Virtually live from m/s Noordam

Sigh...I'll start over-let's all agree that shipboard internet is unreliable, and just leave it at that.

Our tenth anniversary of cruising-first one was also with HAL and also for an important DW b'day. She has been hinting about an ABC island cruise and I found one. Go me.

Noordam is very nice; I see whay she has admirers. Our only other Vista experience was the Westerdam, and she is too IKEA for our taste. Noordam seems classier.

Left FLL right on time. Drew the short straw and got the lifeboat with the guy who could do it better, loudly.

Lovely cabin; steward introduced himself (Slam), asked if we had requests (Ice please!) and explained the cabin quirks. (Drapes open by button, NOT hand. Don't think we broke anything. :) )

First night dinner seemed better organized than it sometimes is. 6-top @8PM (we can dine together any time; we cruise to meet people.)

One couple was absent, but came by before we left to introduce themselves. Classy ("It's not you it's us!") They had a Pinnacle departure nite dinner. Another wonderful table of nice people. The streak continues.

Food very good. No complaints In fact the roast beef was super.

Currently sitting @HMC

Tendering suspended for a while due to weather. Thought some people might have to take up residence, but front passed and tendering resumed. (Darn?)

While DWs b'day takes precedence, I'll try to post daily.

Any questions will be entertained, of course.

Cheers

Mark B

Thanks, Mark! Have a great cruise.

Looking forward to reading more.

Happy birthday to your wife!

Have a great cruise.

Thanks for your 'live' report. Hope you have a great cruise and I'll be looking for more reporting, if the internet gods are willing. :D:eek:

We are thankful to be able to cruise.

Ship had balloons on our cabin door for DW birthday, and cake with song at dinner. Very sweet.

Grand Turk yesterday. Shared a Margaritaville cabana. Relaxing. Cheeseburger in Paradise delicious, prices as one would expect.

Anchored at Samana Dominican Republic. Tenders deployed. Clocks advanced one hour last night. Check!

We enjoyed Canaletto last evening with our entire table. Very nice food. I recommend it for any Italo-philes.

Pinnacle tonight courtesy of our TA. Another nice treat.

BB King band is outstanding. If you are a fan of the music, I recommend taking them in.

Cheers y'all!

Mark

sounds like a gr8 cruise thus far. looking forward to hearing more.

Sounds like you are off to a better start than we had -- missed HMC both cruises.

ABC islands were hotter and more humid than we have experienced in past years.

Marj:

Noordam is a great ship. I did the same cruise three weeks ago and it was wonderful. I would go again on this ship in a heart beat.

Thank you for reviewing your Noordam cruise.

Belated Happy Birthday to your wife.

Thanks for your review. It is nice to hear about our ship for Alaska 2015.

Nice heads up on the drapes.

Good sailing! Looking forward to hearing more.

Looking forward to following you on your trip. My first time on Noordam is Dec 15. Happy Belated Birthday DW. I will be celebrating my moms 75th on this cruise. Counting the days!

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Wishing I was on a ship right now. :-)

Port side to-windy day!

Bonaire was interesting-pretty low key, but KK is right Hot and Humid in the ABCs, as usual.

DW is swimming with the dolphins today, and we are in port until 10PM, so I was looking for somewhere in town for dinner, but it's Sunday. Many restaurants closed. Bummer.

Dinner at the Pinnacle the other night. What is there to say-service and food outstanding.

Caught the last few minutes of the comedian act last night-hilarious story about him sneaking a goat onboard for formal night 30+ years ago (goat had a bow tie, so it was OK).

Note on the "new" menu format: so what? The food is great and what does it matter if the Caesar salad is listed in a different place? Onion soup, Caesar salad, steak, and chicken (the standard "usuals") are still there.

The quail was great. Onion soup "Les Halles" very good (Not too salty, often an onion soup problem).

Aruba tomorrow then two sea days 'til FLL.

DW says thanks to all the well-wishers!

Cheers

Mark

Thanks for posting. My first Noordam trip is Dec. 22 and this is really getting me excited.

Hope you have a great time and that the rain stays away.

Well this was not up to my usual standards. Sorry, but I warned that DW was priority.

Returned to FLL on time 12/4 (no surprise there I guess.) Took a ship transfer to the airport via SawGrass Mill mall....more to eat up time than anything. Interesting mall if you enjoy shopping therapy.

Both DW and I caught a bug somewhere along the line and arrived home ill. Nearly recuperated and intend to post a more complete review of the cruise soon.

Bottom line= loved it. Great ship; super crew. Itinerary more suited to a beach/warm weather lover (or diver) but not too bad. Four new ports for us so that was nice, and DW LOVED it , so win win.

:)

Came back with internet minutes left over- a first.

Food was great across the board. New menu layout is fine. Not worth commenting on. Details later.

Thanks for putting up with my peripatetic musings.

Cheers

Mark

Good to read positive comments of your Noordam cruise.

Thank you.

Hope you will soon be fully recovered from the "bug".