Noordam - March 07

[PATCHESPOP]

Hello...I'm a seasoned cruiser, but new to these boards. Most of my cruising has been with RCCL, but have done a Maasdam and an old Noordam cruise a few years ago. I hope some savvy HAL cruisers can give me some updated info on HAL and Noordam in particular! When we sailed on the old Noordam they had a very pleasant evening called "Black & White" night. It was a formal evening, and following dinner there was a dance and "mixer" with the department heads and officers. (DW was thrilled to have been asked to dance by the Captain!) Do they still do this on Noordam? We're sailing in March 2007 and would like to get some "inside" information. Also, what are the "Superior" verandah cabins like? We've booked a SY "guarantee". When should we expect to have a cabin assigned. Thanks so much for any information!:)

[RuthC]

I can give you a definite "maybe" about the Black & White night.
The first Noordam cruise was 10 days; they had a B&W night. So did the second (11-day) cruise. The third (10 days) did not.
It is unusual to have them on 10-day cruises.

[WNYCRUISER]

I cannot answer the question about the cabin, however, we do nicely in a regular verandah, and the Superior are much larger, so you should enjoy it.

As to the room assignment.....it could be from a few weeks out, to getting it at the pier. If you go to the HAL website under "For booked guests" and click on the immigration form, you will enter your booking number and last name, and it will bring up your immigration form. Under the room section, it will now likely show GTY. If you check the form off and on, eventually (likely) it will change from that to a room number. That likely will be your assigned room, but there is a chance that it could be changed again by an upgrade.

Which sailing will you be on?

[PATCHESPOP]

Thank you for the information. We are really looking forward to sailing on the new Noordam.