Noordam Jan 2-14, 2023 New Zealand Discovery cruise

[laura1960]

My review of the Noodam (sailed on her on the "cyclone cruise" Jan 2-14). Despite the weather, and the missed ports, and the fact that my husband was sick a good portion of the time (not COVID; we tested negative repeatedly), we still managed to have a good time!

The ship was beautiful, clean, and just the right size for us. You never felt as if you were on a massive floating hotel and were walking down endless corridors. Elevators were fast and numerous, and we hardly ever had to wait long. Staff was constantly cleaning and sanitizing public areas.

I can't say enough good things about the staff....they were friendly, efficient and charming. From our cabin stewards to the wait staff in the dining room to the people who would write nice notes on your laundry (we opted for the unlimited laundry service), all stellar. I complimented several staff members on the Navigator app; hope they got recognized or praised from management.

Entertainment ranged from great (Humanity, Cantare singing group, Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard on Board performers, BBC Earth presentations, EXC talks, etc) to the so-so (the comics). We especially enjoyed the virtual bridge tour and the talks from the captain and chief mechanic. Activities around the ship during the sea days were a little bland, but that's okay, I brought some good books with me.

We were in veranda cabin 6119, and it was a short walk to the elevator and just a few floors down to the main dining room. My husband is partially disabled, and can't walk long distances, so we appreciated this. Choose your cabin wisely.

If I had any negatives on this trip, it was two things:

a) the main dining room, and the lido buffet struggled at times to serve food hotter than lukewarm. I thought it was a fluke, but after several days of this I commented on the "Let us know" section of the Navigator app. I understand that they are serving over 1,000 people at the same time, and they're probably short-staffed these days, but still, it was odd. Never experienced this on a cruise before. I got a call from the maitre 'd of the dining room (didn't expect that at all!) and he apologized. Servers that night gave us a good table, and offered us free wine, etc (we didn't take it) and that night our food was hot. After that, it was hit-and-miss. Sometimes hot, sometimes lukewarm. Still very tasty, though. It wouldn't stop me from taking another HAL cruise. Curious if others have experienced this.

b) We got the premium wi-fi package, which worked great for my husband, but was very dicey for me; Navigator kept signing me out, and wi-fi was spotty.

Due to a "bomb cyclone" with 70 mph winds on the North Island of NZ, we missed Picton, Auckland, and Tauranga. Our great captain kept the ship and all passengers and crew safe and took us to Christchurch instead, which we loved. We heard some people grumbling but come on, you're safe and not in danger rocking back and forth in the huge sea swells. There were a few Karens who I suppose wanted to speak to the manager of weather, but the rest of us understood and were grateful.

All in all, a good cruise, and I look forward to another HAL cruise (after all, I bought the coffee mug!)

[oakridger]

4 hours ago, laura1960 said:

Sometimes hot, sometimes lukewarm. Still very tasty, though. It wouldn't stop me from taking another HAL cruise. Curious if others have experienced this.

Thanks @laura1960for the review.  I like the size of Noordam and her sister ships too.  As far as food temperature, I had the same experience on Rotterdam last fall.  Food in the Lido was barely above room temperature many times and rarely HOT!  I commented on it in my post cruise survey.  One of the World Cruise bloggers on Zuiderdam now has mentioned the lack of HOT food.  I also don't remember that ever being a problem pre Covid.  I can't imagine what the problem is on board to not serve consistently hot food when they did in the past.

 

Anyone have any knowledge about this?

 

~Nancy

[julia]

We did a "left coast" last Oct on Noordam and thought it was a great ship.  Very good staff, attentive and accommodating.  

 

Have certainly seen our share of "weather Karens"... too funny!  Glad you were kept safe.

[Florida_gal_50]

I really don’t love the use of Karen to describe someone negative.  It’s so overused and no my name is not Karen.  Hot food has always been an issue.  It’s pretty much always lukewarm.  This is why I enjoy club orange on the pinnacle ships.  The food is actually hot.  Thank you for the review.

[Divi]

@laura1960 Thank you for your review. We are looking forward to our Noordam cruise in March. Although we have been on her sister ships, it will be our first cruise on her. Our stateroom is very near yours so happy to hear it’s a good location.  

[Robertdi]

Thanks @laura1960 for this review, I love the Karen reference. If you don't mind can you tell me how much is the unlimited laundry service? 

[erewhon]

@laura1960  does Noordam still have a library?

[SusieKIslandGirl]

Thanks for the review! We leave in a week for Auckland and board the Noordam on the 25th. Can't wait! I guess we'll ask for hot food when we place our orders. 😊

[SilvertoGold]

1 hour ago, erewhon said:

@laura1960  does Noordam still have a library?

Of a sort, not large but it has some older books, fiction and non-fiction. It is located where the Explorations Cafe is on deck 3

[erewhon]

2 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Of a sort, not large but it has some older books, fiction and non-fiction. It is located where the Explorations Cafe is on deck 3

 

Thank you, is there a book exchange shelf?

[colbe]

1 hour ago, erewhon said:

 

Thank you, is there a book exchange shelf?

Yes there is. It was very popular on the Aussie Circumnavigation in Nov-Dec. The shelves were stacked and packed tight on the last day!

[erewhon]

59 minutes ago, colbe said:

Yes there is. It was very popular on the Aussie Circumnavigation in Nov-Dec. The shelves were stacked and packed tight on the last day!

 

Thank you @colbe, very helpful.

Do you have flooded areas near you?

We have had a lovely sunny day here in the south.

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by erewhon

[SilvertoGold]

11 hours ago, erewhon said:

 

Thank you, is there a book exchange shelf?

As noted by colbe.  We saw only a few books on the exchange shelf in October. Glad to hear HAL still has this shelf!

[erewhon]

9 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

As noted by colbe.  We saw only a few books on the exchange shelf in October. Glad to hear HAL still has this shelf!

 

Thank you @SilvertoGold.

[twosilly]

Great to read! We will board the boat on 2/25, we are in 61xx so same area! My husband is a smoker so hoping the sea view pool is the hang out! Did anyone get to the casino? Would love to know how that “plays” out! Also? Weather anyone? Like how hot/humid ? 
thanks for any answers! 
 

Denise