Nieuw Amsterdam Review
Slightly Active Vacationing with the Nieuw Amsterdam
Rating by category
Additional details
I wear an activity tracker and I don't take it off for vacations.
Many of the HAL ships provide what I like to have in a cruise vacation, especially when I'm using an inside cabin, and that's the ability to walk decks in sunlight without being in a cloud of cigarette/cigar smoke. The Nieuw Amsterdam has a promenade deck, and an observation deck, and a fitness center. I didn't use the fitness center treadmills because the deck space was generous, which is a perk since treadmilling while at sea makes me motion sick, while walking the deck does not.
The layout of the ship is fairly basic or predictable--shops, casino, diningroom, theatre, library, meeting rooms, and snugs. The Greenhouse Spa has both the heated lounges (my favorite cruise ship feature) and the thermal pool--if you like hot tubs, this is the way to go, since the public hot tubs weren't hot. Cost was $249/couple this trip, for the week. I didn't find it crowded, the heated lounges were absolutely toasty, and the aromatherapy sauna stayed fragrant.
Cabin Review
Standard Interior Stateroom
I would definitely stay in this room again. The room is oriented along the axis of the ship, which I wanted so that the beds might not shake side to side. I think the room is a little larger than the other inside room I saw, 4181.
This room was quiet. I really wondered if I had neighbors, but we saw their luggage on the last day. It's aft, so if you like to have quick access to food, great, but if you like being near the showroom or spa, bad. The closets was in two parts and really don't have height for long dresses. Drawer/cabinet storage was adequate for our needs, and we only fought over the bathroom shelves. The toilet malfunctioned once during the week, but I'm beginning to think that always happens on a weeklong cruise. The shower was great, and has a clothesline. We got clothes to dry by rinsing out the salt, hanging them, leaving the bathroom door open and turning the room temp all the way cold.
Port Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
We had a speedy embarkation experience.
Grand Turk
The taxi tour was $35/person and mostly self-paced.
San Juan
Walked Old San Juan and had a late lunch at Barrachina. Great vegetable mofongo.
Half Moon Cay
Needs hammocks.