Nieuw Amsterdam Review
Nieuw Amsterdam Beautiful, but Disappointing Ship
Rating by category
Additional details
Cruising the Panama Canal had always been on my bucket list and a year a go decided to book it with our friends. We chose this ship because it came back all the way to Seattle which is close to home. This was our 20th cruise and the 9th with Holland America. While we liked the itinerary and the ship is beautiful the service and dining in the main dining room and the lido was poor.
I cannot say enough good things about the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, and the Tamarind. All 3 offered superior menus and the food was well presented and very good. Would rate them 5 stars. The main dining room did not have a good selection on the menu unless you like duck, veal, and lamb. Several nights the only thing I could order was the Chicken selection. What I did order was good but just not enough to choose from. Also the helpings were very small. On the first Gala night I ordered the steak and shrimp. My steak was about 4 bites, not joking, and 2 tiny shrimp on top. The amount of time to get served and eat dinner would be one hour one night but nearly 2 hours the next. no consistency in the service. After a few nights we decided to eat in the lido and specialty restaurants. The Lido was the same food at lunch and dinner with changing out the meat. Everything was fried, dry tasting and just not very appealing. They did have Asian food available which my friends said was very good and a wonderful salad bar.
The service in the dining room and Lido was by far the worse of any cruise I have been on. In general, the waiters in both areas seem to just be going through the motions. Nothing like I have experienced on my other Holland America cruises which all had wonderful service. In the LIdo no waiter asked if you wanted coffee or water. You had to get it yourself or ask them. I had 2 encounters with wait staff about clearing a table so we could sit at the table. both waiters acted like it wasn't something they needed to do but did do it although not happy about it. Completely amazed at the bad service as Holland America is known for its service.