A new Dam long Review!!!!

[lanikeekee]

Here is my long review of the Noordam Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruise...I hope you all enjoy...or at least stay awake;) Remeber you can leave a comment good or bad:p

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=73447

[aliaschief]

Thank you for taking the time and providing us a good review of your cruise.

[IRL_Joanie]

Absolutely great detailed review!!

I loved every word of it!

Only one thing... I cannot imagine you (or anyone but a child) running up the Acropolis to the Pathenon!! OMG, steep and uneven made it hard for me when I was in my youger days:D

Did you get a chance to have pointed out to you the Tree and rock area where Socrates and Plato would sit and hold 'court'?

I love Athens. We lived just outside of Athens for nearly 5 years.

Any photos of the staterooms and/or the ship???

Joanie

[travelinjones]

Thanks for the detailed review! It sounds like you had a fantastic time.

[Love the beach]

Thanks for the review. We are doing this cruise next Sept so enjoyed reading about yours!
Marge

[diathoney]

Great review! We'll be doing some of the same ports next year on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We were thinking of Pompeii on our own, but I think I'll look at the Rome In Limo. I didn't see anything about your stay in Rome after the cruise - how was it? Any advice?

Welcome home!

[portofrome]

Thanks for your review.

[jmps]

Thanks for the detailed review!

[Typhoon1]

Thanks for taking the time. Great detail.

[opa&oma]

Thank you lanikeekee! A great review!

[lanikeekee]

Thanks evryone on providing the positive feedback...I must say that it was hard not to get too long winded and in the end I thought perhaps that Rome for us wasn't part of the cruise so I left it out...I have lots of info so if anyone wants more I am happy to provide it just email me at ysimpson@live.com.au I do have some photos but I am not sure on how to put them on this site...let me know and I am happy to provide the info if you let me know Joannie...also you are right I didn't quite run to the top of the Acropolis:p but hey I walked fast enough to beat the crowds:D
Marge I wish i was coming with you next September...and yes evryone I loved it all...everyone keeps asking me what was my favorite port...I can tell you honestly I loved it all:D:D:D

[Himself]

Thank you for a very fine review of this ship and your cruise.

[bonnieg]

Thank you for the review. As a first time HAL cruiser on the Noordam next summer, I was getting a little nervous with the lack of reviews for this ship.

[andeesue]

Enjoyed reading your great report! Sorry to hear that both you and your husband had gasto. problems. Were you aware of others dealing with it, too? At least it was over in a day, but even one day to miss on a cruise is so upsetting.

[Jade13]

Here is my long review of the Noordam Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruise...I hope you all enjoy...or at least stay awake;) Remeber you can leave a comment good or bad:p

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=73447

Nice review. I could feel your excitement as I read. Btw, we did this itinerary but over two years, West Med one year and the East Med the next. It was great.

[lanikeekee]

Enjoyed reading your great report! Sorry to hear that both you and your husband had gasto. problems. Were you aware of others dealing with it, too? At least it was over in a day, but even one day to miss on a cruise is so upsetting.

I did not hear of anyone else with gastro and it came on as quickly as it went...perhaps we where unlucky:( But thank heavens it was just a quick 24 hours:D Other than that all was good and believe me we both felt 100% the next day:D

[lanikeekee]

Thank you for the review. As a first time HAL cruiser on the Noordam next summer, I was getting a little nervous with the lack of reviews for this ship.

Don't be nervous it just means that everyone is happy and exhausted from all the fun...it takes a few days after the cruise to write a review and had I not had those days off before I went back to work...and combined with jetlag...I would have left it for months and not bothered!!! ;):eek:

[lanikeekee]

Great review! We'll be doing some of the same ports next year on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We were thinking of Pompeii on our own, but I think I'll look at the Rome In Limo. I didn't see anything about your stay in Rome after the cruise - how was it? Any advice?

Welcome home!

I forgot to say that we saw the Nieuw Amsterdam as we left one of the ports...sorry so many that I can't remember...I must say that it looks just like the Noordam from a distance:D Rome is fabulous...I can give a couple of hints...get to all the famous places early..we were first into the Colloseum and enjoyed it..we also booked our tour for the Vatican on line...it was only 62Euros for two people and as I booked for a Wednesday morning we were inside in an instant!!! This is due to the Pope doing a M&G in the Bassilca square...sorry I am not Catholic so my spelling is useless...we watched as people came into the square and we went in for a while...but our tour was at 10.30am so we left at 10am to walk the distance to the entrance for the museum...no one was there and we walked in straight away...to give you an idea when we left there was a mile 2km's long and it was not moving...book on line as it is cheap and you get a guided tour and then you can wander at your own leisure:D I have so much more I could say but I feel I could be taking up valuable space for others...let me know on my email if you need more info...I am happy to provide an honest opinion...even if it is mine:eek:

[ArthurIhde]

lol it is too long,i dont have Patience

[lanikeekee]

lol it is too long,i dont have Patience
Thanks arthur...I don't have patience either:p

[Windsailer]

Thanks for the great, detailed review. We're going on the same cruise next year and just have a couple of questions. Were there many children on your cruise? And as far as the required attire - was every day Smart Casual or were there days or places (like the Lido) where you could wear shorts? Thanks!

[mikey55]

Here is my long review of the Noordam Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruise...I hope you all enjoy...or at least stay awake;) Remeber you can leave a comment good or bad:p

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=73447

Love the Noordam. It is our favorite ship. Just wish it had more itineries.

[lanikeekee]

Thanks for the great, detailed review. We're going on the same cruise next year and just have a couple of questions. Were there many children on your cruise? And as far as the required attire - was every day Smart Casual or were there days or places (like the Lido) where you could wear shorts? Thanks!
Hi Windsailer...I only saw three children on the cruise...one was about 2 years old and the others about 10 years old...as for the clothes the couple we were travelling with both were very casual and the husband wore shorts everywhere...he only dressed up about three times for our dining nights...shorts seem to be acceptable everywhere on the ship even in the piano bar...I didn't notice in the casino as we really only walked through...although I did see people in jeans...you really do not have to dress up unless you want too...the only port you need longer pants is Tunisia as it is rude to wear shorts due to their religion...I did however see that some people ignored that rule...but in my book don't rock the boat unless you want the chance of sinking:eek: I forgot to say that I also saw women in their bathers and a sarong in the Lido getting food...as long as you have shoes and you are covered it seems anything goes.

[Windsailer]

Thanks - your response was very helpful!

[vino100]

Here is my long review of the Noordam Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruise...I hope you all enjoy...or at least stay awake;) Remeber you can leave a comment good or bad:p

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=73447

Hi Lanikeekee, I so enjoyed meeting you and your friends.We sure had fun with the emails before the cruise and at our M&G.Your review is great and spot on.Sorry we didn't get to say goodbye!! I hope our paths will cross on another cruise. :D

[Lima]

Hi Lanikeekee (Lima here).
Sorry have been really slack since arriving home and haven't been back on cruise critic.
Thought your review was great - and very accurate too!
We absolutely loved the 20 day cruise and are still smiling as we "wade" through the photos.
Would recommend this ship and itinerary to anyone. Although must say it does make it quite difficult to plan the next one.
We fell in love with Rome and are planning to get back to Italy already! Santorini was second favourite. Like a film set.
Was great to meet you both - and have a laugh or two together. (And a quick boogie on the dance floor!)
Memories of a lifetime.
Anyway, back to work to earn the holiday money!

[lanikeekee]

Hi Lanikeekee (Lima here).
Sorry have been really slack since arriving home and haven't been back on cruise critic.
Thought your review was great - and very accurate too!
We absolutely loved the 20 day cruise and are still smiling as we "wade" through the photos.
Would recommend this ship and itinerary to anyone. Although must say it does make it quite difficult to plan the next one.
We fell in love with Rome and are planning to get back to Italy already! Santorini was second favourite. Like a film set.
Was great to meet you both - and have a laugh or two together. (And a quick boogie on the dance floor!)
Memories of a lifetime.
Anyway, back to work to earn the holiday money!

Thanks for the reply...I agree it was the most fabulous holiday and I too am working for the next holiday!!! Had a great time and so wonderful to meet so many wonderful people,,,and have the best memories ever!!! Can't wait for the next holiday xxxx:D:D:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful indepth review.

Glad you had a wonderful time.

[lanikeekee]

Thank you for taking the time to write such a wonderful indepth review.

Glad you had a wonderful time.

Thanks for the reply...I cannot explain how much i enjoyed the cruise and although I wish i had taken more time for my review I hope that it can give some people a taste of my experience:D I hope that more cruisers put their thoughts to paper because thats all I did:)

[jamax]

G'day Lanikeekee,

Loved your Noordam review, found it very useful, especially inf regarding trips. Have contacted taxi people for trip to Pompeii, Sorrento, etc. A lot cheaper than HAL's official tour. We're going May 21... the 20-day cruise with extra time in Rome, Florence and Venice before flying to Brizzie for our usual winter months in noosa. Hope you are not in flood affected area of Oz.
Regards, Max

[kazu]

Great Review. We loved the ship when we were on and i am glad you enjoyed her too. thank you for sharing. excellent job.:)

[schoolinmy3]

G'day Lanikeekee,

Loved your Noordam review, found it very useful, especially inf regarding trips. Have contacted taxi people for trip to Pompeii, Sorrento, etc. A lot cheaper than HAL's official tour. We're going May 21... the 20-day cruise with extra time in Rome, Florence and Venice before flying to Brizzie for our usual winter months in noosa. Hope you are not in flood affected area of Oz.
Regards, Max

We are also on this cruise on the Noordam, however only for 10 days. It is so nice to read positive reviews of the ship. We were on the Eurodam out of Rome last May and can't wait to return to the Mediterranean.:D
Diane

[ironin]

lanikeekee: Thanks so much for writing such an entertaining and informative review! Your personality really seems to shine through your words. Sailing with you & yours must be great fun.

[shandryl]

what a wonderful review!! Thank so much for sharing!! :D

[vino100]

lanikeekee: Thanks so much for writing such an entertaining and informative review! Your personality really seems to shine through your words. Sailing with you & yours must be great fun.

I was lucky enough to sail last year with Lanikeekee.We had so much fun on our roll call and then finally meeting at our M&G. I also hope all is well with her and Paul and of course their friends as well.

[Mary Ellen]

Thank you for sharing your experience with us.

[lanikeekee]

G'day Lanikeekee,

Loved your Noordam review, found it very useful, especially inf regarding trips. Have contacted taxi people for trip to Pompeii, Sorrento, etc. A lot cheaper than HAL's official tour. We're going May 21... the 20-day cruise with extra time in Rome, Florence and Venice before flying to Brizzie for our usual winter months in noosa. Hope you are not in flood affected area of Oz.
Regards, Max


Hi Max, glad to hear you enjoyed the review, I loved the cruise so much and I am sure you will too :) Thanks for asking if we are in the flooded areas...luckily we are in Adelaide...it is so devistating to see what has happened up there...but it is also so encouraging to see how Australians have got together to help with the clean up and with donations...it is going to take years in some areas to recover. Luckily Noosa still looks great...lucky you:D

[lanikeekee]

I was lucky enough to sail last year with Lanikeekee.We had so much fun on our roll call and then finally meeting at our M&G. I also hope all is well with her and Paul and of course their friends as well.

Yes it was fun Sara...hope you and your family had a wonderful Xmas and New Years:D

[lanikeekee]

lanikeekee: Thanks so much for writing such an entertaining and informative review! Your personality really seems to shine through your words. Sailing with you & yours must be great fun.

Thankyou Ironin...I am glad you enjoyed it...for me the review was keeping the memory of such a fantastic holiday fresh in my mind...and if evryone else gets something out of it thats even better:D

I am now working on a Carribean cruise in 2013...lets hope it comes off :D

[sophienfred]

Hi Lanikeekee

You might like to know that your review 'damn longest review ever' has become our bible! :D I discovered it back in Dec before I even found CruiseCritic, just by typing review of Nordaam into Google. You're famous! :)
It's been a constant source of information for us, added to now by so many great people from my roll call who share a wealth of experience between them.

I think we would have been very disadvantaged by not getting this valuable info.
Thanks a lot to all the people who take the time to write reviews and give others the chance to make informed choices.

[Cruizer Bill]

Thank you so much for this review!!! This is the exact cruise we are planning on taking in 2012. What a great service you are providing us!!!

[Coolcruise02]

Great review. I've been to most of your ports and loved your info on each. :)

[kiwiboy2011]

Hi guys

I'm taking my mother on the Noordam in September (east and west med) in an SY category. I enjoyed your review. I would to hear all the ins and outs from you guys. I am particularly interested in the excursions and your decisions to go it alone. The queues at the Acropolis sound alarming. Can you contact me please. I need some advice.

Regards

Marcus