Nieuw Amsterdam Review
Nieuw Amsterdam is a ship whose name is associated with a rich and celebrated history for Holland America Line, and being on the ship gives you a sense of the classic age of cruising, back when Hollywood starlets graced the pool deck and dressing up for dinner was a time-honored ritual.
Pros
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Bottom Line
About
In December 2017, the ship underwent upgrades throughout, and several public spaces feel refreshed and contemporary. People who have previously traveled on Nieuw Amsterdam might breathe a sigh of relief to know that the ship has now banned smoking everywhere, except the outside Sea View Bar at the ship's aft. Carpeting has been replaced throughout the ship's public areas, and even the casino smells fresh and clean.
The ship lacks the flashiness or overwhelming size of some mega-cruise ships, but its unique entertainment options make up for any missing bells and whistles. For example, Nieuw Amsterdam's Music Walk creates a three-punch hit list of rich musical venues all within a short walk of each other on Deck 2. From the symphonic orchestral beauty of the Lincoln Center Stage to the soulful, dance-floor-burning hits of B.B. King's Blues Club to the sing-along atmosphere of Billboard Onboard, you're guaranteed to find something your ears will enjoy.
You might notice the small details, such as the cool towels provided at the dock before you return to the ship from a day at port, the wrapped silverware in the buffet restaurant and the way crew members and even passengers in the hallway are more likely to say, "Good afternoon" or "Good evening," rather than a more informal "Hi!" The whole effect is dignified and unrushed.
Another feature that we greatly appreciated was Holland America's Navigator, an internet-based application that allows passengers to see daily scheduled events at a glance, book dinner reservations and shore excursions, and chat with any family and friends who are traveling with you -- all without paying for internet access.
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Holland America's clientele skews more toward older adults, and this ship fits that profile, with retirees accounting for a large number of the population. Though there weren't many younger cruisers or families during our trip, a friendly atmosphere and ample opportunities for getting to know fellow passengers over meals or on shore excursions led us to meet many interesting people along the way.
The biggest downsides of the ship were related to the number of people onboard compared to the size of the public spaces. For example, it was often very difficult to find pool chairs at either the main or the aft pools and waiting in line for meals or popular events was very much the norm. If peace and quiet is what you're seeking, the key is to find spaces of solitude wherever you can.
Inclusions
Included with your cruise fare:
- Meals in the main dining room, Lido Marketplace buffet and at the poolside Dive-In grill
- Room service
- All main theater shows and musical performances at Billboard Onboard, B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Lincoln Center Stage
- Use of the basketball court and sports facilities
- Most daily activities unless otherwise noted
- Water, basic coffee and tea (including iced), and select juices in the Lido Marketplace buffet
- Complimentary fruit bowl, replenished daily, in staterooms and suites
- Use of the fitness center, but not most fitness classes
- Club HAL kids facility, for ages 3 to 17
- In-stateroom movies-on-demand
- Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill (Neptune Suites only)
- Access to the Neptune Lounge (Neptune Suites only)
Not included with your cruise fare:
- Daily gratuities ($14.50 per person, per day for guests in standard rooms and $16 per person, per day for suite guests)
- Automatic beverage and Greenhouse Spa tips (15 percent for beverages, 18 percent for spa services)
- Meals in the Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind and Canaletto specialty dining venues
- Spa treatments, personal training classes and most group fitness classes
- Use of the hydrotherapy pool and thermal suite at the Greenhouse Spa
- All beverages outside of water, tea, coffee and select juices in the Lido Marketplace buffet
- Shore excursions
- Wi-Fi access (though passengers can use the "Chat" feature on Holland America’s Navigator app free of charge to message other onboard guests)
- Photos taken by cruise photographers
- Art gallery and retail shop purchases
- Activities like bingo, and beer and spirits tasting events
Fellow Passengers
Nieuw Amsterdam attracts a large percentage of Americans from the Upper Midwest, East Coast and Canada. The majority of the passengers are couples and retirees, and daily activities and entertainment options seem to be designed for an older clientele. You'll find few families with young children onboard, but those who are cruising tend to receive special attention and enjoy a low child-to-crew member ratio in the onboard programs and activities.
Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam Dress Code
Daytime: Casual clothing is the norm during the day.
Evening: On a seven-day itinerary, you can expect two formal evenings (called Gala Nights), while the rest of the nights are designated "smart casual" in the Dining Room and specialty restaurants. On Gala Nights the majority of women wear dresses (similar to what you might find at a daytime wedding), while men wear button-down shirts -- occasionally paired with jackets on formal nights. A small percentage of people dressed to the nines, with one group on our sailing even donning tails and top hats.
Not permitted: Swimsuits and other pool wear, men's tank tops, shorts and distressed jeans are not allowed in any of the restaurants during the evening hours.
For more information, visit Cruise Line Dress Codes: Holland America Line.
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A Good Cruise!
10+ Cruises
•
Age 50s
A nearly perfect cruise!
10+ Cruises
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Age 60s
First HAL Cruise Meets Overall Expectations
6-10 Cruises
•
Age 50s
Not the Holland America I used to love
6-10 Cruises
•
Age 70s