Ready for Our Close Up on the Noordam 2/27-3/8

[nycdeb]

How long does it take before you get "over" a cruise? I've been back for two weeks and I think I'm pining for the ship. Is that normal?

See, I've just been told once again how fantastic our "formal portraits" from the cruise are. They are really good ones. We hammed it up a lot for them and were all laughing like loons. But we're clearly having a great time. If anyone is on the Noordam now, I wonder if they wouldn't mind wandering up the Photo Gallery and telling the Elvir - one of the photographers - that "Charlie's Angels" say hi (he'll understand - and if you see the picture, so will you). Tell him that they photos he took of us have been HUGE hits with everyone at home. If you get your formal photos done, he's the one to do it.

See, my friends and I were on the Noordam a couple of weeks back. It was my first cruise and their second. It was all I expected and more. The staff were friendly and with a few notable exceptions one night at dinner - top notch. The entertainment staff were delightful. We didn't know if Kyle, Colby and Aga would fit in our suitcases but we were willing to try. An outstanding group. Drew was the cruise director and had us in stitches much of the time, even when running into him at shockingly early hours in elevators (we'll pass quickly over the details there - suffice to say we shouldn't have been playing drunken ping pong for so long).

Of course, it was my first cruise so I don't have anything to compare it with but I thought the ship was outstanding. I loved grabbing a coffee at the Explorer's Cafe and taking my morning walk on the Promenade. The activities - trivia competitions in particular - are big favorites of ours and we entered all we could. We didn't necessarily win (though I did get to the finals of the Ultimate Quiz Show) but we had a great time with it.

I played shuffleboard for the first time - now I initially agreed to it for the sake of being "completist" (cruise ship = shuffleboard in my mind) but you know what? I loved it. I drove my friends crazy dragging them up there so often. We even dragged a couple of the photographers (sans cameras) along one day. No, we didn't kidnap them - they were up there on a break and we swept them along in our wake. Nice boys but not outstanding shuffleboard players. Doris, the waitress in the Sports Bar however swings a mean ping pong paddle.

Anyway - I wanted to share my thoughts on my first cruise here since this board was so helpful to me in making up my mind about whether to go, which line and when. This is my first post so you likely didn't know you were being so helpful. But you were. Thanks all!

[Oville]

Sounds like you had a wonderful time.

I have a question for you as we are seriously thinking of booking a cruise on the Noordam. Do the cabins have refridgerated mini-bars. We will be staying in a balcony or mini-suite cabin and my husband uses it to keep ice in for a bad back.

Thanks for your help.

[nycdeb]

yes, there are mini-bars and you should have plenty of room to keep ice on hand

[RustaRoo]

What a great, refreshing post, Deb! I do believe you've caught the cruising bug and it's a hard 'disease' to cure:D

[nycdeb]

What a great, refreshing post, Deb! I do believe you've caught the cruising bug and it's a hard 'disease' to cure:D

yes, so I'm learning. It's a mild bummer that I'm just coming to this as Holland America is getting ready to abandon New York but of course, I'll find a way to get my "fix" :D

[hammybee]

It's good to hear that most recent Noordam passengers, who post here, believe she is leaving NYC on the "top of the heap".

Only cure for you is to book another cruise.

[nycdeb]

Only cure for you is to book another cruise.

Well if I have to . . . :D Here's to more shuffleboard!

[RuthC]

I have a question for you as we are seriously thinking of booking a cruise on the Noordam. Do the cabins have refridgerated mini-bars. We will be staying in a balcony or mini-suite cabin and my husband uses it to keep ice in for a bad back.
The Vista class ships and the Prinsendam have a mini-fridge in all cabins.
The S- and R-class ships have a mini-fridge in the mini-suites, and up, categories. The outside and inside cabins on those ships may rent a fridge. The price used to be $2/day; I believe it's since gone up.

There is no freezer compartment in the fridge, so your husband will need to keep the ice in the ice bucket, then place that in the fridge. It will keep very well that way.
Your cabin steward will keep you stocked with ice. Just be sure he knows if you put it in the fridge!

[ctsally]

How long does it take to "get over" a cruise? Ha! As far as I'm concerned...never. I also was on the 2/27-3/8 cruise on the Noordam and I'm still sulking because it ended!
I agree that the staff running the activities did a superb job...things were run smoothly and on time. Until I can figure a way to stowaway, I guess I'll just have to close my eyes and pretend I'm back on the Noordam.

[nycdeb]

Oh ctsally, I'm glad I'm not the only one. No one at work understands my "team trivia" withdrawal or why I keep waiting for karaoke to begin (though I must say by the end of the week, I'd seen enough karaoke for a lifetime). That last couple of days on the trip, I overheard a group of people talking - saying that were doing the next Noordam cruise as well and I was ready to stowaway in their bags.

I can't decide what to do next - try a new ship or check out another Noordam voyage.

[mamaofami]

I was on the 2/6 Noordam cruise and still miss that ship and her wonderful staff and all the great people I met on board. Hopefully, this is the first of many cruises for you.

[innlady1]

Oh ctsally, I'm glad I'm not the only one. No one at work understands my "team trivia" withdrawal or why I keep waiting for karaoke to begin (though I must say by the end of the week, I'd seen enough karaoke for a lifetime). That last couple of days on the trip, I overheard a group of people talking - saying that were doing the next Noordam cruise as well and I was ready to stowaway in their bags.

I can't decide what to do next - try a new ship or check out another Noordam voyage.

Glad you had such a great cruise, nycdeb. You're not alone...many of us are upset that HAL is abandoning the cruises from NYC. We cruised on the Noordam last February and this February.

I guess many of us will follow her to FFL! :rolleyes:

[nycdeb]

mamaofami wrote: Hopefully, this is the first of many cruises for you.

Oh it is. I am already research the next trip - well, trips if I am to be perfectly honest. My mother has been starting at my trip photos so hard it's like she's trying to transport herself across time and space into the events so she wants to go on one now.

And of course, the friends I was on the Noordam with are all up for another trip. Only this time, I've stated that I am not UP for a full week of karaoke viewing - one of my friends was the Karaoke winner on our trip and I am very proud of her but I am ALL cheered out. Well, for now.

Oh speaking of karaoke reminds me of two things:

1) The staff as judges in the Karaoke competition and as the panel on "Call My Bluff" were some of the funniest bits I've ever seen. Drew in particular though Chris ran a very close second. I practically fell out of the booth in the Queen's Lounge during Call My Bluff. And then Drew dancing with Pamela during the finals of the Noordam Superstar actual DID see me fall out of my chair. Thank goodness the lights were down.

2) The other great thing about 'Our Illustrious Photographer'. I really wanted some first class pictures of Pamela singing in the contest to give to her and her parents. Sure, I could take some pictures with my camera but I'm a very 'point and click' kind of gal. If I get lucky - the pictures come out OK. So I asked if any of the photographers were available to come to the Finals and take some pictures (which I would pay for of course). Well, Elvir came along and took some GREAT shots. Much better than I could have ever hoped to get. Everyone was thrilled with them.

I read on other threads that the previous photo company prices were lower than the current ones. Were they a lot lower? I admit, I did wince a bit at the end. But I look at the now and I am really glad I got them.

innlady1 wrote: I guess many of us will follow her to FFL!

and if that's where the cruises are, that's where I'll be. But I did love the whole "taking a cab to the Caribbean" aspect of my trip as well. It took me 20 minutes to get there and about 25 minutes to get home once I laid my hands on my bags. Never again will a trip start and end that easily :(

[dr1ce]

How long does it take before you get "over" a cruise? I've been back for two weeks and I think I'm pining for the ship. Is that normal?

I was on this cruise, too, and I'm still thinking it was "last week"... I miss the Noordam! :o It was my first cruise too, and I know we were spoiled (splurged for a suite, weren't too thrifty at times, etc). We're considering another cruise, but our next vacation won't be for at least a year (booo!). We loved HAL, but thought we might try another cruise line or maybe not a cruise but an all-inclusive or another kind of resort where we could see more of the islands (especially the nightlife!). Our biggest complaint was not enough "quality time" on the islands. Next time, we'll really scrutinize the itinerary first, for sure!

See, my friends and I were on the Noordam a couple of weeks back. It was my first cruise and their second. It was all I expected and more. The staff were friendly and with a few notable exceptions one night at dinner - top notch. The entertainment staff were delightful. We didn't know if Kyle, Colby and Aga would fit in our suitcases but we were willing to try. An outstanding group...

We thought the staff/crew were excellent too (few small exceptions). The girls were great; so bubbly and into their jobs (even when they were just selling bingo cards).

Doris, the waitress in the Sports Bar however swings a mean ping pong paddle.

Isn't Doris awesome?! :p I never saw her with a ping-pong paddle, but she was so great! She was always telling us stories and jokes. She knew DH & I only after a few encounters and she had our favorite drinks (and even stateroom #) memorized by the end of the cruise! Okay, we spent too much time in the casino/Sports Bar. She gave DH and I a cute handmade paper flower before we left and we got a nice photo with her. Love Doris! :)

Anyway - I wanted to share my thoughts on my first cruise here since this board was so helpful to me in making up my mind about whether to go, which line and when. This is my first post so you likely didn't know you were being so helpful. But you were. Thanks all!

I AGREE! This board was, by far, the most useful tool in planning our trip. There's so many questions/concerns when you're a "cruise virgin" and you were all so helpful and kind! I second the thought! :)

nycdeb, Glad you enjoyed the trip! We did too; great cruise for our 1st, if you ask me! Check out my photos (link below) if you want to torture yourself with memories of the Noordam... The more family members I share them with, the more "homesick" I am for the Noordam!

[nycdeb]

Isn't Doris awesome?! :p

Doris totally deserves a fanclub of her own. Her jokes were classic and got steadily and slightly filthier throughout the cruise. Did you hear her sing? At some point, I knocked over something and was apologizing when she starts singing "You don't have to say you're sorry."

Yup - spent much too much time in the Sports Bar ourselves :D I've got a picture of Doris in here somewhere once I get all the shots sorted out.

[nycdeb]

Our biggest complaint was not enough "quality time" on the islands. Next time, we'll really scrutinize the itinerary first, for sure!

Totally agree with you there. I was especially annoyed about being rushed in and out of Old San Juan after being stuck in the waste of space known as St. Thomas (a place that has always driven me crazy). As you say - next time itinerary gets a long hard look. This time I was too distracted by the overall novelty factor of it all.

[nycdeb]

out my photos (link below) if you want to torture yourself with memories of the Noordam... The more family members I share them with, the more "homesick" I am for the Noordam!

dr1ce! Those photos are fantastic. Of course, they don't do anything to help me "move on" from my trip (something I don't really want to do anyway) but they have inspired me to get moving on sorting out my own pics and getting them up somewhere so I can share them as well

[pipedreams62]

How long does it take before you get "over" a cruise? I've been back for two weeks and I think I'm pining for the ship. Is that normal?

See, I've just been told once again how fantastic our "formal portraits" from the cruise are. They are really good ones. We hammed it up a lot for them and were all laughing like loons. But we're clearly having a great time. If anyone is on the Noordam now, I wonder if they wouldn't mind wandering up the Photo Gallery and telling the Elvir - one of the photographers - that "Charlie's Angels" say hi (he'll understand - and if you see the picture, so will you). Tell him that they photos he took of us have been HUGE hits with everyone at home. If you get your formal photos done, he's the one to do it.

See, my friends and I were on the Noordam a couple of weeks back. It was my first cruise and their second. It was all I expected and more. The staff were friendly and with a few notable exceptions one night at dinner - top notch. The entertainment staff were delightful. We didn't know if Kyle, Colby and Aga would fit in our suitcases but we were willing to try. An outstanding group. Drew was the cruise director and had us in stitches much of the time, even when running into him at shockingly early hours in elevators (we'll pass quickly over the details there - suffice to say we shouldn't have been playing drunken ping pong for so long).

Of course, it was my first cruise so I don't have anything to compare it with but I thought the ship was outstanding. I loved grabbing a coffee at the Explorer's Cafe and taking my morning walk on the Promenade. The activities - trivia competitions in particular - are big favorites of ours and we entered all we could. We didn't necessarily win (though I did get to the finals of the Ultimate Quiz Show) but we had a great time with it.

I played shuffleboard for the first time - now I initially agreed to it for the sake of being "completist" (cruise ship = shuffleboard in my mind) but you know what? I loved it. I drove my friends crazy dragging them up there so often. We even dragged a couple of the photographers (sans cameras) along one day. No, we didn't kidnap them - they were up there on a break and we swept them along in our wake. Nice boys but not outstanding shuffleboard players. Doris, the waitress in the Sports Bar however swings a mean ping pong paddle.

Anyway - I wanted to share my thoughts on my first cruise here since this board was so helpful to me in making up my mind about whether to go, which line and when. This is my first post so you likely didn't know you were being so helpful. But you were. Thanks all!


Yes the daily grind of life I simply consider a "Temporary Exile"

[Rhea58]

Glad to hear you are now a HAL Fan!!!

And belatedly KUDOS to dr1ce for all those pix-------no underwater
shots of the great scuba-diver???

I finally finished my review of trip & it is posted under member
reviews if anyone is interested...

[dr1ce]

And belatedly KUDOS to dr1ce for all those pix-------no underwater shots of the great scuba-diver???

Rhea, DH didn't have an underwater camera for his 2 scuba dives in Grand Turk, but he did take some underwater shots in St. Thomas while snorkeling... I'll have to scan them into my computer and post them on Flickr with the others soon... :)

[NoNoNanette]

Hi gang....:)

Going on the Noordam for the first time in November. (Have just been on the smaller R Class previously)

You guys have mentioned a "Sports Bar". Would you be kind enuf to briefly describe it?

Thanks.

[NYCsurfer]

Hi gang....:)

Going on the Noordam for the first time in November. (Have just been on the smaller R Class previously)

You guys have mentioned a "Sports Bar". Would you be kind enuf to briefly describe it?

Thanks.

It is a small horizontal flat surface on which they serve alcoholic beverages while you watch multiple televisions showing athletic contests via ESPN. Hope this helps. :D


It is directly across from the Casino. Not big, and I did not spend any time or money in the Sports Bar on our Jan cruise.

[NoNoNanette]

It is a small horizontal flat surface on which they serve alcoholic beverages while you watch multiple televisions showing athletic contests via ESPN. Hope this helps. :D


It is directly across from the Casino. Not big, and I did not spend any time or money in the Sports Bar on our Jan cruise.

Hardee Har Har :)

(There was talk of ping pong, so wondered what they had in there, silly!)

[innlady1]

Hardee Har Har :)

(There was talk of ping pong, so wondered what they had in there, silly!)

It's adjacent to the Casino...next to the Piano Bar. Never went in there to see what it comprised as it's one of the smoking options on the ship and smoke bothers me, so I don't know if they have ping pong or not.

[NoNoNanette]

Thanks for the feedback, Sheila. (As a smoker, that's good to know.) :)

[mamaofami]

I've only been in there once and there was no ping pong. Only chairs, a bar and a T.V. and lots of smoke.

[nycdeb]

I've only been in there once and there was no ping pong. Only chairs, a bar and a T.V. and lots of smoke.

no, there is no ping pong in the sports bar but if you're very lucky and you catch her at just right moment, Doris (who RULES the sports bar and is the greatest waitress to ever serve drinks anywhere) might be convinced to swing a paddle.

[nycdeb]

You guys have mentioned a "Sports Bar". Would you be kind enuf to briefly describe it?

extremely convenient, centrally located bar just off the casino. Was very much home base for me and my gang (as they were all smokers). Very relaxed and amusing place to hang out even if sports are not your thing. They aren't mine at all and truth? I never even saw what was on the screens.

[NoNoNanette]

Thanks, Deb! It's always great to have a fun bartender or server. I'll have to look Doris up. :)

(I KNEW I saw SOMETHING about Ping Pong!) ;)

We're quite fond of the Crows Nest, but it's great to look forward to another smoking area.

[nycdeb]

yes, the smoking area off the Crow's Nest was nice too but it is a bit out of the way - which is why I think we gravitated more toward the Sports Bar. It's right in the thick of things (good for us since we were volunteering and signing up for everything from the Quiz Show to karaoke) and it meant my friends (all smokers) and I (a non-smoker) could all hang out consistently without them running off in shifts to smoke.

Yes, as a rule Doris was found in the Sports Bar but one night we happened to catch Doris going from point A to point B up on the Lido deck and were there playing a very intense game of slightly drunken ping pong (much more exciting tha sober ping pong). Doris wasn't entirely sure it was a good idea but she did join us for a moment or two. A game girl, is our Doris.

Actually, the staff and crew were always game to join in on pretty much anything we had going. We coerced the cruise director into a spontaneous jitterbug contest, the photo gallery staff into shuffleboard and our favorite Crow's Nest waiter into a round robin filthy limerick competition. Oh, we were trouble - but we had fun and I think they enjoyed it too.

[NoNoNanette]

It sounds like you had a blast on your first cruise! I'm sure that the crew loved you guys. :)

They appreciate folks who have a good time.....It must be horrible to have to deal with sourpusses or judgmental folks on a regular basis. (Although, the crew has fun at their expense, too!) ;)

[nycdeb]

It sounds like you had a blast on your first cruise! I'm sure that the crew loved you guys.

They seemed to and we adored them right back. Frankly, if I could have found a way to fit them in my luggage, the Noordam would be down about 15 crew right now.

They appreciate folks who have a good time

and goodness knows that was us. But I know what you mean about the sourpuss faces. I mean, I'm sure everyone has an off day or moments when they don't "feel" the smile. But gosh, some people - after a while you get to recognize more and more people - never looked happy. Some did look a little sideways at us when we got to laughing like hyenas but you know how it is - sometimes you can't stop yourself and it gets contagious . . .

We had everyone between the Ocean Bar and the Vista Dining Room laughing on formal night though as we posed for our "formal" portaits. I've got them somewhere. I'll post them.

[NoNoNanette]

Looking forward to seeing your "formal" pics. *grinning in anticipation*

I'll keep my eye out for 'em! :)

[Rhea58]

for NoNoNanette: There is also a smoking room To the right outside the lower level dining room....NEVER saw it til my last nite when I spotted
some Toronto folks I had met @ our M&G.

dr1ce; thanks will look for them; hope you are acclimating well
to being back on land...

[NoNoNanette]

Thanks, Rhea!

Between those public smoking areas and our balcony, we'll do just fine on the Noordam! :)

Do you happen to know if they have a cigar lounge? Dom has been limited to our balcony in the past.

[nycdeb]

Hopefully I've done this correctly and I won't crash the whole forum!

Our three "informal formal" portraits and one where we tried to behave. All courtesy of the greatest of the Noordam photographers, Elvir (who had us in stitches and made us all look dewier and fresher than we had any right to be). Of course, the fact that we had a growing audience while we sorted out what to do helped too.

Charlie's Angels (I believe I am the "Jaclyn Smith" of the group. I know I am not Farrah Fawcett)
http://pics.livejournal.com/nycdeb/pic/000t02b2

We were such trouble makers, we formed our own express train to - well, you know.
http://pics.livejournal.com/nycdeb/pic/000t1814

And of course, we vogued
http://pics.livejournal.com/nycdeb/pic/000hebbp

We can behave in public. Or as near as.
http://pics.livejournal.com/nycdeb/pic/000t2qdg

[NoNoNanette]

Loved 'em, baby! (Although not really crazy about behaving in public) ;)

[nycdeb]

(Although not really crazy about behaving in public)

no, not so much at this end either. :-) But I did promise my parents one really nice picture. Least I could do since I didn't bring them with me.

[Rhea58]

nycdeb; aha! you were traveling with the famous singer who provided
much mirth & whose excellent voice took the top prize. Did you really need the ship's entertainment? LOL
NoNoNanette: Yes re cigars. Not much publicity is given to the Cigar Room named the Oak Room which is a well-appointed room w/entrances off the Crow's Nest and the outside deck. And cigars (a guy bought one
for $19!!) may also be purchased. Between the Oak Room, Sports Bar,
Rear Pool Bar area, & lower dining room to the right PLUS your balcony
you should be fine.

[nycdeb]

Rhea, yes -- that's Pamela, singer extraordinaire. But she won't sing for us 24/7 so we must make our own fun when she's resting her voice. Thankfully the Noordam provides plenty of fodder for that.

I kept thinking that the Cigar Room was that enclosed, paneled room off the Explorer's Lounge. I had no idea that smoking room off the Crow's Nest was the Cigar Room! Now that I think about it - if I'd paid attention, I should have 'cause there are cigars in there.

oh! And NoNoNanette, there is one more smoking spot - on the port side of the Ocean Bar at the end nearest the actual bar. The booths and tables over there are smoking.