Noordam Review

3.5 / 5.0
829 reviews

A Great Trip to Alaska

Review for Alaska Cruise on Noordam
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latebuyer
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s

Rating by category

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Additional details

Sail Date: Sep 2019
Cabin: Large Ocean-View Stateroom

I enjoyed my cruise! I particularly enjoyed the lincoln center stage and the walking track. I really enjoyed walking around the deck as it was good exercise after the big meals. I didn't find the entertainment that great other then the lincoln center stage although I heard one of the comedians was quite good - i'm not interested in comedians. The dance number was good but at the billboard singing event they did the singers were horrible. I found there were a lot of talks during the day to keep me busy but the scenery was the main attraction for most days. One example of a talk was on the Pacific Giants (whales) that was good. There was a naturalist on board and I attended one of her talks on salmon. She also held wildlife sighting sessions, although I didn't attend that. There was a really good Alaska in Concert show where they had a film of alaska accompanied by the musicians of BB Kings and Lincoln Stage. The food was good. I preferred the main dining room to the buffet. There was a seafood night in the buffet though on the ketchikan day that was good. I particularly liked the steak and lobster tail on the second gala night although unfortunately it was rough that night leaving ketchikan and I couldn't completely enjoy it. I was a solo traveller but I found everyone friendly at the dining room. The only tour I did was a rail/bus excursion by Chilkoot charters in Skagway and it was nice it only had 24 people on the bus instead of the 60 provided by cruise lines. Make sure you sit on the right if you are going up to Fraser on the bus as you will have better scenery. Note the bow is open on the Glacier Bay day and the inside passage day. Luckily we had a nice day for Glacier Bay. Note that while overall we had good weather, september has 3 times the rain as May or June. So you are taking your chances in September that you will have good weather - I lucked out. Some people complain of Noordam looking worn but that didn't bother me. I thought it looked nice. I liked being on what felt like a small intimate cruise ship - lots of nooks and crannys to sit in. Disembarkation went really smoothly as I chose to carry my own bags. My only complaint was if i'd know I would have a more leisurely breakfast! Overall, a great first cruise. If cruises weren't so expensive for singles, I would cruise again but as it is I would have to be picky about prices to choose Holland America again.

Cabin Review

Large Ocean-View Stateroom

Cabin E

Do not choose this cabin! This cabin is under the galley and there is a lot of thunks late into the night from upstairs. The room itself was nice. The tv was old but i think that is being replaced in the upcoming dry dock. The bed was comfortable.

Port Reviews

Juneau

It rained here so I didn't go to the Mendenhall glacier. I went to the Alaska State museum and the indigenous center which were nice. Lots of good shopping!

Ketchikan

We had a beautiful day here! It was nice to walk around. I particularly liked Creek Street. My only note was that i didn't know there was a free bus shuttle here.

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