Live From The Noordam With Tomc

[FreeStyleNCL]

yes Kyle I know lol you will probably see all the girls working different shifts at the library. Apparently it's not the best job in the world. Dealing with old people, stocking up on books answering dumb questions and you are pretty much tied to that little area.

 

I haven't encountered any securities except at the gangway. we were all over the ship doing all sorts of stuff hahaha we were young and ambitious lol early to mid 20's people WE were the life of the ship!

[welove2cruise232]

Tom -- loving your live reports! We'll be on the Noordam (again) in 37 days!

 

Can you comment on the entertainment? Not the shows but the bar entertainment? Besides the bartenders and waiters, that is!!! It was pretty hit-or-miss when we sailed in November...

[welove2cruise232]

Just noticed you're going to St. Vincent today -- did HAL change the itinerary? I thought you were doing the same itin as we are on 3/8???:confused:

[enymarsh]

Just noticed you're going to St. Vincent today -- did HAL change the itinerary? I thought you were doing the same itin as we are on 3/8???:confused:

Same question here... I just figured that the itinerary must vary from voyage to voyage.

 

We'll be leaving on the 16th... only 16 days to go!!!!!

 

So.. Tom... will I be seeing an unexpected port when I cruise?:p

[tomc]

An unusual winter storm hit the island this morning: Snow showers, 37 degrees, the natives scared. =brrrrrrrrrrng= [sound of alarm clock] Whew! Another bad dream. It's sunny and warm, even if the internet cafe lady said it was quite cool this morning -- which probably means it took her two minutes longer to fry her egg on the front porch.

 

welove and eny -- It could be that Barbados is too busy this season, or that St Vincent is a new and developing port. I did notice an award in the dock pavilion that said something like "Most Improved Site, 2006." One can only shudder as to what it might have been like in 2005.

 

Finally seen everything: I saw the cleaning crew vacuuming the ceiling in the casino. The ceiling! This "Spotless Fleet" stuff ain't no rumor. At least, it's a spotless ceiling.

 

The tissues in my cabin bath (those under the sink, not the terlit pepper) are kinda rough. As we say in French, "non pour face ou fesse."

 

I learned that old crew clothing is donated to poor islands, and I think the main recipient is Dominica Island, because they are so poor. I visited a school there, St Martin's Catholic Girls' School, to leave a donation from a friend back home. She wanted to help some cause and I said I'd find one. As I walked along, I passed several, but something told me, "Not here ... not here." I saw some girls in uniforms and followed them to their school. Something told me, "Here." It was such a poor place, but clean --as were the girls and their uniforms-- and proud. As I spoke to the principal, she said a girl came to school yesterday without any shoes. Turns out hers had simple fallen apart from wear and they bought her a new pair; then I show up with enough money to cover the cost and more left over.

 

Part one of this report comes to you live from St V's.

[tomc]

I must live a dull life. The breakfast waiter was still six feet away from me and said, "Blueberry pancakes, Mister Tom?"

 

When I walked from the dock at St V's, I heard a rooster crowing and some rust buckets moaning in the harbor. They must be held together by multiple layers of paint. One was particularly loud and I noticed a truck backed onto its ramp; there was quite a swell and the truck's rear would go up and down, which made no difference to the workers. Squeal, up, squeal, down.

 

There are two machines in this port internet cafe and several people waiting.

 

I got a CD from a little band off the dock. A cut-down 55-gal drum, what looks like 14 #10 cans, tuned, a banjo, small guitar, marimbas. Very good.

 

All goes well. We leave at 4:30, so I might be back later.

 

This post came to you from the world's smallest internet cafe.

[innlady1]

What a generous thing for your friend from back home to do. Hmmmmm...gives me something to think about for our upcoming cruise.

 

I looked into this cruise, but couldn't find enough info on St. Vincent, so am doing the 2/6 that we did last year. I'll be interested in hearing all about St. Vincent.

 

I'm not sure why, but yours is the only cruise on the 11 day itinerary that doesn't go to Barbados.

 

The cruise the same week next year, same thing. No Barbados.

 

I'm curious why that is.

[enymarsh]

 

I'm not sure why, but yours is the only cruise on the 11 day itinerary that doesn't go to Barbados.

 

The cruise the same week next year, same thing. No Barbados.

 

I'm curious why that is.

 

Good question! Your post satisfied my curiosity though...

[bUU]

Unless I'm mistaken, Barbados is one of the more expensive Southern Caribbean ports to make port at. It is actually a port of embarkation for several cruise lines.

[innlady1]

Unless I'm mistaken, Barbados is one of the more expensive Southern Caribbean ports to make port at. It is actually a port of embarkation for several cruise lines.

 

On the Noordam 11 day itineraries, it's usually a port of call. But this one cruise, they switched out with St. Vincent.

 

Next year, when the Noordam sails out of Port Everglades, the 10 day Wayfarer cruise includes Barbados on the itinerary...except for the cruise the same week in January as this (1/23). It switches out Barbados with Grenada!

[tomc]

Yoo Hoo! I'm back at the 2-seater internet house.

 

I think the line maybe trying St V's because it has improved (according to the signs at the port) and is an interesting alternative to Barbados. It also might be cheaper for the lines.

 

The rust buckets I mentioned earlier seem to be the main means of transporting freight among the various islands; inter-island cargo boats, sort of. One left, another seems to be loaded, but is just pitching about in the harbor, after pulling away from the dock.

 

BTW: The welcome sign at the dock was donated by the Taiwon Embassy. Haven't figured that one out yet.

 

A motor-sailer went by with what I assume is a boatload of tourists. It was flying the Jolly Roger ("Country of Registry: Hades") and had what appeared to be a number of large steel 55 gal drums on the back. I imagine it's the house band.

 

I was returning to my room and an adult woman with her even more adult mother were doing the same. Except I'm forward and they are toward the rear. The old lady was bound and determined the aft end was toward the front (as she passed the directional diagram). The daughter kept telling her she was going the wrong way but, noooo, mama knows better. After a while, she gave up and turned around. When I get that way, shoot me.

 

We leave for somewhere in just over two hours. I'll let you know when I find out myself.

 

This post came to you live from what is now a 3-seater internet room onshore. They added a computer to the empty booth on my left.

[jhannah]

Glad you found a shoreside internet facility. Much cheaper than onboard.

 

I hope the directionally-challenged mama doesn't get lost!

[bUU]

Tomc: Can you confirm that there was no "unlimited Internet" access service offered aboard Noordam? Thanks!

[innlady1]

Thanks for the update, Tom! St. V. sounds like an interesting island.

[ger_77]

"Ok, pops, time to move on. Let's get going there; give you a hand. Got any relatives who can take you home? Any i.d.? Let me smell your breath."

 

Wow you said that like a real pro - sounds like you've heard it a few times before. How often do you get picked up anyway? I'm thinking CopperJohn has uttered those same words more than once or twice.

 

What a wonderful thing for your friend to do, and for you to facilitate the gift. We made variouis donations in the markets after bargaining prices down for souvenirs, we ended up giving them the full price and sometimes more. We figure we can afford a holiday and these people are trying to make a living, the least we can do is help them out even a little bit.

 

I am really enjoying your posts - you certainly have a gift for writing. I'd love to hear more about your roomie!

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

[dakrewser]

Tomc: Can you confirm that there was no "unlimited Internet" access service offered aboard Noordam? Thanks!

 

No HAL ships offer "unlimited" internet access. There was (a few years ago) this option, but due to abuse (e.g., one passenger letting all of his "friends" use his account) it was discontinued.

[Susie51]

I have been away from the boards for a week, so this is the first time a read your thread. I love your sense of humor.

 

I hope one day you write a book. Do you keep a journal? A weekly column in the Sunday Travel section would be wonderful. You could be syndicated in lots of papers all over the country.

 

Thanks for the frequent posts.

[rzdj96]

No HAL ships offer "unlimited" internet access. There was (a few years ago) this option, but due to abuse (e.g., one passenger letting all of his "friends" use his account) it was discontinued.

 

That's the same reason that's happened with the soda/drink cards. They punch them now so that you can't pass them around. Actually, you can but it doesn't get anyone anywhere. It's sad that so few can destroy a good thing for so many.

[FreeStyleNCL]

Tom -- loving your live reports! We'll be on the Noordam (again) in 37 days!

 

Can you comment on the entertainment? Not the shows but the bar entertainment? Besides the bartenders and waiters, that is!!! It was pretty hit-or-miss when we sailed in November...

 

best place I found was the Piano Bar in the evening time. Ian is just spectacular!

[tomc]

The Captain announced that today is the Noordam's second birthday. The ship was handed over to HAL on this day two years ago. I think a little birthday cake would have been nice, but I don't run the joint.

 

Minutes later, I looked out the Lido window and saw what closely resembled a cruise ship cloud formation. Bow, wave surge protector, two funnels, etc. I guess that was going to be all the "cake" we were getting. It lasted about ten minues before changing shapes.

 

I went past the inside pool and noticed that, yes, Darwin was right...

 

Few of the ship's lines had rat catchers on them in St. Vincent. When I came aboard, I expected to see them munching on the hors d'ouerves at the FOD meeting late in the afternoon.

 

All goes well on this formal night and we are steaming towaard St Maarten as faast as we caan.

 

This post came to you live from Noordam.

[innlady1]

best place I found was the Piano Bar in the evening time. Ian is just spectacular!

 

I guess I haven't been paying attention...Kory Simon left the Noordam?

[innlady1]

The Captain announced that today is the Noordam's second birthday. The ship was handed over to HAL on this day two years ago. I think a little birthday cake would have been nice, but I don't run the joint.

 

Minutes later, I looked out the Lido window and saw what closely resembled a cruise ship cloud formation. Bow, wave surge protector, two funnels, etc. I guess that was going to be all the "cake" we were getting. It lasted about ten minues before changing shapes.

 

I went past the inside pool and noticed that, yes, Darwin was right...

 

Few of the ship's lines had rat catchers on them in St. Vincent. When I came aboard, I expected to see them munching on the hors d'ouerves at the FOD meeting late in the afternoon.

 

All goes well on this formal night and we are steaming towaard St Maarten as faast as we caan.

 

This post came to you live from Noordam.

 

Was St. Vincent that bad? (j/k!)

[tomc]

innlady1 -- I hadn't thought of that but --no-- St V isn't the reason we are getting as far away as possible, as fast as possible. Just gotta make the next port.

 

Let me tell you new folks about St Vincent, all of this being my own opinion only and not having taken any excursions. I only walked into town, checked out a few stores and got hit up by some guy who expected that I'd part with $5 American. ha.

 

There are some nice houses up in the heights, but mostly it looks like any other Caribbean islands where I've been: definitely not the high-rent area. When you leave the dock and its newly-built pavilion, you walk into town on a narrow road with unkept sidewalks and small, not-well-kept stores. Traffic is fast, uncaring and horns beep all the time. The beeping is not so much a notice that someone is coming as it is a signal to the locals that another tourist is about to be pancaked.

 

People are polite and you are not pulled, kicking and screaming, into stores where you do not wish to shop. I did not see garbage in the streets, nor did I see people sitting around stoned. I had the impression that St V's is trying, perhaps desperately, to attract tourists and the word is out just how the local populace is to behave. I could be very wrong about that; it could be people are just this way naturally. I do think the island is competing for tourism, as noted by one or two awards posted about "most improved site" for tourists.

 

I did not hear any bad words about the island taxi trips, the excursions. One person told me the cab was clean, worked, the driver was clean and did not smell of alcohol. She seemed surprised, which she might be, given the view you get when you first arrive: the semi-rustbucket ferries and inter-island cargo ships, the road into town, etc.

 

But, again, people are friendly, dressed well enough and we all felt safe here. More than I can say for where I currently live.

 

* *

 

JIN -- I ran into Aga and Heather in the library. They remember you well and with smiles.

 

I noticed my cabin steward was disinfecting the hallway railings. At first, I was going to take it personally, but he assured me they do it as a matter of form. This may be part of the "Code Red Is Dead" policy (I just made that up) which includes Purell stands here and there, Virox Hydrogen Peroxide wipes for the 'puter keyboards when done (isn't that what my old girlfriend used to lighten her hair?) and a couple other things I forget.

 

Meeting Scoreboard -- Friends of Bill W: 5. Friends of Dorothy: 2. Conclusion: If Dorothy's friends drink enough at their two meetings, they will be eligible to meet with Bill's for their five. Don't bottle up your gaiety on a cruise.

 

This post came to you live from the Noordam.

[FreeStyleNCL]

Aga & Heather! they're just awesome. I want to be there again and again and again! I just need a job on a cruise ship since I love to travel!

 

with your daily(or more frequent) reports, I feel like i'm on the ship :) and your sense of humor cracks me up haha

 

have you had a chance to listen to Ian yet?! give him a try!

[SeaMatesNYC]

I guess I haven't been paying attention...Kory Simon left the Noordam?

 

Ah, Kory! I wanna be in the choir loft right now!

 

Ian was great, very different from Kory, but still great!

 

He did not have any props stored inside the paino box. But he did have a lovely set of chimes (but surely, don't even think of tinkling them without his permission!)