New to HAL and seeking information on the Noordam...

[Tristan]

My family and I are thinking about sailing the Noordam from NYC to the Southern Caribbean in February 07, and I had a few questions.

Do you think the ship will have a lot of children, since the
date we would need to sail is over a school break?
(this is the only week we can go.)

Does the Noordam have saltwater pools?
How deep are the pools?

Thanks very much. :)

[YankeeCruiser]

My family and I are thinking about sailing the Noordam from NYC to the Southern Caribbean in February 07, and I had a few questions.

Do you think the ship will have a lot of children, since the date we would need to sail is over a school break?

Which week are you going? We're on the 2/17 sailing. Since most school breaks are only a week long, I doubt there will be a lot of children on the ship, but I would expect to see some.

Am afraid I can't answer the pools question - this will be our first time on the Noordam (or with HAL, for that matter!). Hope to see you on board!

[KEKCruiser]

We're on that sailing, with two kids. I'll take one out of school, the other one isn't in school yet. I think you'll see a bunch of kids on the 2/17 sailing. We sail on holiday weeks every year on all different lines, and there's always a bunch.

[bepsf]

Does the Noordam have saltwater pools?
How deep are the pools?
:)

Pools are both freshwater - and run from @ 4'-6' deep in the center section, surrounded by a few inches of water in the larger splash/wading section.

[mommybunny21]

i am sailing with a 6 year old and anticipate many children on board. he only has to miss 3 additional days of school for a fabulous 11 day family cruise-I think alot of NY local parents will do this also.Its the easiest way to get out of NY for winter break!!!!

[SusieCruisie]

Do they put a cap on how many children they will book? I know Princess does this.

[the2ofus]

Welcome Tristan,
I know you'll enjoy your cruise on the Noordam. Haven't been on her, but have sailed on the Westerdam which is her sister ship.

I need to add to Brian's answer re: the pools. There is no gradual entrance to the pools, no shallow or deep end. Each pool is basically a box-type tank. The depth varies slightly from one end to the other, but neither is shallow enough for a toddler the paddle around in. Each pool is surrounded by a low tiled wall with a bench running along its top. Within that wall is an area where the water is usually two or three inches deep. There was an earlier thread about the pools which had some good pictures. If you do a search of posts in the past month you should find it.

[SailGirl21976]

Yes, in addition to the two chlorine/type pools, there is a small "pay-as-you-use" warm, salt-water spa pool. Do try to start a thread for/with other parents of kids who'll be sailing with you. Last year, not during traditional school break in March, there were only SIX kiddos (Yikes!:(), varying in ages, sailing on the ms Noordam - my DH and I felt so badly for them....they did have fun & made the best of it but we could tell they could have used a few more reinforcements. Happy Sailing! :)

[Çay girl]

Now, ya'll have me worried my little boy is going to be the lone elementary aged child on this cruise. AND YES, he's missing 6.5 school days. I feel bad taking him out of school that long, and I just found out I need to get approval from the director of the schools in this area - Yikes!. Ya know the sale price tag for this cruise was really attractive, but so far I've had additional expenses and headaches to arrange our trip that I didn't even fathom. It's starting to add up!! I really REALLY hope it's a nice time!! :o

[SailGirl21976]

Dear Tristan: :) You all will have a FANTASTIC time on your voyage. And your young man will think the ship is so cool, he really will. Especially, since you'll probably show & teach him things about the ship in advance of sailing and help stir his interest for some of the things he might be doing. Frankly, there is SO MUCH to do, if you keep him informed and occupied, he really will have a great time, and you will too, don't worry, really. And, since it is school break, there will most likely be other kids there (our sailing was during school session time). :p Don't worry about having him miss school time, besides, cruising is an excellent learning experience. School officials (I'm a retired teacher) sometimes have peculiar requirements for holiday/vacation time, but it's worth it. You'll get the approval and it will be okay. Even if they want you to take lessons with you, it's okay....do them all at one time if you need to and get them out of the way. :o The expense and headaches are well worth it.....it all works out to wonderfully smooth sailing in the end. And besides, when you step onboard the ms Noordam, all those icky preparations will be a distant dream in the past and you will be amazed at where you are and how graciously you'll be treated once you're on board this majestic ship. As you said, "I really REALLY hope it's a nice time!!" Yes, it is, a VERY nice time! ;)