Just Back from Noordam (3/4 Saildate)

[WNYCRUISER]

There were many people jogging. Deck 10 is treadmills in the Gym no track. We did not want to be inside during vacation.

 

Just because one person jogs, it does not make it right. Just as if one person speeds on the highway, does not make it right for all.

 

Yes, there were several treadmills, these were in the gym on deck 9. If you went up one deck to deck 10, you would have found an area that circles almost the entire ship. You could start at the area just forward of the aft pool, circle all the way to the front of the ship, just behind the crows nest, and return to the aft pool. For an even better workout, as you approach the crows nest, you can go up the stairs to deck 11, around the front of the ship, and back down the stairs on the other side of the ship, and return to the beginning. Many many people were jogging this route each morning.

[WNYCRUISER]

Also you mention the abundence of activities wich of those are you reffering to the Bingo or the Art auction or the put together movie theater. Because there was nothing else to do.

 

I guess its all in the eye of the beholder, But I would not at all recomend this cruise to anybody under 50. If you are looking to just relax and not do much of anything then this cruise gets an A+ on a well put together ship.

 

I would hate for everyone to walk away with the impression that there was nothing to do on this ship. Here is a sampling of some of the activities onboard.

 

Day 1

11:30-3:00 Welcome music, Ocean Bar

3:00 Explore the Noordam (ship tour)

4:30 Welcome aboard fair and festivities

5:00-6:15 Cocktails and dancing hour

8:30 and 10:30 Welcome Aboard Showtime - Vista Lounge

9:15 Opening Night in the Northern Lights & Piano Bar

10:00 Explore the Noordam Night Life - Sports Bar

10:15 Get the Party Started - Northern Lights

11:15 20 & 30 Somethings Get Together

 

Day 2

7:00 Walk a Mile

9:00 Sports equipment available - including basketball, vollyball, tennis

9:00 Digital Camera Seminar

9:30 Onboard Games - Pictionary

10:00 Assorted Board Games Available

10:30 Mens Ping Pong Tournament

10:45 Culinary Arts Demonstration

1:00 Team Trivia Challenge

1:00 Card and Bridge Players Get Together

2:15 Win a Dam mug Putting challenge

3:00 Speaker Series: The Trip Ahead

3:00 Onboard Games - Taboo

3:00 Bartending Class

8:30 & 10:30 Showtime - Vista Lounge

9:30 Motown Music Hour - Northern Lights

9:30 Elvis - A tribute to the King - Piano Bar

10:30 DJ Jazzy spins the Oldies but Goodies

11:30 Young & Young at Heart Get Together - Northern Lights

 

 

While I won't go through the entire 11 days, this is just to show that there were in fact many things to do, it all depended on what one chose to participate in.

 

And, I did not include the usual fare that everyone knows about, the:

Art Auctions

Bingo

Religious Services

Various exercise programs in the gym

Shore excursion and port shopping talks

Jewelry offerings/ seminars in the shops

Casino slot/blackjack tournaments and gaming lessons

Wine tasting seminars

Movies (With popcorn)

Future Cruise Presentation

Shipbuilding competition

 

 

Suffice it to say that this may not have been a cruise you cared for, but in fact there were/ are many things to do, and it is up to each person to decide how actively to participate.

[bepsf]

WNY--

 

Did you say in your review that Burt Reynolds was aboard for your cruise?!?

:confused: :eek:

[sail7seas]

I saw that, too, Brian...... I meant to ask in my other post and forgot.

 

DH once met him and Charles Nelson Riley. We were staying at the (then) Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills (now called Beverly Regency??) Gorgeous place. DH went to the barbershop and then was 'window shopping' the men's store in the lobby. Behind him, he heard someone say to him...."You like that jacket?" ****referring to a sports jacket in the window. DH, without looking back, said....Yes...Nice. Then he turned to see who he was speaking with and it was Burt Reynolds and Charles Nelson Riley. The three of them chatted for a few minutes and then DH came back to the room to TELL ME WHO I MISSED MEETING!!! grrrr

 

[HeatherInFlorida]

It's not ageism. It's an accurate accounting of an experience on a HAL cruise. And yes, I love HAL. It is not discrimination to accurately reflect the day-to-day experience on a cruise - that's what I read cruise reviews for.

 

The scooter/wheelchair/cane prevelance is just another factor to take into account when deciding on your cruise.

 

Of course allowances need to be made for assistive devices and those who need them. However, my personal experience on HAL cruises has been that many of those who use those devices have become somewhat less than polite in their usage. I have been intentionally butted from behind by a walker in an elevator when a person thinks that I am not moving quickly enough. Once, while slowing down my pace to allow a wheelchair access in front of me, the cane-bearing person behind me berated me loudly for not moving quickly enough.

 

Go figure!:confused:

 

I see you have just registered and this is your first post. Welcome to CC. I'm a bit surprised that your first post would be one like this. I could not disagree with you more.

What I said earlier in this thread was there are ways of expressing the demographics of a cruise along with describing any obnoxious behavior someone might have encountered without slamming a huge percentage of our population.

To pigeonhole old people or people with walkers or wheelchairs as pretty much all being obnoxious is simply unkind as well as untrue. It's similar to saying ALL children are obnoxious. Say that on these boards and watch what happens.

The fact that you personally are looking for that sort of description does not make it right. You will never read a professional review written in that manner. If you find one, please link it here.

Your tale above which I have highlighted reads to me like someone simply trying to drive home a point.

For those of us walking freely, I think we need to make just a bit more than what you call an "allowance". You can put yourself out just a bit. You'll have ample opportunity to make up the time. You're on a cruise; there's no hurry.

[YankeesFan224]

See my response within your quote as I would love to get a chance to respond.

 

I would hate for everyone to walk away with the impression that there was nothing to do on this ship. Here is a sampling of some of the activities onboard.

 

Day 1

11:30-3:00 Welcome music, Ocean Bar "Nobody was on board unitl after 2pm" Never heard anything"

3:00 Explore the Noordam (ship tour)

4:30 Welcome aboard fair and festivities

5:00-6:15 Cocktails and dancing hour "With WHo"

8:30 and 10:30 Welcome Aboard Showtime - Vista Lounge Good Show

9:15 Opening Night in the Northern Lights & Piano Bar "Nothern Lights was dead Korey had a nice following everynight till about 11:30" If it wasnt for jazy laughing with us it would really have been dead"

10:00 Explore the Noordam Night Life - Sports Bar "Empty"

10:15 Get the Party Started - Northern Lights "Empty"

11:15 20 & 30 Somethings Get Together " Maybe 4 People"

 

Day 2

7:00 Walk a Mile "Very Full Event"

9:00 Sports equipment available - including basketball, vollyball, tennis "1 basketball and a Volley Ball nobody to play with"

9:00 Digital Camera Seminar Did not attent cant coment

9:30 Onboard Games - Pictionary N/A

10:00 Assorted Board Games Available N/A

10:30 Mens Ping Pong Tournament "Great event people showed up"

10:45 Culinary Arts Demonstration Did not attend

1:00 Team Trivia Challenge Did Not attend

1:00 Card and Bridge Players Get Together No Thanks

2:15 Win a Dam mug Putting challenge Did not attend

3:00 Speaker Series: The Trip Ahead N/A

3:00 Onboard Games - Taboo No Thanks

3:00 Bartending Class "They had the nerve to charge a fee"

8:30 & 10:30 Showtime - Vista Lounge "Piano Player He was good Magic was cheesey"

9:30 Motown Music Hour - Northern Lights "Pretty good'

9:30 Elvis - A tribute to the King - Piano Bar "Korey was good"

10:30 DJ Jazzy spins the Oldies but Goodies "Had some life"

11:30 Young & Young at Heart Get Together - Northern Lights "100% Dead Ship is sleeping by 11:30"

 

 

While I won't go through the entire 11 days, this is just to show that there were in fact many things to do, it all depended on what one chose to participate in.

 

And, I did not include the usual fare that everyone knows about, the:

Art Auctions "Nice crowd but all art is cheaper on ebay its nto worth it"

Bingo "Had is nice large following as on every ship"

Religious Services N/A

Various exercise programs in the gym "I was in there 4 days with nobody else"

Shore excursion and port shopping talks

Jewelry offerings/ seminars in the shops "No thanks"

Casino slot/blackjack tournaments and gaming lessons "If it was not for the casino the boat would have been 100% dead after 11:30 I donated 2,000 over 11 days not to bad considering i was in there 80% of the time because of being bored at night. Even my new finace was playing and she does not like to that much."

Wine tasting seminars "Half a glass of wine in total and they had the nerve to charge you LOL"

Movies (With popcorn) Was pretty packed Popcorn was a nice touch.

Future Cruise Presentation N/A

Shipbuilding competition "I missed this one"

 

 

Suffice it to say that this may not have been a cruise you cared for, but in fact there were/ are many things to do, and it is up to each person to decide how actively to participate.

 

Its great to list all that went on but be real about it and list who attend these things. Fact of the matter is half of these activites went unattened. All I am saying is this cruise is not for people under 50.

Boy I paid 4600.00 for a room with a deck on Floor 4 4050 you think i could have went to the wine tasting for free. It just proves my point and shows that Hal has really gotten cheap and because of that fact the cruise suffered. I had a fun time with my new fiance but this could have been a wonderfull time if not for all the pull backs and it we could have had atleast some life aboard.

But again to each his own its all what you like. But myself being 28 I know what people 23-40 Like and hal does not have it to offer.

Thanks

Dave

[sail7seas]

One way of looking at it IMO is......But for the grace of God, go I.

 

Who knows what the future holds for any of us. IF we are lucky enough to grow OLD (whatever age that is these days??), we also may need the assistance of walking devices or wheelchairs. I give the folks credit who have to make that extra effort to travel when they have mobility limitations. It would be a whole lot easier to stay home. Good for them......

 

If they bump me from behind with their walker or cane or whatever, the first time I assume it to be an accident. If they do it a second time, I test their hearing when I tell them what I think of their behavior!! Shy I'll never be. :)

Of course there are some senior folks who are crotchity. There are also young folks who are grouches. Sure there are senior folks who are impatient....but I don't think that trait is limited to any particular age group. Actually, if honest, I'll admit I'm not the most patient person alive but I'm trying to get better :) !!

 

 

 

 

[sail7seas]

Dave......HAL can plan, schedule and provide staff for an activity. They cannot (and, most assuredly, should not) make people attend. Great you wanted to do those things and I'm sorry you did not have others who also wished to participate. But, how is that HAL's fault?

 

Each person spend their vacation doing what it is they want. If you desire more activity, it is very understandable....you, by all means, should book whatever vacation is going to give you the most pleasure.

 

But, it isn't the ship's job to MAKE people go to the party in Northern Lights. It is the ship's job to offer it.

 

Hope you enjoy your next cruise more. Thank you very much for your comments. You took considerable time and effort to share with us and I appreciate it.

 

 

[YankeesFan224]

Sail7seas

 

I could not agree with you more. You are 100% correct as far as the activities go. Hal did a great job for me and like i said many times I never ever met a better group of people who made up the crew. All I mean is it is clear that the demographic for this ship is 50 and above I may even have to say based on my cruise it is 60+ The average age on our sailing as per a conversation with a crew member was 7o I am not sure if that is the truth or not but it looked like it. My parents who were in there fifties and been on many different ships were also disapointed with the activity on ths ship. Plus the new way of penny pinching is clear if you sailed on crusises through the ninties there just not the same. So am I disapointed with Hal no they do what they can but the cutbacks are very clear and I think if you are looking to have a fun time with midnight buffets and outdoor pool partys and people out and about the ship this is not the cruise for you.

 

Again guys its only my opinion take it for what its worth. No matter what this blog says the idea is to inform people the best you can about your experience. I cant replace the memories i have of the week and the time spent with my Mom, Dad New Finace and my Brother and his girlfriend. I just think for my age bracket we should have went with a different line.

[Loralu]

Dave - I enjoyed your reveiw, and it is YOUR review. I can't figure out why everyone is so quick to pick apart every detail. I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us, and I wonder how many others would do the same if they could do so without so much criticism.

:)

[WNYCRUISER]

WNY--

 

Did you say in your review that Burt Reynolds was aboard for your cruise?!?

:confused: :eek:

 

Sorry to get your hopes up too far. "Burt Reynolds" was an enjoyable member of the server staff. He was an assistant dining steward, and also worked in the Lido for breakfast and lunch. He was very much like the beloved "honkey dorey". His name tag read Reyno or Reynold (his first name) and called himself Burt Reynolds. He worked handing out trays on the starboard side of the Lido. He would ask your name, and remember it the entire cruise. Though he was not our assistant dining steward, he leaned over and said Hi to us by name as he passed us during the Baked Alaska Parade.

[YankeesFan224]

Heather,

 

I know I get yelled at all the time its a new thing for me, I have lived with her for 2 years so she knows how much I love her, I just get so excited and its new for me so excuse the typos and the language. Also I would really like to know so I dont feel like I am overstating anything All 3/4 saliors who were on the noordam with me did you feel we had an overwhelming older crowd. Again thats what the crew told me. Also it is ok that they were seniors I have not problem with that I am just trying to give you a demographic of the people sailing the ship.

[WNYCRUISER]

Dave - I enjoyed your reveiw, and it is YOUR review. I can't figure out why everyone is so quick to pick apart every detail. I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us, and I wonder how many others would do the same if they could do so without so much criticism.

:)

 

You are correct. That was his review, and I gave mine. I don't see where everyone is picking him apart. The basics of his review were that there was nothing to do, that no one under 50 could have a good time, and they should not go on this particular cruise. I merely was pointing out that in fact there were several things to do, and that there were several people under 50, and they seemed to be enjoying themselves. He should have kept it to HIS review, insofar as to say that HE could not find anything to do, and that HE did not have a good time, and that HE should likely not take that cruise again. For him to say that no one under fifty should take this cruise was quite a broad and misleading representation.

 

I have read enough reviews on these boards to know that to read two peoples reviews of the same cruise would lead one to believe that the writers were on two different ships worlds apart.

[GMoney]

Dave - I enjoyed your reveiw, and it is YOUR review. I can't figure out why everyone is so quick to pick apart every detail. I just wanted to say thanks for taking the time to share your experience with us, and I wonder how many others would do the same if they could do so without so much criticism.

:)

 

I agree! Dave - I for one understood what you meant, and typos are apart of the process. I think CC has a guideline about not being about critical of misspellings. Also, you apologized in an earlier post of characterizing the passengers as "old." Don't apologize; you did nothing wrong! I was on the cruise and I understand that you were just trying to make a point about the median age being 70.

 

It's an opinion board and you are entitled to yours.

[PrincessYoga]

Wyn...I would love to see the daily activities and/ or menu for all the days if you have them. I am a total type A personality and want to research as much as possible...

 

Thanks for everyone's review.. While I would love a night or two or dancing. I would also like to be able to chill out before a day of sightseeing. I am 30.

[eroller]

I agree! Dave - I for one understood what you meant, and typos are apart of the process. I think CC has a guideline about not being about critical of misspellings. Also, you apologized in an earlier post of characterizing the passengers as "old." Don't apologize; you did nothing wrong! I was on the cruise and I understand that you were just trying to make a point about the median age being 70.

 

It's an opinion board and you are entitled to yours.

 

 

Agreed. Everyone is trying to be so PC these days that when someone actually writes the truth of how they really feel, they get pounced on. Bottom line, HAL attracts a VERY senior demographic. No way around it regardless of what HAL or anyone else tells you. It's one reason HAL is not my preferred line of choice. While I'm not necessarily looking for a party all night atmosphere, some activity after 10pm is appreciated. On all my HAL cruises this was not the case, and the ship was a dead zone by midnight. Every now and then I try HAL again, buying into their PR that they now cater to a younger demographic, and every time I end up disappointed because it's just not true.

 

Regarding the comments in both reviews regarding the amount of seniors onboard and that many were rude .... well whats the problem with it? How many posts do you read about obnoxious unruly children? I'm sure most of these seniors do not want to be on a cruise with hundreds of children, so I have no problem with someone not wanting to be on a cruise with hundreds of seniors. And yes, we will all get old, and yes, we were all once children and I don't think anyone needs to be reminded of that fact. It doesn't change how you feel today, at whatever age you happen to be. I also don't think that being a senior citizen somehow entitles one to be rude, but I know I have witnessed this behavior to a higher degree with seniors then people of other age groups. I will leave it at that.

 

To both posters who wrote excellent reviews and took the time to share your experiences ... thank you! Certainly NO apology is necessary for writing about you felt, and the experiences you had onboard. The fact that so many people are getting upset over it only validates just how many seniors cruise on Holland America.

 

Ernie

 

ps - It's ridiculous for anyone to point out spelling errors! Get a life people, this is a casual cruise message board, not an editorial for the New York Times.

[Travelnuts Wife]

Hi YankeesFan224. You are correct about the number of seniors on this cruise. I am a senior, as I said before I am 59 and my DH is 60. We felt like youngsters on this cruise. I really do enjoy sharing a cruise with all age groups and I love HAL. As I said in a previous post I have never met so many rude people on a cruise as I did this one. However, I also met a large number of truly wonderful people on this cruise. We never really think about anyone's age when we are just enjoying ourselves being with other people but it was very obvious on this cruise. I think that was due to several people complaining about the behavior of the other passengers. We didn't let that stop us from having fun and getting to know people. We enjoy the trivia games and things like that so we sat with all age groups and had a really nice time.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

I, for one, think that the posters on this thread have been remarkably restrained and well-behaved, considering the differences of opinion. I also find it to be excellent reading, with a variety of points of view, all very well expressed. A very informative thread, and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I appreciate all who take the time to post their reviews, regardless of whether I might agree with their conclusions. (And considering that I have never cruised since my infancy, how can I yet discern what is factual versus what is subjective?)

 

So, thanks to all who post their cruise observations! It is very helpful to those of us with little or no cruising experience.

[lvs2crooz]

One reason I am enjoying the HAL boards is that for the most part, people are polite, hear others opinions and respond in a respectful way to comments made, even when they disagree with what is being said. HAL cruises are dam nice people. I can't wait till my cruise in September. Mary;) :D

[Billybob62]

This patter back and forth is interesting, but, to an extent misses the point of a cruise depending on your objective. We cruise for the destinations and will be on the Noordam on May 1 out of Rome. There is just one day at sea, which is what we want, since "seeing the world" is our objective. Daily activities become irrelevant when you are off ship all day for all but one day. We are in our early sixties and look forward to meeting other like minded "elders" who enjoy cruising and seeing the sights (sites). Being older is getting better all the time, as long as we can maintain our mobility and attitude. If staying on board the ship is one's objective, then HAL does not seem to be the "fun" line. IMO.:) :)

[YankeesFan224]

Guys as far as i am concerned no offense taken to anybody. I just gave you my description of the crusie. I thought we were having fun with the topic and it has gotten a little overboard. People can say what they want its pretty amusing to see the conversation go back and forth. I will tell you this, I never even saw this board until after the crusie and i felt it necessary to join and tell my opinon. At least my observations for the most part seem to be correct and I felt I gave you a realistic review for my age bracket.

 

Keep talking about the boat and the cruise I like seeing what everybody has to say. I feel Like I have become a board junkie now and I only have 18 posts. I sure wish I had saw this site before hand. Now I can use it to make my decesion on Hawaii. I sure wish freedom of the Seas "RCL" went there because the ship is a monster and looks real fun.

 

If you feel a certain way about something say it thats why I joined the board and posted.

 

So with all that said! who else sailed with us and had an opinon?

[AAAAmerican]

It is wonderful having a palce like our America where we are able to voice our opinion as it was written in the Freedom of Speech..... but with Our Freedoms does come responsibility...

 

Cruising on a ((oooo||Ship||ooo))> is a wonderful way of using your time well.

 

When you go to Hawaii (Sandwich Islands) do your reseach first.:eek:

 

In anything research is vital..so as to know what is ahead.

 

Expectations are a funny thing as well when you do expect things and they are not achieved dissappointments may grow and fester.. so when you do not expect things they are a gift and smile more as they are so very contagious and helpful.

 

 

Imagine if nobody ever said what they felt.. then there would be no differences of OPINION... :cool:

 

Age does help make matters more relevant as well...

 

YankeeFan224:

 

Since you have chosen to Live with this Woman prior to Holy Matrimony, that it is your personal choice.., do make sure you have a good Prenuptual reviewed by legal opinions prior to your Legal Wedding Date.

[ekerr19]

However, I do want to comment on the passengers as well. DH and I are native NYers in our early 30s. Our families are from all five boroughs and the surrounding areas and most of our family members are over 60 years old. We have no issue with anyone's age (from 1-99). But we struggled with much of the same feelings you describe when we first got off the maiden voyage of Noordam.

 

We were cut off in line multiple times (I started to joke with DH that we must be invisible to others since so many people were pushing past us in the embarkation line). This continued through the whole cruise including any area where lines formed (Lido deck at lunch time, waiting to go into dinner or a show).

 

In general, society is becoming more and more rude and people care less and less about other people's feelings. Most of the rude behavior was simply self centered. There was a single minded focus on getting what they needed whether you were standing there or not. I'm willing to bet that if I was on a cruise of 20 somethings and we experienced the same rudeness, we would be complaining about those dam young people! ;)

 

FallBride -

 

Thanks for posting on this thread - I know we talked about this while onboard, when my DH & I thought it was just all the New Yorkers, remember, lol!

 

The reality is that our society has no patience for waiting anymore - we all "want it now" and the need to be "first" or "special" and "the heck with everyone else" is commonplace.

 

I found myself impatient more than a time or two on that cruise as well - people continually pushing elevator buttons for the wrong floors, and by the 9th day of the cruise - still not knowing which end of the ship contained the diningroom, or which deck the Lido was on - well, it did get a bit old for me. I am grateful though, one day that will probably be me!

 

Anyway, I thought many of your comments hit home (especially regarding this cruise) and while we've found that some cruises are better than others when it comes to passenger demographics, we still manage to have a great time regardless.

 

I did get an email from a friend we met onboard who told me that she heard from someone that stayed aboard for the cruise after ours and did not enjoy it nearly as well - sadly, it sounds like the 3/4 cruise wasn't as much fun.

[YankeesFan224]

Cant wait to see the reviews of the people who come back from the 3/15 sailing. They should be at sea on the way home now.

[celmed]

Since you have chosen to Live with this Woman prior to Holy Matrimony, that it is your personal choice.., do make sure you have a good Prenuptual reviewed by legal opinions prior to your Legal Wedding Date.

 

Be careful, AAAAmerican. Some could be insulted by your implications there.