Why Do You Love the Noordam

[Linda VH]

See people say they really like this ship and I'm wondering how it is different from other HAL ships and why you like it. We are booked over Christmas. Thanks, Linda

[Krazy Kruizers]

For starters -- the Crow's Nest is not shared with anything else -- the other 3 vista class ships and the 2 Signature ships have the Explorations Cafe, Internet and Library located in the Crow's Nest. On the Noordam it is located on the Promenade Deck.

The colors are nice -- right size ship.

[SwissMyst]

Never been on the Noordam but I know I would love it among the Vista class ships because they left the Library/Explorations Cafe where it belongs -- larger and lovely by itself on the lower deck and not like we found it hogging part of the Crows Nest on the Zuiderdam and Oosterdam and having to compete for space and noise with the daily Crows Nest activities.

 

One notices over time real affection for some ships over others and the Noordam seems to generate more of those responses than other Vista ships. She is definitely on our list of next HAL ships to try.

 

Normally we have not preferred the Vista class ships, the smaller R and S class ships being our primary preference. But one does get value for the Vista ships ....... and powder sugar donuts so we do keep more Vista class ship sailings on our list and Noordam will for sure be the next one for us. I think a TA would be a great way to get to know the Noordam.

[Windsailer]

Been on just the Oosterdam (fall 2011 and it was HORRIBLE) and Noordam (Med, October 2011). Just loved the Noordam. Night and day from the Oosterdam. The crew were all friendly and competent, especially in the Lido, Pinnacle Grill and the Explorations Cafe. Room stewards were awesome. The whole attitude of the ship just felt different. While I would never sail on the Oosterdam again, I am booked for the Noordam for Spring 2012.

 

And I second the comments about the Explorations Cafe. It's in a much better location on the Noordam.

[sail7seas]

We have a close attachment and Noordam and really love that ship and did from the moment we first boarded her.

 

She is the fourth in the Vista series and whatever mistakes may have been made on the first three sisters, were all corrected by the time they built Noordam. She is beautifully decorated, has a wonderful crew that is proud of their ship, officers and staff and HAL has just plain done it right with her IMO Noordam's Exploration Cafe is the best of all the Vista and Signature ships. We have spent lots of time there.

 

Her art is beautiful, lovely fresh flowers, sophisticated but welcoming and comfortable decorating, spotlessly clean and very well maintained....... she's special and a great many CC'ers seem to agree she's a wonderful ship.

 

It is rare we read or head anything negative about Noordam. She's well run and well loved by many.

 

[Lesinindy]

It was not too small, not too big, very classy interior, great crew, wonderful flowers and wonderful food. The only thing I hated was being forced off at the end of the cruise.

[dot73]

For me, the Noordam comes the closest to being the perfect ship. I sailed on the Noordam after 3 straight cruises on Princess because I thought I was getting bored with HAL. I was wrong. Sometimes you have to try another cruise line to truly appreciate HAL. I am about to sail the Noordam for the third time this December. I hope that nothing has changed and that the crew on this ship is still as great as it was last year in the Med.

[Caribbean Chris]

We had a great experience overall on the Noordam. But... unlike other posters ... about the only thing I didn't like was the Explorations Cafe placement on the Promenade deck. Drapes were often closed so no real view... and the Hudson Room had noisy private group sessions going on that disrupted the peaceful atmosphere.

 

I preferred the Expl Cafe location on our sailings on Veendam, Rotterdam and Ryndam where you can directly watch the sea going by through windows while reclining in those wonderful leather Eames-type chairs with ottomans. (On the other hand, DH was annoyed by smoke drifting in from the casino. So there you have it... nothing's perfect.)

 

We're sailing on Oosterdam in February and I can investigate for myself about the Crows Nest location for the Expl Cafe (and the "horrible" situation on board... gee thanks, Windsailer!)

 

Regardless, the cafe is my favorite part of the ship and one reason I come back to HAL... really missed it when we were on Celebrity Eclipse last fall.

 

And the Noordam is terrific, I'd sail on her ...or the others...any time.

[kazu]

We absolutely loved the Noordam. Perhaps it's the size, the exquisite art, not too big, not sure what all of it was. But we really, really enjoyed the ship. So many little things that it's hard to articulate - It's a fantastic ship IMO:)

[cruiseapril]

Our Noordam cruise is one of our favorite cruises to date. This is in part due to the wonderful itinerary, but also due to staff and crew. Captain John Scott is the best. We enjoyed the Mariner's luncheon with the Captain and find that HAL's returning guest program is quite good. So- we keep returning.

[jimmy2x]

All of our previous HAL cruises had been on "S" or "R" class ships til we did Noordam last Feb. Note that we are back on Noordam this coming Feb!

 

Aside from the comments on the Explorer's Lounge (which we agree with), I really liked the larger deck area surrounding the aft pool and the fact that much of it was shaded. I spent a lot of time there:D, and am very much looking forward to returning.

[zookiebird]

DW and I love HAL. Next March will be our first cruise on the Noordam. All the glowing reports are going to make the winter that much more difficult to get through.

[GOLDENBONNY]

For starters -- the Crow's Nest is not shared with anything else -- the other 3 vista class ships and the 2 Signature ships have the Explorations Cafe, Internet and Library located in the Crow's Nest. On the Noordam it is located on the Promenade Deck.

 

The colors are nice -- right size ship.

I dont know why ,really dont know :o . We loved Eurodam much more .Just personal opinion :)

[SwissMyst]

All of our previous HAL cruises had been on "S" or "R" class ships til we did Noordam last Feb. Note that we are back on Noordam this coming Feb!

 

Aside from the comments on the Explorer's Lounge (which we agree with), I really liked the larger deck area surrounding the aft pool and the fact that much of it was shaded. I spent a lot of time there:D, and am very much looking forward to returning.

 

Actually, it is the Explorations Cafe and Library because the Explorer's Lounge is something quite different- (the classical music venue bar) Took me a couple of cruises to figure this one out too -- and only one where the Library was banished to the CrowsNest to figure out I much preferred the lower deck exclusive location and not having to listen to a miked trivia game going on while I was trying to read and look down at the water rather than looking out at the water.

[bepsf]

Reasons I love Noordam:

 

* Location of Explorations Cafe and adjacent Library on Promenade Deck.

* Oak Room for Smokers - with sliding glass doors to the open Observation Deck.

* Captain John Scott & HM James Deering

* Suite 7046

* The cascading stern that doesn't look like it's missing a tooth from Deck 5 (like the other Vistas) :cool:

* The typical 10-11 day intineraries mean that most passengers are not as dollar/deal conscious as the other Vistas.

* Fewer passengers than the Signatures means less crowding in the public rooms.

* The Ghost on Deck 8 (Boo!) :eek:

* Many happy memories :)

[ASIWISH]

It was our first cruise, ever....

 

It will always be our favorite. I agree with Brian on the longer itineraries..

[jimmy2x]

Actually, it is the Explorations Cafe and Library because the Explorer's Lounge is something quite different- (the classical music venue bar) Took me a couple of cruises to figure this one out too -- and only one where the Library was banished to the CrowsNest to figure out I much preferred the lower deck exclusive location and not having to listen to a miked trivia game going on while I was trying to read and look down at the water rather than looking out at the water.

 

Quite right - mea culpa.;)

[mudscraper]

The Oak Room on the Noordam is beautiful and was used for Renewal of Vows on our recent cruise. No smoke odors were present.

[Vic The Parrot]

The Oak Room on the Noordam is beautiful and was used for Renewal of Vows on our recent cruise. No smoke odors were present.

 

 

 

It is a nice little room ... perfect for the above, and relaxing with a book and glass of whiskey. :cool:

 

 

(PS - How ya been? :D)

[mudscraper]

It is a nice little room ... perfect for the above, and relaxing with a book and glass of whiskey. :cool:

 

 

(PS - How ya been? :D)

Doing well Vic, thank you. Wishing you and your family a happy and healthy upcoming holiday season.

[RuthC]

* The Ghost on Deck 8 (Boo!) :eek:

Is he still there, Brian?

[RetiredMustang]

Is he still there, Brian?

 

I feel deprived - he's never visited me when I was on Noordam. ;)

 

Seriously, why do I love Noordam? -- all of the above, plus some. She has some of the art and artifacts from the older Noordam III, our first HAL ship and sentimental favorite.

 

But, there is also a feel about Noordam that is not the same as other HAL ships I have sailed, although I have felt somewhat a similar one on Eurodam, with Captain Bowland. I have been around ships for a while (30+ years), and it is hard to explain, but there is a "character" to a ship. It is set by the captains; two superlative ones, in my mind, on Noordam; and reinforced by the crew. An experienced hand may not be able to explain exactly why, but will know when a ship has that stellar quality. Such is my experience on Noordam. I will sail her when she goes where and when I want to go.

 

Dave

[sail7seas]

I feel deprived - he's never visited me when I was on Noordam. ;)

 

Seriously, why do I love Noordam? -- all of the above, plus some. She has some of the art and artifacts from the older Noordam III, our first HAL ship and sentimental favorite.

 

But, there is also a feel about Noordam that is not the same as other HAL ships I have sailed, although I have felt somewhat a similar one on Eurodam, with Captain Bowland. I have been around ships for a while (30+ years), and it is hard to explain, but there is a "character" to a ship. It is set by the captains; two superlative ones, in my mind, on Noordam; and reinforced by the crew. An experienced hand may not be able to explain exactly why, but will know when a ship has that stellar quality. Such is my experience on Noordam. I will sail her when she goes where and when I want to go.

 

Dave

 

 

Yes, Dave.

You said what we feel.

We feel that on Maasdam and Noordam.

They are special ships with special crews and we feel it each time we are on (in) each.

[Koshlong]

Itineraries! She just seems to be the ship going where we want to go. We'll have sailed 110 days by this March, and 60 of them will have been on Noordam. It's starting to feel like home!

[ASIWISH]

We'll have sailed 110 days by this March, and 60 of them will have been on Noordam. It's starting to feel like home!

 

Starting to feel like home? I'm surprised you haven't just had your mail forwarded there...!!!!;)