OK You can Now say that LAFFNVEGAS is NUTS

[LAFFNVEGAS]

OK, it is now offical we just did something that is rarely done. We just booked that Noordam Alaska for September 9th. Yes, a week ago today we were on the Noordam in Ketchikan. Well, we had such a wonderful time, we loved the ship and crew that we really wanted to return.:)
Now some of you I know read my Blonde Logic, we were going to go on a 4 Day Repositioning cruise on the Ryndam October 9th with a pre night stay at the Fairmont Waterfront. I figured with what we would spend for the Repo cruise and the night's stay at the Fairmont and dinner that night and Lisa doing a little shopping at her favorite store in Vancouver we would easily have spent more money than this 7 days would have cost us with 3 more days on a DAM Ship. Plus the cruise is 4 weeks sooner;)

We booked a SZ guarantee so we will see where that lands us. We were thrilled with our SY so I figure where ever it lands will still be good.:cool:

[Tinknock50]

The answer is YES! But it's a good nuts.:)

[Cruising-along]

It sounds perfectly logical to me, I say go for it! :D

[middle-aged mom]

Well, Lisa, I'm glad that you have finally made it official. But I already concluded that you were nuts, a long time ago, and if you're a nut then we're all nuts together.:D Enjoy your Noordam Cruise, Part Two! I hope that Beda will be your cocktail waitress in the Ocean Bar again, and this time, start drinking those Wang Wangs right away; don't wait until the last day!!:)

Karin

[hawgwildterry]

http://r2.fodey.com/1ed996a0aa114487ab6f9e360cfe7869c.1.gif

[SDHALFAN]

I do not have a problem with this at all Lisa, and I'm not even a blonde - I'm a redhead (with just a little "help" from L'Oreal;) ).

Go for it: I would - oh but that's right I'm not a blonde (although I would love to be one).

Have a sensational cruise, and I'll see you aboard "your" Oosterdam next February.

Valerie:)

[maxout]

Doing what you truly Love is never nuts. Enjoy! :D

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Terry, now that is way too funny:D

Thanks everyone, glad to know I am not totally insane;)

Karin, you can bet that those Wang Wangs are going to get started that first night. One of the nights we were in the Ocean Bar when we talked with Bede she talked about having just come back to the Noordam and was looking forward to doing the Panama Canal so I know she should be on board.

Now about those Wang Wangs...does anyone know if you can order them with the Cocktail Card? If so that may be worth purchasing. Also I have one punch left on my Wine Card, guess I need to purchase another. Some where I read where supposedly that the cards are only good on that ship but I know that Tom has used his Soda Card on 4 ships now. But since I don't like to break rules I just had to return to the Noordam for my last glass of wine:D

[robertmartha]

Lisa - I truly envy you!!!!!

[dvdfreakmc]

Wow Lisa -- now I just need to figure out a job that let's me take off that much.

[grannynurse]

I am so happy for you Lisa.
When you get a chance would you compare the aft suite with the SY. We have an SS guarantee on Westerdam, and I'm not expecting an upgrade. Do you think the cabin itself is the same size as the aft suite? I would imagine there are fewer closets and no bar as such.
I sent you a post about the yum yum man cruise, I guess you didn't get it.
I'd like to be your kind of nuts.
GN

[Tinknock50]

I am so happy for you Lisa.
When you get a chance would you compare the aft suite with the SY. We have an SS guarantee on Westerdam, and I'm not expecting an upgrade. Do you think the cabin itself is the same size as the aft suite? I would imagine there are fewer closets and no bar as such.
I sent you a post about the yum yum man cruise, I guess you didn't get it.
I'd like to be your kind of nuts.
GN

GN,
Are you joining us on the Yum Yum cruise?

[fcorey]

OK, it is now offical we just did something that is rarely done. We just booked that Noordam Alaska for September 9th......3 more days on a DAM Ship

3 more days! say no more.....Lisa you do realize that we will be in Seattle the same time as you and Tom. We disembark Oosterdam on 9/8 but fly home the morning of the 9th , not sure Seattle will survive! Glad to hear that things worked out wiht rescheduling vacations. Sounds like you'll have another great trip ahead of you!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am so happy for you Lisa.
When you get a chance would you compare the aft suite with the SY. We have an SS guarantee on Westerdam, and I'm not expecting an upgrade. Do you think the cabin itself is the same size as the aft suite? I would imagine there are fewer closets and no bar as such.
I sent you a post about the yum yum man cruise, I guess you didn't get it.
I'd like to be your kind of nuts.
GN


GN, email me again some times with spam filters I do not get them. We would love to have you join us on the Yum Yum Man Cruise:)

Amazingly enough we loved the SY/SS suite. The cabin itself was ever so slightly smaller than the deck 5 corner aft. The balcony was a very nice size. The bathroom was identical the only thing missing was the dressing area but in all honesty I preferred the dressing area out near the sitting area with the better lighting. I thought I would miss the seperate closets but there was plenty and it worked very well. We had telephone concierges and they were wonderful. I have to admit I was very impressed with the SY cabin we got so for this cruise we are doing a SZ guarantee which was where the big discount was.

[mamaofami]

Lisa, I think it's wonderful that you and Tom are able to go back on the Noordam again so soon, and so economically. I am so jealous! But your reasoning makes absolute sense to me! As I've already said, I too am blonde.:)

[fcorey]

GN, email me again some times with spam filters I do not get them. We would love to have you join us on the Yum Yum Man Cruise:)

Amazingly enough we loved the SY/SS suite. The cabin itself was ever so slightly smaller than the deck 5 corner aft. The balcony was a very nice size. The bathroom was identical the only thing missing was the dressing area but in all honesty I preferred the dressing area out near the sitting area with the better lighting. I thought I would miss the seperate closets but there was plenty and it worked very well. We had telephone concierges and they were wonderful. I have to admit I was very impressed with the SY cabin we got so for this cruise we are doing a SZ guarantee which was where the big discount was.

Glad to hear about the SY, we booked one on the Eurodam group cruise. Let me know if you and Tom will be in town a day early for you 9/9 cruise. If you ware maybe we can get together for dinner.

[localady]

See I don't see what is nuts about that logic at all Lisa!!;) :D

Guess I am not loca lady for nuttin!! Thank goodness though, I am in fine company!!;) :D

[mamaofami]

Lisa, one question about the guarantee. When you book with the travel agent and don't book a specific cabin, does that mean that HAL assigns you whichever one they want? Are you using an online agent? From what you say, I think not. My American Express agent didn't know anything about the specials HAL was having. I had her call for me to see if it applied to my next cruise, but it didn't. Just wondering how these guarantees work?

[cruisinjudy]

You go girl!!!

[Welove2cruise2]

Wow! I thought I was bad...;)

[CruiseBumm]

Well the vote is in --- your are crazy. ceazy about cruising.

Have a grat time.

[Solo Cruiser]

Sounds to me like you are the very best kind of nuts :D I envy you and boy I hope you have just as much fun as your last cruise on the Noordam.

[hammybee]

http://r2.fodey.com/1ed996a0aa114487ab6f9e360cfe7869c.1.gif

This is adorable and a keeper.

[Copper10-8]

51-50 WIC - certifiable!;)

[hammybee]

Maybe you're crazy
Maybe I'm crazy
Maybe we are crazy
Probably
uh,uh

( thank you Gnarls Barkley)

[Sunshine91]

Lisa - SO totally NOT crazy. Just in love. Which, of course, needs no explanation or reasoning. ;)

I'm curious - How do you & Tom manage to get all that time off work for cruising?

[Chivalrygirl]

http://r2.fodey.com/1ed996a0aa114487ab6f9e360cfe7869c.1.gif

This is so cute, and you are so clever, and LIsa is clever but very "nutty" lol

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Thanks so much everyone it makes me feel much better to know you are all in agreement, just don't have us committed or we would not be able to work to pay for these cruises:D

Glad to hear about the SY, we booked one on the Eurodam group cruise. Let me know if you and Tom will be in town a day early for you 9/9 cruise. If you ware maybe we can get together for dinner.

Frank, unfortunately No. In order to save on money to do this cruise we are going to fly into Seattle Sunday morning the day of the cruise. We can catch an Alaska Air flight that leaves Las Vegas at 7:00 AM and arrives at 9:30 giving us enough time even if there is a delay.

Lisa, one question about the guarantee. When you book with the travel agent and don't book a specific cabin, does that mean that HAL assigns you whichever one they want? Are you using an online agent? From what you say, I think not. My American Express agent didn't know anything about the specials HAL was having. I had her call for me to see if it applied to my next cruise, but it didn't. Just wondering how these guarantees work?

Carol my TA is also an America Express TA here in Vegas but she had these offer but they were only for new bookings. This basically was a new booking that we canceled the Ryndam cruise becuase final payment was not due for another 3 weeks and they applied the deposit to that on to what we owed on this for the new booking. We did book a guarantee and and they are simply the luck of the draw in what you get. In looking at all the SZ/SY/SS cabins we would be happy with any location. I think even if you book with HAL it is also a crap shoot, the computer just assigns the cabin numbers and I do not think a human even touches it.

Lisa - SO totally NOT crazy. Just in love. Which, of course, needs no explanation or reasoning. ;)

I'm curious - How do you & Tom manage to get all that time off work for cruising?

Tom has over 20 yrs+ on his job and I have 12+ yrs on mine so we each get 4 weeks of vacation a year which is why we only take 7 day cruises and spead them out thru out the year so we can cruise about every 3 to 4 months. I do not have to count the weekends against my days off but Tom does so he ends up taking 1 to 2 days off with out pay each cruise but it is totally worth it:D

[fcorey]

we each get 4 weeks of vacation a year which is why we only take 7 day cruises and spread them out thru out the year so we can cruise about every 3 to 4 months. I do not have to count the weekends against my days off but Tom does so he ends up taking 1 to 2 days off with out pay each cruise but it is totally worth it:D

Wow, sounds good to me, I'm very lucky in that I work for a large software company that compensates us very well. Michelle on the other hand works for a municipality and their time off is much more limited. Sorry to hear about Seattle, but I'm glad you were able to swap trips. Sounds like a great deal. I'm worried that once we sail in a suite I wont be able to get Michelle to accept a VA anymore! :rolleyes: Next year we have two trips, but the year after I may have to concede a land based vacation...:o

[Sunshine91]

Tom has over 20 yrs+ on his job and I have 12+ yrs on mine so we each get 4 weeks of vacation a year which is why we only take 7 day cruises and spead them out thru out the year so we can cruise about every 3 to 4 months. I do not have to count the weekends against my days off but Tom does so he ends up taking 1 to 2 days off with out pay each cruise but it is totally worth it:D

Wow - very generous leave. John's been with his company more than 12 yrs so can take vacation, the problem is, he's the ONLY one here at the Eastern Shore division. It's a matter of covering for his customers. He does heating A/C work, so right now he's verrrrry busy. We've found that taking one 12-14 day winter trip works well for us instead of several smaller ones. Hopefully next summer he'll have more help so he won't be stressing out during E-dam's inaugural. :)

[InTheWASide]

Now about those Wang Wangs...does anyone know if you can order them with the Cocktail Card? If so that may be worth purchasing.

On the O we had Wang Wangs, Cosmo Cubanos and a few other drinks all with the cocktail card and it was fine

[bepsf]

Lisa--

Glad you and Tom are able to move your reservation over to Noordam.

Only thing to watch out for is if you get upgraded to an SY/SS that's a connecting stateroom, such as 8086 - you'll lose out on 1/3 of your closet space.

How much more is it to book a specific stateroom?

[cruznon]

LIsa,
Nah, you're not nuts. Lucky you to be able to do this. I'm sure--given the differnt time of the year--you'll see some variations of weather, snow in the mountains, etc. That will be a nice comparison photographically--see ANOTHER great reason to book the Noordam!!!:D

[SakeDad]

You're not nuts....well:rolleyes: .....maybe a little!
I'm just so happy you enjoyed the Noordam enough to book the same trip again so soon. I know how worried you were she wouldn't match up to your expectations.
I have not had a chance to see your pics yet (or much else this week) as we are closing the show this week and I'm VERY busy. But I get home to Vegas Monday and will be there and unemployed the whole month so I'll have plenty of time to catch up with you then.....oh, as long as you're being nuts, wanna book mom & me in the next cabin???:D

[Krazy Kruizers]

Congratulations on booking another Alaskan cruise.

[May4]

Why, I think your new plans make perfect sense:D Let's examine the matter....beautiful ship, charming company, a HAL offer you couldn't refuse, a beautiful place to cruise.

Yep! Good for you!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa--


How much more is it to book a specific stateroom?


Brian this SZ Guarantee was about $1400 less than a SY or SS and well over $2000 for any Deluxe Vernadah cabins. I am paying right at $3000 total. There are numerous S suites available and very few SS/SY so we will see what happens. I will play with it later and see if 8086 is even available if it is not I am most likely safe.:)

[jhannah]

Thanks everyone, glad to know I am not totally insane;) Noboby said that! :D

It's wonderful you enjoyed the Noordam enough to book her again so soon. That's what we did with the Prinsendam. Alaska presents an ever-changing palette, so when you go again you'll see different things.

[Love Cruises]

Way to Go Lisa and Tom!!!

I knew you would love the msNOORDAM. Can't wait until we are on her again on September 30th!

YOU ARE NOT NUTS.

[traveller123]

Lisa and Tom, I'm sorry you won't be here in Vancouver... I was looking forward to taking pictures of you "doing the wave". However, I'm sure you're going to have a wonderful cruise out of Seattle!

[hawgwildterry]

51-50 WIC - certifiable!;)


John,

Our code for 51-50 is/was 12-11 (SCS0) .......and Lisa is certifiable but in a good way! ;)

[Quenby]

Lisa I totally understand. After retirement in 2005, I went on my first cruise. I liked it so much I got right back on the same ship with friends a week later. I called it my 5149 and a half cruise. :cool:

[Copper10-8]

Lisa I totally understand. After retirement in 2005, I went on my first cruise. I liked it so much I got right back on the same ship with friends a week later. I called it my 5149 and a half cruise. :cool:


Got a lot of those walking around here on a full moon!


John,

Our code for 51-50 is/was 12-11 (SCS0) .......and Lisa is certifiable but in a good way! ;)

I hear ya, Terry!

[drtee]

I was on the 5/20 northbound sailing on the Statendam and just booked (thanks to the 3 day sale) the 7/27 southbound on the Volendam. This time I'm going by myself, not doing any excursions, and just enjoy being on the ship.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I was on the 5/20 northbound sailing on the Statendam and just booked (thanks to the 3 day sale) the 7/27 southbound on the Volendam. This time I'm going by myself, not doing any excursions, and just enjoy being on the ship.

:D Good For You!!!!! I am glad there are others out there just like me. Mine too was part of that 3 days sale. I although I am a bit jealous you get to return much soone than Tom and I. We still have 10 weeks from today.

[Tinknock50]

:D Good For You!!!!! I am glad there are others out there just like me. Mine too was part of that 3 days sale. I although I am a bit jealous you get to return much soone than Tom and I. We still have 10 weeks from today.

Oh boo hoo.....10 whole weeks away. My heart bleeds. LOL:D :D

Kidding aside....I would love to go back on the beautiful Noordam again before she disappears from our Western shore for who knows how long!

If I wasn't already on the Serenade for 13 wonderful days starting September 22nd , I'd be joining you.:)

[Quenby]

Lisa - I was on the Noordam May 13th and loved it. I looked at repeating it in Sept, but it just didn't work out because of a family wedding. Plus for the Zaandam I will get to go to Skagway again and also see Tracy Arm. For two of the ports, the Zaandam will be the only ship there that day.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Chris, it looks like you are also on the 4 cruises a year routine and trying to spread them out evenly through out the year. It's a good plan isn't it?;)

[BigGreenFan]

Glad to hear you're crazy about the Noordam to Alaska since we'll be on the 9/9 cruise, too!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Glad to hear you're crazy about the Noordam to Alaska since we'll be on the 9/9 cruise, too!

All I can say is you are going to LOVE IT:) What a beautiful ship and wonderful crew. The weeks was just so great, of course the company we kept was pretty good too and with out Karin with us it will definitely not be the same;)

[wizard-of-roz]

Lisa you're the "Mover and Shaker" of Cruise Critic!

Isn't it fun to be in the "waiting" mode?

I love the anticipation....although I am running out of outfits and my photo album is starting to look like "peat and repeat!"

I've got to be more inventive when it comes to the pictures; my clothes are starting to look like the "same old, same old!" I know the guys don't care so much about this.....but, clothes shopping and cruising can be very straining on the pocket book! :o

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Lisa you're the "Mover and Shaker" of Cruise Critic!

Isn't it fun to be in the "waiting" mode?

I love the anticipation....although I am running out of outfits and my photo album is starting to look like "peat and repeat!"

I've got to be more inventive when it comes to the pictures; my clothes are starting to look like the "same old, same old!" I know the guys don't care so much about this.....but, clothes shopping and cruising can be very straining on the pocket book! :o
Roz, do I ever know that one. Shhhh don't tell anyone but the 2 Formal dresses I wore on the Noordam were the exact same ones I wore on the Oosterdam in March:D Plus I got bets I wear the same ones again in September;) We quit having formal pictures taken because they look the same.
I do love being in the waiting mode though. I have washed all my cold weather clothes and they are ready for Alaska Part II. I certainly do not need them for this 115 degree weather here in Vegas:eek: