Amsterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
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One and Done Cruise

Review for Alaska Cruise on Amsterdam
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UPprincess
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

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Sail Date: May 2017
Cabin: Large Interior Stateroom

This review will be lengthy..hoping to assist future cruisers (as I was helped). Did much research before choosing Land Explorer. My major goal was to SEE Alaska. This two week itinerary logged over 3000 miles and had 9 ports. I looked at the Alaskan Marine Highway as possible transportation and could not do the trip cheaper then an inside room on the Amsterdam. Our dollars were spent on excursions and in those, I was not disappointed.

Suffice it to say, we are not your typical crusers. It was our first experience cruising. Being ill with sinus/respiratory infections did not help. Add to that 3 long Sea days, that first Monday was "Rough" according to more seasoned veterans. Between anti-nausea patches and cough medicine, we "hacked" and slept our way through. Two nights of Husband unable to lie down to sleep and temperature greater then 102 was scary enough to consider potential medical treatment. I learned that insurances are not accepted and all is put on one's charge card. A "Medical Evaluation" runs $95 if obtained during office hours, $145 during day non-office hours and $195 at night. A simple chest xray was $75, but must add send out reading fee of $275! One can then independently attempt recouping paid charges after the cruise. NyQuill and DayQuill were $18 per small bottle. It is in your best benefit to anticipate potential illnesses and come prepared. What one cannot anticipate is the massive amount of perfume/colognes these elderly Cruisers wear. One's sense of smell decreases with aging and scent dousing was at all time high on Sea Days aka "Gala Nights"! If you have a respitory illness, cruising is ill advised unless you wish to stay in your cabin the whole cruise.

Speaking of cabins, we were in Cabin 7048 (K level)..one of three inside rooms on the Navigation deck. The location was convenient, one flight of stairs up to the Lido And two flights down to the Library. It is Aft and there is sway and rocking present, making us seek out a midshop location on Sea Days. Because it is high, foul smells were at a minimum (Upon passing through lower decks, noted fans drying out hallways. Also, could smell mold in the back of the Queen's Lounge). There was plenty of space, enjoyed the couch and extra chair and did not feel claustrophobic.

Cabin Review

Large Interior Stateroom

Cabin K

Great location, near Lido and Library. Aft which there was sway on rough Sea Days.. so maybe not a good choice for those that get seasick. Quiet, sometimes could hear chairs scraping above but really not a problem.

Port Reviews

Kodiak

Enjoyed the belalika players. Citrus Russian tea somewhat gross..loved meeting locals and seeing the churches

Sitka

Enjoyed the churches then walking around on our own

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