A whole page just for the elevators? In the name of all that's seaworthy, why? They just go up and down, right? Why are we seeing a whole page devoted to the ELEVATORS?
Because there are a few interesting things to know about the elevators, that's why.
The Nieuw Amsterdam has a total of fourteen public elevators. There are four elevators forward, four elevators aft, and six elevators midships.
While fourteen may seem like a lot of elevators, there are some specific times when it won't seem like a lot at all. In fact, it will seem totally inadequate. Some of those times are just as shows are letting out, when passengers are trying to leave the ship, and when you need to get to a specific deck that's a big vertical distance from you in a hurry.
At those busy times, if you're physically able to take the stairs, then it's to your advantage to do so for two reasons. First, you'll get where you want to be much faster, and second, you'll have a chance to work off some of those six meals you've been eating every day.
If you must take the elevator, here's a helpful tip. If you're trying to go down to the deck to get off the ship, and every elevator car that arrives is jammed with people, try taking the elevator UP instead. You'll have a better shot at getting on, and then you can just ride the elevator all the way to the top, and then take it back down.
But here's the best thing about all the elevators. If you're losing track of what day it is, the elevator will come to your rescue. All you have to do is look at your feet.
You'll probably already have noticed that there are two more elevators midships than either forward or aft. Unfortunately, it doesn't really mean more capacity, because four of those six elevators are significantly smaller than the other elevators on the ship. So, you probably won't get a significant advantage by choosing to head toward the elevators at the center of the ship versus the port or starboard banks.
But that doesn't mean there aren't any advantages to those four smaller midships elevators (they're the ones on the port and starboard outer walls of the ship). Quite the contrary, because those four elevators have a glass wall, looking outside, and as you rise through Deck 3, you now have a panoramic view outside the ship to the ocean or the shore. It can be breathtaking, and definitely notable as a destination all its own. (Which is why the elevators have their own web page.)
