Kiwifan56

We had the same email but can confirm our perk came through today New Zealand time for an August sailing. Good luck with your perk.

It was amazing wasn’t it? We were gutted to have missed the Komodo dragons but enjoyed PNG. As you mentioned the weather could be an issue due to the heat and humidity but we would do it again in a heartbeat. We loved the Noordam and often see her in New Zealand when she visits Timaru or Port Chalmers.

No disrespect but are you sure that is of Fiordland? Having been there several times by road (Milford Sound) and once by the Volendam it doesn’t look familiar.

We walked past the Noordam today as she was tied up at Canada Place and having been on her for 35 days last year were very jealous of all onboard. 😀 As we were having a wine on our hotel balcony on Robson Street we saw you sail away. She looked beautiful. Enjoy your cruise.

Yes. All the books in the Cafe area were basically reference books which needed to be returned but there were maybe three bays of novels across the walkway. Mostly fictional but there were a few non fictional too. There were a few in other languages which is not surprising given the international clientele. There were certain a lot more after our 35 day cruise. Cheers! Don’t see that many Kiwis here but we aren’t known for waving the flag that much eh? 😀

When we were on the Noordam late last year there were quite a few books in a small section in the Explorations Cafe on deck 3 as well as quite a few novels in a separate section across the aisle. When we got off the ship there were heaps of novels in the swap section. I know we left three there. 😀

We were on the Noordam late last year and stayed in 7073 which was a Neptune suite. As it was our first time in this class we weren't really sure how things worked but our concierge was awesome and managed to book us in to the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto with no trouble. In saying that I don't think the ship was at maximum capacity so your results may vary. Enjoy the Noordam, she is a beautiful ship.

So many great memories from your post. Not sure if I should thank you or 😭, lol. It was our first time in a Neptune Suite and is was so good we have booked another trip, transpacific heading North. Everything you said was a mirror of our experience. I appreciate it isn’t for everyone but if you can afford it and want a treat then go for it.

We did anticlockwise on the Noordam last year leaving early November. The seas were really calm until we left Perth when the weather cut up a bit. Our cruise was 35 days and we really enjoyed it even if we missed a couple of ports due to strong winds. Hopefully you can get a cruise that will suit you.

We were on the Noordam last November for the 35 day circumnavigation navigation of Australia and fully agree with the post from sciencewonk. We were also in a Neptune suite and absolutely loved it. The staff were possibly the best we have had on our five cruises with Hal. Early on we enjoyed the entertainment but after week three we were starting to get repeats so didn’t end up stopping at the Rolling Stone lounge or piano bar as often. We would gladly sail on her again.

We have talked politics with North Americans but have never been the ones to start the conversation. On our last cruise we were a table of seven, four Americans, one Englishman living in Spain and we Kiwis. The conversation turned to health and about 10 minutes in I could see the couple at the next table getting agitated with the direction the topic was going so I wrote a txt on my phone and passed it around. Crisis averted. 🙂

This. We had a trip booked on the Oosterdam around Aus with perks but then Covid. They rebooked us on the Noordam minus some perks so called the Sydney office. They were very easy to deal with and once I said I could send them a letter from Gus saying all perks would remain they reinstated them straight away. Good luck.

First up thank you so much for your detailed report, it really felt like we were with you along for the sail. We did the circumnavigation around Aus last year on the Noordam and through our suite had Club Orange. We ate in the MDR every night except our free one night Pinnacle and one paid Canaletto. Check in was always prompt and Christine and Putri knew our names and cabin number from day two. (How do they do that?) We didn't have a separate area for dining so got to meet some wonderful folk from around the world. I think there would only be three or four folk who we didn’t really hit it off with and one night we were with a couple who didn’t speak English which was awkward for both couples. Once again thanks for all of the photos and tips as we will be on her in March 2025. It’s not that long, lol.

We were on the Noordam Nov/Dec last year and they had The Rolling Stone Lounge, The Lincoln Centre Stage, Billboard Onboard and there was a band playing next to the Ocean Bar at certain times. There were several stage acts featuring individual artists as well as the dance companies throughout our cruise. We enjoyed the music but after 35 days found it a little repetitive. Hope this helps.

We stopped at Conflict Island with the Noordam last year and agree with lissie and SNSJ, it is simply stunning. The cruise in to Alotau was amazing and the actual port of call was eye opening. The people were super friendly and the school was very grateful for the school stationery donated by HAL but the litter…. Oh my.