Just Back from Noordam (3/4 Saildate)

[RevNeal]

Inability to Self Serve in Lido Restaurant. Goes along with the previous point. I'm used to the buffets being self-service, which I like and personally find to be more efficient. But the deal with the restaurant staff serving the buffet really slowed things down.

 

Essentially, the Lido Restaurant is more of an "all-you-can-eat" Cafeteria, not a buffet. I prefer being served by the staff rather than serving myself ... but, that's just me. I certainly understand that other people have other preferences.

 

I'm glad you had a nice cruise; I found your remarks quite clear, reasoned, and well articulated! It's kinda funny, though, to hear someone talk about having to get accustomed to a "smaller" ship when speaking of the Vistas ... for most HAL regulars it's a matter of becoming accustomed to a larger ship.

[GMoney]

Thanks to all for your thoughtful responses; I appreciate the dialogue. Below are some quick comments and answers.

 

DSawyer - Below is a link to details on cell phone usage at sea. It's from an RCI perspective, but may be helpful. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=301702

 

Oceanwench - Barb (Arabrab) expressed my viewpoints on the demographics much more eloquently that I did. Some people don't like to sail with kids; I realized I prefer to not sail with a high percentage of elderly folks. I don't think there's any discrimination involved, as I indicated it's up to me to change my behavior by sailing another line, b/c it's a flaw in my personality. But I appreciate this is a sensitive issue.

 

Barb - Thanks for your eloquence!

 

Celmed - The hyrdro pool is in one self-contained room, and the thermal suite is in an adjoining self-contained room, both within the Greenhouse Spa area. The hyrdo pool room is square, with chairs and loungers on the perimeter. There are 2 open showers as well. The hyrdo pool is in the center of the room. In general, the water in warm and calm. It has a circular center area that bubbles with more intensity, and a thalsotherapy bed on one side that also bubbles with more intensity. The Thermal suite has 3 steam rooms of varying degrees, 4 specialty showers (with unique showerheads and a cool or tropical mist function), and the 5-6 heated ceramic loungers. For both rooms, usage seemed a bit higher earlier in the cruise, and both rooms seemed to get more usage in late afternoons. While I never had an issue with too many folks in the Hyrdo Pool, the heated loungers in the Thermal Suite were more popular by far. There's a small sign stating that time should be limited to 20 min if others are waiting, but some folks to "camp out" with books and iPods and take naps. I did hear one woman complaining about her inability to use the loungers and demanding a refund. To me, it was just more of an exercise in patience and still well worth the cost.

 

Kaleighsgram - HAL veterans will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think all rooms on the Noordam have DVD players. I always bring my own, but they have a wide selection you can borrow in the Explorations Cafe. There isn't a dedicated movie theatre, but they would show movies in the Culinary Arts Center on deck 3. I never went but it seemed to work well. They offer comp popcorn too. Sailing out of NYC is great. I live in Philly, so it's any easy train ride to Penn Station and then a short walk. I also love the experience of sailing from midtown (as opposed to RCI's tragic Bayonne). The only downer was the embarkation disaster.

 

Rita and Lee - Booking the day before sailing worked out well. Our names still appeared on the manifest; we just didn't have any tickets, which posed only a minor problem and was quickly overcome. It's unfortunate HAL does not allow you to print your boarding info like the RCI Set Sail program. There seemed to be plenty of capacity on the ship and we got a great deal on a great room. I was a bit surprised given that the Noordam is brand new.

[sail7seas]

I believe there was space available BECAUSE Noordam is brand new. Many people are reluctant to sail a new ship. They wait to see if there are any kinks that need attention and until the crew becomes accustomed to working together. It would surprise me if the ship was fully booked for her first 3-4 months.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done several inaugural cruises on different lines.

 

Zaandam was sold out when we boarded her about 6 weeks after she began sailing.

 

Grand Princess - she was also sold out - did that one in 1998 out of Istanbul - just 10 days from her first sailing.

 

Star Princess - we were on her first voyage - also sold out.

[Krazy Kruizers]

So sail...

 

When will you be sailing on the Noordam??

[RevNeal]

Yes ... inquiring minds want to know.

You wasted all that good champaign all over her bell, so you really SHOULD cruise on her too. :D

[sail7seas]

I believe there was space available BECAUSE Noordam is brand new. Many people are reluctant to sail a new ship. They wait to see if there are any kinks that need attention and until the crew becomes accustomed to working together. It would surprise me if the ship was fully booked for her first 3-4 months.

 

[YankeesFan224]

GMONEY you are 1000% correct.

 

First of I must say the following the Ship was a nice ship and the crew was the best I have ever meet and sailed with. I have been on RC,Queen Mary 2, Celebrity most of all the big names and you cant find a better crew anywhere.

 

Now lets get to the crusie. To be very honest I was very disapointed. I am only 28 years old so you may find what I think not along the same lines as what you think.

 

I got engaged on the boat, so to start things were great. The Bar manager Harry and Angie are two of the nicest people you can find and they did everyhting to make this a special moment for me and my new fiance. I proposed on the bow of the ship at sunset on the second day at sea and when she said yes the captian Blew the horn for us. They also had a photographer and champagne close by. So as far as the crew goes and making my moment happen you wont find a better class of people.

 

The rooms were nice and clean they should be the ship was brand new. So that was perfect to.

 

Now lets get to the people. The average age on this ship was 72 years old and that is the truth. I think I have a new look towards older folk after this cruise. They treated the staff like garbage and they were some of the most rude people I have ever met. This is not based on just one run in I cant count how many things I saw that would make you laugh. Tons of walkers and wheel chairs and scooters and they think no matter what they have the right of way.

 

The ship was dead as a door nail by 10pm there was nothing happening at all but the casino. No outdoor partys, not a sole in the night club nothing. I have fun drinking on vacation and I dont think I had more then 2 drinks in any night there was nothing to do. I have never been on a crusie where the whole ship shut down by 10pm it was pathetic.

 

On board activities were just about the same dead. Nothing to do your basic art auction and Bingo, Usually there are horse races and pool partys and things to see and music. This crusie was a dud.

 

No lets get to the food. I have never ever had a crusie where I was hungry and this was the first time. When you are on vacation there should be food all over the place. Everytime we were at an island and came back to the ship hungry there was nothing !!! I am talking at 3pm and there is nothing to eat. You have your same old pizza and hamburger and if you did not want that you were out of luck. They also had a sandiwch station that never had anything in it. The food quality of the lido deck was the worst I have seen on a ship. Also they serve you and cause big lines you cant just take what you want. Now I heard some of you saying its because of germs and all that lets not kid ourselves its due to the fact of Hal being cheap and they are trying to cut back on everything so they dont waste. How can you have nothing to eat at 3pm??? The response was order room service wich had a whole 3 selections after midnight and took about 1 hour plus to get to you because of hals cut backs again. 2 guys were running the room service for the whole ship at night. The dinning room was great but the portions were so small it was weird I had to order 2 dinners a night just to feel full. So to say the least I was very disapointed in the quality they put out there.

 

As far as the shows go I am 50/50. The ships dancers were very pretty and energetic. The shows they put on were a little strange but good. The best show was if walls could talk and it was like a brodway show and by far the best. But they only performed 4 nights out of the 11. We also had a piano player who was wonderful at what he did but it was just not my thing, Then we had 2 older comdians who were horrible they must have been brought in to cater to the older people but they were bad. I did not think much of the 2 other singers they had either simply just bad and people would leave the show as it went on.

 

So to sum this all up. Nice ship, Best crew you can find. If you are under 50 dont bother going you will be board and disapointed plus all the older folk that were on this ship were very rude and thought they were owed the world. The food quality needs to come a long way and the crusie line needs to stop being cheap and have some fun. Have more barbeques and a few real midnight buffets. I dont count a midnight buffet that has 4 selections and is on a hot table about 4 ft long. You should not every be hungry on a ship and there were many people on this one that were.

 

The islands are the islands. If you been to one they are much alike.

 

Tortola: is nice too tour crazy roads dont know how they dont have a ton of accidents

 

St THomas: Perfect for Shopping and KIKI Beach

 

Dominca: The rainforest is a sight worth looking at. No beaches on this island its all about the rivers and Rain Forest very nice.

 

Barbados: One of the best islands Best spot is called the Boat house real nice beach

 

St Martin : Cleanest and best Island you can find. Downtown shopping is perfect and the best and nicest place in the southern carribean is Orient Beach very nice beach and place could spend a week there alone.

 

Purto Rico: Dont even get off the boat you are on the isalnd for 4 hours its a waste. I think they just stop to refuel the boat.

 

 

 

Again if you are under 50 you will be very disapointed. We would never go Holland America again.

 

Enjoy!

[YankeesFan224]

How could I forget the 3 hour wait to get on the boat. Must be because it was 12 days ago. It was like the blind leading the blind. Total tabacle but you know what it was only the second sailing so I will allow for that mass confusion sceen. The food situation and the rest is not forgivable.

 

Again I cant say it enought the best staff in the business they really left an impression.

[AAAAmerican]

First Congratulations on your engagement . Now I do hope giving that LifeLong commitment carrys weight .

 

As taking a cruise does.

 

Doing your due dilligence in a cruise is similar to finding a wife for life.

 

Did you do your millitary duty for our country?

 

Gald you have taken other cruises before (3 ?)

Cunard like Holland American line is part of CCL:NYSE what ypu have been saying then there main ships under the Carnival name may be more to your likeing... but leaving from Brooklyn soon ... well thats the NY Mets area...

 

Nothing really leaves from The Bronx except Yankee Fans...*S*

 

Holland American really is a traditional line.. food is subjective so yes agreements are for MUCH NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS.

 

Does your future wife cook well? DId youall participate? You may like the guest Chefs on the Noordam at the Culinary events Nothing on the High Seas is like that ever yet.

 

Each line has a speciality and target market audience. Did your Travel Agency/Agent describe what the Cruise Line does/did?

 

Holland American has better services. Better appointments as in Real China Silver Flatware, real Linen Table tops... etc..fine

 

Yes if your hungry for more food and servings sizes ask yiour Waiter for them and they will and would gladly provide them to you and your party. Even in the Bible it says ASK and YE SHALL Recieve... You do have to ask in any cruise line as I never heard of one where the help can read your mind all of the time *S*

 

As your saw how much the staff did for you =when you popped the question ... they would do the same in the food arena too...

 

On age when you went you were single like you are now and married soon with lots of responsibilty coming... just think all those people onboard were like you once Young and full of **** and Vinegar.... age is relative to what your doing...

 

How many Ship Captains are your age now?

 

The food quality on most ships has gone down.. as costs have gone up... who pays for it.. we all do in our cost basis.

 

 

Why dont you write the company and express your opinions then take another cruise soon too and see more...

[dsawyer]

Congratulations on your engagement - it was like a fairy-tale event. I certainly hope you got lots of pictures.

 

I am sorry the rest of the cruise was not to your liking. Even though you were disappointed with some aspects, I am sure you will always look back on this cruise with fondness. :)

[YankeesFan224]

AAA

 

I know what your saying but to be very honest it was not what we exspected. I knew Holland America would be a bit older crowd but did not think that old. I mean to have nothing to do after the second show is a bit disapointing. Plus it was pretty scary to see a passenger die on the ship due to a heart attack. My prayers go out to his Wife and family.

 

I understand what your saying about the food too but to have nothing open at 3pm when your back from an island but a hamburger stand and pizza is not exceptable to me. I went on this cruise with my parents who have been on over 20+ ships and many different lines and they were very disapointed. My father had a Deluxe Veranda suite and was disapointed.

 

I was on the Inaugral Saling of the Majesty of the Seas "RC" in 1992 I revisited that ship in Oct 05 for a little fun 3 day crusies on a 14 year old ship and the fun and food was better the the last 11 days.

 

I have been on to name a few

 

The Queen Mary 2

Celebrity Galaxy "Twice"

Majesty of the Seas "Twice"

Voyager "Inagural Sailing"

Seaborne

Ms Noordam "Second Sailing"

 

I would have to say from a Fun time stand point for the under 50 crowd this was the worst I have gone on. This ship and crusie they way the activities are set up are designed for the very very older crowd and from my crusie they were very rude people.

 

Now if you are going for the ports of Call and the crew and the ship itself you will have a good time, But come on Hal stop being cheap on the food and do yourself a Favor and revamp your whole plan on the Lido deck as it is a disaster.

 

AAA Just so you know I already droped the letter in the mail to the CEO on How Harry and Angie made my moment the best it could be.

[YankeesFan224]

However the fact of the matter is I made a commitment with the one person I love in this world as much as my family and she said yes. There is nothing that could have made the week a downer after that. I should post some pics for all of you. It was perfect.

 

But i feel after what we spent for this vacation I do have to let people know what I thought espically for the yonger people wanting to sail this line.

 

Thanks All

[AAAAmerican]

Posting of your pictures here would be wonderful and joy for all. Memories are made well from them .

 

 

Holy Cow as Joe said... I am so sorry about the man with a coronary .. I did not hear anything about that.:eek: Our condolences to his Wife and family. Prayers for them are always heard.

 

 

We were eating one night aboard a ship in the pay as ypu go for better cuts of meat... and a Lady had to be taken off in the Atlantic Ocean from the Ship by A USCG Coast Guard Helicopter Transport .. but the Cruise line would not let her go until she signed off on her charges... now to me thats really absurd.. and was on one of the lines you as well have been on...

 

 

 

I hope you made mention of the food quality :D :D as most ships it is not as well as they used to prepare in quality/quantity... the more people that mention this aspect the quicker actions will be taken to correct the problems..

 

An easy answer to the Age calamity as you see it .. how about you and your friends getting together and booking then having parties set up with tyhe ships your on that way expectations cam be met easier as your only then expecting to have what you have planned on and if you get more it will be gravy.....

 

When I was as young as you are I liked to party all over the world and then came settling down like a jet... then flying a glider...

 

When epectations are made and the results achieved are not meeting the expectations then it is oil and water..

 

So try not to ever expect anything then everything has a new wonderful light and hue to you.... Like a new days dawn..:D

[YankeesFan224]

I think we were the first ones to get engaged on the ship.

 

It was a wonderfull moment. Not sure how to make these pictures any biger if they come out small.

 

Thanks

[YankeesFan224]

Last Pic I have a lot more but I dont want to bore you guys.

[YankeesFan224]

We had a lot taken I dont want to bore you guys but here is another one check out the sunset. This was Day 2 at sea.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

:) Very romantic photos, Yankees Fan, thank you for taking the trouble to post them for us! Congratulations to you and your lovely bride-to-be!

[AAAAmerican]

Very nice pictoral memories and a road now soon which is straight and narrow.

 

Many cruises to come for youall.:D

 

yes please do show more photos.:D :D

[Loralu]

GMoney/Patrick, I will be staying in an SS room in November on the Noordam. Can you share any room photo's, or balcony photo's?

You can send to my Email if you like: Loralu122@yahoo.com

I would really appreciate it.

Thank you

[bepsf]

Yankee--

Congrats on the engagement!

You look like a very happy couple!

How on earth did you keep this all a secret for your Fiance?

Shame you weren't on the inaugural w/ us - we'd have made sure you had a good time as we were all up past Midnight most nights hanging in the Disco w/ Jazzy, or in the Piano Bar w/ Kory.

(We'd have preferred to have you aboard w/ us than someone named Manny - but that's another story...)

Think about joining us on a group cruise for your Honeymoon - We promise we'll keep you entertained.

;)

[YankeesFan224]

Brian,

 

Thanks for the comments we may take you up on that offer. At the moment I think I want to Plan a 2 week trip out to hawaii Not sure which line has the best hawaii trip I am looking into that now.

 

The funny thing is my Dad opted out of the First Sailing in turn for a little better weather and the extra day. Should have went with all of you sounded like a good time.

 

Its great to know we were the first ones engaged on a new ship has a real special meaning.

 

Anybody else who sailed on the March 4th crusie let us know what you thought I would love to here other opinons.

 

Thanks

Dave

[bepsf]

Brian,

 

Thanks for the comments we may take you up on that offer. At the moment I think I want to Plan a 2 week trip out to hawaii Not sure which line has the best hawaii trip I am looking into that now.

 

Thanks

Dave

 

Well, Dave--

There's a real fun group of folks booked for an October cruise to Hawaii on Zaandam - 15 days R/T from San Diego. Look under Group Cruises for "The Voyage of the Spammed" w/ RevNeil (or "The SpamDam" cruise, for short ;) )

Lots of inaugural Noordam-ers booked on that one - seems like you and your fiance would fit right in...

:)

 

***visualizing Greg commandeering a hammock in the Oasis teen area...***

[Travelnuts Wife]

My DH and I were also on this cruise. We were told that the man who passed away was only 50 years old. We felt so sorry for his wife as he died the night we left P.R. and there were two lonely sea days ahead for her without her family to comfort her. I agree with some of the things mentioned and also feel this was not one of the best cruises we have ever been on. As usual the crew was fantastic. The food came in smaller portions then we had ever seen before on a HAL cruise. On night my DH ordered crab cakes as an apetizer and he received two of them each smaller then the size of a quarter. He said they tasted very good but there was barely enough to taste. The portion of vegetables was always tiny. We were on deck 5 and the cabins have definately gotten smaller on the newer ships as have the balconies. I am 59 and I agree that most of the people on board were much older which was fine but they were definately the rudest group of seniors I have ever met. This was our seventh sailing on HAL and we like having the mixture of age groups on board but this group was absolutely unbelievable. They cut you off on line, in the hallways, on the way to shows etc. I have never seen anything like it. I thought the cast was good and George Solomon was also very good, we had seen him before on another HAL sailing. I didn't go to see the jugglers because I am not a fan. We left when the piano player started doing magic tricks, it wasn't our cup of tea so to speak. We had trouble with a crying and whinning child and screaming parents in the cabin next to ours. After hearing them at 8 A.M. three mornings in a row we went to the front desk for assistance. Three days later we again went to the front desk to say the situation had gotten worse, now the yelling and crying was in the afternoon (not to bad) and at midnight when they returned to the cabin with their child. Again we received no response. Two days later when no one had been in touch with us about this situation we sent a letter to the guest relations manager. We received a form letter from her the next day. On the last day of our cruise a bottle of Zinfandel was sent to our cabin from the captain but the delivery person didn't know why. On the last day when we all met for the disembarkation talk the cruise director did mention that no one (or very few people)were using the nightclub. We met some other children on board who were having a great time at Club Hal. They seemed really happy and friendly and we longed to have them in the next cabin instead of the family we got. We had contacted our TA after touring the ship before it's first sail and asked her to call and see if there was a suite available as we felt the cabin was to small and we wanted to upgrade. She was told no suites were available but we would be put on a waiting list. I was very surprised to read that someone that booked the day before we left was able to book a suite. I agree that PR was ridiculous. It was only a four hour stop. We had to be back on board by noon. The ship did not clear customs until about 9:45 because four cabins did not go through customs and had to be called time and time again. When only one cabin still remained in the land of the missing we were informed they were still looking for this man but NEVER made an announcement when they found him so unless we didn't take matters into our own hands and ask around we would never have known that it was ok to get off the ship and we would now be allowed to get back on. Unfortunately this was on a Sunday and the shops in PR don't open until 11 AM on Sunday. OK so we had an hour to shop. Noooo not really we were one hour ahead of them so when they were at 11 we were at 12. Needless to say this was truly a wasted stop. Although the ship is beautiful and the crew fantastic this was the least favorite of all of our cruises with HAL. Because our other cruises were so good we will continue to sail with HAL and have already booked another cruise to Alaska in July. I really do feel that it was the cliental on this cruise that ruined things for a lot of people. They were truly the rudiest group of people I have ever met but there were also some really fantastic people on this cruise including our tablemates. HAL certainly did not have enough staff at embarkation and that didn't help matter either.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Dave, congratulations on your engagement ... your fiance looks absolutely lovely and I hope you have a long and happy life together.

 

Brian, I think it's reasonable to assume that Dave will not be joining you or RevNeal's group since he's made it crystal clear that you'll never catch him on a HAL ship again.

 

I can't remember ever reading such a scathing review and absolutely not one person flamed Dave. Vive la romance!:)

 

I want to say just one thing and then I'll shut up. It's good to know I would have been a youngster on this cruise, but I really think it would be nice if people would just think a moment before posting in quite such horrible terms about a certain demographic of people and most certainly when speaking of people who do not have the joy of walking around on their own two feet. There but for the grace of ......

 

There's nothing wrong with saying that it was an older group and not your cup of tea, but it would be nice if we could all just be a little more kind in our wording. I don't even fall into either category but I literally winced reading these reviews.

 

There are obnoxious people in every demographic. Just a quick glance at Travelnut's remarks prove that!

 

Our perception of our cruise experience is generally based on where we're coming from and what our hopes had been for the cruise.