Leaving on the 16th March for 7 days on this particular liner. Thanks for the detailed video. Some places I will definitely not go due to my interests but I see they really catered for a diverse population. Already packed my jacket as I hate being cold. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you enjoy her as much as we did. And along with your jacket, make sure to pack some orange for the fantastic Orange Night celebrations! Thanks for watching and your comment!
I was looking for a good ship tour to share with family that will be joining us on a cruise later in the year, such a pleasant surprise to see my son and his girlfriend sitting at the Ocean bar! 25:46
Cruised multiple times on Holland and Royal and Princess but Holland by far our favorite and a major reason was Lincoln Center Stage and BB Kings - going to really miss Lincoln Center
We love HAL for the Music Walk and hope we see more of a Lincoln Center presence in the future. Personally, we'd much rather have Lincoln Center than Billboard. But if HAL ever gets rid of BB Kings....
good tour. We're going on this in April. We've done Koningsdam and Rotterdam. We never actually get that much from Grand Dutch Cafe, so we'll persevere without it. I agree that Dive-in is really good. Hal does a really nice job with the signage and presentation of the food. Dive-in looks like a true fast food place at sea. Alternately, we were just on Princess and Salty Dog was more average imo. But Princess had better pizza (Hal's pizza is closer to something I might make at home, and I'm not a good pizza maker). But overall, we like Hal, can't wait.
Thanks so much for your comment. Grand Dutch Cafe is a nice addition to HAL's newer ships, but we think Nieuw Amsterdam offers enough on its own. And many cruises later, we still think Dive-In is top notch. But as New Yorkers were on a constant quest to find the best pizza at sea. It's been a challenge, but perhaps we will have to try Princess for that reason. We're itching to get on another HAL cruise, it's turning into one of our favorite lines. Where are you sailing to?
@@callingallports The complimentary pizza on Princess was very similar to some cheese pizza we had in NYC. And Carnival's pizza is good too (thin-crust). People say msc's pizza is really good, but I haven't had it. We'll be in southern California and determined that the Nieuw Amsterdam sailing from SD to Vancouver fits our schedule. 5 nighter, but it will work...
Nope. On all of my recent cruises it’s gone. Venue is still there with the grand piano. It’s used for small gatherings and port talks like on Eurodam right now. Such a shame!
Usually Holland America has smoking only on one side of the outside pool area (starboard side). We have been on lots of them and don't really notice the smell unless over that side. We will be boarding the Nieuw Amsterdam in June and the fact that smoking is allowed on the whole outside back deck really disappoints me.
We've only noticed the smoke and smell on Nieuw Amsterdam, it never bothered us on Koningsdam. Could have been the specific cruise we were on, a cruise with many more smokers, but it was very disappointing to have to avoid the who Sea View area.
@@callingallports When I was on Nieuw Amsterdam in August 2022 smoking was regulated to the starboard forward section of Sea View area and enforced. I will be back again this coming August. I just got off Nieuw Statendam a couple of weeks ago, and noticed that the smoke smell seemed to waft into the aft elevators area.
I''m interested in your perspective on the smoking areas. Why do you think so many lines are unconcerned about smoking areas crossing over into non-smoking areas? It seems so backward.
In many ways, HAL Nieuw Amsterdam has a good approach to keep the smoking areas outdoors, we just wish it was a little more isolated. However, Regent has the best system with two enclosed areas that make it very difficult to detect smoke. It probably just comes down to economics. You do not want to isolate the revenue stream that comes with smokers, but you also have to keep the nonsmokers happy. It's challenging for sure and some ships handle it a whole lot better than others. Do you have a ship in mind that balances the smoking/nonsmoking areas well?
No, it is just a point I've noted across vlogs. For example, I think it is Oceania Riviera that has a smoking lounge that opens on to the larger non-smoking Horizons lounge. Good to know about Regent😊
That’s a question we’ve been thinking about a lot lately… and hopefully after January when we have more free time we’ll get around to making a comparison video. Ultimately, it’s hard to make a direct comparison because they’re in very different classes, however we felt extremely comfortable on the HAL ships and in many ways preferred our experiences with HAL. The entertainment is excellent (especially if you like a variety of live music, which we do). The enrichment options are superior to Regent, particularly in locations like Alaska. The service is superb all-around. The food is consistently good, and we appreciate the wider variety of cuisine (for instance in the buffet). It’s hard to compete with Regent’s accommodations, especially the staterooms on the newer RSSC ships are in a class of their own. HAL has a much more casual vibe overall. Yet, while not opulent like RSSC, everything is still quite refined. In terms of value for money, HAL is hard to beat.
@@warrenwolf4690 you're absolutely right, the free business airfare is hard to beat. But even with paying for separate airfare, the fares come in much lower than Regent's. And the airfare options we've received from both Regent and Oceania have been less than ideal, so we've had to opt out of them anyway and book flights on our own. With that, Holland America really does a great job providing excellent value for a midship experience.
Were you last on Nieuw Amsterdam? It's interesting you say nightlife was limited after 9pm. I do not think we got back to our cabin before midnight on any given night. Holland America is a great line, though. Thanks for your comment!
We understand why smoking continues to be allowed on cruise ships, but we’re definitely not fans. Some ships handle smoking much better than others, however.
I am not a smoker but it is always interesting that people jump on the band wagon to criticize others. It may come as a surprise but smokers pay the same amount to cruise. I have never witnessed a smoker object to sitting in a designated space. Bully someone else.
@@theresaputerbaugh7800 yes it does the smell of alcohol triggers severe PTSD and it smells worse than cigarettes to me. I am a non smoker by the way. Besides smoking is only permitted on one part of the ship, that is outside on an upper deck.
We just returned from a Caribbean cruise. This was our first time cruising,the interior of the ship in the evening was freezing!!! Wished I packed warmer evening wear. The entertainment was lacking and the spaces to watch singers our small so we were never able to sit down unless you got there 1 hour before. The world stage is a huge venue not utilized enough. We had the have it all and they ran out of canned water and perrier. The staff was 10 out of 10. We enjoyed the dining room but the desserts were not very good,same desserts offered at the lido buffet. We returned our desserts numerous nights. The gym is well equipped but the exercise classes should be included. If I ever cruise again I would try a different cruise line.
Too bad you had a bit of a mixed experience. If you do decide to cruise again, you'll start to get the hang of the rhythm of the ship, especially when it comes to showing up early for shows. We've been on a variety of cruises, from under 1000 to nearly 5k, and have always had to show up early for shows. It seems like maybe a smaller ship may suit you best. More expensive, but all-inclusive with fitness classes included in the fare, top notch food, and exceptional service. Give cruising another go, if you can. It is a great way to see the world - especially Alaska. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Brilliant use of music, brilliant script and love the walk around visuals! Feel like I should be sitting in a cinema, paying for this content😊
Thank you so much, we really appreciate it! 😍
Leaving on the 16th March for 7 days on this particular liner. Thanks for the detailed video. Some places I will definitely not go due to my interests but I see they really catered for a diverse population. Already packed my jacket as I hate being cold. Thanks for sharing.
I hope you enjoy her as much as we did. And along with your jacket, make sure to pack some orange for the fantastic Orange Night celebrations! Thanks for watching and your comment!
@@callingallports my pashmena is orange lol
@@carmenabdelnor4915 fantastic choice!
💜 purple is perfect 🤩
Great review, thank you for sharing. We will be on board Jan13 - 20, 2024. Can't wait!
Thank you so much! Hope you enjoy Nieuw Amsterdam as much as we did!
I was looking for a good ship tour to share with family that will be joining us on a cruise later in the year, such a pleasant surprise to see my son and his girlfriend sitting at the Ocean bar! 25:46
Wow, what a small world! Your comment put smiles on our faces - thank you so much!
Cruised multiple times on Holland and Royal and Princess but Holland by far our favorite and a major reason was Lincoln Center Stage and BB Kings - going to really miss Lincoln Center
We love HAL for the Music Walk and hope we see more of a Lincoln Center presence in the future. Personally, we'd much rather have Lincoln Center than Billboard. But if HAL ever gets rid of BB Kings....
good tour. We're going on this in April. We've done Koningsdam and Rotterdam. We never actually get that much from Grand Dutch Cafe, so we'll persevere without it. I agree that Dive-in is really good. Hal does a really nice job with the signage and presentation of the food. Dive-in looks like a true fast food place at sea. Alternately, we were just on Princess and Salty Dog was more average imo. But Princess had better pizza (Hal's pizza is closer to something I might make at home, and I'm not a good pizza maker). But overall, we like Hal, can't wait.
Thanks so much for your comment. Grand Dutch Cafe is a nice addition to HAL's newer ships, but we think Nieuw Amsterdam offers enough on its own. And many cruises later, we still think Dive-In is top notch. But as New Yorkers were on a constant quest to find the best pizza at sea. It's been a challenge, but perhaps we will have to try Princess for that reason. We're itching to get on another HAL cruise, it's turning into one of our favorite lines. Where are you sailing to?
@@callingallports The complimentary pizza on Princess was very similar to some cheese pizza we had in NYC. And Carnival's pizza is good too (thin-crust). People say msc's pizza is really good, but I haven't had it. We'll be in southern California and determined that the Nieuw Amsterdam sailing from SD to Vancouver fits our schedule. 5 nighter, but it will work...
@@monkeyb1820 That's good to know, thanks!
Very good overview. I’ve sailed on her last in 2021 and will again next month Dec 2023!
Thank you so much! We really want to sail on her again - one of our favorite ships!
How was December 2023?
@@dougowens4508 very good. We enjoyed the 12 days we were sailing. Was supposed to be 14 but dry dock was extended. Lots of new upholstery etc.
@@hettytravels did Lincoln Center Stage make an appearance at all?
Nope. On all of my recent cruises it’s gone. Venue is still there with the grand piano. It’s used for small gatherings and port talks like on Eurodam right now. Such a shame!
We enjoyed listening to the trio band in the Ocean Bar every afternoon on the Eurodam in March 2024 while on a Caribbean cruise.
Usually Holland America has smoking only on one side of the outside pool area (starboard side). We have been on lots of them and don't really notice the smell unless over that side. We will be boarding the Nieuw Amsterdam in June and the fact that smoking is allowed on the whole outside back deck really disappoints me.
We've only noticed the smoke and smell on Nieuw Amsterdam, it never bothered us on Koningsdam. Could have been the specific cruise we were on, a cruise with many more smokers, but it was very disappointing to have to avoid the who Sea View area.
@@callingallports When I was on Nieuw Amsterdam in August 2022 smoking was regulated to the starboard forward section of Sea View area and enforced. I will be back again this coming August. I just got off Nieuw Statendam a couple of weeks ago, and noticed that the smoke smell seemed to waft into the aft elevators area.
Agreed. I am going in 2 weeks on this ship and was disappointed to learn of this.
I''m interested in your perspective on the smoking areas. Why do you think so many lines are unconcerned about smoking areas crossing over into non-smoking areas? It seems so backward.
In many ways, HAL Nieuw Amsterdam has a good approach to keep the smoking areas outdoors, we just wish it was a little more isolated. However, Regent has the best system with two enclosed areas that make it very difficult to detect smoke. It probably just comes down to economics. You do not want to isolate the revenue stream that comes with smokers, but you also have to keep the nonsmokers happy. It's challenging for sure and some ships handle it a whole lot better than others.
Do you have a ship in mind that balances the smoking/nonsmoking areas well?
No, it is just a point I've noted across vlogs. For example, I think it is Oceania Riviera that has a smoking lounge that opens on to the larger non-smoking Horizons lounge. Good to know about Regent😊
How would you compare HAL to Regent??
That’s a question we’ve been thinking about a lot lately… and hopefully after January when we have more free time we’ll get around to making a comparison video. Ultimately, it’s hard to make a direct comparison because they’re in very different classes, however we felt extremely comfortable on the HAL ships and in many ways preferred our experiences with HAL. The entertainment is excellent (especially if you like a variety of live music, which we do). The enrichment options are superior to Regent, particularly in locations like Alaska. The service is superb all-around. The food is consistently good, and we appreciate the wider variety of cuisine (for instance in the buffet). It’s hard to compete with Regent’s accommodations, especially the staterooms on the newer RSSC ships are in a class of their own. HAL has a much more casual vibe overall. Yet, while not opulent like RSSC, everything is still quite refined. In terms of value for money, HAL is hard to beat.
@@callingallports thanks. What about the air ? Hard to compete with free business class air on international flights
@@warrenwolf4690 you're absolutely right, the free business airfare is hard to beat. But even with paying for separate airfare, the fares come in much lower than Regent's. And the airfare options we've received from both Regent and Oceania have been less than ideal, so we've had to opt out of them anyway and book flights on our own. With that, Holland America really does a great job providing excellent value for a midship experience.
I love holland America. The last cruise was a little too old for me but still fun. Night life after 9pm was limited.
Were you last on Nieuw Amsterdam? It's interesting you say nightlife was limited after 9pm. I do not think we got back to our cabin before midnight on any given night. Holland America is a great line, though.
Thanks for your comment!
Enjoyed your NA ship tour
We will be leaving on the ship in mid November. Our first HAL cruise.
Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed our tour!
Where are heading on your first HAL cruise?
We will be on our first ever HAL cruise Oct 2024. Loved this!
Thanks@@michellecaiola2606 ! You'll have a great cruise with HAL, it truly is one of our favorite lines to sail with.
Staff don't wear mask in the restaurant?
Not when we were onboard.
Great!!!
Smoking cigarettes, ruins, everything… It should be a smoke-free ship.
We understand why smoking continues to be allowed on cruise ships, but we’re definitely not fans. Some ships handle smoking much better than others, however.
I am not a smoker but it is always interesting that people jump on the band wagon to criticize others. It may come as a surprise but smokers pay the same amount to cruise. I have never witnessed a smoker object to sitting in a designated space. Bully someone else.
Alcoholics ruin everything there should be no alcohol on the ships either.... Yes it sounds ridiculous.
@@AndreaGwyn1973my drinking doesn’t pollute your air though…
@@theresaputerbaugh7800 yes it does the smell of alcohol triggers severe PTSD and it smells worse than cigarettes to me. I am a non smoker by the way. Besides smoking is only permitted on one part of the ship, that is outside on an upper deck.
Eighth oldest makes her the fourth newest. Put another way, she is newest before the three Pinnacle Class ships.
Love the framing of that! She is one of our favorites, we just booked another cruise on during the $1 deposit sale yesterday!
We just returned from a Caribbean cruise. This was our first time cruising,the interior of the ship in the evening was freezing!!! Wished I packed warmer evening wear. The entertainment was lacking and the spaces to watch singers our small so we were never able to sit down unless you got there 1 hour before. The world stage is a huge venue not utilized enough. We had the have it all and they ran out of canned water and perrier. The staff was 10 out of 10. We enjoyed the dining room but the desserts were not very good,same desserts offered at the lido buffet. We returned our desserts numerous nights. The gym is well equipped but the exercise classes should be included. If I ever cruise again I would try a different cruise line.
Too bad you had a bit of a mixed experience. If you do decide to cruise again, you'll start to get the hang of the rhythm of the ship, especially when it comes to showing up early for shows. We've been on a variety of cruises, from under 1000 to nearly 5k, and have always had to show up early for shows.
It seems like maybe a smaller ship may suit you best. More expensive, but all-inclusive with fitness classes included in the fare, top notch food, and exceptional service. Give cruising another go, if you can. It is a great way to see the world - especially Alaska.
Thanks for watching and commenting.
Nice