Just returned fron Noordam - wonderful cruise

[KirkNC]

We just returned from a 17 day cruise on the Noordam. We had a great time, in fact I think it was our best cruise ever (of course being 17 days, our longest ever didn't hurt ;)). The ship was just out of dry dock so she was in great shape but the part that really stood out was the crew. I can't remember a cruise where we had such a high level of service. The food was very good also. I will be writing a full review sometime in the next week but if anyone has any questions, let me know.

I would like to thank the MANY CC members who helped us with our thousand questions on details of the many ports we visited, naming any in particular is always dangerous as I am sure to forget someone but special thanks to Euro Cruiser, Coral Reef, GPS Lover, Cruisemom42, Keith1010, Susan-M and Texancruzer for helping me with my super detailed on-my-own planning, it went great!

Also a shout out to all the CC members we met on-board. It was great to see so many of you. Special recognition goes to Donna (for planning the meet and greets events) and Debra (even though we did not go, I know a lot of CC members benefited from your tour planning).

Kirk

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you had a great cruise.

Hope you are going to do a full review.

[Harry1954]

Glad to hear your cruise was a big success. I am not surprised as DW/I found the Noordam's crew to be a wonderful, dedicated bunch. Our last cruise on this ship was this past jan-feb and it was just as you described.
harry

[dot73]

I will be on the Noordam on Sept 18 and am looking forward to reading your full review.

[IRL_Joanie]

I am so glad to read that you had such a great cruise, and cannot wait to read the full review, one you've had a vacation from your vacation:)

Would you be willing to send photos and a description please?

Joanie

[shandryl]

I was on the Noordam March 2010, and you are right the crew always went above and beyond. For me.........it was a very good cruise! I booked another cruise on the Noordam again for March 2011 lol

I am looking forward to reading your full review. :D

[bloofer]

Hi Shandryl. We did have a wonderful time on the Noordam, didn't we! She's quite a ship. I hope to sail on her again some day.:)

[shandryl]

Hey there!!! bloofer We had a BLAST!! :D Good to see you!! email me when you get the chance!!! tell me whats going on!!

[knitlady037]

Have to agree with Shandryl and Bloofer-we had the best time on the Noordam. She is a great ship with a first rate staff. HAL got things so right with the Noordam.

[ITALIA2006]

We are going to be on the Noordan in June 2011 10 Meditteranean Cabin 4009 cant wait......................

[vino100]

We just returned from a 17 day cruise on the Noordam. We had a great time, in fact I think it was our best cruise ever (of course being 17 days, our longest ever didn't hurt ;)). The ship was just out of dry dock so she was in great shape but the part that really stood out was the crew. I can't remember a cruise where we had such a high level of service. The food was very good also. I will be writing a full review sometime in the next week but if anyone has any questions, let me know.

I would like to thank the MANY CC members who helped us with our thousand questions on details of the many ports we visited, naming any in particular is always dangerous as I am sure to forget someone but special thanks to Euro Cruiser, Coral Reef, GPS Lover, Cruisemom42, Keith1010, Susan-M and Texancruzer for helping me with my super detailed on-my-own planning, it went great!

Also a shout out to all the CC members we met on-board. It was great to see so many of you. Special recognition goes to Donna (for planning the meet and greets events) and Debra (even though we did not go, I know a lot of CC members benefited from your tour planning).

Kirk

I will be on the Noordam on Sept.8th.I'm even more excited now that I have read your great review.:D I have a few questions :

What night was the Master Chef's dinner?

what time was the late show room entertainment?

what time did you get to tender in Santorini?

Thanks for any info.It will be much appreciated.

Sara

[aliaschief]

The MS Noordam comes through again....always consistent. A great ship.... officers and crew. Glad you had a great cruise.

[Himself]

I am glad you had a good cruise on the NOORDAM. She is the newest of the Vista class ships and the only one I have yet to sail. i will keep this one in mind for the winter of 2012. By the way I have heard nothing but good words about the NOORDAM

[TracieABD]

Happy to hear that you had a wonderful time!

[kalliekae]

Glad to hear the Noordam still has her fantastic crew!! We loved her and would sail her again anytime, anywhere. HAL definitely got everything right with this ship!

[KirkNC]

I will be on the Noordam on Sept.8th.I'm even more excited now that I have read your great review.:D I have a few questions :

What night was the Master Chef's dinner?

what time was the late show room entertainment?

what time did you get to tender in Santorini?

Thanks for any info.It will be much appreciated.

Sara

What night was the Master Chef's dinner?

We were on a B2B cruise (a 7 day and a 10 day combined). The 7 day did not have the Master Chef's dinner but the 10 day did on the last night.

what time was the late show room entertainment?

It varied depending on the port, usually it was 8:30 or 9:00.

what time did you get to tender in Santorini?

We had a different itinerary but based on my previous experience tendering in Santorini you can figure on 1.5-2 hours from the stated time of the ship's arrival. This is because first the ship will off-load excursion passengers at one end of the island, reposition itself off of Fira and than begin tendering "regular" passengers. Once you get off the tender it is another 15 minutes to the top via the cable car (the ride is only a few minutes but there will be a line). So if you are scheduled to arrive at 8:00, I would assume you will actually be in Fira around 9:30-10:00.


Kirk

[smartygirl]

Glad to hear such positive reviews on the Noordam.
I read somewhere that the cabins are short on shelving and drawers.
What say you?

[bonnieg]

I will be on the Rivera Romance portion of the cruise next summer. I would love to hear a description of the ports, especially Algeria.

[CruiserBruce]

Glad to hear such positive reviews on the Noordam.
I read somewhere that the cabins are short on shelving and drawers.
What say you?

We were on the Westerdam- twin sister- for 19 days 2 years ago. Had plenty of shelves and drawers. Don't we used all of them- most, but not all.

Guess it depends mostly on how many drawers and shelves you need!

[KirkNC]

We were on the Westerdam- twin sister- for 19 days 2 years ago. Had plenty of shelves and drawers. Don't we used all of them- most, but not all.

Guess it depends mostly on how many drawers and shelves you need!

I agree, we had three in the cabin and had plenty of space (closets, drawers etc).

Kirk

[db777]

So glad to hear about the crew...that is why we sail Holland....our first Noordam cruise will be in November...can't wait to read your full review... db777

[vino100]

What night was the Master Chef's dinner?

We were on a B2B cruise (a 7 day and a 10 day combined). The 7 day did not have the Master Chef's dinner but the 10 day did on the last night.

what time was the late show room entertainment?

It varied depending on the port, usually it was 8:30 or 9:00.

what time did you get to tender in Santorini?

We had a different itinerary but based on my previous experience tendering in Santorini you can figure on 1.5-2 hours from the stated time of the ship's arrival. This is because first the ship will off-load excursion passengers at one end of the island, reposition itself off of Fira and than begin tendering "regular" passengers. Once you get off the tender it is another 15 minutes to the top via the cable car (the ride is only a few minutes but there will be a line). So if you are scheduled to arrive at 8:00, I would assume you will actually be in Fira around 9:30-10:00.


Kirk

Thank you so much for the info.My cruise is 10 days so maybe the master chef's dinner will be on the last day. thanks also for the heads up about Santorini.We have booked a private tour so will be mindful of the time. Sara

[Cruizer Bill]

The Noordam looks like a wonderful ship!
Can I ask, what did you do about laundry on your 17 day trip?
Thanks! :)

[mudscraper]

The Noordam looks like a wonderful ship!
Can I ask, what did you do about laundry on your 17 day trip?
Thanks! :)
The `all you can fit in the laundrybag for $20.00` is a good option.

[KirkNC]

The Noordam looks like a wonderful ship!
Can I ask, what did you do about laundry on your 17 day trip?
Thanks! :)

We did two things. Delicate items we washed in the sink and hung out in the shower, HAL provides a convenient pull string for this. The second thing was using the $20/bag laundry option. You would be surprised how much you can get in a bag ;). We did three bags over the 17 days.

Kirk