The Outside Promenade Deck (Deck 3 - Promenade Deck) has a lot to like, starting with its traditional teak decking and polished teak railings, not to mention the incredible views and beautiful teak deck chairs in which to enjoy them. And, of course it's where your lifeboat muster stations are. But what's it doing in the Sports & Exercise section?
It's here because it's a great place to get your daily morning walk. In fact, it's semi-organized (and found in the Daily Program) as "Walk-a-Mile" each morning at 7:00 AM. The Promenade Deck is the only location on the Nieuw Amsterdam where you can circumnavigate the ship without doors, steps or other obstacles, and experience great sea and/or port views (with the exception of some bits at the front and back where the ship's superstructure blocks your view) while doing it.
In addition, three times around the Nieuw Amsterdam Promenade is exactly one mile. As Ina Garten would say, "How easy is that?"
And while you're doing your brisk morning mile, you'll find yourself accompanied by half the passengers on the ship. The rest of us (the sane ones) are tucked cozily in our beds, thank you very much.
But if walking is your thing, here's the spot to do it.
One warning. Walking is fine. Jogging or running is absolutely verboten. You'll disturb the rest of us getting our beauty sleep (which some of us really need).
One more thing. At least once each cruise HAL sponsors "On Deck for a Cause," a 4K charity walk held here which works much like the daily Walk-a-Mile. You'll get a special T-shirt, and Lee will match your donation.
Click on a photo to see a gallery of large images.
