Noordam Review

3.5 / 5.0
829 reviews

Mostly Satisfied..Highs and Lows.

Review for Alaska Cruise on Noordam
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mlgb
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

Rating by category

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Value for Money
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Additional details

Sail Date: Jun 2018
Cabin: Standard Interior Stateroom

Second time cruising on HAL in Alaska (previously the Zaandam same itinerary). Booked a week out with "they pick your inside cabin" rate. Got 6022 which is forward inside and aligned parallel to the hallway. Solo traveler just over 65, and fairly active. I chose HAL because they stop in Glacier Bay and Haines on this itinerary. I remember they had an excellent Room Service policy, should I need to take advantage (you can still order anything from the MDR dinner menu during the first hour of service). I also like the Explorations Cafe venue for the free snacks (and btw if you have a beverage card, the coffee drinks there are included, which is not the rule on the other lines which have Starbucks etc for the premium coffees). The cabin I found small but serviceable, except that for some reason I did not have a chair, just a stool that tucked under the desk. I believe if I had realized that I should also have a chair, I could have asked for one to be delivered. The storage was plentiful, and there were sufficient outlets. storage and desk space. Bedding was comfortable, all plumbing worked well and drained properly. No musty odors or issues with cleanliness. Room stewards were excellent as was room service. My first day I made a dinner reservation in the MDR for a table for 2 , which was available at 8pm. That was fine with me, with the long port days. If I was peckish, I would go grab a pre-dinner snack from Explorations or Lido. Service in the MDR (2nd level) also flawless, although the last night it was a little slow but the assistant steward apologized. I was remembered every night and given the same table by the host. I had fish every night except one. All fish was cooked "a point" as they say and the steak as requested medium rare. The waiters checked back on my satisfaction.As far as Lido, it was a bit of a cluster... the circulation is difficult and crowded and the double-sided layout broken up by the Italian restaurant is confusing. My approach was either to go very early, or to grab a few appetizer dishes and then go out to the back deck, if I couldn't get a table out of the circulation pattern... Note that it is permissible for a single person or two people to sit at a big table in the Lido.. you aren't mandated to sit near the coffee service. fortunately the weather was good during most of our cruise. I also kept a stash of plain yogurt, fruit and smoked salmon (in ziplock) in my room fridge. Made use of room service for coffee a few times in the early morning. They came promptly within 15 minutes. (Tip..buy or bring a large insulated travel mug).

As an inside cabin passenger, public spaces are important. Noordam has some good ones, in addition to Explorations, the Crow's Nest has a good forward view and there are lots of interior cubbies with windows on Deck 2. I also like the full circuit covered Promenade on Deck 3 and that aft deck section. The aft deck on 9 was crowded with smokers and loungers and noisy with the pool users. It's a shame they kept closing down the small open platform in front of the gym on 9 as there isn't an equivalent space with clear visibility facing foreward that doesn't have smoked glass with the exception of the bow.

I loved the BB King players, and the Lincoln Stage is good if that's your cup of tea. I thought one of the comedians was awful and walked out after 15 minutes, same with the staff production show (although I am not a fan of that type of entertainment). The Trivia contests run by the South African guy were fun . The "naturalist" also was hit or miss, enjoyed part of his presentation on using binoculars. Watched some of the BBC documentaries on the television during the at sea days. Fortunately there was a NPS naturalist doing a whale survey on the bow and he was a big help to those of us interested in bird spotting in Glacier Bay. Wish the captain had kept the bow open longer, there was really no reason to close it in the good weather and calm seas we had all the way out until the NPS staff were dropped off.

Cabin Review

Standard Interior Stateroom

Cabin L

This cabin is parellel to the hallway. On feature of being so far forward, you have to walk all the way to the back of the ship for any dining rooms (Explorations and Lido are closest). I don't know why I didn't have a chair, just the stool that tucks under the desk. Everything worked fine although the light switches are tricky. You can find a review of the same layout cabin on Youtube (6034) . These cabins have rooms above and below and are quiet, with no noise from public spaces above or below.

Port Reviews

Glacier Bay

Go down to the bow when it opens and stay there til they kick you out!

Haines

I love small town Haines. Friendly greeting, free shuttle bus into town from the Port. Walked past Fort Seward 1 mile to Mud Bay. Car rentals are an option also. Don't miss the Brewery..half a block from the shuttle stop. 5 ounce tasters are $2-$3.

Ketchikan

Rode the public bus to Totem Bight and adjacent Potlach Park. $4 round trip. They charge a $5 pp fee at the State Park on cruise ship days but you can sneak in the back side without paying. Ketchikan itself is too crowded when all the docks are full. Note that the museums close at 4pm or 5pm. Ride the public bus for a taste of local life and walk along Park Ave if the salmon are running.

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