After our last cruise on a line that attracted more families, we wanted a cruise line that focused less on kids and more on better dining. The Niew Amsterdam did not disappoint. The ship was in good condition and the food was great. We received the Explore4 package as a promotion and it was a great deal. The dinner at the Pinnacle Grill was wonderful although the restaurant was so popular that it was a bit of a challenge the change the pre-assigned reservation they had made for us. The entire staff was wonderful!

We took two shore excursions and they were both great. In Juneau we did the Dolphin Jet Boat Tour which included whale watching and a stop at a glacier. We saw tons of whales and took many photos. The tour was helped by the 80F weather we had that day. The second with the full-day motor coach / train tour in Skagway. It was entertaining and the views were spectacular.

One of the best surprises was the embarkation and disembarkation process. Previous cruises set our expectations for long lines and mass chaos. That was not the case with this line. We were allowed to select our disembarkation time and enjoy breakfast then return to our room until our departure time. It was so nice not to be ushered into a waiting area with little to eat. Once off the ship, our luggage was easy to find and get through customs. Read more