Nieuw Amsterdam Review
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Sailed Nov 21, 2010 N.Amsterdam - first time Holland America. Daughter's wedding was held on Nov 21 at port before sailing. The wedding coordination handled by an HAL contracted service, Royal Ocean Events, went very well. That's about all that went well on this cruise.
We were a party of 16 (13 Adults/3 Children)- 6 cabins. We were under the assumption that HAL was a "premium" cruisline - far from it. There are so many cons to this new ship (cruiseline) it would take me a few hours to describe. Here it is in brief form: Service lacks in all departments. Manhattan Dining & Tamarind Asian - stay away. Pinnacle Grill was excellent the first night of sailing (held wedding dinner reception there) - booked for Thanksgiving and service went downhill! The food in the Pinnacle is the best on the entire ship. Lido Buffet repeats itself - everything tastes the same. We all mostly survived on hamburgers from the pool grill when opened. Food is EXTREMELY limited at all times including during the Half Moon Cay Island BBQ. At the buffet line you are served a limited portion.
Phones do not work properly. Room service is very very slow, (up to 2hr wait) poor quality and limited menu. Coffee is awful - had to mix with 1/2 hot water everytime. Never met my room steward until the last night when he knocked at our door to give us a survey to be completed regarding the service...WHAT???? Cabins were cleaned everyday - no complaints there but we never saw by whom. This ship constantly rocks causing passengers to be sick. We recently sailed the Celebrity Solstice (Southern Caribbean) in June 2010 and never felt it move! New ship? Stabilizers? Don't think so! Staff is overworked and cannot possibly provide "excellence of service" as HAL boasts. No music whatsoever! Piped in 1920 jitterbug sounds by the pool instead of Caribbean calypso live band or CD! Employees continuously opened and closed dome over pool for no apparent reason - very annoying. Smokey vanity mirror in cabins - can't see yourself! Poor lighting in cabin.(Had floor to ceiling window and still dark).
Cabin Review
Large Outside Stateroom (fully obstructed views)
Cabins are poor in lighting. Not enough light in the entrance hall/closet area although we had a Cat HH cabin which has a floor to ceiling window. The mirror over the vanity is smokey and makes it even more difficult to see yourself. Location is good and quiet. Because this ship rocks more than other ships, this is a pretty steady floor. Had other family in cabin 8165 and the rocking was heavily felt.