39 day Noordam Cruise from Auckland to Vancouver, March 25 to May 2.

[St Pete Cruiser]

A bucket list destination of mine  has been New Zealand and Australia.

When covid shut down these countries, I realized I would need to put them on the top of the list if I was to actually make it happen. 

Although this itinerary is short on Australia with just Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney, it does New Zealand quite well. Plus it put the dreaded long flight first, allowing us to return from North America. Maybe a circumnavigation of Australia will come later. The Grand Australia, at 94 days, was sure tempting except for the price tag!

We booked 4 nights in a Airbnb in Auckland and embarked the good ship Noordam Saturday, the 25th at the rather ancient Queens Wharf pier. I had taken the Noordam in 2012 from Ft. Lauderdale to Civitvechia and liked it very much, although I was still partial to the S and R class ships. Noordam was just 6 years old then and the newest of the vista class with only the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam newer. Now onboard in 2023, she looks quite dated compared to the Pinnacle class ships of which I have more recently been on. Already on day two, she is winning me back with her wide promenade deck and deck chairs, her classic look dining room and Ocean Bar and theater.  Maybe beat of all is her Crow's Nest without EXC and her Oak Room just off of it. At the ripe old age of 17, she is still a beauty. 

A few picks of the Noordam:

 

[St Pete Cruiser]

Upside down of MDR ceiling, oh well, we are down under.

Crow's Nest pics:

[colbe]

Enjoy your cruise.

[whogo]

You will have a great cruise. I hope to hear more from you.

 

We did the reverse, Vancouver to Aukland, in 2018. Noordam was great, thought we'd be disappointed in her after sailing Prinsendam.

[sciencewonk]

Enjoy your cruise.  We did the 34-day San Diego to Sydney cruise that brought Noordam to Australia in Oct/Nov 2022.  It was a great cruise.

[SusieKIslandGirl]

We just did the 14-day Auckland to Sydney cruise last month. It was fantastic, even with a few weather problems. Roldan and Henry, servers in the Billboard on Board, were so much fun during trivia. If you see them, please say "hi".  Enjoy!!

[GeezerCouple]

Bringing back memories... On Noordam Nov/Dec, 2019, Auckland to Sydney.

Loved it!

Thanks. 🙂 

 

GC

[patches33]

Will be joining you in Sydney for the trip to Vancouver. Will be following along. You're photo's are getting me excited for the journey!!

[P&PNH]

Looking forward to your review!  New Zealand and Australia are on our bucket list also.  Hope to be there in 2024.  Enjoy your cruise, and keep the pictures coming, we can watch for now!  

[cunnorl]

Have a wonderful cruise! We were on the Noordam in the fall taking the ship from San Diego to Sydney, then the circumnavigation of Australia and then we stayed on for New Zealand. Great trip! Ship is great with a wonderful crew. We sent a lot of time in the Crows nest, the pictures brought back many happy memories.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Tauranga on Sunday was a beautiful port. We walked "The Mall" from the ship to Mt Maungatui, which is the mountain at the port entrance. We walked around the base and then climbed up to the top which was indeed difficult. The views were rewarding. Our first Gala night, our shirts hadn't come back from the laundry, so we were gala attired. Captain's Toast by  Captain Peter was enjoyable with his witty remarks. Lots of toots as we left port for the season. 

[erewhon]

Lovely photo.

DH walked to the top of Mount Maunganui during one of our visits.

Have you tried the Hokey Pokey icecream?

[St Pete Cruiser]

19 hours ago, erewhon said:

Lovely photo.

DH walked to the top of Mount Maunganui during one of our visits.

Have you tried the Hokey Pokey icecream?

No, not yet.

[St Pete Cruiser]

Napier was our third port, another beautiful and enjoyable call. The Noordam turned around and backed into what looked like a lumber dock with a huge supply of logs awaiting export. We had courtesy shuttle buses into the historic city with its Art Deco buildings.

Three Packard automobiles were there for you to look at, and ride in for a fee as well. A 1937, 1938 and a 1940 model, all built in Detroit but assembled in Windsor across the border in Canada as right hand drive. A 1938 Buick Special was at the dock on return along with a 4 member band playing 1930's music. The Buick was built in Flint, Michigan.  Sailaway was easier as like most Holland America Captains prefer, we were headed out after backing in. 

[SusieKIslandGirl]

I'm so glad you were able to visit Napier. We missed it last month because of the cyclone damage in the area.

[erewhon]

@St Pete Cruiser  thanks for your reply.

[whogo]

I am smiling thinking of the '37 Buick, three owners, never restored. I had a nice chat with the owner on the Napier dock almost five years ago.

[RMLincoln]

Thanks for taking us along. I have friends aboard and will be following with great interest!  
Maureen

[St Pete Cruiser]

Picton was our next port call with an early sunrise arrival in Queen Elizabeth Sound. The good ship Noordam turned and backed into the dock again. Complimentary shuttles took us into the town center next to the railroad station where a steam engine train was running. We walked the town and over a small bridge to Queen Victoria Park and a path along the cliff. As predicted, heavy rain blew in mid afternoon with a drop in temperature and south wind. Before leaving at 8PM,  Captain Pieter said Wellington was cancelling our arrival for Wednesday due to the gale force winds. We enjoyed dinner with new friends, Contarre quartet and a comedy show before being rocked to sleep. The Noordam took the rough seas very well at 10 knots into the night.

 

[erewhon]

Sorry that the weather did not permit you to visit Wellington. 

Noordam is staying overnight in Lyttelton.   Ship can be seen on the Lyttelton port webcam 

[StLouisCruisers]

7 hours ago, erewhon said:

Sorry that the weather did not permit you to visit Wellington. 

Noordam is staying overnight in Lyttelton.   Ship can be seen on the Lyttelton port webcam 

 

Thanks for that information.  I was wondering why the ship didn't seem to be on schedule yesterday. (Tuesday here).

[St Pete Cruiser]

Yes, with the port of Wellington closing due to the gale force winds, the Captain made way for Lyttelton and we were allowed to dock about 4pm on Wednesday. The shuttle bus was available both into Lyttelton and Christchurch by 5, and we went to Christchurch center. It was easy to walk around and see the main interest points and still return to the ship for our later dinner and BBC Earth show with Lincoln Center accompaniment.  Billboard 80's night closed out our night.The Noordam remained in port for a full day Thursday. 

[lissie]

On 3/29/2023 at 3:51 PM, St Pete Cruiser said:

Picton was our next port call with an early sunrise arrival in Queen Elizabeth Sound.

Queen Charlotte Sound. I'm in Wellington - you didn't miss much - it was utterly miserable in Wellington that day - very cold and wet  And still is - and its Thursday now! 

Edited March 30, 2023 by lissie

[St Pete Cruiser]

After leaving Lyttelton,  we encountered some long swells which were enough to give the Noordam some motion, but not uncomfortable. Contarre did the third show, which I thought was their best with old show tunes including Put A Little Star In Your Pocket. Billboard and then off to our room.

We arrived at Port Chalmers on time and took the bus into Dunedin where we saw the old train depot, the history museum, two churches, the octagon park and another ride to see some Edwardian houses and the steepest street. I'm posting the pics before boarding with shoreside wifi. We wont have service until Hobart. Tomorrow is scenic cruising of Fjordland and Milford Sound! 

[erewhon]

Thank you for your reports.

We will be watching to see Noordam sail past on her way to Fiordland.