Noordam noobie

[LawnGuylandGirl]

My apologies in advance if this question has already been asked and answered!

I am thinking of booking the Noordam out of NYC in January. What side should I be on to get the best views of the city on sailaway?

We'll definitely have a veranda --- what size room to match that veranda I am not sure yet! --- is it best to sit on one's own veranda or to go topside during sailaway?

Thanks! Cruise Critics are the best!
LIG

[mommybunny21]

In the event no one else answers you i can offer you this much--i sailed out on another cruise line last feb and we passed to the LEFT of the statue of liberty.We intended to stay on our veranda with champagne and strawberries but they never arrived so we went to the main bar and were happy we did as the band played all sorts of 'sailing songs' and everyone was so excited. i danced with my 5 year old. To this day when I hear one of those songs i remember that sweet moment.hopefully someone who has sailed on the Noordam can confirm this since .

[AlohaPride]

I'm on the Noordam in Dec. from NY and I've been told that we will be passing the statue on the Starboard side of the ship. We have booked VF 5065. Not top of the, but not bottom of the food chain either ;) I'm happy with the room we have. I hope this helps:D

[obriendan]

With the Statue of Liberty to starboard, remember that the NY skyline will be to port. So the best place to be is on an upper deck where you can run from side to side!

[RuthC]

Dan's correct that the views of the city will be on port side as you sail out of NYC. In January you should be sailing as it gets dark---a beautiful sight!

This is January you're talking about. It could be very cold outside. It could also be snowing, raining, clear, brisk, the end of a warmish day.
In other words: be prepared to go outside and then get inside ASAP. :eek:

[AlohaPride]

With the Statue of Liberty to starboard, remember that the NY skyline will be to port. So the best place to be is on an upper deck where you can run from side to side!

The running will also keep DH and I warm! :D I just finished buying 2 coats! I'm so excited to get them!! No one ships to Hawaii, so I had to have them shipped to my sister in FL, then she will send them to me :rolleyes: I had so much fun "shopping" for coats - it made me jealous of everyone who gets to get new clothing ever fall/winter for the cold! Now I need gloves, but I think I've seen those in Old Navy around November-ish.

[starysacz]

Snow storm in CT and NYC on April 4th on the Noordam. Was having lunch in the Lido at the time of the snow. Fortunately, the snow stopped as the ship left the port. A number of people had difficulty driving from PA in the snowstorm to make it to the ship, but fortunately, they arrived safely. Port side to see the city.

[Timethief]

We were on the Norwegian Dawn in March, and coming out looking at the Statue of Liberty really is a great sight! In fact, if you want to see what the view looks like, check out the blog I did of the cruise (www.timethiefsports.com/cruising (http://www.timethiefsports.com/cruising)).

The Statue of Liberty is on the starboard side (right side when facing the front of the ship) as you leave NYC. One thing to remember is that the sun is also going down on the starboard side as you depart NYC. That means you will be looking into the sun from your balcony. But if you are looking downsun, the lighting is very dramatic, and that favors the Manhattan skyline.

Conversely, when you are returning to NYC (but who wants to think about THAT???), the sun is coming up over the skyline. If the weather is good when you come back in, the dramatic light is on the Statue of Liberty! Something to think about.

Of course, I have made the transit in and out 3 times now (fourth will be in October), and the weather has been gorgeous each time going out, and cloudy/drizzly each time coming back in. I am hoping that the odds will finally catch up with me at some point, especially since you need to get up early for the transit in!

I do have to say that I am a big fan of running back and forth across the deck and seeing (and shooting) it all. And it really doesn't matter too much where your cabin is -- its on the ship!!!!!!!!!

Enjoy the cruise!

Keep Smiling!!!

[Sunshine91]

Sailaway from NYC in the winter was awesome! We watched a good portion from the Crow's Nest - on the inaugual Noordam had a fireboat escort down the Hudson as well as news & police helicopters. After a bit we went outside, brrrrrrr! It was cold out there.

Muster drill is done before you even leave the dock so that you do get to see all of the sights heading down the river. Ellis Island is first to your right & the SOL about 45 minutes after she pulls off the pier. In the winter, its really dusky then.

Be sure to look backwards to the Manhattan skyline - really pretty with all those lights. Another great sight was passing under the Verazzano Bridge, about an hour or so after casting off the lines.

Returning :( we have some GREAT shots of sunrise just before, under & after that Bridge. It was SO cold that last night that the Lido deck aft was frozen over!

Have a fantastic trip! :)

[cruisinbulldog]

[quote=AlohaPride] "shopping" for coats - it made me jealous of everyone who gets to get new clothing ever fall/winter for the cold!

Aloha,Have lived in the northeast most of my life.. Want to say buying winter coats gets old!!;) I'm a little jealous of people that get to live in Hawaii year round!!:)

I am also in the process of booking a aft VA balcony for Jan. 07.. Hope to catch the sites from there.

[AlohaPride]

Aloha,Have lived in the northeast most of my life.. Want to say buying winter coats gets old!!;) I'm a little jealous of people that get to live in Hawaii year round!!:)

I am also in the process of booking a aft VA balcony for Jan. 07.. Hope to catch the sites from there.

But the coats are soooo cute!

No! Don't book Jan. 07!! Book Dec. 16 and join us :p

[Timethief]

Aloha,Have lived in the northeast most of my life.. Want to say buying winter coats gets old!! I'm a little jealous of people that get to live in Hawaii year round!!


I had so much fun "shopping" for coats - it made me jealous of everyone who gets to get new clothing ever fall/winter for the cold!

Isn't it amazing how the grass is always greener.....!

I've got an aft cabin booked in October! I am really looking forward to the views from back there. I have always heard they are wonderful cabins (of course, they could be talking about the corner suites...), and like you, once we get past the Statue of Liberty, I want to take in the view from our balcony!

Keep Smiling!!!

[LawnGuylandGirl]

Thanks to all of you for your prompt replies!

We booked the Noordam cabin 5076 this morning for the Jan 17 cruise. We figured the light on the Manhattan skyline at dusk will be great if it is too cold to be on deck going out and we will see the Lady on the way in the same way the immigrants did! I'm very excited.

Again, thank you!

[Karen112999]

Hi... if If you choice the 1/17/07, we will be cruisemates. I sailed on the Noordam - 3/15/06 (Hi Ruth C) and yes it is cold but being able to see everything is well worth it. Bring or wear something warm and on the upper outside decks - they hand out nice wool blankets that I kept for the length of the cruise. Came in handy on the way back.

Join the roll call if you do book - not real active right now...

Karen

[Karen112999]

Sorry for my last post...have no idea how I missed your post this morning, but I did.....

So glad your booked on 1/17... and I think neighbors 5057 here. Join the roll call if you have not already - it just me and 1 other cc who is traveling with 3 others.

I too am looking for to it... and just think - when summer is over, you can back all of the clothes in the luggage instead or storage...

Karen

[bepsf]

Best views from your verandah sailing R/T from NYC are definately portside (even-numbered staterooms)

Sailaway at dusk is magical - watching the skyline lighting up as you pass - then you can wander over to starboard to catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty lit up after you pass Brooklyn...

...or you can wait till you return to NYC to see her - she'll appear outside your windows around 6.30 the morning of arrival.
(Just enough time to sit up in bed, snap a photo or two, then crawl back under the crisp cotton covers for another half-hour or so...)
;)

[Sunshine91]

Bring or wear something warm and on the upper outside decks - they hand out nice wool blankets that I kept for the length of the cruise. Came in handy on the way back.

John & I sure don't remember any blankets being passed around outside! How lucky you were. Sure would have been nice. We would have stayed outside much longer, I'm sure.

I'm gonna have to make a note about the blankets for January to be sure to ask about them. Thanks. :)

[cruisinbulldog]

[quote=bepsf]Best views from your verandah sailing R/T from NYC are definately portside (even-numbered staterooms)

Sailaway at dusk is magical - watching the skyline lighting up as you pass - then you can wander over to starboard to catch a glimpse of Lady Liberty lit up after you pass Brooklyn...


What about aft verandas,don't they get the best of both worlds??:rolleyes:

[Karen112999]

Sunshine - The blanket made some difference. Although it was so windy, you still ran for cover behind anything that blocked the wind. They were in the towel bins on the aft pool deck. Plaid wood blankets or should I say more like throws. We then moved upward for the trek out to sea. We stayed until we passed under the Verrazzano.

I found it more helpful for the first and last sea day on my veranda. I figured for sure the cabin steward would have taken it, but I found - for the entire 10 days, folded neatly. Really nice touch. Hopefully they will still be available this January.

Karen