Mediterranean Cruise - Noordam

[kweentwo]

Anyone back from the Eastern Med Cruise on Noordam? Do you have any daily program info to share? How about the menus? How was the weather etc.? We depart in a week and just looking for any info or suggestions that would be helpful.

[knitter]

We did the 4/29 sailing, and loved it. It is a great itinerary, and the Noordam is lovely. We had grand weather- probably in the low 70's and sunny every day. With only 2 sea days, I didn't pay much attention to the daily activites- we enjoyed the down time around the pool or in the spa on sea days or after we got on board. We did private tours in Ephesus and Malta that were good- Levant and Tour Malta. Food was excellent- we ate all dinners in the dining room. I hate to think of what Santorini could be like with a lot of ships in- if you do a morning shore ex. you get tendered to the ferry port for the buses- if not, you go up by foot, donkey or cable car, and since the cable cars hold only 36 at a time up and down, I imagine it gets pretty crowded in the morning and at the end of the day- we waited in line 20 minutes to go up and had waited a bit to give the crowds a chance to go. No line coming down but we waited till 5 or so. The only other ship in port was a smaller Thompson ship which left before us- if there are several large ships in port it could be a wait! Enjoy!

[Sea Island Lady]

knitter - Thank you for the brief review. :)

[cactuscruiser]

Got off the Noordam on Thursday from the 10 day Eastern Med. route. Weather was low 70's most days with 2 days of just a little drizzle in the am. I brought home all the planners but didn't keep any notations on the menus. Overwhelmingly, everyone's least favorite menu night was Dutch night. We had a juggler on 2 nights (Jeffrey Bradley), the comedienne was Julie Barr (hysterical) and she did 2 nights also. One was a late night (10:30!) show. Not much interest in Bingo on our cruise. In fact, 2 sessions were cancelled because not enough people showed up! The snowball jackpot was only $2711. I only went to one production show but the four main singers were very good - much better than most I've seen on ships. Any specific questions I can try to answer for you? Debbi

[Sea Island Lady]

Hi,

I leave on the Noordam this Sunday. Do you remember which night was Dutch night and what was on the menu?

[kweentwo]

Thanks for all the great info! I hope our weather is just as great.

[cactuscruiser]

You'll have a great time on this itinerary. Dutch Night was mid-cruise. The only specific item I remember is the Dutch Pea Soup. Sorry. Unfortunately, the same menu as the dining room, although abbreviated, is served in the Lido each night, with only the addition of the pizza and pasta station.

[Sea Island Lady]

Well that does it there! My Dad and brother love pea soup, so I guess we will be eating in the dining room for Dutch night. :D

[cactuscruiser]

And I'm sure many people must love it too or they wouldn't keep having it!

[Jade13]

Can anyone who just got off the Roman Empire Cruise tell me the following:

1) Was the outdoor BBQ the night out of Santorini (Night 6) as I believe it was last year?
2) Which two nights were Formal? They are not always on the Sea days or half port days. Possibilities would be 4 and 7 (Katakolon Night 4 and Sea Day Night 7)
3) What about the Farewell Dinner? My guess would be Night 8 (Malta) as HAL usually does this a few nights before the end of the cruise.

I don't remember a Dutch night last year. If they had it, it was the night of the BBQ (fyi, for the Med Enchantment 10 night last summer the BBQ was out of Barcelona).

We may go to the Pinnacle Grille (we refused when the price went up to $30pp last year) but would like to go to the BBQ, Formal nights and Farewell dinner.

Thanks!

[Jade13]

Hi,

I leave on the Noordam this Sunday. Do you remember which night was Dutch night and what was on the menu?

Have a great time SIL!

Btw, I think last year Dutch night was the same night as the outdoor BBQ, and we like to go to that BBQ for a change of pace (it's a real BBQ - not what you mentioned on Celebrity Century). It is held on a Casual night. My guess is that it would be the night you are in Santorini - just my guess.

Btw, I still have never tried HAL's famous Dutch Pea Soup. If the BBQ is the same night as Dutch night, I am just going to ask my waiter if the Pea soup will be on the menu any other night etc. as I would love to try it.

Don't forget to try the famous bread pudding in the lido. You may have to ask for it as it may be behind the counter.

[Jade13]

Can anyone who just got off the Roman Empire Cruise tell me the following:

1) Was the outdoor BBQ the night out of Santorini (Night 6) as I believe it was last year?
2) Which two nights were Formal? They are not always on the Sea days or half port days. Possibilities would be 4 and 7 (Katakolon Night 4 and Sea Day Night 7)
3) What about the Farewell Dinner? My guess would be Night 8 (Malta) as HAL usually does this a few nights before the end of the cruise.

I don't remember a Dutch night last year. If they had it, it was the night of the BBQ (fyi, for the Med Enchantment 10 night last summer the BBQ was out of Barcelona).

We may go to the Pinnacle Grille (we refused when the price went up to $30pp last year) but would like to go to the BBQ, Formal nights and Farewell dinner.

Thanks!

Also, who is the current Captain, Executive Chef, and Cruise director?

[cactuscruiser]

The 3 Formal nights were: the first sea day(day2),Katakalon (day 5) and day 8 (the 2nd sea day).
Cruise Director is Drew Murdoch.
Captain Hans Mateboer.
Yes, the BBQ is day 5, Santorini. That was NOT Dutch night as we ate dinner in Santorini that night and missed the BBQ.
Port Lecturer was Martin and he was very helpful and knowledgable.
Farewell Dinner was day 9, Malta but crew farewell show was last day, Sicily.
I believe there were 5 Culinary Arts demos in the Queens Lounge.



Debbi

[Jade13]

The 3 Formal nights were: the first sea day(day2),Katakalon (day 5) and day 8 (the 2nd sea day).
Cruise Director is Drew Murdoch.
Captain Hans Mateboer.
Yes, the BBQ is day 5, Santorini. That was NOT Dutch night as we ate dinner in Santorini that night and missed the BBQ.
Port Lecturer was Martin and he was very helpful and knowledgable.
Farewell Dinner was day 9, Malta but crew farewell show was last day, Sicily.
I believe there were 5 Culinary Arts demos in the Queens Lounge.



Debbi

Debbi,

Thanks! I just want to make sure that I have this right (btw, last year there were only 2 formals, there may have been an "Formal optional").

Night 2 - Sea Day - Formal
Night 5 - Katakolon - Formal
Night 6 - Santorini - BBQ (Casual)
Night 7 - Sea Day - Formal
Night 8 - Malta - Farewell Dinner (this was the same night last year)
Night 9 -Messina, Sicily - Crew show (btw, last year on the Med Enchantment the Cruise show was out of Barcelona, after the BBQ and Flamenco dancers who boarded for the show.

[Sea Island Lady]

Debbi - Thank you for the information.

Jade - When you mentioned BBQ, I was thinking ..."If the BBQ is anything like the Celebrity Century BBQ, I think I will pass." LOL Does the HAL BBQ have nice tables set up for eating?

Can't decide when or if we will go to the Pinnacle Grille. :confused:

[cactuscruiser]

3rd Formal Night was day 8, sea day. and Mediterranean night was day 9, Malta.
Say hi to DJ Issa for me . (the lady from AZ last cruise (by then 2 cruises ago) who was the ONLY one there for the first 70's Disco Night. (that explains why there were 2 on our cruise)

[gf42]

I am new to HAL so please tell me what is the BBQ ? Is it in the dinning room or by the pool ? What is special about the Farewell Dinner ? Is it like a formal night dinner ? Also, what is the crew show ?

[cactuscruiser]

The BBQ is up by the pool.
The Farewell Dinner is just a better menu of options. I think that was lobster tail and Beef Wellington night IF I remember correctly.

The crew Farewell Show is made up of the Cruise Director, the main singers from the production show, the Cruise director's staff and representatives of the diferent departments on board all doing a song together - kind of a kumbaya, peace, love and harmony theme song.

Then there is the Indonesian Crew show one night and the Philiipino Crew show on another night. Both are exactly what they sound like. Not many passengers attended either but yet on the TV replay they looked kind of good.

[Kolleen]

I would love to know which night is dutch night.

[Sea Island Lady]

Then there is the Indonesian Crew show one night and the Philiipino Crew show on another night. Both are exactly what they sound like. Not many passengers attended either but yet on the TV replay they looked kind of good.
My understanding is that these two shows are hilarious and outstanding! ;)

[Jade13]

My understanding is that these two shows are hilarious and outstanding! ;)

Not to be missed! I could of sworn last year there was just one crew show on the 10 night.

[Jade13]

Debbi - Thank you for the information.

Jade - When you mentioned BBQ, I was thinking ..."If the BBQ is anything like the Celebrity Century BBQ, I think I will pass." LOL Does the HAL BBQ have nice tables set up for eating?

Can't decide when or if we will go to the Pinnacle Grille. :confused:

The BBQ was held last year around the aft pool. The food was good. There were tables set up, but not enough for everyone. We just sat on the ledge around the pool. Not a big deal. The food was real barbeque food (not two tables with sausage & tacos as you described on Century - I saw them setting up).

On HAL there was salad, cole slaw, rolls, and all kinds of barbequed foods, ribs, chicken, rice, mixed vegatables, corn on the cob. There may have been some cold pastas. Every Chef is different. If you don't like the spread you can still go to the dining room, although we always tell our waiter that we are going to the BBQ that night.

Btw, I just looked at my photos and it looks like they did an ice carving demo during the BBQ that night.

Also, when they have the Dessert Extravaganza, make sure you get there early to take pictures. Last year they also had the late night Foods from around the Medditeranean. There was too much food but a good opportunity to try dishes from diff countries you have visited such as Turkey, Greece, Croatia etc.

[Jade13]

The BBQ is up by the pool.
The Farewell Dinner is just a better menu of options. I think that was lobster tail and Beef Wellington night IF I remember correctly.

The crew Farewell Show is made up of the Cruise Director, the main singers from the production show, the Cruise director's staff and representatives of the diferent departments on board all doing a song together - kind of a kumbaya, peace, love and harmony theme song.

Then there is the Indonesian Crew show one night and the Philiipino Crew show on another night. Both are exactly what they sound like. Not many passengers attended either but yet on the TV replay they looked kind of good.

They sing "Love in Any Language".

[Jade13]

[quote=cactuscruiser;14900499]3rd Formal Night was day 8, sea day. and Mediterranean night was day 9, Malta.


Hmm, maybe I am confused because HAL considers:

5:00pm Departure
Day 1 - Sea Day (Formal)
Day 2- Dubrovnik
Day 3 - Corfu
Day 4 - Katakolon (Formal)
Day 5 - Santorini (BBQ)
Day 6- Kusadasi
Day 7 - Sea Day (Formal & Farewell Dinner)
Day 8 - Valletta, Malta (Mediterranean Night)
Day 9 - Messina
Day 10 - Civitaveccha (Disembark)

Does this look right as to when the Formals were held?

On our cruise Day 7 is a sea day, day 8 is Malta, day 9 is Messina. I am just trying to arrange the Pinnacle Grille so we do not miss the Formals or Farewell Dinner in the dining room. Thanks!

[gf42]

What is done on Mediterranean night ? Do they have a standard menu in the dinning room on BBQ night ?

[cactuscruiser]

Jade, I was going by the Daily Programs themselves, which I have beside me waiting to go into a scrapbook. They have Day 1 as boarding day and Day 10 as Messina. Sorry for any confusion.

Thanks for the song title - I couldn't remember it, just the general theme.

[PHYLLISR]

Please tell me about Noordam. We re thinking of booking this ship for 3/09 Caribbean---cabins (looking at an aft deck 5); food; condition of ship; etc.
Thanks,
Phyllis

[Sea Island Lady]

Jade, I was going by the Daily Programs themselves, which I have beside me waiting to go into a scrapbook. They have Day 1 as boarding day and Day 10 as Messina. Sorry for any confusion.
.
That's how I consider it too, except that instead of Day 1, it's night 1 because it's called a 10 Night Mediterranean Cruise, not day cruise. :D

[cactuscruiser]

The Noordam is a beautiful ship. Probably the prettiest I've been on. Everything is in great condition-no wear and tear to be seen anywhere. DD and I had an I category on deck 8. Lots of storage room. Friends were in outside cabin on deck 1 and they each had 3 people per cabin so it was tight for them. Understandably so. All of our room stewards were top notch. Decor of the ship is muted and elegant. The food quality itself I found to be no better or worse than RCCL, Princess, Carnival or Celebrity. It was good restaurant fare. You can't expect 5 star cuisine in a mass produced setting. Friends however dined at the Pinnacle Grill and said that it was worth every penny, it was that good. With all the open spaces on deck, the Noordam should be a beautiful ship for the Caribbean.

[Jade13]

That's how I consider it too, except that instead of Day 1, it's night 1 because it's called a 10 Night Mediterranean Cruise, not day cruise. :D

I originally wrote Night 1, Night 2 but that got more confusing. Btw, I am looking at the printed itinerary posted on HAL's web site that has the day you board as Day 0 and first full day, Day 1. It doesn't matter but that is why I wanted clarification on the ports for the days that were Formal.

[Kolleen]

Hey cactuscruiser - do you know which was Dutch night? Also, do they have a Master Chef night? If so which night was it?

Thanks for the help.