Noordam
View Ship Itineraries
82,000-tons
951 feet in length
1,848 passengers
Netherlands registry
Dutch officers
Indonesian and Filipino crew
Enters service: February 22, 2006
Best for People Who Want
Those seeking traditional service and décor; a refined, low-key ambience who recognize attention to detail and elegance without stuffiness.
Should Be Avoided by People Seeking
High energy nightlife, a busy casino and busy cocktail lounges after dinner. This isn't a recommended ship for families.
Onboard Experience
For those of you who haven't sailed with Holland America, you will be pleasantly surprised at the line's success with matching old-time tradition and elegance with new and modern features, both in hardware and software. Noordam manages to deliver a high quality of service in a beautiful environment with great attention to detail. Holland America recently launched an upgrade of special features, cabin amenities and on-board activities. The "Signature of Excellence" program retains the best features of this famous cruise line while while offering enhanced features. The new Noordam is much larger than her older namesake that was recently retired by Holland America. But even with its much larger size, you never feel as if you are on a large ship. Indeed, the designers managed to incorporate very warm and cozy public areas that feel like a private club or lounge. The only exception is the casino, which is larger than on previous Holland America ships and a bit more ostentatious in décor (a reflection of the parent company, Carnival Corporation). If you want to read a book and enjoy a lazy day, there are a great number of cozy spots both inside and on the open decks of the Noordam to enjoy a day away from it all. Service staff is always warm and close by, but never intrusive on your privacy. In 2007, Holland America changed its dining policy so that passengers may choose the traditional two-seating, assigned plan or opt to dine when and with whom you please. Those who prefer assigned seating will dine on the main floor of the dining room while open seating passengers will be seated on the second level. Décor
One is struck by the décor of the Noordam throughout the vessel. This is not a ship with a lot of flashing neon lights or gaudy modern and contemporary art. Rather, you will find magnificent art and antiques at every turn. As you walk through the Noordam, you are presented with some of the most magnificent antique collections (with an emphasis on Asian and Dutch art) to be found anywhere. At each turn you'll find yourself stopping to admire these beautiful works. Throughout this is subdued ship with wood verneer, soft-colored fabrics and carpets and cozy seating in lounges.
Public Rooms
The Show Lounge is attractively laid out and offers tiered seating both upstairs and downstairs. Sightlines are excellent from almost all of the seats, and the theater is large enough to accommodate the entire ship in two seatings. The larger-than-usual (for Holland America) casino also has a new feature, being combined with a sports bar with large screen televisions to watch the games. The popular Crow's Nest, a Holland America tradition, is a wonderful place during the day to watch the world go by or read your favorite book. In the evening, this becomes what Holland America calls a disco, but in reality, there is more popular and dance music than there is disco. The Crow's Nest is the "late-night" area for the Noordam, but given a more sedate passenger group, does not usually remain active past midnight or 1 am. Even more popular in the evenings is the Piano Bar, larger than on previous Holland America ships, in order to accommodate more guests. Of course, there is a wide selection of shops on board, with much the same merchandise and logo items found on other ships. There are a number of bars and lounges on board. A particular favorite is the Ocean Bar, which features live music and complimentary hors d'oeuvres served before dinner.
Cuisine
A gourmand will likely be disappointed with Holland America' dining room cuisine. But the average cruise ship passenger can expect decent banquet-quality food, with good presentation. Cuisine is "continental in the main dining room. But head for the Lido when the "midnight buffet" is offered and you'll find delicious Indonesian dishes.
Service
Certainly, one of the highlights of sailing with Holland America is the smiling faces of the Filipino and Indonesian crew who greet you from the moment you board the Noordam. They have been well trained to give excellent service in all of their duties without having their hand out for monetary reward at every moment.
On most cruise ships (other than the very high-end vessels), one is bombarded with tropical drinks with little umbrellas whereas Holland America's gracious staff are at your beck and call for services such as bar orders, but are never in your face trying to push anything. The staff is overly friendly and anxious to engage in conversation with the passengers, but never "pushy" about selling drinks or other items. And the crew has an uncanny ability to remember you from other sailings on Holland America ships.
Restaurants In 2007, Holland America changed its dining policy so that passengers may choose the traditional two-seating, assigned plan or opt to dine when and with whom you please. Those who prefer assigned seating will dine on the main floor of the dining room while open seating passengers will be seated on the second level. If you do not want to eat in the formal dining room, the Noordam's Lido Restaurant (e.g., cafeteria) is a great alternative. For breakfast and lunch, food is served "cafeteria style," in other words, on a tray. There is ample seating in the Lido area, both indoor and outdoor. In addition to the large main line of hot entrees, there are separate stations for omelettes and other treats in the morning and separate stations for pasta, salad bar, desserts (including their famous bread pudding) and even a deli/sandwich bar. In the evening, the Lido is also open for dinner for those who want a more casual atmosphere than the main dining room, with waiter service and excellent menu choices. There are always friendly Indonesian staff members nearby to help you carry your try at breakfast and lunch, or to find an open table for you, or to refill your coffee cup. One of the most popular things in the Lido area is the ice-cream bar, with cups, cones or sundaes, all at no charge.
The two-level Vista Restaurant has spacious seating and good soundproofing with tables for two, four, six, eight and 10. The design features an unusual central curved staircase between the two decks of the dining room. This creates the feel of a much more intimate restaurant. The wow factor in the Vista Dining Room is the ceiling treatment, done entirely in Murano glass. Dining has also been upgraded on the Noordam. A staff member will greet you every time you enter, be it for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The line has paid great attention to detail here. From the Rosenthal china to the Riedel glassware and linen tablecloths, dining is an elegant affair. Some evenings are candlelit dinners; others may have a string quartet playing during dinner. There is a wide selection of items on every menu, in addition to special "health-conscious," vegetarian and low-salt items. Every evening also features sugar-free desserts in the selection. Holland America has divided the main restaurant into four seatings, so as not to have service suffer as a result of everyone arriving at once.
For a special dining experience, consider the Pinnacle Grill, the Noordam's alternate restaurant, featuring high-quality beef and seafood. Dining in this room is by reservation only, but it is generally not difficult to secure reservations, even at the last minute. There is an additional charge of about twenty dollars for dining in the Pinnacle Grill, but it is truly a superior dining experience. The room is opulent, but at times, almost seems a bit stuffy, quite different from the smiling and outgoing staff found in the main restaurant. Opposite the Pinnacle Grill is a new bar, the Pinnacle Bar, for before-dinner cocktails.
Entertainment/Activities
A highlight for many is the new Culinary Arts Center, which is set up very much like a TV Food Channel set. There are a number of demonstration classes given at no charge, and you are given the recipes for the items being prepared. There are also hand-on classes, limited to about a dozen people at a time, for which there is a modest charge. These classes are very popular, so be sure to sign up early or risk being sold out. The Culinary Arts Center also features large-screen televisions for those with seats further back in the room.
Entertainment on Holland America used to be almost an embarrassment for such a quality line, but things have changed on the Noordam. Instead of four singers and dancers in the production shows, the Noordam had more than a dozen performers, much more elaborate sets, and overall, much better entertainment. The ship boasts a superb library, periodicals and cyber-café and daily activities program lists activities throughout the day including exercise classes, bridge, bingo, Friends of Bill W., guest lectures, dance classes, ice carving. This ship is one of the few with a real movie theater with free hot popcorn.
Cabins
Staterooms are larger than most mass-market cruise lines, and balcony cabins are even larger. On some ships, the balconies are really just large enough to stand on for some fresh air, or squeeze into a small and uncomfortable plastic chair. The verandahs on Holland America are quite comfortable for two persons to stretch out and enjoy the magnificence of the ocean ahead. All staterooms are well-equipped including traditional elegant colors' most rooms with sitting areas' wonderful new pillow-top beds providing for a great night's sleep (as compared with the old Noordam's "army-cot" type of bedding); better pillows; fluffier towels; a stocked mini-bar (with charges for all consumed beverages); hair-dryers; safes; functional storage space; and flat-screen televisions and DVD players. Staterooms always feature fresh flowers (be sure to notice the magnificent fresh floral displays throughout the public rooms of the ship); a filled ice-bucket; and a bowl of fresh fruit replenished regularly. You will experience turndown service every evening, along with a chocolate treat waiting on your pillow. Quite often, the more seasoned room stewards will also leave a towel folded into the shape of an animal on the bed, along with the next day's program schedule. Television service includes several stations, such as CNN, ESPN, television shows, shore excursion presentations, shopping presentations and more! You may watch your own DVD's in the comfort of your stateroom, or you may borrow DVD's from the well-stocked library (regrettably with a charge).
For a real treat, consider one of the better suites on the Noordam. They are surprisingly affordable, especially when compared to suites on competing cruise lines. The price differential is worth it, particularly if you are celebrating any type of special event, or just wish to splurge. Be careful, though, not all room categories described, as suites really are suites. The true amenities are for categories PS, SA, SB and SC, and in these categories, you will enjoy huge staterooms (many with sectional sofa seating arrangements and lots of room for guests); incredibly large balconies with both comfortable lounge chairs and a table for 4 with teakwood flooring; lots more closet space and (for some, the best feature of all) free laundry service, pressing and even dry-cleaning! I do know of some families who travel together on the ship, with only one room being a suite, and sending everyone's laundry and dry-cleaning from the suite. Isn't it nice to have all of your clothing cleaned and pressed before you return home? One of the best features of being in a suite is the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private lounge reserved only for passengers in categories PS, SA, SB and SC. A concierge, who will gladly look after your every need, without a wait in line, attends the lounge. The concierge will gladly arrange for reservations in the alternate restaurant (the Pinnacle Grill) or make shore excursion reservations for you. In ports that require the use of a tender, the concierge will arrange for priority boarding. The room tends to be very social, and a great chance to meet other passengers in suites. There are always complimentary beverages (coffee, tea, espresso, etc.) available, along with snacks appropriate to the time of day and a wonderful selection of special Dutch chocolate treats, all at no extra charge.
Fitness/Spa
The Noordam has all of the features one now expects on new cruise ships. The Greenhouse Spa and Salon is an inviting venue, but alas, it is still run by Steiner's (the same company that operates the spas on the majority of cruise ships) and the treatments (massage, etc.) are not inexpensive and the staff aggressively tries to push over-inflated products during massages and other treatments. A highlight of the ship is the Exploration Café, powered by the New York Times. This area features an excellent library with books available for lending, music listening stations, 24-hour Internet access (for a fee), a "sidewalk café" featuring specialty coffees, other beverages and bakery treats (all at an additional charge) and the best crossword puzzle area I have seen on any ship. If you are a heavy user of the internet when on vacation, consider one of the prepaid bulk minute plans available on the ship, which reduces the cost per minute of usage. If you have your own wireless computer, many parts of the ship are equipped for "wi-fi."
The Noordam has two outdoor swimming pools, and one of the pools has a Magrodome roof that can be closed in case of inclement weather. There are also several hot tubs available at no charge. The large gym has state-of-the-art pulling and stretching equipment and there is a jogging, walking track on one of the vessel's top decks. Exercise classes are available some like pilates have a small surcharge.
Attire
Expect two formal nights per week. Roughly 50% of the men opt for dark suit in lieu of tuxedo.
Copyright © 2008 , Anne Campbell. All rights reserved.
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