How is the Noordam

[jakers]

We just returned from a two week back to back Alaska cruise on the Noordam. We chose this ship as we will be spending 22 days on the Oosterdam in December and had never sailed on this class of ship. We found the décor throughout to be anything but boring. The ship is beautiful and is sharp throughout. No hint of needed repairs anywhere. I take exception to the previous comment about a lack of female staff. All personnel were exceedingly courteous, helpful, and pleasant. The casino is somewhat uninspiring. The dueling pianos were packed every night. We were able to purchase an upgrade to a balcony room on the 8th floor (VE8101). The only drawback to this room is that it sits directly below the Lido and for some strange reason is the only section where the floors are not carpeted. In the morning we could hear the chairs from above being dragged across the floor. It was noticeable but not annoying to us. We have sailed on the Koningsdam and the smaller ships (now departed). This ship is not too large or too small.

[SilvertoGold]

9 hours ago, jakers said:

We just returned from a two week back to back Alaska cruise on the Noordam. We chose this ship as we will be spending 22 days on the Oosterdam in December and had never sailed on this class of ship. We found the décor throughout to be anything but boring. The ship is beautiful and is sharp throughout. No hint of needed repairs anywhere. I take exception to the previous comment about a lack of female staff. All personnel were exceedingly courteous, helpful, and pleasant. The casino is somewhat uninspiring. The dueling pianos were packed every night. We were able to purchase an upgrade to a balcony room on the 8th floor (VE8101). The only drawback to this room is that it sits directly below the Lido and for some strange reason is the only section where the floors are not carpeted. In the morning we could hear the chairs from above being dragged across the floor. It was noticeable but not annoying to us. We have sailed on the Koningsdam and the smaller ships (now departed). This ship is not too large or too small.

In your balcony stateroom, was the bathroom updated?  Last time on this ship there was still a bathtub with shower curtain and the old peach theme was...old!

Flat screen TV now, but sofa, soft furnishings - updated, or that old peach theme?

 

Thanks for any info.

[jakers]

8 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

In your balcony stateroom, was the bathroom updated?  Last time on this ship there was still a bathtub with shower curtain and the old peach theme was...old!

Flat screen TV now, but sofa, soft furnishings - updated, or that old peach theme?

 

Thanks for any info.

Bathtub with cloth shower curtain. Flat screen interactive TV with a wide variety of movies. Tan theme not peach. Lighting for the vanity was poor. Vanity mirror did not work for makeup. There are two drawers underneath the bed for storage but no drawers on the vanity/desk. Our cabin steward brought us extra pillows and a topper for the bed. The picture above was from our balcony in Glacier Bay.

[SilvertoGold]

7 minutes ago, jakers said:

Bathtub with cloth shower curtain. Flat screen interactive TV with a wide variety of movies. Tan theme not peach. Lighting for the vanity was poor. Vanity mirror did not work for makeup. There are two drawers underneath the bed for storage but no drawers on the vanity/desk. Our cabin steward brought us extra pillows and a topper for the bed. The picture above was from our balcony in Glacier Bay.

This sounds good.  And the photo of Margarie Glacier is a treat.  Thanks for your help.

[floridababa]

Have been reading about lack of entertainment on board HAL ships. Seems to be what all the cruise lines are doing. I always looked forward to the nightly shows. Anyone else know what is going on?

[jakers]

2 hours ago, floridababa said:

Have been reading about lack of entertainment on board HAL ships. Seems to be what all the cruise lines are doing. I always looked forward to the nightly shows. Anyone else know what is going on?

It is not just cruise lines. All you have to do is look around. While Covid is the main impetus, many companies large and small have used the pandemic to cut back on customer service. Probably the best thing to come out of it is the fact that many customer service positions have migrated to a home office. In HAL's case they started eliminating some  nighttime entertainment on the Maasdam as they tried Exploration cruises. There is still plenty of entertainment on the larger ships, but outside of the big three every body needs to show a profit to stay in business.

[Guest ldtr]

if you found entertainment on the Island Princess to be lacking, not sure what you will think of entertainment on HAL ships.

 

I remember more entertainment on NY last Nordam cruise from Sydney to Honolulu in 2019, than what seems to be the pattern on the Eurodam cruise that I am currently on.

 

Half of the events in the daily schedule are tied to spa, stores or art gallery. For the others it seem like they tend to have one event at a time, instead of something going on in the various venues at the same time.  The main stage has been the dance troupe, or video accompanied by live music type programs. The comedian, was in BB King, not even the main stage. BB King hasn't even started until 9:30 after the other venues tend to shut down.  HAL has nice ships,good MDR food ( think it is better than on the 5 Princess cruises we have been on this year, nice itineraries, covered pool area, but limited entertainment.

Edited August 30, 2022 by ldtr

[Guest ldtr]

Just now, jakers said:

It is not just cruise lines. All you have to do is look around. While Covid is the main impetus, many companies large and small have used the pandemic to cut back on customer service. Probably the best thing to come out of it is the fact that many customer service positions have migrated to a home office. In HAL's case they started eliminating some  nighttime entertainment on the Maasdam as they tried Exploration cruises. There is still plenty of entertainment on the larger ships, but outside of the big three every body needs to show a profit to stay in business.

Not so much on Eurodam, one of the larger ships.

[LJProk]

We were on Noordam in June this year and loved the ship. We are both late 40's/early 50's and have a 16 year old son that was with us. Interior was very nice, not over the top luxury but comfortable, clean, and tastefully done. The rooms were nice too.

 

As for entertainment, Rolling Stones was open late and the Billboard piano bar was too. There were nights I went up to the room at 11p and my son was still at the piano bar listening to music.

 

Someone asked about the rough water. We had one night it was rocking and rolling and the next morning (this was our last at sea day headed to Vancouver). It was moving some but with some Bonine I was fine.

[LJProk]

On 8/25/2022 at 11:03 PM, jakers said:

We just returned from a two week back to back Alaska cruise on the Noordam. We chose this ship as we will be spending 22 days on the Oosterdam in December and had never sailed on this class of ship. We found the décor throughout to be anything but boring. The ship is beautiful and is sharp throughout. No hint of needed repairs anywhere. I take exception to the previous comment about a lack of female staff. All personnel were exceedingly courteous, helpful, and pleasant. The casino is somewhat uninspiring. The dueling pianos were packed every night. We were able to purchase an upgrade to a balcony room on the 8th floor (VE8101). The only drawback to this room is that it sits directly below the Lido and for some strange reason is the only section where the floors are not carpeted. In the morning we could hear the chairs from above being dragged across the floor. It was noticeable but not annoying to us. We have sailed on the Koningsdam and the smaller ships (now departed). This ship is not too large or too small.

We were in 8068 in June and the only time we heard noise from the lido deck above was early in the morning from chairs being moved. And the couple of times when the water was rough you could hear the chairs moving a little. Otherwise it was very quiet.

[Mr Astro]

On 8/20/2022 at 4:52 PM, ShipWalker said:

Condition of the Noordam is good and the entertainment is the same as on the other HAL ships, in my most humble opinion.

 

Here's a few photos of the Noordam during the Panama Canal cruise right out of dry dock....

 

Remodel on deck 3 forward...

 

New Explorations Cafe on deck 3. The one in the Crows nest is still there, too.

 

Explorations Cafe facing the other direction. Craft table area in the background.

 

One layer of chairs surround the pool instead of two. But never was crowded.

 

 

This here is a secret room I found that is open to all who find it. To my knowledge it is only on the Noordam. I was the only one ever in there. If you find it, keep it to yourself!

 

If you ignore the bacon, you can see the Pinnacle Grill

 

 

Im curious about the 'secret room'.  Can you tell me where it was.  I'm joining the ship in October and would like to check it out.

 

[SilvertoGold]

3 hours ago, Mr Astro said:

Im curious about the 'secret room'.  Can you tell me where it was.  I'm joining the ship in October and would like to check it out.

 

Take a look at the deck plan, but be quiet about it :)

[Mr Astro]

What's the alcohol policy?  Can we still bring one bottle of wine or champagne per person?

 

[oakridger]

6 minutes ago, Mr Astro said:

What's the alcohol policy?  Can we still bring one bottle of wine or champagne per person?

 

 

You can bring a reasonable amount of wine for carry on only. (None allowed in checked baggage) Each bottle will incur a $20 corkage fee.

 

From HAL website "Know Before You Go"

 

Revised Policy effective June 1st, 2021

 

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows:

 

Guests may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

Frequently Asked Cruise Questions - Know Before You Go (hollandamerica.com)

 

~Nancy

 

Edited September 7, 2022 by oakridger

[Mr Astro]

how times have changed.  One could bring one bottle of wine or champers per adult.  No corkage.  

Kind of disappointing

[oakridger]

Yes it is disappointing.  I'm told this policy changed at the restart.

 

~Nancy

[Mr Astro]

"Death by a thousand cuts"

[crystalspin]

The non-alcoholic policy is now ONLY water, ONLY 12x12oz waters, NOT in plastic or glass bottles. Must be cans or cartons.

[DShier1a]

I am sad reading about the changes to HAL, who have been my preferred line. I just returned from my first Celebrity cruise and LOVED the entertainment. Lots of live music!The food however was not very good. I just put a small deposit down on a HAL cruise in March....now I am wondering if I should look for something else. 🤔

[Guest ldtr]

5 minutes ago, DShier1a said:

I am sad reading about the changes to HAL, who have been my preferred line. I just returned from my first Celebrity cruise and LOVED the entertainment. Lots of live music!The food however was not very good. I just put a small deposit down on a HAL cruise in March....now I am wondering if I should look for something else. 🤔

HAL nice ships, excellent crew, good food, very limited entertainment.  Half of the activities on my recent cruise were for spa, store, or art related items.

[Mr Astro]

I know there are no laundry facilities on any HAL ship and you are invited to fill the bag for a fee but is there a 'laundry package' one can purchase prior to boarding?  Any help would be appreciated.

[crystalspin]

9 minutes ago, Mr Astro said:

I know there are no laundry facilities on any HAL ship and you are invited to fill the bag for a fee but is there a 'laundry package' one can purchase prior to boarding?  Any help would be appreciated.

Yes, there is! The rate is the same whether you pre-purchase or check the box the first time you send laundry in. (If you send laundry on the third day, and check Unlimited Laundry, you still pay for days one and two, for example.) The rate is $7/day ($9/day if either end of your trip is in Europe). The bag is $20 ($30 in Europe). 

[crystalspin]

18 minutes ago, Mr Astro said:

I know there are no laundry facilities on any HAL ship and you are invited to fill the bag for a fee but is there a 'laundry package' one can purchase prior to boarding?  Any help would be appreciated.

Here is a link to discussion of HAL laundry, specifically the third page thereof, with attached laundry list and a screen-grab of what I got in the bag!

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2402926-laundry-service-on-holland-america/page/3/#comment-63927271

 

Two things I didn't mention above are that the Unlimited Package (or that matter, the bag) is per cabin, not person. And you find it in your booking under Cruise Activities/Packages&Gifts.

[SwimCarrie]

On 8/20/2022 at 3:38 PM, floridababa said:

The ship decor was boring. Also the shop that they had a mannequin wearing an old ladies dress that looked like a housecoat. Pretty bad for a store.

We are looking at October 8 2023 San Diego to Sydney and not sure if  we will be happy. Just got off Island Princess and food, coffee and entertainment was horrible. Also when we were on  Noordam there was no-one out past 10 o'clock cause there was no music of any type

Thank you for your he!p

 

Edited September 13, 2022 by SwimCarrie
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[MoneyGuy]

Secret room? What’s the secret room? I won’t tell anyone.