Thank you Shirley for an informative and well researched video. We are going in June 25 to Iceland and Greenland and your videos have been so helpful for us as 1st time cruisers!
Well done! Love the "whirlwind" approach. Nothing is so tedious as a ship tour that slowly walks you down all the hallways. Thanks for the combination of speed, efficiency, and thoroughness, Shirley!
I have watched A LOT of videos featuring this ship (we have an upcoming cruise in Feb 2025), but this is the first time anyone has demonstrated how to actually enter the sports court. It might seem silly to some, but I found it refreshingly helpful. Also love that you pointed out the shuffleboard equipment and showed the pickleball equipment - both examples of things other videos are simply missing. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but it might be helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
I agree! So many ships do not have that feature. I’m currently on the Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas. It has a definite party vibe, a louder ship overall, and a younger age range. Very different from Holland America, but it DOES have a full walk around Promenade which I love.
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but you might find it helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
One of the best cruise tours I've seen. What's really helpful is warning people of the noises they might hear or are likely to hear in some cabins. As for the ship, I love it. I don't like the newest classes of Celebrity and Princess ships, ships in the same category as HAL because I don't think they've kept the character of their lines. You can tell this is a HAL ship and it builds on the goodness of the Statendam class ships of the 1990s. It actually uses deep and vibrant colors rather than the sea of beige with muted colors most newer cruise ships use. It has lounges and just about a space for most types of cruisers. I'm sure we could quibble about placement and size of some public areas but that's something that is a challenge to get right on every cruise. Great tour and as a long time HAL fan, I cruised on the Rotterdam V when I was a boy, HAL still offers a fairly representative product in an industry that always is seeming to want to redefine itself.
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree with your assessment about Princess and Celebrity. We are planning to sail on the Noordam next year, and I look forward to how it compares tothe Nieuw Statendam. Any insights there?
@@shirleysjourneys9505 Not really. I think it's an earlier version of HAL and has most of the familiar spaces and should deliver a similar product with perhaps fewer dining options.
Great video again! We are going on May 4 for a trip around Britain. It seems that tha cabin i choose very carefully is the exact right one. Beneath the spa at the quiet side of the ship. Now we are even more looking forward to go on our 6th cruise, 123 days to go.... ⚓⚓ Thank you Shirley.
Thank you for a very informative vid. You are to be complimented for using correct nautical terms. The advice on the potential noise from various cabin ares should be helpful to new cruisers.
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but you might find some helpful info: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
We are going on the Nieuw Statendam next month going to Norway, Iceland, and Scotland, round trip from Amsterdam. This was a great introduction video, providing a lot a good information and tips. I really like your style. Happy to have found your channel. Thanks. -Marty
Welcome to the channel. Thanks for subscribing. We went to Norway last year in June and they were having a heat wave. We packed mostly all long sleeves, and were unprepared for the warm temperatures. We booked the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas as it had the itinerary and dates we wanted. I have some posts of our ports in Norway (Gerainger, Honingsvaag, Alesund, Flam) and also what we did in Amsterdam pre-cruise if you are interested.
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but it might be helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
Thanks for the tour of the Nieuw Statendam. We will be sailing on this ship in 2025. Wanted to try something new after 27 cruises on Celebrity. We have also sailed on 6 other cruise lines (besides Celebrity).
It’s nice to have loyalty perks on one brand, but I also enjoy traveling other cruise lines, too. So far HAL, ROYAL, NCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, and Oceania.
Hello Shirley, I have booked a cruise on this ship, for the first time with Holland America. Can you tell me, if it will be possible to obtain a table, only for two people in the main dining room ?
Ask your travel agent to select your dining time and table for two. If for some reason you don’t get it, see the Matre’d on day one to ask to be changed. If you have open seating instead of a fixed time, just ask for a table for two. If there is not one available, they can give you a pager.
Thank you for the kind comments and helpful critique. I need to research best microphones to use with iPhone and with iMac. It may be a couple of months before you see an improvement since I have several in process, but I will definitely work to implement better audio in the future.
Thank you Shirley for an informative and well researched video.
We are going in June 25 to Iceland and Greenland and your videos have been so helpful for us as 1st time cruisers!
You’re very welcome, I’m so glad it’s been helpful. You’re going to love Iceland and Greenland!
Well done! Love the "whirlwind" approach. Nothing is so tedious as a ship tour that slowly walks you down all the hallways. Thanks for the combination of speed, efficiency, and thoroughness, Shirley!
I agree with you. That is why I try to be as concise and thorough as possible. I appreciate your kind words!
Great, informative video. Excellent resource for someone planning to go in that ship. Your style is also very friendly and genuine. Much appreciated.
Thanks for the kind comments.
I have watched A LOT of videos featuring this ship (we have an upcoming cruise in Feb 2025), but this is the first time anyone has demonstrated how to actually enter the sports court. It might seem silly to some, but I found it refreshingly helpful. Also love that you pointed out the shuffleboard equipment and showed the pickleball equipment - both examples of things other videos are simply missing. Thank you!
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but it might be helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
A complete promenade deck really sells it for me. I just like to walk around the ship when I’m on a cruise. It’s my favourite thing.
I agree! So many ships do not have that feature. I’m currently on the Royal Caribbean Utopia of the Seas. It has a definite party vibe, a louder ship overall, and a younger age range. Very different from Holland America, but it DOES have a full walk around Promenade which I love.
Thanks for the tip about the Dutch Cafe. Did not know the food there was complimentary.
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but you might find it helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
One of the best cruise tours I've seen. What's really helpful is warning people of the noises they might hear or are likely to hear in some cabins. As for the ship, I love it. I don't like the newest classes of Celebrity and Princess ships, ships in the same category as HAL because I don't think they've kept the character of their lines. You can tell this is a HAL ship and it builds on the goodness of the Statendam class ships of the 1990s. It actually uses deep and vibrant colors rather than the sea of beige with muted colors most newer cruise ships use. It has lounges and just about a space for most types of cruisers. I'm sure we could quibble about placement and size of some public areas but that's something that is a challenge to get right on every cruise. Great tour and as a long time HAL fan, I cruised on the Rotterdam V when I was a boy, HAL still offers a fairly representative product in an industry that always is seeming to want to redefine itself.
Thanks for your comment. I completely agree with your assessment about Princess and Celebrity. We are planning to sail on the Noordam next year, and I look forward to how it compares tothe Nieuw Statendam. Any insights there?
@@shirleysjourneys9505 Not really. I think it's an earlier version of HAL and has most of the familiar spaces and should deliver a similar product with perhaps fewer dining options.
Great video again! We are going on May 4 for a trip around Britain. It seems that tha cabin i choose very carefully is the exact right one. Beneath the spa at the quiet side of the ship. Now we are even more looking forward to go on our 6th cruise, 123 days to go.... ⚓⚓ Thank you Shirley.
Hope you have an amazing trip!
Nice job Shirley! I enjoyed your video presentation!
Thanks!
Thank you for a very informative vid. You are to be complimented for using correct nautical terms. The advice on the potential noise from various cabin ares should be helpful to new cruisers.
Thanks Shirley . We are sailing on this ship in 2 months .
I'm so glad you found the video helpful!
Terrific job, Shirley. I can't wait for my upcoming cruise on the Nieuw Statendam!
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but you might find some helpful info: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
We are going on the Nieuw Statendam next month going to Norway, Iceland, and Scotland, round trip from Amsterdam. This was a great introduction video, providing a lot a good information and tips. I really like your style. Happy to have found your channel. Thanks. -Marty
Welcome to the channel. Thanks for subscribing. We went to Norway last year in June and they were having a heat wave. We packed mostly all long sleeves, and were unprepared for the warm temperatures. We booked the Royal Caribbean Jewel of the Seas as it had the itinerary and dates we wanted. I have some posts of our ports in Norway (Gerainger, Honingsvaag, Alesund, Flam) and also what we did in Amsterdam pre-cruise if you are interested.
Thank you Shirley. We are on the ship in a few weeks and this was very helpful :)
Thanks for the comment. I really appreciate the kind feedback. I just posted a new one that discusses some of the differences for Holland America. You may already know this if you have sailed a pinnacle class ship before, but it might be helpful: ua-cam.com/video/6nVJbi3PXLs/v-deo.html
Hey Shirley. Great video. Did you see any cabin doors decorated on the outside? Was hoping we could decorate ours. 🚢⚓
I’m sorry, I don’t remember. I think there were some.
Thank you for sharing! We're going on HAL for the first time on Nieuw Statendam next year. New sub here.
Thanks so much for subscribing. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!
Thanks for the tour of the Nieuw Statendam. We will be sailing on this ship in 2025. Wanted to try something new after 27 cruises on Celebrity. We have also sailed on 6 other cruise lines (besides Celebrity).
It’s nice to have loyalty perks on one brand, but I also enjoy traveling other cruise lines, too. So far HAL, ROYAL, NCL, Carnival, Celebrity, Princess, MSC, and Oceania.
Hello Shirley, I have booked a cruise on this ship, for the first time with Holland America. Can you tell me, if it will be possible to obtain a table, only for two people in the main dining room ?
Ask your travel agent to select your dining time and table for two. If for some reason you don’t get it, see the Matre’d on day one to ask to be changed. If you have open seating instead of a fixed time, just ask for a table for two. If there is not one available, they can give you a pager.
@@shirleysjourneys9505 thank you very much for your answer, have a great afternoon
Thanks beautiful ship I’ll be on this ship 2025
Hope you love it like I did!
I think you have a wonderful channel and you highlight things no one else has, but your audio isn't where it should be. Look forward to more videos!
Thank you for the kind comments and helpful critique. I need to research best microphones to use with iPhone and with iMac. It may be a couple of months before you see an improvement since I have several in process, but I will definitely work to implement better audio in the future.