Search the Community

Where to begin? Was our first and last HAL cruise. Nieuw Amsterdam is a beautiful ship with a hardworking (and seemingly understaffed) crew in the buffet. Final night, despite the dress code of the day published as casual, I was asked to leave Pinnacle Grille, return to our already packed luggage and and put on slacks. No argument, but I pointed out the dress code of the day (same as day 1) where I did see men wearing shorts in Pinnacle. Host insisted, I politely refused and canceled the reservation (was part of Have It All and I didn't care, no loss). The food quality was in our view, a disappointment. There was a lot, I mean a lot of flies in the buffet. Everywhere.......... Embarkation/disembarkation are nicely done and expedient. Brightline: Great, if you're in Premium, not so much in SMART. Trip home in SMART, 2 hours 10 minutes. A passenger in seat in front of Mrs. Geezer was on the phone from Lauderdale station to 10 minutes out from MCO.............literally, and half the coach knew it. Premium on the way down, they make an announcement regarding electronics and phone usage. SMART, they don't even tell you to read the safety information. UBER: NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!!! Ordered a ride at FLL to hotel, no one ever showed. Easily got a ride from MCO to Longwood $63 and fees...............and set a world land speed record on SR408 & I-4 in the process. And I've come to the conclusion the port area in Lauderdale is one giant hustle. Think we paid more in tips in one night than we did on all 5 cruises combined. PS: First port call was canceled on 11/4 due to weather, which for the first 2 1/2 days was the worst we ever experienced at sea. First time we had to go to the Bonine. But at least we missed the earthquake yesterday, so there's that.