Middle-Aged Mom Sails Solo (Sort Of)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Just got back from Lisa and Tom LaffnVegas' Noordam cruise to Alaska, June 17-24. I came along for the ride;) . We had a very nice group of ladies on our roll-call, who were on the cruise to attend a Sylvia Browne conference. (Sylvia Browne is a psychic.) We had a chance to meet each other at our sailaway party, which everyone attended!

 

It was an excellent cruise:)

 

The Ship's Crew (or some of them, for those who want to know):

 

Commander - Captain John Scott, his last voyage of his current contract. Captain Hans Mateboer is now commanding the Noordam, while Captain Scott enjoys a well-earned vacation.

 

Hotel Manager - Rene Tuinman, who recently joined the Noordam from the Westerdam, I believe. He seems a very pleasant, nice young Dutchman. (Remember that as I am a rapidly aging middle-aged mom, most of the ship's officers look like young men to me.)

 

Cruise Director - Drew Murdock

Chief Officer - Chris Norman

Guest Relations Manager - Judy Shepheard

Maitre d' Hotel - Tjitradjaja Pudja (try to say that one three times fast)

 

I had table 61, traditional seating at 5:30 pm, with Lisa and Tom. Table 61 is a table for 6 on the upper level of the Vista dining room, middle aft, near a window.

 

I can't comment on the Anytime Dining situation at all, as I didn't experience it. I requested fixed seating when I booked the cruise, and I didn't change my decision, based on the fact that I was travelling solo.

 

Food and service in the Vista dining room were excellent, and our dinners progressed smoothly and flawlessly, with no gaps in the presentation of each course. We had an obviously experienced team, Gede and Rofi, with Dadang as the head dining steward for our section. I thought the food was very good, others may differ. The Noordam galley produces some 12,000 meals a day, and I think that Executive Chef Rene Rojas Olea does an outstanding job.

 

I booked cabin 5191, an aft SC category cabin on the starboard side. This ensured that I did a LOT of walking throughout the cruise:) Very nice, and when I did sleep, I slept like a baby. The nights were very short, with sunrise taking place around 4 am, as we experienced the Summer Solstice in Alaska.

 

The weather and sea conditions were remarkably smooth and pleasant for our voyage, with spectacular sunny skies in both Glacier Bay and Ketchikan.

 

I interrupt this soliloquy to provide breakfast to my youngest daughter, and to attend to some domestic duties. I shall return...............

 

Karin

[mamaofami]

Hi Karin,

 

Glad you had a good cruise and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your report here.

 

We've booked 5186 on the Noordam for February and I wondered how deep the aft part of the balcony is? Is it totally covered or only partially?

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Hi Karin,

 

Glad you had a good cruise and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of your report here.

 

We've booked 5186 on the Noordam for February and I wondered how deep the aft part of the balcony is? Is it totally covered or only partially?

 

Oh gosh, I'm terrible at estimating distances. It's certainly deeper than the non-aft cabins, although I understand not as deep as the Oosterdam aft verandahs. I'm sure you will enjoy the extra space. We managed to fit all of the people on our roll call (about ten of us) just on the aft verandah portion of cabin 5191, not including the side. So you could probably have a small group gathering on your aft 5186 verandah.

 

The aft verandahs are partially covered.

 

Karin

[mamaofami]

Thanks, Karin. That's great info. I can't wait for February! :)

[MercedMike]

... We had a very nice group of ladies on our roll-call, who were on the cruise to attend a Sylvia Browne conference. (Sylvia Browne is a psychic.) We had a chance to meet each other at our sailaway party, which everyone attended!:)

 

But of course, Sylvia already KNEW all your names and didn't have to be introduced, right?

 

Or did she say, "Wait, I see an A .... um, no, maybe it's a J .... or is it a B?? C? Oh, it's a K, isn't it!"

 

>:-)

 

Thanks for the report. Glad you had a GREAT time. But ... I already knew you would ...;)

[localady]

Karin-

Sound like you all had a fabulous trip!!

Sure looking forward to the Mex Riviera version of the trip next February!!:D :D

[Tinknock50]

Karin,

 

Happy to hear you thouroughly enjoyed your cruise.:)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

For those of you who may be interested, here is info regarding the entertainment:

 

Meryll and the HAL Cats performed at various venues, including the Lido, the Crow's Nest, and they also accompanied some of the guest artists in the Vista show lounge.

 

Bruce Kleinberg played piano in the Crow's Nest during the evening hours, sometimes the entire evening, sometimes prior to the HAL Cats.

 

The Sean Bell trio played live dance/jazz music in the Ocean Bar in the evening.

 

Alland Sitar was the resident piano man in the Piano Bar in the late evenings.

 

The Lakatos Strings was a male trio that played classical music in the Explorer's Lounge, and also provided music for the Dessert Extravaganza and the Suite Cocktail Reception in the Neptune Lounge.

 

DJ Jazzy worked the Northern Lights Disco, and occasionally the Crow's Nest as well.

 

So, there was plenty of live music in various venues on the ship.

 

In the Vista Show Lounge, the Singers and Dancers of the Noordam presented four different shows: Ballroom Blitz, If Walls Could Rock, Broadway Moves to Vista, and That's Vegas. We also had magician Jason Latimer, concert pianist Howard Hill, and Julie Barr, comedienne. Julie Barr did two routines: a general audience show on the first evening, and an adults-only routine later in the cruise. Of course, the final evening we had the ever-popular Superstar Finals.

 

I didn't get to sample all the musicians and entertainers on the Noordam, but I will say that those performances which I attended, I enjoyed. I am easy to please in the entertainment department, and I certainly think the professional caliber of the various artists on board is a high one.

 

Back with more in a moment........

 

 

Karin

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Onboard demographics:

 

There were close to 200 children/teens on our cruise between the ages of 3-17. There were also a large number of young college-aged adults, and a fair sampling of babies/toddlers. This was a very young demographic, as Lisa has pointed out on her thread, and a very well-behaved one. If there was hanky-panky and misbehavior going on, I was oblivious to it. There were quite a few multi-generaltional, extended family groups, which one would expect on a shorter itinerary this time of year......

 

I saw a contingent of young teens/adults in tux and formal gowns on one of the formal nights. The passengers on the cruise were overall a very well-dressed group. I attended a cocktail reception in the Neptune Lounge the evening of our departure, and compared to the other pax there, I was the poorly dressed one.:eek:

 

There was one large group onboard with us, the Sylvia Browne group, comprised of more than 500 members. They had their conferences in the Vista show lounge, and if I understand correctly, they dined at the late dinner seating, but they had open seating within their group, because of their size. They used the Crow's Nest for a private cocktail party at sailway from Juneau for forty-five minutes. They impacted our cruise very minimally to not at all.

 

Let me repeat that: The large group on our cruise impacted us minimally to not at all. If it weren't for Cruise Critic, and the information disseminated here, I would never have been aware of their presence, unless I happened to engage in conversation with one of their attendees. As I have reported before, there were several folks attending the Sylvia Browne conference who were on our roll-call, and they were so friendly and pleasant. It was a pleasure to meet them.

 

Although I embarked the Noordam by myself, I wouldn't call this itinerary a solo cruise, thanks to Lisa and Tom. They couldn't have been nicer to me. They included me in so many ways during our cruise together, and made me feel like a third musketeer instead of a third wheel. So thank you, Lisa and Tom LaffnVegas!:)

 

Karin

[boatlover]

Thanks for the report. Was this your 1st solo cruise? I am getting to the point with our family schedule that solo might be my only chance at cruising. We have 2 small kids with a genetic disorder that requires an extra level of care so it is hard for my husband and I to get away. We can depend on my parents some (they love the opportunity) but it just doesn't always work out. I have cruised with friends but with their professional and family obligations it can be a challenge coordinating that as well. When my husband first suggested I go on my own instead of missing the opportunity all together, I thought he was nuts. But now as life has gotten even more hectic, at times being alone for a week sounds quite appealing. Any thoughts?

[Solo Cruiser]

As you will probably conclude from my screen name, I say GO FOR IT!! While I don't have young children any more (well ok they are in their 30s, that's young right??) I think back to that time and if I could have had a week on my own it would have been a treasured trip.

 

Karin it seems you had the best of both worlds, the cabin to yourself and wonderful friends to cruise with. I'm so happy you had a great time and are home safe and sound.

[caviargal]

I booked cabin 5191, an aft SC category cabin on the starboard side. This ensured that I did a LOT of walking throughout the cruise:) Very nice, and when I did sleep, I slept like a baby. The nights were very short, with sunrise taking place around 4 am, as we experienced the Summer Solstice in Alaska.

 

Karin, glad you enjoyed the Noordam. We were aboard last month and had a wonderful trip.

 

I am curious about your cabin. We were in an SB, 8147 corner, and felt a lot of vibration and movement, more so than on other Vistas in the same class.

 

How was this on 5191? I am considering a switch to a lower deck as I have 8147 booked again for next June.

 

Thanks!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Thanks for the report. Was this your 1st solo cruise? I am getting to the point with our family schedule that solo might be my only chance at cruising. We have 2 small kids with a genetic disorder that requires an extra level of care so it is hard for my husband and I to get away. We can depend on my parents some (they love the opportunity) but it just doesn't always work out. I have cruised with friends but with their professional and family obligations it can be a challenge coordinating that as well. When my husband first suggested I go on my own instead of missing the opportunity all together, I thought he was nuts. But now as life has gotten even more hectic, at times being alone for a week sounds quite appealing. Any thoughts?

 

 

Hi Boatlover:

 

Yes, this was my first solo cruise, and I have to say, although it may sound a little shocking, that it was my best one so far. I thoroughly enjoyed being by myself, but then I am one who enjoys my own company. It was very nice not to have to be constantly concerned whether or not the rest of my family was having a good time. My husband and teen daughter have learned that they don't like to cruise. My youngest daughter basically likes to socialize with the other children at Club HAL and go to the beach or splash at the pool, activities which she can do just as well while not spending money on a cruise. I would have taken my youngest along with me had she expressed any desire to do so, but she prefers the warm weather activities of a Caribbean cruise, and turned me down.

 

By being a solo traveller, I could follow my own selfish inclinations; I could be sociable when I wished, alone when I preferred, and I was responsible only for myself. There are so many interesting activities going on daily on a cruise, and opportunities to socialize with others, that loneliness was certainly never a factor for me. Tom and Lisa LaffnVegas also graciously included me in many aspects of their cruise, and we met up with each other daily. We also had a small roll-call going for our cruise prior to departure, and we all got together to celebrate our sailaway from Seattle. In addition, I had booked my cruise as part of a travel agency group, which included a group escort, a welcome cocktail party, and a group excursion in Juneau. So while I would classify myself as a "solo" cruiser, I was hardly a "solitary" one.

 

Ultimately, I was gone only seven days, which didn't put an undue burden on anyone. In fact, I have booked another solo 7-day cruise on the Oosterdam to the Mexican Riviera for next February. If family circumstances permit, and your husband encourages you to go, then I would definitely recommend a solo cruise as a very attractive, viable option.

 

Karin

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Karin, glad you enjoyed the Noordam. We were aboard last month and had a wonderful trip.

 

I am curious about your cabin. We were in an SB, 8147 corner, and felt a lot of vibration and movement, more so than on other Vistas in the same class.

 

How was this on 5191? I am considering a switch to a lower deck as I have 8147 booked again for next June.

 

Thanks!

 

There is always some movement, noise and vibration on a moving ship, of course, but I slept quite soundly in cabin 5191 (although with the long daylight hours due to the summer solstice, I found myself not needing as much sleep as normal). I find the movement of a ship at sea very soothing and relaxing for sleeping. We had very calm seas during the entire itinerary, so that was obviously a contributing factor to the smoothness of the ride. I loved cabin 5191, (duh, what's not to like, right?), and I would recommend this cabin if you don't mind having to hike a bit to get to the public areas and the Neptune Lounge.

 

Karin

[SDHALFAN]

Welcome home Karin, and I am so glad that you had a great time. Solo cruising is not too bad is it? I feel as you do in that I enjoy my own company (as long as I have a good book to read or a DVD movie I've been dying to watch), and I also enjoy the fact that I am responsible only for myself and can be sociable when I wish and alone when I wish.

 

You have me wondering about the Maitre d'Hotel aboard the Noordam - I wonder if it is my old friend Citra (pronounced Cheetra so it sounds as though it may be him). I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering where he might be. If it is indeed him then the promotion is well-deserved since Citra Pudja is a charming young man and totally dedicated to the comfort of "his" diners.

 

Is your travel agency by any chance a "specialists" agency? Mine is and I have a couple of upcoming cruises booked with them. In fact I just received an e-mail from them regarding another cruiseline that looks interesting and I'm about to check out their boards.

 

Once again, welcome home and I'll see you in February, although of course I'll be "chatting" with you before that.

 

Valerie:)

[wizard-of-roz]

Karin: Your writing is so, so easy and enjoyable to read. I'm so curious about this "solo" cruising thing.

My DH may not be able to join me as often as I'd like to cruise. And, I'd like to think that their are other options.

Can you give me an idea on the cost. Is it really so much more expensive to travel solo? I've heard some horror stories on the costs.

I'm so glad to hear that your cruise was an enjoyable one and welcome back!

[arzz]

Thanks so much for posting your comments! I can really understand at times what the allure of a solo cruise might be! One of my better cruises was a couple of years ago when I cruised with a couple of girl friends and we left the guys and kids at home. (Not to cast any negative vibes on DH -- I do really enjoy traveling with him also.)

 

Middle aged Mom -- thanks again!

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Welcome home Karin, and I am so glad that you had a great time. Solo cruising is not too bad is it? I feel as you do in that I enjoy my own company (as long as I have a good book to read or a DVD movie I've been dying to watch), and I also enjoy the fact that I am responsible only for myself and can be sociable when I wish and alone when I wish.

 

You have me wondering about the Maitre d'Hotel aboard the Noordam - I wonder if it is my old friend Citra (pronounced Cheetra so it sounds as though it may be him). I was just thinking about him the other day and wondering where he might be. If it is indeed him then the promotion is well-deserved since Citra Pudja is a charming young man and totally dedicated to the comfort of "his" diners.

 

Is your travel agency by any chance a "specialists" agency? Mine is and I have a couple of upcoming cruises booked with them. In fact I just received an e-mail from them regarding another cruiseline that looks interesting and I'm about to check out their boards.

 

Once again, welcome home and I'll see you in February, although of course I'll be "chatting" with you before that.

 

Valerie:)

 

Valerie:

 

I'm very much looking forward to our "Yum Yum Man" cruise. I think there will be several of us on that cruise who will be solo, but certainly not alone:)

 

I'm afraid I can't tell you anything about the Maitre d' Hotel on Noordam, as I never actually met him. It seems the Maitre d' Hotel is someone you only see when there are problems with your table, and as I've never had any problems, the Maitre d's are an unknown aspect of the HAL experience to me.;)

 

The cruise agency group with whom I booked is not affiliated with the specialists in Seattle, but part of a much larger corporation that owns Regent cruise lines, among other things.

 

Karin

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Karin: Your writing is so, so easy and enjoyable to read. I'm so curious about this "solo" cruising thing.

 

My DH may not be able to join me as often as I'd like to cruise. And, I'd like to think that their are other options.

 

Can you give me an idea on the cost. Is it really so much more expensive to travel solo? I've heard some horror stories on the costs.

 

I'm so glad to hear that your cruise was an enjoyable one and welcome back!

 

Roz, I think solo cabins are relatively inexpensive on HAL compared to other lines, especially if you book insides/outsides. I booked a Deluxe Verandah Suite, SC category, so maybe not so much savings there. I have to confess that my spending habits are notoriously profligate, and I'm really not the one to ask about prices. Hammybee would be a good one to ask, or Lisa LaffnVegas.

 

If you join us on the Oosterdam February "Yum Yum Man" cruise, you might be able to find a reasonable package on a cabin, as we are working with a TA who is putting together some group rates. Check with LaffnVegas.

 

Would love to have you join us, if possible:)

 

Karin

[RuthC]

Welcome home, Karin. :) Glad that you enjoyed sailing solo. It can be so nice, eh?

Thanks for the report on your cruise, and especially for mentioning the entertainers. Any comments on how it was in the Piano Bar? You know I always like to add names with a positive review to the list. ;)

[Old As Dirt Mom]

Welcome home, Karin. :) Glad that you enjoyed sailing solo. It can be so nice, eh?

 

Thanks for the report on your cruise, and especially for mentioning the entertainers. Any comments on how it was in the Piano Bar? You know I always like to add names with a positive review to the list. ;)

 

Hi Ruth; I'm ashamed to admit that I didn't frequent the Piano Bar, but the Ocean Bar:o, so I don't have an answer for you. I'm very sorry. Maybe someone from our roll call will have an answer for you; I'll ask and if I learn anything, I'll let you know.

 

I'm glad Ruth C posted, Roz; because she and and SDHalfan always travel solo, so they would be good cruisers to ask about HAL's solo rates.

 

Karin

[Old As Dirt Mom]

The Indonesian Crew Show was a real highlight of our cruise for me. This is the show put on by the Indonesian crew, all amateur, rehearsed when they are done with their duties, and produced with great good will, energy, humor, and talent. The show takes place usually fairly late in the evening, after the late dinner seating.

 

We had the immense pleasure of watching some traditional Indonesian dances from the different islands of the Indonesian Archipelago, with the dancers in magnificent costume. We also had a wonderful Elvis rendition of "It's Now or Never". My favorite was the Thousand Hands Dance, a series of clever and hilarious maneuvers all done with hands, choreographed by one of the dining room stewards. We enjoyed a yodelling cowboy song, Indonesian style, performed for us by one of the Quartermasters (ship's tenders operators). And finally, the Angklung Bamboo Orchestra. It was beautifully done. The MC, dining room head steward Made, was hilarious. The audience was very enthusiastic, with different groups of passengers cheering on their own particular dining room or cabin stewards. One group had even made signs with the name of their favorite dining room steward, and waved them with gusto every time they spotted him.

 

It was a heck of a lot of fun:) (The Filipino staff alternate performances with the Indonesian staff, so each cruise will have either one group or the other performing for the passengers).

 

Karin

[hammybee]

[/color]

Can you give me an idea on the cost. Is it really so much more expensive to travel solo?

 

Generally speaking, the single suppliments on HAL tend to be better than most mass marketed cruise lines. On a 7 day sail, there is about a 50% single suppliment for a solo sailing in inside or outside cabin. Veranda and suite cabins tend to run double the per person charge. In other words, in the higher grade cabins, one pays for two. Of course, solos only pay one port charge and tax.

 

All of this is subject to supply and demand. Sometime the solo suppliment is less and sometimes more. Occasionally, there are a few sails that do not have a suppliment and clearly HAL is doing everything it can to fill each cabin.

[Golfette]

Karin, thanks for your review. I'm excited to learn you had aft cabin 5186. We're 1st time HAL cruisers on Oosterdam 12/8 & we have aft cabin 5186. You say the Oosterdam version of the veranda is larger. Is that because of the Noordam recent retrofit? What is the actual cabin like? I've seen a few pictures, but hearing it from the (excuse me) "horse's mouth" will be exciting.:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome home middle-aged-mom. Will read everything when I get a chance.