Noordam - what not to miss

[lynn247]

We've been on 2 Celebrity cruises to Bermuda, 2 Carnival Legend cruises, and 2 Crown Princess cruises. I feel like "I've been there, done that" and now it's time for a change. ;) We are considering a last minute cruise on the Noordam.

 

I know my way around the ships I've been on before, but I know little about the Noordam other than that everyone seems to love their time on her.

 

I want to know What one thing we should not miss doing, what is the one food item not to miss tasting, How about that one fancy drink that I just just must have.

 

Will the slots in the casino let me play for a while before it takes ALL my money? I swear I lost $50 in less than 10 minutes on the Crown Princess this past summer.:eek: No fun at all!!!

 

Where and when can you buy the 10 or 20 glass wine card or cocktail card? Is there a drink of the day?

 

Can you check your charges on the TV as you can on Carnival, how about the dining room menu, Can you see that on the TV also?

 

Is complimentary cappuccino or expresso offered in the dining room after dinner? Should you make reservations for the Pinnacle Grill as soon as we get on or can we wait? Is there a fee for coffee and pastries in the Explorations Café?

 

I know I have lots of questions, but since she is leaving NYC forever, :( I feel I must know as much about her as I can. I won't get a chance next year to do all those things I missed this year.

[jtl513]

I'll take a few of these questions:

 

Definitely find the bread pudding at lunch! A drink called a Wang-Wang is notorious, although I confess I have yet to try one. There's about 8 kinds of booze in it!

 

My DW seems to do pretty well on the slots, and on 2 cruises has actually come out ahead! I don't play them.

 

You can buy the wine cards at any bar, or in the dining room, or most likely in the terminal waiting room. I used to tell people to buy it where you would use it most, to get the best service, but I've since learned that the 15% service charge is pooled, with all of the bar staff sharing, so I guess it really doesn't make much difference where you buy it. There are "drinks of the day" but I never buy them, and can't tell you anything about them.

 

No "interactive TV" for your running bill, menus, or anything else. :(

 

Complimentary cappuccino or expresso is offered in the dining room after dinner. Explorations Cafe coffee is not free, but pastries to go with it are. We think the coffee cards are a good deal if you drink at least one coffee conconction per day.

 

Pinnacle Grill reservations need not be done immediately upon boarding but I wouldn't wait until the next day. If you're interested in a cooking class, you should sign up for that ASAP after boarding ... before you go to lunch even!

 

I guess I was able to answer more than I thought I could! :)

 

P.S. The Noordam is my FAVORITE ship so far! :D

[lynn247]

I'll take a few of these questions:

 

Definitely find the bread pudding at lunch! A drink called a Wang-Wang is notorious, although I confess I have yet to try one.

 

My DW seems to do pretty well on the slots, and on 2 cruises has actually come out ahead! I don't play them.

 

You can buy the wine cards at any bar, or in the dining room, or most likely in the terminal waiting room. I used to tell people to buy it where you would use it most, to get the best service, but I've since learned that the 15% service charge is pooled, with all of the bar staff sharing, so I guess it really doesn't make much difference where you buy it. There are "drinks of the day" but I never buy them, and can't tell you anything.

 

No "interactive TV" for your running bill, menus, or anything else. :(

 

Complimentary cappuccino or expresso is offered in the dining room after dinner. Explorations Cafe coffee is not free, but pastries to go with it are. We think the "coffee cards" are a good deal if you drink at least one coffee conconction per day.

 

Pinnacle Grill reservations need not be done "immediately" upon boarding but I wouldn't wait until the next day. If you're interested in a cooking class, you should sign up for that ASAP after boarding ... before you go to lunch even!

 

I guess I was able to answer more than I thought I could! :)

 

P.S. The Noordam is my FAVORITE ship so far! :D

 

 

Your answers were great, thanks, but I have one more concerning the coffee card. Is the coffee card punched for regular coffee in the Cafe or only for specialty coffees?

 

Cooking Classes??? :rolleyes: Sounds interesting. Where do you sign up for them?

 

Again, thanks.

[mamaofami]

cooking classes, front desk, immediately!:)

 

Take the ipod tour of the art. You can et an ipod at the front desk. I didn't do it last year, but will this year.

 

Relax and just take in the beauty of the ship. Stop and smell the ocean.

[jtl513]

Your answers were great, thanks, but I have one more concerning the coffee card. Is the coffee card punched for regular coffee in the Cafe or only for specialty coffees?

 

Cooking Classes??? :rolleyes: Sounds interesting. Where do you sign up for them?

 

Again, thanks.

I believe the coffee card is punched for just straight coffee at the Ex Cafe ... so if that's all you're getting, I would just charge it to the room and keep the punches for the more expensive options.

 

Twice a week (usually) cooking classes are offered for a max of 12 people each. That's why I said sign up ASAP ... the 24 slots go quickly. They are $29 pp, and you sign up at the front desk. Usually two dishes are prepared at each class - a main entree for one thing, and the second is either a side dish, salad, or dessert. (The front desk will have the menus available to view when you sign up.) The class my DW and DD took they made "Lamb Steaks with Milk, Honey, and Cumin Marmelade" and a Chayote salad. Depending on the chef giving it (usually one from the Pinnacle Grill) it may be a lot of "hands on" or it may be mostly a close-up demo. They are given in the Queen's Lounge/Culinary Arts Center, and spectators/papparazzi are welcome! Most people thoroughly enjoy them, because the chefs usually have great personalities and enjoy doing them. They run a least an hour, and sometimes 15 or 20 minutes more.

 

Even if you don't sign up for the classes, there are free demos given at least twice per week where two items are prepared, and again it is usually one entree and one salad/side/dessert. Or soup! We've been to a couple where cold berry soups were made. That's another thing to definitely try in try in the dining room when offered. :)

[Canne12]

If you have a NYC departure- wait until you are at sea to purchase your drink cards (so you don't have to pay NY state taxes)

 

and I *always* got the drink of the day- it's how I got my nickname "Lemon Drop" (from Velma- is she still on board?) There are a few specials to chose from each day- the prices are good in comparison with other mixed drinks.

 

My favorite spot is the Promenade deck (a gorgeous teak deck, classic lounge chairs, gorgeous views (from 3 sides of the ship), it is also the walking track (I loved walking it and seeing the views). It's a quiet deck with areas of shade. Perfect for reading and daydreaming :)

[innlady1]

The Champagne Strings in the Explorer's Lounge are very good...we often stopped there to hear them after dinner in the evening.

 

Somehow we missed the Piano Bar...Ruth and others here have always raved about Kory Simon, the pianist.

 

I'm not sure, but don't think he's still on the Noordam...if he is, I'm not going to miss him this time.

 

The coffee cards for the Explorations Cafe are definitely worth it...as is the Explorations Cafe itself...the book selection is wonderful!

 

I love walking the Promenade Deck...three laps is a mile.

[Wilbo]

Take the tour of the Kitchen and the ship storage area.

[sixbirches]

I totally agree with everything already mentioned. I also really enjoyed curling up with a book in the Explorations Cafe for a few hours on a sea day. What a gorgeous library...

You are smart to go on the Noordam while its still in NYC. I am so disappointed that it is moving.

[innlady1]

I totally agree with everything already mentioned. I also really enjoyed curling up with a book in the Explorations Cafe for a few hours on a sea day. What a gorgeous library...

You are smart to go on the Noordam while its still in NYC.

 

I am so disappointed that it is moving.

 

So are we, sixbirches. :(