New York departure

[turia]

We plan on leaving out of New York on the Noordam somewhere between January - April and were wondering what the sea conditions were like and which would be the best month to go. Also do less people travel at this time of year out of NY on ships?

 

I was also wondering the age variations on the ship. We went on the Fantasy with Carnival in August for our first cruise and enjoyed it but we were just hoping that this one didn't have to many 20 year olds. We like the families and the other age groups it's just the 18 to 24 group that we found their were a bit to much of on the Fantasy. Just a personal preference.

 

Of the outside regular cabins which would be the better category to request.

 

Thanks

[pounder207]

The lowest prices should be right after new year in January. The sea conditions will vary. You could have smooth seas in January and hit a storm in March. It's the luck of the draw, but statistically speaking March/April should be better than January/February.

 

Although the cruises are longer than school vacations, the schools will be closed for the third week of February for President's week and the first 10 days of April for Easter/Passover vacation. This will effect your elementary through HS students mainly, but some colleges and universities may have the same weeks off.

 

Hope this is helpful.

[turia]

Thanks we've decided on the March 10th sailing and hope for calm seas.

[WNYCRUISER]

If you are looking at any particular categories of rooms, it might be easier to make suggestions. There are some that I would personally avoid, but others may find them OK.

 

We were on Noordam this past March, and had calm seas going out, and most of the trip. Ran through a storm on the last sea day with some rough waters, but overall, a wonderful experience. Do less people travel??? well, I believe that if the ship is going out, in all likelihood, it will be full.

 

Our crowd in March was largely older (60+) but there were a good number of passengers in mixed numbers lower than that. We (40's) felt comfortable.

 

If you get locked in on your date of March 10, stop by the roll call forum. There is a small group started up there (us included). I think there is less than ten people right now, but it is still very early yet. Six months away!

[turia]

Thanks I'll check it out. were going to book a balcony just don't know which one yet have to wait till the end of the week to book.

 

Were in our late 30's with no kids yet so were still children ourselves.

 

what are the balconies like do you have privacy to suntan or can everyone see you.

[letsgomets]

I think that we are about to book the March 10 cruise too (and will go on the roll call when we do). Mid-late 30s with a 3- and 5-year old (turning 6 during the cruise). My parents will probably join us too. Hoping my kids will have at least a few others their age to play with.

[WNYCRUISER]

In the balcony categories, unless price is a super consideration, I would tend to avoid the VH category, and the VF category on deck 4. The reason I say this, is these balconies have a solid steel railing, as opposed to the smoked plexiglass panel. With the former, you must stand in order to see out, whereas you can look through the plexiglass. Also, I am sure you are aware of this from having cruised before, but the forwardmost cabins will feel the most movement from wave action, then the rear, and the least amount of movement is the midship cabins.

 

As for the balconies, they are fairly private. There is a panel between your balcony and the ones next door. (Half of this panel will open if you are traveling with others, so you can have "adjoining balconies") We typically are in a VC on deck 5. When we look down, it appears the balconies on deck 4 stick out further than the ones on deck 5. When I look down, I can see someone, but only if they are standing at the railing. I don't believe our balcony sticks out any futher than those on deck 6.

 

The balcony cabins typically have two chairs, an ottoman, and a small table. If you sun while sitting, you should be OK, but if you are looking to lay out, it could be tricky an a regular balcony. There are numerous lounge chairs on the upper decks.

 

Anything else???

[turia]

Thank you you've been very helpful. We've now booked I believe we're on the same as you if I'm not mistaken. I'm hoping if we get bumped it's to one of the balconies at the back of the ship.

[bepsf]

Thank you you've been very helpful. We've now booked I believe we're on the same as you if I'm not mistaken. I'm hoping if we get bumped it's to one of the balconies at the back of the ship.

 

The aft balconies on Vistas are always among the first to be reserved, so very little chance of that...

The best place for sunning on the Vistas & Noordam in particular is on the public decks: Lido and Observation Deck. Even with an aft facing verandah, you'll only get sun if the ship is North-bound, which on that route is pretty much just the last 2 days of this trip - and the last day is pretty much an indoor day that time of year.

[turia]

It would still be beautiful back there I can only hope.

[Sunshine91]

When we look down, it appears the balconies on deck 4 stick out further than the ones on deck 5. When I look down, I can see someone, but only if they are standing at the railing. I don't believe our balcony sticks out any futher than those on deck 6.

 

Hi turia - On Deck 4 there are 4 VD cabins behind each elevator bank (check the Noordam deck plan), forward & aft of the "hump" that have balconies that extend about 2.5 feet further out than the rest of the ship. We were in one of these (we booked it by pure luck) for the maiden & have booked the exact same one for January. It's a great balcony.

 

Most of the verandah is covered, except for this extra space. You can stand at the railing, twirl around & look UP at everyone else. Of course, like WNYCRUISER says, everyone else can look down at you standing at your railing (so don't stand out there in your altogether ;) ).

 

This balcony had a lounger, regular sitting chair & small table (or ottoman). Enough room for the 2 of us to move around.

 

Like Brian said, don't get your hopes up for an upgrade to an aft. Those are a precious commodity & go quickly for the folks willing to pay for them.

 

Oh, & about the college crowd - no worries. That demo can't really afford HAL & wouldn't really want to sail HAL even if they could. (I wouldn't have wanted to at that time). If there are any in that demo, they will likely be with family so tend to be better behaved. :)