Nieuw Amsterdam Review
Nieuw Amsterdam delivers with wonderful customer service
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Our trip, which embarked on March 22, was a relaxed, easy seven day trip. Embarkation took no time and we were in our rooms long before we expected. If you are driving, The Park and Go, is very efficient and accommodating, and will save you money on parking.
We were in a balcony room, 7002, and I was a little worried because we had read about the complaints of vibrations on this ship. We did feel some (we were right behind the navigation deck) but it never became an issue for us. We actually liked the ease we had in getting to the stairs which we used more often than the elevators to hit the Lido Deck (9).
We booked one night at Pinnacle and one at Tamarind, and both were good. The staff at Tamarind couldn't have been any better. I love to cook so I am a bit of a critic when it comes to food, but both restaurants were fine. Dining at the Manhattan Dining Room was also okay. The staff was fun, funny, and personable. The food was fine. The Lido experience to me was not so great. This might be because I don't much like buffets and the lines were long with really grumpy people. It bothered me the way they addressed the hard-working employees. Shame on them! I appreciated the effort the employees gave to each individual request (some really ridiculous ones), and tried my best to make up for some of the fellow passengers. There many offerings for different tastes, and I tried a lot of them. There's something for everyone.
Cabin Review
The cabin was fine. We had gotten used to a suite in the past, so it seemed of course a little tight. I loved having the balcony and being able to see us coming into port. We had a nice-sized bathroom with a tub and shower with plenty of room and great water pressure in the shower. The room was freshened up every day that we didn't put a DND on the door, and I thoroughly enjoyed the towel animals that awaited us upon our return to the room at night. Especially the elephant!
Port Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
The Park and Go option was great for those of us driving and parking for the cruise. The parking attendants and drivers were very efficient, accommodating, and friendly.
Grand Turk
We just got off the boat and walked around. Margaritaville looked like a wonderful place for those who aren't living near a beach, which I do. We just enjoyed our time on the ship instead.
St. Thomas
We took a taxi not St. Thomas and sort of just walked around. We are not shoppers, and next time I am in St. Thomas I would take an excursion to St. John. I did buy a hat there though!
Half Moon Cay
We stayed on the boat. It was cloudy and overcast and a little windy and cold. We hung out at the SeaView Bar with some fellow travelers and just enjoyed the view from afar.