Live from the Noordam

I am midway through the 12 day Caribbean Cruise - and we have had some good.. some bad, and I will write a review when I return.

Today we are in Dominica.. its Hot and sunny - we have had beautiful weather.

Embarking in NY went very smoothly - much better than we had expected after reading the posts.

One interesting development - for all you smokers out there, there is NO SMOKING allowed at all in the Casino. This went into effect on this cruise and will be in effect for the next 3 cruises according to the Staff. It is an experiment of sorts. I was a bit upset, being a smoker, only because we were not told - and did not have the option - unfortunately we have to make the best of it - and smoke in the adjoining Sports bar. just an FYI for those interested. Also NO Smoking on Lido Pool area, only at the Aft pool on one side.

Food is absolutely fantastic!!! HAL does do a great job on the food, and the service has been outstanding, our room steward "Danny" is the best we have ever had, I want to take him home.

Another tidbit - I am 45, and this is my 2nd HAL cruise - I have never agreed with those who said this was mainly a Senior cruise since my last one had many of all ages, but this one is different - I must say that I have heard there are only about 50 kids total on board, I have only had 2 sightings myself, and the BIG majority seem to be over 60. That's my opinion from my observations.. more later.

That's all for now - it is a beautiful ship, and I will have more details later but for now I'm off to the Top deck for some sun and maybe an ice cream cone.

Howdy,

I'm going on the Noordam for the January 6th sailing. Can you please share your thoughts, if possible on a few things if you experienced them.

If I don't want to drag a tux along (I'm traveling solo) do you think that eating at the Lido dining room on the formal nights would be a mistake?

What things on the ship should I "absolutely not miss"?

Please continue to report as you can, you have a subscriber!

Thank you

John

Can you please confirm they offer Corona beers on this ship??

Thank you!

Thank you for posting loralu, we are on the sailing after you and was wondering about the ship, the weather and the seas, have you had any rought seas?

Im also very glad to hear about the food and the service.

Have a wonderful time and eat an icecream cone for me;)

Capn

I'm glad you are having a good trip. I'm considering a future cruise on the Noordam and am thinking about an inside cabin selection. I see from the deck plans that there is a forward deck on the Rotterdam, Upper verandah, and verandah decks. Do you know if these decks are open to the public? Is there seating on these decks?

Thanks.

I’m just off the Noordam, yes, they do have Corona, and tux is not required on formal night, just look presentable and wear a tie. Or eat in the lido, it’s your vacation……;)There is no access to the bow deck as it is for the crew. The only open forward deck is on lido deck in front of the gym, and the deck above the crows nest.

They did have one formal night that was also informal. The officer assigned to our table didn’t show that night, so I guess it was more informal. Some thought that was weird.:confused: We did get our waiter pretty good with a fake cockroach. His eyes almost popped out of his head, it was pretty funny.:D

Mark……

Oh, I'll bet his eyes popped out of his head...:eek:

Dying to hear what else you have to say!

A fake bug! I've got to remember that for April. :p

Hi CC,

I noticed in one of your posts you had cabin 4147? I have that cabin booked in January... do you have any pics or can you describe the layout? It looks a little bigger than the other M categories around it....so that is why I chose it....every inch counts...lol.....any sofa in the cabin?....thks...

Had a great time on the Noordam, Actually, Vic the Parrot was the one who got our waiter (under my advise ;)) The waiter was new I think too, only got him for a second, but it was funny. I’ll post more later. As far as 4147 it’s now full of bedbugs! :eek:

Just kidding. It’s in a great location for shooting up to the lido, and it was in a quiet neighborhood. It is small though.152 sq ft. Smallest I’ve had. Vista, you know. No couch, the only drawers are bedside tables. I was alone, never felt cramped, great bed, has fridge, and 3 closets, desk, small table and chair. Hope that helps, have a great cruise!:cool:

Mark....

Had a great time on the Noordam, Actually, Vic the Parrot was the one who got our waiter (under my advise ;)) The waiter was new I think too, only got him for a second, but it was funny. I’ll post more later. As far as 4147 it’s now full of bedbugs! :eek:

Just kidding. It’s in a great location for shooting up to the lido, and it was in a quiet neighborhood. It is small though.152 sq ft. Smallest I’ve had. Vista, you know. No couch, the only drawers are bedside tables. I was alone, never felt cramped, great bed, has fridge, and 3 closets, desk, small table and chair. Hope that helps, have a great cruise!:cool:

Mark....

Thanks U4ea,

I asked TA before booking if it had a couch and he told me yes. Guess I'll cut and paste your reply and send it along to him for an explanation.... not sure what my options are but will ask him what we can do....looking forward to the cruise!

Hi, we just booked a VA room with a guarantee for the March 10 Noordam sailing. Does anyone have any experience with upgrades in this category? Thanks:)

 

One interesting development - for all you smokers out there, there is NO SMOKING allowed at all in the Casino. This went into effect on this cruise and will be in effect for the next 3 cruises according to the Staff. It is an experiment of sorts. I was a bit upset, being a smoker, only because we were not told - and did not have the option - unfortunately we have to make the best of it - and smoke in the adjoining Sports bar. just an FYI for those interested. Also NO Smoking on Lido Pool area, only at the Aft pool on one side.

 

So does this mean no cigars under the stars?:confused:

So does this mean no cigars under the stars?:confused:

Not necessarily since Cigars Under the stars has nothing to do with the casino.

The Noordam has a separate smoking room. I don't remember if cigar smoking is allowed inside that room or not---or even where they have the nightime cigar smoking.

The Oak Room on the Starboard Topside Fore is the Mens Cigar and Brandy Room .... yes near the Crows Nest Lounge with those most sought after Captain Chairs...ahhhhh and for the needy a bar is there at hand withe servers,...

So many Captains of the Day, mere moments, NJ NANO Seconds... there... LoL...

For the Under the stars we actually are always under the stars even though its so bright with sunlight we can't see them...

Not necessarily since Cigars Under the stars has nothing to do with the casino.

 

The Noordam has a separate smoking room. I don't remember if cigar smoking is allowed inside that room or not---or even where they have the nightime cigar smoking.

Not necessarily since Cigars Under the stars has nothing to do with the casino.

 

The Noordam has a separate smoking room. I don't remember if cigar smoking is allowed inside that room or not---or even where they have the nightime cigar smoking.

The OP also mentioned no smoking at the Lido pool area.. When I was on the Veendam that is where they had the cigars..

I understand about the Oak Rm., but It was so nice at night, under the stars, relaxing with a fine drink an cigar..:)

Hi, we just booked a VA room with a guarantee for the March 10 Noordam sailing. Does anyone have any experience with upgrades in this category? Thanks:)

I can tell you we booked a VA in May for our cruise which leaves 11/25--no upgrade. However, everyone else on our roll call board (yes, I mean EVERYONE) except for us got an upgrade. A lot of people who booked lower-category Verandah cabins were upgraded to VA. So if I had it to do over again, I would not have paid the money for a VA, I would have done a VC or something and then it seems the upgrades are pretty common. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with a VA cabin, but I am irritated that it seems we are the only people who actually paid the VA rate.

And also, since you are "Knitlady," do you know whether I can carry my knitting needles onto the plane?

Please tell me about Cigars Under The Stars. What is it and how often does it occur. Also, any suggestions about buying cigars in the Carribean or should I just bring my own?

Loralu,

Thanks for the news about the casino - not to be confrontational, just that Mom has asthma and we've had to leave the casino on a few occasions. We're on the next sailing, leaving this Wednesday.

I'm wondering if you could answer a question for me - are the chicken, steak and salmon alternatives available every night on the dining room menu?

Thanks in advance,

Susan

Cigars Under the Stars has been held around the Dolphin Bar by the Lido Pool in the evening.

I've never enjoyed it in the Caribbean because it tends to be humid and muggy. No fun in a tux.

You can find some decent bargains on cigars in the Caribbean (even Cubans except St. Thomas/San Juan), so no need to bring your own. You can also purchase aboard.

I can tell you we booked a VA in May for our cruise which leaves 11/25--no upgrade. However, everyone else on our roll call board (yes, I mean EVERYONE) except for us got an upgrade. A lot of people who booked lower-category Verandah cabins were upgraded to VA. So if I had it to do over again, I would not have paid the money for a VA, I would have done a VC or something and then it seems the upgrades are pretty common. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with a VA cabin, but I am irritated that it seems we are the only people who actually paid the VA rate.

 

And also, since you are "Knitlady," do you know whether I can carry my knitting needles onto the plane?

We are anxiously awaiting loralu's return, where oh where are you loralu??:eek:

Just a quick mention - we were on the 10/25 cruise and to my memory they did not have the steak, chicken, etc. alternatives on the menu - steak seemed to be a rarity but the menu was varied and met our requirements.

Had I been aware of the new NO SMoking policy on the Noordam in the casino - I seriously feel that I would not have booked this cruise ---for sure they are going a bit too far with this No smoking --- the ships are getting bigger and the smoking areas are getting smaller --- this is not fair

Had I been aware of the new NO SMoking policy on the Noordam in the casino - I seriously feel that I would not have booked this cruise ---for sure they are going a bit too far with this No smoking --- the ships are getting bigger and the smoking areas are getting smaller --- this is not fair