Live from the Noordam 14 day Alaska cruise

[tupper10]

Hello to all from beautiful Vancouver.   We arrived here on  Friday night after a long flight from FLL with a connection in LAX.  We made our 2nd flight by only a few minutes - luckily the gates were next to each other.   Our hotel here is beautiful,  it is called L'Hermitage.  All the hotels were so expensive so we decided to splurge a bit and get a suite for not much more than a basic room.   This hotel is centrally located, walking distance to anything you could want and a 2 minute walk to Tim Horton's. We have a one bedroom with a full kitchen, washer/dryer, and a balcony which overlooks the courtyard and a beautiful pool and hot tub.  I could live here.   

 

We board the ship this morning.  We have an early boarding time but it should be a zoo at the port since I think there are 5 ships here this morning.  We are prepared with our books to read as we wait in huge lines. I am going to wear a mask, as I did on the plane since it seems Covid is rearing its ugly head again. So far the weather forecast for Alaska is for rain every day- but hopefully we will have some clear skies.  It is our 4th time to Alaska but Kodiak and Valdez are new for us. I will try to post here every day about our travels. 

[KruisinKath]

Have a great trip!

[rwmiller]

We are on the same cruise. Made it through all the lines in 45 minutes and are now (10:40) waiting for the ship to open for boarding. Lines were reasonable when we started at 9:40. Looking forward to a relaxing cruise. 
 

Bob

[Roz]

I'm posting from the bus hurtling towards the border.  The check in process at SeaTac this morning was confusing and poorly signed.  My flight getting into Seattle last night was almost 2 hours late.  I'm angry and exhausted.  Bracing myself for the chaos at Canada Place.  Not a good start to a cruise I was looking forward to. 

[oaktreerb]

Following.  I have been looking at this cruise for 2025, connecting to a repositioning cruise to San Diego.  (we’ve done the 14 day itinerary but not this late in the season). The weather this time of year concerns me but we have had bad weather in late May, too.  I’m sure you will let us know if you see the Northern Lights.  There is some concern about rough seas in the Gulf of Alaska.  Are most of the local shops still open?   

 

Noordam is a great ship for Alaska.  You’ll all have  a great adventure!

[Bay2Beach]

We did this cruise last September and the weather was spectacular!  Not a drop of rain and beautiful skies.  The temperatures were cool but pleasant.  It’s a hit or miss this time of year with the weather. Unfortunately, we didn’t see the Northern Lights.  Shops were open but getting ready to close for the season so there were lots of deals to be had. We’re going again in 2025 and are debating between May or September but since we live in Florida, we need a break from the heat in September so that’s when we’ll probably go.  I have to say, this was our favorite cruise not only for scenery and activities but for traveling with wonderful fellow passengers.  We interacted with so many people and that doesn’t always happen. We really enjoyed ourselves on this 14 day cruise!

Edited September 17, 2023 by Bay2Beach
Added travel month

[canadianbear]

3 hours ago, Roz said:

I'm posting from the bus hurtling towards the border.  The check in process at SeaTac this morning was confusing and poorly signed.  My flight getting into Seattle last night was almost 2 hours late.  I'm angry and exhausted.  Bracing myself for the chaos at Canada Place.  Not a good start to a cruise I was looking forward to. 

Oh Roz, that isn’t good at all.  I hope you make it and no line up at Canada Place once you arrive.

 

Have a wonderful time to all going on this great itinerary!

Edited September 17, 2023 by canadianbear

[SilvertoGold]

Tupper10: this is a wonderful cruise, on a lovely ship! Enjoy and know that many will be grateful to be able to follow along

 

 

[bluesplayer]

Following along..  we will be on the Noordam from Alaska to Japan in 2024.   Do they have a gallery bar near the casino?  We really enjoyed the atmosphere on the Oosterdam.  I have heard that on this ship the area is for the crew?  Wanted to confirm.  Thank you for your research..  Have a wonderful cruise!!  

[sciencewonk]

9 hours ago, tupper10 said:

This hotel is centrally located, walking distance to anything you could want and a 2 minute walk to Tim Horton's.

 

I think everything in Canadian cities is a 2 minute walk to Tim Horton's!  Enjoy your cruise.  We loved Noordam when we were on it.

[RD64]

1 hour ago, sciencewonk said:

I think everything in Canadian cities is a 2 minute walk to Tim Horton's!  Enjoy your cruise.  We loved Noordam when we were on it.

In some cities it can be a lot closer than two minutes - that being said, the line to be served will generally take a lot longer.

 

Enjoy the Noordam - just spent August 6th to 20th onboard, and booked for next summer - August 4th.

[MisterMatthew]

Tupper10..

 

Enjoy your cruise.  I will do my best to follow along.  The Noordam is a ship i have not yet been on.  So, i am eager to hear your thoughts.  Enjoy!

[dchip]

Enjoy your cruise!!! I’ll be following along. We are booking the 9/15/24 cruise. Love the itinerary. Kodiak is small but lovely. We did a HAL excursion in Valdez. This was a 21 day cruise round trip San Francisco, our home port.

Denise

[tupper10]

On our way. Check in was fine it took about 1 hour from arrival to boarding .  Crew has been wonderful.   The captain told us we are going a different way to Kodiak due to storms and tomorrow we will be rocking and rolling. Ladies were told no heels and we should hold on to the bannisters.  Dinner was nice and now just relaxing. We gain 1 hour tonight.  

[MisterMatthew]

2 minutes ago, tupper10 said:

On our way. Check in was fine it took about 1 hour from arrival to boarding .  Crew has been wonderful.   The captain told us we are going a different way to Kodiak due to storms and tomorrow we will be rocking and rolling. Ladies were told no heels and we should hold on to the bannisters.  Dinner was nice and now just relaxing. We gain 1 hour tonight.  

You're off to a nice start.  Sleep well.

 

Are you mid-ship?  I havent really had any majorly rough waters in my cruise history.  But booked mid ship just in case.

 

---Matthew

[tupper10]

3 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

You're off to a nice start.  Sleep well.

 

Are you mid-ship?  I havent really had any majorly rough waters in my cruise history.  But booked mid ship just in case.

 

---Matthew

No we are in the aft section. I can’t do forward but aft is usually fine.  

[tupper10]

5 hours ago, bluesplayer said:

Following along..  we will be on the Noordam from Alaska to Japan in 2024.   Do they have a gallery bar near the casino?  We really enjoyed the atmosphere on the Oosterdam.  I have heard that on this ship the area is for the crew?  Wanted to confirm.  Thank you for your research..  Have a wonderful cruise!!  

I checked this out for you and yes there is a bar right by the casino. 

[Kiwifan56]

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. 

[SwissMyst]

10am. Check in. On board 11:45. Cabin ready 12:15.

 

Thermal spa excellent. All six ceramic loungers working.  Pinnacle restaurant one of the best so far.

 

Waves and weather looking grim for next two days. Today smooth sailing, very pleasant. Some fall color changes.

 

 

 

 

 

[SilvertoGold]

9 hours ago, tupper10 said:

I checked this out for you and yes there is a bar right by the casino. 

Is the area immediately besides the Casino bar (towards aft) open now?

Edited September 18, 2023 by SilvertoGold

[tupper10]

1 hour ago, SilvertoGold said:

Is the area immediately besides the Casino bar (towards aft) open now?

Sorry I don’t know it is only 7:30 am.  The ship is rocking and rolling letting you know we are at sea. Lots of people walking the promenade deck with jackets and hats on.  The weather is now partly cloudy and cool as we start the inner passage.  We are relaxing on deck 3 waiting for the main dining room to open. Tonight is a dressy night.  

[SilvertoGold]

2 minutes ago, tupper10 said:

Sorry I don’t know it is only 7:30 am.  The ship is rocking and rolling letting you know we are at sea. Lots of people walking the promenade deck with jackets and hats on.  The weather is now partly cloudy and cool as we start the inner passage.  We are relaxing on deck 3 waiting for the main dining room to open. Tonight is a dressy night.  

Enjoy your day, fantastic views and you may see a bit of wildlife! Thanks for all your posts: all is fun to read and informative!

[julia]

@tupper10  We stayed at the L'Hermitage last year and really loved it... beautiful hotel!  Enjoy the Noordam... great ship, great crew!

[Hogladyrider]

@tupper10  how are the seas today?

[tupper10]

5 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@tupper10  how are the seas today?

As I lay here with my toast and crackers we were really moving this morning but now better. My DH is fine and just went for lunch.  Tonight is supposed to be quite the ride. Captain just told us to secure everything in our cabins and no high heels for us tonight. I will be taking my Dramamine. I  already took my ginger.  My steward told me I am not alone with my woes today.  Tomorrow after 10 AM the ride is supposed to be over.