We board the elegant Nieuw Amsterdam in Barcelona for a 13 night Trans Atlantic crossing to Fort Lauderdale. We are impressed with the ship - It does exude elegance. The public on Decks 2 and 3 are nicely designed to serve as multipurpose rooms. The furniture is comfortable - the spaces open and airy feeling and the three story atirum has a beautiful glass staircase and a frosted chandelier depicting Nieuw Amsterdam ( NYC skyline).

It's not difficult to acclimate to this ship. Deck 1 has comfortable seating and offers guest services, an excursion desk, future cruise booking and the "on location" Advisor desk. Decks 2 and 3 have bars, shops, restaurants, photography studio, card rooms, show rooms and a movie theatre. Decks 10 and 11 have pools, jaccuzzis, sports courts, buffet and specialty restaurants, spa and fitness center and the Crow's Nest that serves as internet cafe, library, coffee shop bar and dance floor - all with a panoramic oceanview.

Rooms are more spacious than other ships that we've recently sailed. Our balcony cabin had a tub which is unusual and much to my liking. Storage was more than adequate with luggage fitting easily under the bed. Ice was not automatically replenished twice daily - but once we made our needs known to our room attendant it was provided. Read more