Noordam Questions???

[General Max]

Our Travel agent (Internet) also had a block of SS category rooms for $5000 +/- for two people. Not worth the extra $100 per day without the suite perks. The HAL website shows the category SS closed for the inaugural cruise. They are probably all blocked by Travel Agents.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[kelelmel]

I agree, not worth wasting perfectly good spa money.

[ekerr19]

From what I understand, a lot of Travel Agencies have blocked out rooms and are trying to make a killing.

Cheers

 

General Max

 

Just curious - where did you get this idea???

[Katie333]

We're considering the Noordam for the western Transatlantic in her first season (September of 2006). This would be a first time for HAL and for Europe. I found I prefer her itinerary to others but price wise it's coming in at around $200 per person per day as well .... any tips on how to get a good deal?

 

The shopping around has begun!

[kelelmel]

Katie, I am starting to see a trend here. That seems to be the going rate. There may not be much flexibility in her first year out. Are you finding that pricing is readily available online? If so, I would just comparison shop. However, I would image that a lot of websites aren't offering any itinerary's yet for the Noordam in Sept. 2006. Good luck!

 

~Kelly

[General Max]

Kate and Kelly, the Travel Agent that I used in Albuquerque, New Mexico has blocks of VA and SS category cabins for the inaugural cruise. That was how they were able to beat HAL's pricing. The HAL website shows category SS as being closed. A lot of internet sites don't list this cruise yet.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[Cruiser1260]

Normally P_____S in Albuquerque, New Mexico has the best prices, but for our Noordam Nov. '06 cruise, I needed to use another agency C_C that was a couple hundred cheaper. But the problem with them is they charge an agency fee of $75 if we cancel.

[waltl]

KELLY:

 

 

Please don't get left at the dock!

 

I noticed in your original post that you state the sail date as April 6.

 

I too am on that cruise in an SS cabin and know the ship leaves on APRIL 5.

 

See you on board!

 

WaltL

[General Max]

Normally P_____S in Albuquerque, New Mexico has the best prices, but for our Noordam Nov. '06 cruise, I needed to use another agency C_C that was a couple hundred cheaper. But the problem with them is they charge an agency fee of $75 if we cancel.

 

Not only for cruises but also for escorted tours to Europe, we work with our favorite female TA in Albuquerque, New Mexico. C_C does not have the inaugural cruise for the Noordam on their website. I tried to check and couldn't bring it up.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[kelelmel]

Walt,

 

How funny. Thanks! Yeah I know it's April 5th. Lucky you in an SS cabin, had one on the Z, it was great!

 

~Kelly

[RevNeal]

I will be in my trust J-category inside cabin on Maindeck, midships. Best cabin aboard ship ... specifically because I'm going to be in it. :)

[General Max]

I will be in a category "VA" cabin for the first time, in the AFT 5 decks above you, Reverand Neal.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[WISCruiser]

So since this will be the 1st Pax cruise and no-one will be getting off when she pulls in, I wonder if they will allow earlier than normal embarkation so we can immerse ourselves longer on the ship before she pulls out?

[General Max]

WIS cruiser, I used to live in Milwaukee. I got sick of the weather and taxes some 28 years ago.

 

Even though no one will be on ship pror to boarding, HAL will most likly have a contingent of TAs and Travel brokers on board/

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[RevNeal]

Anyone have any info on any special ceremonies that might be held in connection with this maiden voyage? Will any members of the Royal Family be aboard ... Queen Beatrix or Crown Prince William-Alexander?

[WISCruiser]

WIS cruiser, I used to live in Milwaukee. I got sick of the weather and taxes some 28 years ago.

 

Even though no one will be on ship pror to boarding, HAL will most likly have a contingent of TAs and Travel brokers on board/

 

Cheers

 

General Max

 

Hello former fellow Milwaukeean...

 

Yes, all you said is true, but I still would'nt give it up.

 

Anyways, I sure do hope they have some kind of Ceremony that we all can either participate in (in some sort) or at least observe the festivities up close and perhaps (personal). RevNeal... that would be soooooo cool to see one of your aforementioned people on board. Don't get to do this kind of event everyday, so take advantage of it while one can.

[General Max]

Alan, all these years that I have been away from Wisconsin, I have remained a Green Bay Packer Fan. In fact, I have Direct TV and subscrbe to NFL Sunday Ticket so I don't miss any games. A lot of the sports bars down here in Floida also have Packer groups.

 

Hal will most certainly have on-board festivities. I also suspect the The City of New York will have something because HAL is not a regular cruiseline that uses New York. Cheers

 

General Max

[General Max]

I posted a thread on the above question.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[bepsf]

Interesting thing I just saw on the new '06 deck plans:

"For ms Noordam, the Internet Center, Java Corner & Erasmus Library will be replaced with the Explorations Café; the Windstar Café will be replaced with the Pinnacle Grill."

Hmmm - interesting changes afoot...

BTW - My pal is backing out on the RSVP B2B in Feb - He thinks that two cruises within 6 months is too much... :confused:

...so I'm thinking of cancelling and joining you all for the inaugural - looks like there are still some SY staterooms available on Upper Verandah Deck...

;)

[PRINSENDAM]

. However, the bow is going directly into the waves and can get much more movement in rough seas than the stern.

 

 

 

Hi Peaches,

 

Can I make a 'technical' correction? :)

 

When the ship pitches..... when the bow goes up the stern goes down and vice versa... "by the same amount".

 

To be strictly correct, cabins in the fore part of the ship are closer to the tipping centre than the cabins at the extreme aft end of the ship therefore the motion in the forward canins will be a bit less than those in the after end.

 

It may seem more extreme at the bows because you might feel the sea hitting the bow plating which can be rather noisy in very bad conditions. At the stern, when te stern pitches upwards the propellers come near to the surface which can also result in some noise and vibration.

 

The best cabins are always located low down in the ship and at midships, but since we can't all live in one spot.....

 

Stephen

[General Max]

Brian, when you book, go and check in to the Noordam roll call. Reverend Neal and I are staying at the Rihga Royal suites several nights before the cruise.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[Vic The Parrot]

Interesting thing I just saw on the new '06 deck plans:

the Internet Center, Java Corner & Erasmus Library will be replaced with the Explorations Café; the Windstar Café will be replaced with the Pinnacle Grill

 

 

 

Hey there Brian

 

I'm lost .... where are these new deck plans?

Also, it doesn't make sense to put the grill room where the Windstar is ... how are pax supposed to get from fore to aft??

 

:confused:

[General Max]

Vic, try the HAL website. They should have them.

 

Cheers

 

General Max

[PRINSENDAM]

Hey there Brian

 

I'm lost .... where are these new deck plans?

Also, it doesn't make sense to put the grill room where the Windstar is ... how are pax supposed to get from fore to aft??

 

:confused:

 

 

There was a lot chatter on WESTERDAM last December that the Windstar would become an additional restaurant, perhaps something Italian. Include a nice wine bar in there and it would definitely work!!!!

 

Stephen

[bepsf]

Vic--

 

If you look at the current HAL site - you can look at the deckplans for the various ships and there is a selection for viewing the pre-SOE deckplans (2005 version) or post-SOE (2006 version)

Since all of the Vista Class vessels are similar, I found the info on the Oosterdam and Westerdam deckplans.

I was curious about having folks wandering through the Pinnacle too - but I'm thinking that they will probably replace the Odyssey Bar from it's previous location within the entrance to Pinnacle with seating for 12-14 additional diners - and make the Windstar space into a new Pinnacle at the Odyssey Bar in lieu of the wine-tasting bar that the S and R Classes are recieving.