Name: Jacques Rambonnet
Email: jrambonnet@rjoperating.com
Age: 37
Occupation: V.P. Operations
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-NieuwAmsterdam
SailingDate: 3/1/97
Itinerary: Western Caribbean
FoodDiningRoom: 90
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService: 85
CruiseStaff: 90
CabinAmenities: 93
FoodLidoDeck: 87
DiningRoomService: 92
CabinQuietness: 88
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 95
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 97
DeckService: 88
ShoreExcValue: 85
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 90
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 97
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 87
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 85
OverallPortsofCall: 82
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 80
CruiseActivities: 80
Casino: 87
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 93
EmbarkDisembark: 93
DiscoNightclubs: 90
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 87
ShopsOnBoard: 85
SpaceRatio: 90
OverallCruiseValue: 95
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 18 Sep 1997
Time: 12:11:03
Remote Name: 206.175.108.128
Remote User:

Comments

My roomate and I sailed the Nieuw Amsterdam with my parents (who are in their 70's). We chose this ship because of its relatively short flight
from Dallas to New Orleans since my father has a problem on long flights. Also, we choose HAL because of their reputation of catering almost
exclusively to the elderly clientelle. This was my first "large ship" cruise as I have only sailed on the Star Clipper and my roomates first cruise
ever. My parents are first generation immagrants from Holland in which they sailed a Holland America ship when they came over from Holland
to New York almost 50 years ago. We thought it would be very special - which it was.

The itinerary consisted of the Western Caribbean and in which Jamaica (Montego Bay), Grand Cayman (Georgetown) and Cozumel were the
respective ports of call. Jamaica was the only disapointing port. We docked in a shabby and pretty run down area with little to do at the dock
except shop in the so-called "mall" which consisted of numerous tacky retail establishments. We were even asked by one sales clerk if we
wanted to purchase drugs! I politely told her "No, thank you" and scurried out the door. It was a good thing that we had booked the
"Plantation" tour for Jamaica otherwise we would have simply stayed on the ship all day long.

Being an older ship, she is not sporting the big atriums and glass elevators so commonly seen on newer ship layouts. This ship however has a
lot of old world charm. We found her teak decks, relatively large staterooms, and overall ambiance delightful. The service was extremely good
and better than expected. The room steward was barely seen and always folded any clothes we might have had strewn about the room. The
ship was extremely clean for her age and we always saw members of the staff polishing, buffing or putting a little elbow grease on something.

As far as activities go, there is not a lot catering to a younger crowd and if you have to have a partylike atmosphere on your vacation, this is
not the place for you. But if you enjoy a peaceful, relaxing, environment where staff members wait on you in gleeful servitude, making sure that
your every wish is fulfilled, then this is a ship for you.

I was on the Norwegian Star for a week only last month which is another older ship from the 70's but was disapointed overall in comparison to
the Nieuw Amsterdam. The Nieuw Amsterdam is not doing the same itinerary anymore (sailing from New Orleans) and I believe it is doing the
Alaska or Panama Canal route. Compare prices of other ships doing the same itinerary. I belive you'll find the Nieuw Amsterdam a real bargain.
It also might be your last chance to sail on one of these classic ships since many of the cruise lines are phasing the older ones out. It will
certainly be an era gone but not forgotten in the cruise industry.

Just as another note, I will be sailing on NCL's S/S Norway (formerly the S/S France) next month. This again is another classic ocean liner built
for transatlantic crossings.

I will write reviews of the Star as well as the Norway when I return.

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