship this year as Im becoming a bit disappointed in Celebrity overall .

Can anyone give some feed back about the Itinerary going to Turkey,Egypt and Greece in September this year(Ancient mysteries)

What places were walkable off the ship?

Did you go on the Cairo trip or to see the war museum ,how about Izmir?

Any feed back about comparisons with Celebrity would be great too.

 

 

We were long-time Celebrity cruisers and after a couple of trips on the Rotterdam we have made the switch to HAL.  You didn't indicate if you are a smoker but if you are a non-smoker you will miss Celebrity's more restrictive smoking areas.  HAL allows smoking in the Casino on the Pinnacle class ships and that often affects neighboring areas.  HAL's outdoor smoking area is restricted to one side of the rear pool area but winds often move the smoke throughout the entire pool area.  There's a sticky thread about smoking on HAL if you want more information.  

 

BTW, as an added bonus I'll be sailing with you and the previous sailing from Amsterdam so it can't be that bad.

[Tbay]

Basilica Cistern in Istanbul is interesting.  Close to other attractions.  Seen in the movie  Inferno.

[ArgoNereus]

On 2/22/2024 at 3:33 AM, hobgoblin said:

Have only ever cruised Celebrity so thought I would  try a  different ship this year as I'm becoming a bit disappointed in Celebrity overall .

 

Any feed back about comparisons with Celebrity would be great too.

 

We are frequent Celebrity cruisers but have also sailed on the Nieuw Statendam. (About 10 weeks in total)

The N Statendam, (this is OUR opinion) has a more traditional, and practical layout than Celebrity's Edge Class.  The Edge Class is visually stunning but if you want to get on a balcony, Celebrity has a new twist.  It's not a balcony but a cabin with a window that opens.  We love the Crow's Nest on N Statendam.  The observation lounge has been abandoned on Celebrity whereas HAL's Pinnacle Class makes this area the centre of life while onboard.

The crew on both lines are exceptional.  We liked the food better on HAL and prices for alcohol is lower.  Celebrity's loyalty program is better.  We're 4**** on HAL and Z on X.

[L454S]

Agree with above, we are long time RCI sailors....D+.................

 

Love the Nieuw Statendam and are on her now. Have a few more booked with HA. The crazy pricing on RCI is not something we can stomach easily. For us, the HIA pricing with HA works out to be a better deal and no floating amusement parks at sea.