Cruise Talk: HAL'S AMSTERDAM

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Author

Topic: HAL'S AMSTERDAM

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-17-2000 10:43 AM

HAL'S newsest ship, MS AMSTERDAM, will be in Boston tomorrow, October 18th and in Baltimore, October 20th. I know a few of our posters are going to the ship in both cities for a tour, so we will be anxiously waiting to hear all about it.
Joe - are you and Corinne going for a tour?

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

tomc
First Class Passenger
Member # 1624

posted 10-17-2000 04:37 PM

Tell you all about it on Sept 17 2001.

Gotta figure out the months, days and hours for that one. Right now, I'm focused on the Maasdam: 3d, 18m

Posts: 78 | From: Wilkes-Barre PA USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-17-2000 05:46 PM

quote:
Originally posted by tomc:
Tell you all about it on Sept 17 2001.
Gotta figure out the months, days and hours for that one. Right now, I'm focused on the Maasdam: 3d, 18m

Can't wait that long TomC. I have two friends visiting in the next couple of days and I am sure they will both make posts when they return.
We may be on that Sept. 17th cruise with you!
We are working on it now.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-17-2000 06:59 PM

sympatico......

A small correction......AMSTERDAM will be
in Baltimore on the 21 of October.

Any Maryland cruisers to be on board for
inspection????

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-17-2000 07:18 PM

quote:
Originally posted by NAL:
sympatico......
A small correction......AMSTERDAM will be
in Baltimore on the 21 of October.
Any Maryland cruisers to be on board for
inspection????

SORRY!

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

bugsykitty
First Class Passenger
Member # 1580

posted 10-17-2000 07:27 PM

I will, NAL -- and I'll write something up when I get home that night.

Dee

Posts: 17 | From: Columbia MD USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-17-2000 08:55 PM

Bugsykitty.....

Nice name!!!

I will be too and will write something
ASAP. It will be fun to compare our
impressions.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

tomc
First Class Passenger
Member # 1624

posted 10-17-2000 10:20 PM

quote:
We may be on that Sept. 17th cruise with you

Unfortunately, I meant that's when I will be returning home to write the review. As I leave the ship, I can wave when you get on.

2d, 18h, 33m

Posts: 78 | From: Wilkes-Barre PA USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 10-18-2000 06:25 AM

Hi sympatico and NAL, etc...we are leaving for Boston in about 1-1/2 hours to visit the Amsterdam and to sail overnight on her. Will try to write my comments Thursday night after we return. Looking forward to seeing her and maybe some of our old friends.

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

bugsykitty
First Class Passenger
Member # 1580

posted 10-18-2000 08:24 AM

quote:
Originally posted by NAL:
Bugsykitty.....
Nice name!!!
I will be too and will write something
ASAP. It will be fun to compare our
impressions.

Thanks, NAL, for the welcome. bugsykitty was my neighbor's tabby who thought she lived at my house ;-)

She lived to be a ripe old 20 years of age, and is missed by all of us who were "owned" by her.

I will be interested in seeing the artwork as well as the decorating schemes and patterns, as I can't believe she'll look much different than the Volendam in terms of layout, which I sailed to Alaska in May.

I like the Maasdam best so far of the newer builds, because of her size --- I didn't like the moving of the aft pool up to the Lido deck on Volendam -- it made the slightly boxy stern of the Statendam class into even more of a box.

I like the smaller ships; I think though that I'm going to run out of options in the not too distant future, as they are all getting bigger.

Dee

Posts: 17 | From: Columbia MD USA | Registered: Sep 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-18-2000 08:55 AM

Bugsykitty.....

I agree with you.....I like the MAASDAM too.
I like the ROTTERDAM best so far and she is
as big as I go. The AMSTERDAM will be closer
to the ROTTERDAM than the VOLENDAM from the
info I have gathered.

I want to welcome you on board and look
forward to your posts.

Enjoy Saturday, I know I will, and I look
forward to your review.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-18-2000 09:43 AM

You all make me so envious, especially you LizB, going to the Amsterdam for an overnight. It will be really interesting to hear what each one of you have to say about the Amsterdam. Have a super time NAL & Bugsykitty - I guess LizB has already left for the drive to Boston.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

tomc
First Class Passenger
Member # 1624

posted 10-18-2000 01:31 PM

I heard the Zaandam is pretty flashy and "up." Hope they keep it in the Caribbean, as I like a quieter ship. I still think Rotterdam V was the classiest thing I've ever seen. But that was my first ship and someone said you always fall in love with your first ship.

2d, 3h, 23m

Posts: 78 | From: Wilkes-Barre PA USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-18-2000 09:19 PM

tomc....

I always felt that nothing will replace
Rotterdam V. I was wrong. Wait till you
see and travel on Rotterdam VI. I was on
Rotterdam V almost 40 times so I know of
what I speak. You will LOVE her. Rotterdam
V will always be special to you as she is
to me and a few others who post her, but
you will enjoy the new one....I promise.

BTW, I live fairly near to you.....near
Lewisburg......

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

tomc
First Class Passenger
Member # 1624

posted 10-18-2000 09:27 PM

quote:
I was on Rotterdam V almost 40 times

Holy Mackerel! I thought I was doing good with 7 trips. Given the R-VI's general itinerary, I doubt that it will be doing the Canada/New England run, which is where I will be going, as my family lives near Québec City and it's easier to cruise that way.

1d, 19h, 27m

Posts: 78 | From: Wilkes-Barre PA USA | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 10-18-2000 10:24 PM

Just saw some pictures of the Amsterdam's interior and it looks like the Explorer's lounge is wide open again(as on the Maasdam). That is the only flaw I can find with HAL. When in the Explorer's lounge, the ambiance is terrific. You're listening to classical music and suddenly, 60 or more excited people and all their children run though and bury the sounds of string music. Oh well, back to the Westerdam I guess. The Explorer's lounge in there is so quiet nobody can find it.

As for the rest of the ship, the pictures I saw were lovely. Cant wait to see it.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-19-2000 08:11 AM

Justine - the Explorer's lounge is like that on all the HAL ships, except the Westerdam.
Where did you see these pictures of the interior of the Amsterdam? Can't wait for LizB to get home to-day and give us her review.
NAL - are you taking a camera? Have a super time.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-19-2000 10:13 AM

sympatico.....

I will not be taking pictures.....perhaps
I can talk my brother into doing so. I
hate to do it.

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 10-19-2000 11:10 AM

Sympatico, I'm not good at identifying complicated links, (Never works when I post them and it annoys people) If you email me, I'll direct you to the source.
ggagne@ntl.sympatico.ca

By the way, I'm aware that the Westerdam is the only closed in Explore's lounge. That's why she's my favourite HAL ship. I cant believe that the designers keep repeating that horrible acoustic design flaw on every ship in spite of all the comments from music lovers. It's like when they make the string musicians play in the Lido. What an insult to good music.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

sympatico
First Class Passenger
Member # 797

posted 10-19-2000 09:49 PM

Justine - thanks for the web site. Those pictures were obviously taken yesterday by someone touring the ship. They were very good. Am looking forward to LizB's review. Heard from her today and she is it is one classy ship.

Posts: 3305 | From: Toronto, Ont. Canada | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Jkm7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1352

posted 10-20-2000 09:25 AM

The ms Amsterdam is indeed one classy ship! She is IMO magnificent and well suited to become the world cruiser beginning in 2002. We had a WONDERFUL day at the Mariners Luncheon in Boston yesterday and really enjoyed touring the newest "dam" ship. The atrium centerpiece is a four sided giant clock tower with different time telling instruments and is really beautiful. The public areas have the same layout as the other Statendam class ships but the internet cafe has been moved to an area adjacent to Java cafe..handy for sipping espresso while "surfing"! ....and thank you, HAL, this ship has a Neptune Lounge unlike Zaandam and Volendam.

HAL, in its usual classy and gracious manner, treated us Mariners to a beautiful cocktail reception and great luncheon. The only bad part was...they made us get off!! Can't wait to sail her.

Posts: 37 | From: USA | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

LizB
First Class Passenger
Member # 1243

posted 10-20-2000 11:27 AM

Finally back after spending two days on the beautiful AMSTERDAM. I agree with jkm7, she is truly an elegant and classy ship...one built for World Class passengers or long cruisers.
We arrived on Wednesday and toured the ship before having luncheon in the LaFontaine Dining Room. In the afternoon we received our cabin assignment and were really surprised when we ended up with a Suite. We enjoyed the luxury of it and the HUGE verandah...even for 1-night. Were invited to dine in the Odyssey Dining Room that evening where we again had a marvelous meal and met a wine steward we had on the Rotterdam last year. The Odyssey is a very elegant dining room with hints of Italian decor.
The Mariner Luncheon yesterday, as described by jkm7, was delicious with free wine for all
and a four course meal.
I agree with Justine, however, about the Lido pool now being on the Lido deck. I wish they had kept it on Navigation Deck as there is more privacy one deck down from the Lido. This is where I think the Rotterdam has an advantage. Also, The Statendam has an enclosed Explorers Lounge where the other "S" Class ships and now the Amsterdam and Rotterdam have it wide open with passengers walking by from the Dining Room after dinner.
I also find this very distracting when the music is playing...it is also noisy.
Other than those two things though I do find that the Amsterdam is a World Class ship...with deep woods and rich carpeting in some areas, while other areas such as the Lido have bright vibrant colors.
Really enjoyed our short stay on the Amsterdam and look forward to hearing NAL's opinion after his visit in Baltimore tomorrow!

Posts: 133 | From: S.Dennis,MA, USA | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

Justine
First Class Passenger
Member # 1335

posted 10-20-2000 01:16 PM

LizB, you lucky girl you have no idea how much I envy you. I hope I get to experience that ship soon. Was the clock in the Atrium stunning or hideous? We hear so many stories.

Posts: 126 | From: Northern Ontario | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Jkm7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1352

posted 10-20-2000 08:16 PM

Justine: IMO the clock is excuisite!! It is totally appropriate and stunning in every detail. I'm told, but did not experience, that the clock chimes on the hour. I also greatly admire the clocks on Rotterdam VI. It is hard to imagine anyone finding fault with this amazing piece of art.....unlike the not so wonderful organ on Zaandam which I think is not so terrific.

Posts: 37 | From: USA | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

NAL
First Class Passenger
Member # 1102

posted 10-23-2000 10:54 PM

Just back from the AMSTERDAM......she is
WONDERFUL!! There are parts I like better on
ROTTERDAM and parts on AMSTERDAM I like
better. I would go on either in a minute
with no hesitation. The rich textures and
colors will excite anyone.....leathers,
suedes, antiques, just add more interest.
What a beauty!! Can't wait to cruise and
really get to know her.

I am eager to hear what Bugsykitty has to
say. LizB, sympatico, and I are ready to
go tomorrow!!

Posts: 2243 | From: Watsontown, PA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

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