Noordam

[gizmo]

Holland America Line will offer winter cruises from New York in 2006 on its new Noordam, the line’s fourth and final Vista-class ship.


The winter cruises, which start Feb. 22, 2006, and will be offered between February and April and again between October and December, will bookend a summer season in Europe, HAL said.


The Noordam will be delivered from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy in early 2006 and sail its inaugural cruises from New York. The itineraries will be 10- and 11-day voyages, starting at $1,199 per person. Bookings open Dec. 20.

[RuthC]

See the "sugarplum..." thread for lots of info and speculation.

[bookworm0911]

Thank you, gizmo. That seems to be the official word that caused so much speculation and rumor before. ;)

[bepsf]

Kewl!!!

Now I just have to decide - Maiden Cruise w/ the group or Europe???
(decisions, decisions)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Holland America Line will offer winter cruises from New York in 2006 on its new Noordam, the line’s fourth and final Vista-class ship.


The winter cruises, which start Feb. 22, 2006, and will be offered between February and April and again between October and December, will bookend a summer season in Europe, HAL said.


The Noordam will be delivered from the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy in early 2006 and sail its inaugural cruises from New York. The itineraries will be 10- and 11-day voyages, starting at $1,199 per person. Bookings open Dec. 20.gizmo, it looks like you copied this from some where. Where did you find this info.:confused: I wonder if the date in fact is set in concrete?:( Well if not the Inaugural first cruise maybe a 10 day in March would work.

[gizmo]

I got it from a travel news letter. I have no idea if the date is in concrete, but it does give those who are interested, a ballpark date to try and book.

[sail7seas]

Ten day cruises are proposed to go from New York to Grand Turk, St. Maarten, Tortola, St. Thomas, San Juan and return to New York.


Eleven day cruises are proposed go from New York to Tortola, Dominica, St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Maarten, San Juan and back to New York.

[saltydog28]

Thank-you gizmo. Did the news letter mention if the maiden voyage is fron New York?
Thanks,
Pat.

[gizmo]

Hi Saltydog,

The news letter implied that yes, it would be from NY. There is another thread, stating the same thing. I believe the info on the other thread said the ship would not sail with pax when crossing the Atlantic and do the inaugural from NY. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sounds great.

Wonder if the Nordam will have as many schedule problems as the Maasdam did when she first began sailing out of Norfolk?

[RuthC]

Given the reported proposed itinerary makes me wonder why Half Moon Cay isn't a stop.
Any guesses? :confused:

Since I've never been there, and I'm interested in a NYC/Caribbean/maiden cruise I'd like to stop at HMC. It's HAL's own island, and the ship would be in the neighborhood. It would seem like a logical stop.
Wouldn't it?

[ekerr19]

I haven't heard anything about the schedule yet - Sail, can you tell us where you heard this? I'm just curious if it was from a TA newsletter or one of your contacts/friends at HAL...

I'm curious why no stop at HMC either - perhaps beacuse most itineraries currently have two ships there now... just a thought.

I am excited about the 12/20 date to accept bookings! :)

[gizmo]

A little more info from a press release:



SEATTLE, Dec. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line announced that in 2006 it will deploy the 1,848-passenger ms Noordam for its inaugural Caribbean season sailing from New York City, the line's former headquarters. The premium cruise line will sail 13 Caribbean cruises from its new North American homeport beginning with the Noordam's inaugural cruise on February 22. Two transatlantic sailings also include New York as a gateway.

"We have wanted to return to New York for some time now and the Noordam presents a wonderful opportunity to introduce our premium product and a new ship to another North American homeport," said Rick Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. "As our fleet expands, we capitalize on attractive new homeports and new deployment.

"We are thrilled to return to New York. We operated from Pier 40 in the sixties and seventies and our company headquarters was there from 1978 to 1983," added Meadows. "And, following the company's founding in 1873, the original Rotterdam made the journey from Rotterdam to New York, the first of many during the great period of immigration to the United States."

The addition of New York completes Holland America Line's Caribbean homeports in 2006 with Tampa, Fort Lauderdale, Norfolk, and, now, New York.

New York Caribbean cruises feature a 10-day Eastern Caribbean program that visits Grand Turk, Turk and Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Departures sail on February 22, March 15, April 5, October 25, November 15, and December 6 and 27, 2006.

An 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary calls at Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Sailings depart Mr. 4 and 25; Oct. 14; Nov. 4 and 25; and Dec. 16, 2006.

In addition, two 16-day transatlantic cruises sail between New York and Rome, departing New York on April 5 for Rome and returning on September 28. Ports of call feature Bermuda; the Azores; Cadiz, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain; Monte Carlo, Monaco; and Livorno, Italy.

Holland America Line features a shore excursion program with more than 500 Caribbean offerings. Optional activities for cruise passengers feature such tours as the America's Cup Regatta experience at Philipsburg, Tortola Dolphin Swim at Road Town, Tortola, and the Champagne Catamaran Sail and Snorkel to St. John at St. Thomas. The latter offering is part of the Medallion Collection shore excursions, designed by Holland America Line to provide discerning guests with unique experiences and in-depth perspectives.

Pricing for Holland America Line's new 2006 New York-based Caribbean cruises start at US$1,199 per person, double occupancy, and can be booked starting December 20, 2004. Scheduled for delivery in January 2006, the ms Noordam is the fourth and last in a series of 81,769-ton Vista class ships. Eighty-five percent of its staterooms will offer ocean views, with 67 percent of all staterooms sporting verandahs. The ship will be delivered with Signature of excellence amenities in place, including plush Euro-top mattresses and flat panel TVs and dvd players in all cabins, new dining options, and the pampering Greenhouse Spa and Salon.

[ekerr19]

Ah, I get it now! Thanks gizmo. Grand Turk? That looks good to me, I've never been there!

We will be booking on 12/20/04 - just need to decide which cabin! :confused:

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Well, it looks like the 22nd of February is now set in stone. I have a call into by TA to be able to book the Noordam but unfortuately it cannot be the Feb. 22nd sailing. I feel really bad about it but I just could not be gone those days from work. Although March 15th will work perfectly for me, so as soon as she can book it I will get her the deposit.

[ekerr19]

Well, it looks like the 22nd of February is now set in stone. I have a call into by TA to be able to book the Noordam but unfortuately it cannot be the Feb. 22nd sailing. I feel really bad about it but I just could not be gone those days from work. Although March 15th will work perfectly for me, so as soon as she can book it I will get her the deposit.

Lisa-

Are you going to go ahead and book the 3/15/06 voyage? That would be cool!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa-

Are you going to go ahead and book the 3/15/06 voyage? That would be cool!
I just got off the phone with my TA she has it on her calender to call HAL on the 20th and get us a S suite for March 15th. I went over the dates with her and we both agreed with my work schedule that was going to be the best. I sure would of liked doing the Feb 22nd but that and the next one just would not work. But like my TA said who knows they may run into problems and the March 15th could turn into the first voyage. I certainly hope not for those who make plans but my TA says many who book that first cruise hope that it gets post- poned so that they have to rebook and get a very generous discount.

[HeatherInFlorida]

This is great information, Gizmo! Thanks. It would have been so nice if Walt had left well enough alone and we could have had EKerr's original thread about this and kept it ongoing for everyone instead of the 3 threads we have now.

But sadly no way I can make a decision by 12/20...not a good time of year for me to be putting that kind of $$$ out. If I booked at all under those conditions, I would do it as a single so if I backed out no one but me would get hurt in the process. I'll just have to take my chances and hope there's something open when I decide.

[gizmo]

But like my TA said who knows they may run into problems and the March 15th could turn into the first voyage. I certainly hope not for those who make plans but my TA says many who book that first cruise hope that it gets post- poned so that they have to rebook and get a very generous discount.
At this point it is still a crap shoot when the inaugural cruise will actually take place. Anything can happen. :)

[RuthC]

If I booked at all under those conditions, I would do it as a single...Whassa matta? Don'tcha love me anymore?
(Just kidding. I understand your thinking, but I'm still open to sharing with you.)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Whassa matta? Don'tcha love me anymore?
(Just kidding. I understand your thinking, but I'm still open to sharing with you.)
No, no, Ruth! I haven't ruled that out at all (although my Mom told me today I was out of my mind to even consider sharing with a "stranger" ... she is 92;) ). It's just that there's no way I can book 12/20. I have no idea how long it will be before the cruise books out, but I couldn't even consider making a decision until at least February/March.

The big problem is that if I have even the slightest hesitation about being able to go, it wouldn't be fair to book with you and have you depend on that. So we'll see what happens!

Meantime, keep January in mind if you can do lunch. I'll be in touch before that.

[Vic The Parrot]

Guess I have something to think about while I'm away.

It's too bad I won't be around on the 20th. With my luck, the Feb cruise we've been talking about will be sold out by the time I get back!

Oh well, have to play it by ear.

[ekerr19]

Don't worry too much about it... things can change. December 20th is awfully early to open the books for this one - we'll see. You can always waitlist a cabin too, but I really don't think it will sell out that quickly. :)

[sail7seas]

I don't think it is going to sell out all that quickly. That's over a year out.


We cruise on January 3 and won't even get involved in any Noordam bookings until we return. I haven't even mentioned it to DH yet. He's too busy with is year end stuff.

I feel fairly confident there will be some "S" cabins available.

[bepsf]

I don't think it is going to sell out all that quickly. That's over a year out.


We cruise on January 3 and won't even get involved in any Noordam bookings until we return. I haven't even mentioned it to DH yet. He's too busy with is year end stuff.

I feel fairly confident there will be some "S" cabins available.
I kinda feel the same way S7S...

The week before Xmas, I doubt most folks will be thinking cruises but more about last minute shopping, wrapping presents, holiday parties and visiting family (at least I will be...)

...& if I only get an SS because I waited - Oh well!!!

[Roadwork]

Gizmo, This is great information, many thanks for sharing. :) The itineraries look good, and I like both of them. Now all I have to do is convince my wife. :rolleyes:

[Vic The Parrot]

A small article on Noordam, and her projected itineraries on the 1st page of the Cruise Critic sign on screen!

Looks as though a canal transit is out, as the article sez, the ship will do Atlantic crossings in spring, and autumn....

Winter sailings from NY .... it's about time this came back!

[ualtim]

Darn :( No more Port Canaveral home port in 2006 :( Move to Florida just minutes away from Port Canveral and HAL pulls out. We were kind of hoping that they would return once the New Noordam entered the fleet, but it looks like NYC will be replacing it. I guess we will be cruising on the Veendam out of Tampa more often than we had planned.

[Dolphins]

IU will be interesting to see how HAL fares vs NCL with winter Caribbean cruises out of New York. HAL is offering very similar 10 and 11 day cruises to many of the same ports that have made Norwegian Dawn so popular in the New York area. NCL has now added Norwegian Spirit to the New York lineup so we now have three ships doing 10 and 11 day winter Caribbean cruises out of New York. Hopefully, competition will be good price wise for prospective passengers.