Douglas Ward
This ship features dutch decor, traditions, and comfort for entire families
The Ship. Nieuw Amsterdam is close sister to Eurodam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam. It is named after the Dutch name for New York City, and the interior design reflects the great metropolis. It has two upright ‘dustbin lid’ funnels in a close-knit configuration. The twin working funnels are the result of the machinery configuration; the ship has, in effect, two engine rooms – one with three diesels, and one with two diesels and a gas turbine. There’s a pod propulsion system, so there’s no vibration.
There is a complete walk-around exterior teak promenade deck, with teak steamer-style sunloungers. A jogging track outdoors is located around the mast and the forward third of the ship. Exterior glass elevators, mounted midships on both the port and starboard sides, provide fine ocean views from any one of 10 decks. One of the two centrally located swimming pools outdoors can be used in inclement weather because of a retractable sliding glass roof. Two hot tubs, adjacent to the swimming pools, are abridged by a bar. There’s also a small swimming pool for children.
There are two entertainment/public room decks, the most dramatic space being a showlounge spanning four decks in the forward section. Other facilities include a winding shopping street with several boutique stores and logo shops, a card room, an art gallery, photo gallery, and several small meeting rooms. The large casino is equipped with an array of gaming tables and slot machines, and you have to walk through it to get from the restaurant to the showlounge.
Explorations – perhaps the most popular public room – is a combination of a coffee bar (where coffees and other drinks cost extra), lounge, extensive library, and Internet-connect center, all within an attractive, open ‘lifestyle’ environment. It’s popular for relaxation and reading, although noise from the coffee machine can interrupt concentration.
On other decks (lower down), you’ll find the Queen’s Lounge, which is part lecture room and part Culinary Arts Center and bar, where culinary demonstrations and cooking classes are held. There are also a number of other bars and lounges, including an Explorer’s Lounge (live string and piano music is appropriate for cocktails in the evenings, when warm hors d’oeuvres are provided). The ship also has a small movie-screening room.
The information desk in the lobby is small and somewhat removed from the main passenger flow on the two decks above it. Many pillars obstruct the passenger flow and lines of sight throughout the ship. There are no self-service launderettes – something that families with children tend to miss, although special laundry packages are available.
Gratuities are automatically added to your onboard account. Passenger niggles? These include noisy cabin air conditioning, as the flow can’t be regulated or turned off.
Accommodation. There are many price categories. The views from some cabins on the lowest accommodation deck (Main Deck) are obstructed by lifeboats. Some cabins that can accommodate a third and fourth person have very little closet space, and only one personal safe. Occupants of suites get exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge and concierge service, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and other benefits. In many of the suites/cabins with private balconies, the balconies are not so private and can be overlooked from various public locations.
Standard outside cabins measure (197 sq ft/18.3 sq m). Interior (no-view) cabins are slightly smaller (183 sq ft/17 sq m).
Penthouse Verandah Suites measure 318 sq ft/29.5 sq m). Deluxe Verandah Suites measure 563 sq ft (52.3 sq m). Verandah Suites measure 284 sq ft (26.3 sq m).
Dining. The 1,045-seat Manhattan Dining Room spans two decks at the stern, with seating at tables for two, four, six, or eight on both main and balcony levels. It provides a traditional HAL dining experience, with friendly service from smiling Indonesian and Filipino stewards. Both open seating and assigned seating are available for dinner, while breakfast and lunch are open seating – you’ll be seated by restaurant staff when you enter.
HAL can provide Kosher meals (if requested when you book), although these are prepared ashore, then frozen, and brought to your table sealed in their original containers.
The extra-cost, reservations-required 148-seat Pinnacle Grill is a more intimate venue than the main dining room, with higher-quality ingredients and better presentation. On Lower Promenade Deck, it fronts onto the second level of the atrium lobby; tables along its outer section are open to it and can suffer from noise from the Atrium Bar one deck below, though these tables are good for those who like to see and be seen. Pacific Northwest food is featured, including premium-quality steaks and seafood. The wine list includes a range of fine wines from around the world. Another (extra-cost, reservations-required) option is Tamarind, which features Southeast Asian cuisine.
For casual eating, there is a large, self-serve Lido Café, an eatery that wraps around the funnel, with indoor-outdoor seating and ocean views. It includes several sections including a salad bar, Asian stir-fry and sushi section, deli sandwiches, and a separate dessert buffet, although lines can form for made-to-order items such as omelets for breakfast and pasta for lunch.
Also, a poolside ‘Dive-In at the Terrace Grill’ features multi-choice signature burgers (with special Dive-In sauce), hot dogs, and fries. On certain days, barbeques and other culinary specialties are available poolside.
Entertainment. The 867-seat Mainstage Lounge is the venue for Vegas-style revues and major cabaret shows. The main floor level includes a bar in its aft section. Spiral stairways at the back of the showlounge connect all levels. Stage shows are best seen from the upper levels, from where the sight lines are quite good.
Spa/Fitness. The Greenhouse Spa, a two-deck-high facility, is located above the navigation bridge. It includes a solarium, hydrotherapy pool, and a unisex thermal suite – incorporating a laconium (gentle sauna), hammam (mild steam), and chamomile grotto (small aromatic steam room).
There is a beauty salon, several private massage/treatment rooms (including one for couples), and a large gymnasium with floor-to-ceiling windows on three sides and forward-facing ocean views, and the latest high-tech muscle-toning equipment. There’s also a basketball court, volleyball court, and a golf simulator.