The title says the most important things about the recent cruise my wife and I took aboard HAL's Nieuw Amsterdam.

The gracious and attentive crew of HAL ships, the backbone of HAL's reputation, was all that we expected it would be. The Indonesian stewards in the cabins and the dining area, as well as the cleaning crew, were extremely polite, friendly, and attentive to our needs. Never did I pass an Indonesian crew member without seeing a smile - not once. I never walked from forward to aft without seeing one of the crew cleaning a public area of the ship.

The Filipino bartenders, bar stewards, and Front Office crew were warm and kind, knowledgeable and funny, and gracious. Michael (a.k.a. Boozee), Henry Jr., Henry, Bill, Mac, Antonio, Ronaldo, Jenny, and Liany were exceptional in the bar staff. Bong, R.J., Pierce, Abigail, Jola, and Jodi were exceptional at the Front Office. Jodi, the Guest Relations Manager, made us feel welcome as soon as we came to the Lido Deck. Unlike on other cruise lines, the officers of the ship were polite and attentive in their interactions with guests. Read more