Noordam room question

[YankeeCruiser]

Hullo, all -

I need your advice and opinions. DH and I are considering the Noordam for February 2007, and I am trying to decide which cabin we should get (we've never sailed HAL before - can't wait to try it!). We both love the idea of an aft cabin (deluxe verandah outside), especially as I love to sit out in the sun, but am a bit concerned that the cabin would prove to be a little claustrophobic over a 12-day cruise, so am also considering one of the superior verandah suites, located on the side of the ship. We tend to spend quite a bit of time in our cabin, reading, napping, and just watching the world go by. Which would you recommend? Any thoughts (and perhaps pictures?) would be greatly appreciated!!

[penwah2002]

My DH and a friends will be sailing in Feb 2007 as well. Woo hoo, can't wait. We have reserved a VD cat. room. We also have never sailed on Holland, only NCL and Royal so I too am looking forward to a new line.
I have been tempted many times since we reserved to upgrade to a suite, I read so many positive reviews regarding suites. On the other hand I haven't heard anyone complain about VD catagories. So we are staying where we are. We have always had inside cabins and this will be our first verandah room, which is exciting to us. So, that being said it appears we are movin on up, to the east side, to a delux apartment in the sky....:) Running a 24-7-365 business together my DH and I would probably be happy with a little room in the bowels of the ship.
I would say go for the Suite, how could you go wrong? Revneal has great photos on the this site, if had more time I would link it for you, unfortunatly I have to get some work done before my husband who is now very busy and under the gun because he has a tee time of 1pm figures out I'm cruising cruise web sites.... :eek:

[dakrewser]

Will you spend time in the cabin or on the verandah? If the latter, the aft choice is better as the verandah is bigger (narrower, but deeper).

[YankeeCruiser]

Do you know, do the aft balconies on the Noordam have any coverage at all, or are they completely exposed? I like to sit in the sun, but only for so long, and DH needs shade. I haven't had much luck finding a good picture online of the aft cabins. Thanks!!

[nurseblissful]

there is a web site called web shots. i think (???) i saw pictures of the balconies on there. if not, there are threads to follow. but i think that is where i saw them. they look nice. pseudo wicker furniture, covered, and according to your room size the balconies graduate with the room size. we had a little balcony on the maasdam and it was wonderful. six of us would crowd (!!!) out there and have adult beverages and decide what the color of the water could be compared to....blue icee pops. i digress...lol.

[W84Me]

We were just on the Noordam in the Med. 2 weeks ago. We were in VA 4176 aft. The balcony is substantial. We had a chair and ottoman, another chair and side table, and a chaise lounge.
We typically will stay in a suite, but this time opted to stay in a VA and spend the extra money we saved in Europe. The cabin was nice sized, but you cannot nap on the couch (if you're over 4 feet tall) as it is only a love seat.
This was our first time on HAL. What a treat. 2 weeks off and I already booked another trip.

[cruisinbulldog]

Hello W84Me, Have booked VA4176 in Jan. out of N.Y.
Any other comments on this cabin? It will be our first aft cabin, but have mostly read good things about them..
This veranda looks directly down to the wake? How about noise/engine vibration?

[ekerr19]

There have been many mixed reviews about the aft verandah cabins - some folks love them others not so much - overall, I think most really have liked them. One thing to consider - people standing at the aft of the ship on the Lido deck can usually see down into your verandah and sometimes stuff will blow onto the verandah from the Lido if there are high winds.

We just returned from the Noordam and had a VC on deck 5 - we actually had three forward cabins in a row and had the steward open all the balcony doors, which made it really spacious. Previously we cruised in a Deluxe Verandah Suite (7053) for the inaugural voyage in February. There were things about the VC I was surprised about - for example an utter lack of drawer space, and I really missed the dressing area in the Deluxe Verandah Suite.

Also, because we had one of the few quad balcony cabins, we had many families with small children all around us and they were pretty noisy, always running up and own the hallway yelling, banging on the doors etc.

I have pictures of both cabins on my webshots page.

[jhannah]

The superior verandah suite (SS category) is a wonderful size. Very spacious cabin, and the bathroom is much improved. Two sinks and a separate shower stall. I think you'd really love it.

Here is the configuration of the aft of the Noordam. The verandahs are exposed, but not entirely. There would be some overhang to protect you from the sun.

26821

Also, here's a link (http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/noordaminaugral/Menu103.html) to revneal's excellent online photologue of the Noordam.

[susietb]

Sailing on the Noordam in November. Would like to know about the difference in the two levels of the Main Dining Room. We booked the 8 pm seating (confined to the upper level). Is this just as nice as the Main Level? Would we be better off taking the 8:30 seating on the Main Level instead? We would like a table for 2.

We are booked on SS Category (Navigation Deck). As these rooms are directly under the Lido Deck is there a lot of noise?

Thanks so much

[jhannah]

Some people prefer upper, others lower. There's little difference except the upper is on the promenade deck where you'll see people walking around. The lower level has windows looking directly out with no deck around.

The location of your cabin will be depend on how much noise you may hear from above. If you're right under the lido pool area you're very likely to hear scooting of tables and chairs as a deck steward gets everything straightened up.

[torpeedo]

You would love the SS type of cabin. Larger cabin and veranda. We have done an aft cabin once and would not do again, mostly because of too much sun. I think you get more sweeping views from a side midship cabin. Also being midship you are more central when you want to go somewhere on the ship.

[kaleighsgram]

Torpeedo has it right. There isn't much overhang, so little protection from the sun. We were in 8136 on the Noordam and am not sure I would do it again. As a matter of fact, we were just offered an aft cabin for our next trip, and my husband nixed it. I have to say, we did not hear a lot of noise at any time. What we did get was a lot of soot on our furniture so that we had to wipe it down before we could go out for our breakfast coffee. One morning I took a bucket of water and splashed everything off. We also got a lot of debris such as napkins and other paper products. One morning we went out to find that someone from above on the Lido deck had gotten sick over the railing. Not pleasant. Also, ask yourself what you want to see. I enjoy watching the people getting on and off the ship and having a good time. I enjoy the ports I'm in. An aft cabin only allows you to enjoy the ocean view. Whatever you choose, enjoy!

[Charliesmom]

We were on the Noordam when she came to Boston to be shown off. We ran into the steward we had had on the Westerdam in December and he showed us the aft suites which all had 4 foot overhangs. The aft balconies were not as deep as those on the Westerdam, but I thought they were more usable because they had more shade. Also, if you have a suite on the corner, you get the side balcony, too.

I am sure that the SY and SS suites are lovely, too. The Noordam and the other Vista ships are very similar to the Carnival Legend, Pride and Miracle. We were on the Miracle in a mini-suite and loved it. It was very spacious and had a great bathroom with double sinks and a dressing area.

Roberta

[W84Me]

Cruisinbulldog -
VA 4176 is a great cabin. There is not much drawer space as many people have noted. You can turn one of the closet areas into all shelves, as they are adjustable/fold-away type.
If you like the aft, you will like this cabin. There was not any substantial vibration or engine noise. Being on the aft, it was a quick trip up the back set of elevators to the Lido deck for sun and grub.
The bed was very comfortable and the A/C works AWESOME!

[cruisinbulldog]

W84Me,thank you for the info..Can't wait to get on board.:)

[mrszuhwiggins]

There have been many mixed reviews about the aft verandah cabins - some folks love them others not so much - overall, I think most really have liked them. One thing to consider - people standing at the aft of the ship on the Lido deck can usually see down into your verandah and sometimes stuff will blow onto the verandah from the Lido if there are high winds.

We just returned from the Noordam and had a VC on deck 5 - we actually had three forward cabins in a row and had the steward open all the balcony doors, which made it really spacious. Previously we cruised in a Deluxe Verandah Suite (7053) for the inaugural voyage in February. There were things about the VC I was surprised about - for example an utter lack of drawer space, and I really missed the dressing area in the Deluxe Verandah Suite.

Also, because we had one of the few quad balcony cabins, we had many families with small children all around us and they were pretty noisy, always running up and own the hallway yelling, banging on the doors etc.

I have pictures of both cabins on my webshots page.


Ekerr19 - Where is your webshots page? I also have a VC cabin and would love to see what the balcony looks like. Thanks!

[ekerr19]

Ekerr19 - Where is your webshots page? I also have a VC cabin and would love to see what the balcony looks like. Thanks!

I will post the link to the photos when they have all been downloaded to the page - right now there are only about 21... my husband is off work this week and he is supposed to be doing this for me, but he went golfing today, lol!

The VC cabin we had was pretty nice, I'll be sure to post the link to my Noordam photos as soon as they are done. I took a bunch around the ship too - I love that ship, it's decor is just beautiful.

[AlohaPride]

I will post the link to the photos when they have all been downloaded to the page - right now there are only about 21... my husband is off work this week and he is supposed to be doing this for me, but he went golfing today, lol!

The VC cabin we had was pretty nice, I'll be sure to post the link to my Noordam photos as soon as they are done. I took a bunch around the ship too - I love that ship, it's decor is just beautiful.

Wow, this is my 500th post. Hmm...

I actually was able to find your albums when I did a search (yay me!). You've got great pictures!

I really liked looking at the pictures of your new home being built! My parents just went through that (so did my DH and I). It's great to find an awesome development and be one of the first residents. It's also REALLY exciting to watch the home come together. I know my DH and I were there every weekend (sometimes breaking in:D ) just to look at what had been done. My parents have an album just like yours. Congratulations on the home!

[RuthC]

Wow, this is my 500th post. Hmm...
And in slightly less than two months, too!
Good work. :D

[AlohaPride]

And in slightly less than two months, too!
Good work. :D

he he he...:p Has it been less than 2 months? Wow. I really have no life, huh? :o

[YankeeCruiser]

We were just on the Noordam in the Med. 2 weeks ago. We were in VA 4176 aft. The balcony is substantial. We had a chair and ottoman, another chair and side table, and a chaise lounge.
We typically will stay in a suite, but this time opted to stay in a VA and spend the extra money we saved in Europe. The cabin was nice sized, but you cannot nap on the couch (if you're over 4 feet tall) as it is only a love seat. This was our first time on HAL. What a treat. 2 weeks off and I already booked another trip.

Thanks to everyone who added their 2 cents - we've decided to go with the aft cabin, as DH really loves the thought of sitting out there watching the world slip away behind us. W84Me, you said there was a lounge on the balcony of 4176 - was it already there, or did you have to ask for it? We're going with 4174.

Thanks again!

[tssace]

Thank you for all the helpful information in this thread.

[RevNeal]

If I were choosing between an SS or a VA aft I think I would go with the SS. The extra room in the cabin is VERY VERY nice, and the verandah is also extra sized -- longer and deeper -- than the V category port and starboard cabins. For me -- not being a verandah person -- I'm happy with the extra interior space.

For photos of an SS (on the Westerdam) see here:
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/westerdam05/Menu61.html

And here's a link to my photos from the Noordam:
http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/noordaminaugral/Menu103.html

[RevNeal]

Oh ... I should have read the thread first.

Thanks, Jim. :)