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Holland America Line

MS Noordam

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Tom Wright
# previous cruises: 3
Date of Trip: March 14, 2002
Itinerary: Caribbean - Southern

Noordam provided us with a very enjoyable experience cruising the Southern Caribbean. Ports of Call were great in all respects (Wife had stomach flu at St. Lucia so missed the day and extreme beauty of this island). Noordam's staff 'made' this a gigantic journey from a small but elegant ship.

The "walking" trail is some windy on this old girl especially near the bow. Notice a couple steel doors (no passenger however) on the upper level were 'rusted' at bottom. However, the ship was sparkling during our voyage.

The deck!! The Dining Room!! Man, HAL put on a fantastic spread each and everyday -- nothing on the menu you like; ask for something and in a 'jiffy' our waiter had it. Great service from cabin boy, to restaurant/dining staff, to Cruise Director, and yes the Capt. and his #1. These two gentlemen even joined in conversation as we sat outside the Lido in the shade -- a credit to HAL. Now, let me tell you being 'greeted' by smiling and personable attendants at meal time as they hand you your tray and cutlery is a great way to start a day. Then the 'day time' doorman at the Lido Deck door (Kim) was also a pleasure -- considering how often he opens and closes the door he doesn't squeak!!

Don't know what you mean by 'full size' person but the shower were 'tight' but fully manageable -- in fact the Coral Princess's shower seems smaller!! Except for intermittent problems with the plumbing plus the air conditioning 'dying' the rooms were spacious enough for 'seasoned' travel -- in fact the little porthole gave added dimension of 'speed' as we cut through the sea. And sleeping in direction the ship travelled was very soothing to my relaxed state. A few late departures due to an oil seal leak in propulsion system created a 'stinky' environment at the rear of the A & B decks with vibration but we never felt the vibration in our room nor the smell.

Cruise director was a very 'polished' performer and engaging chap. The shows were very well received especially David Levesque and an old Broadway performer (can't remember name) who joined late in our 2-wk cruise was a real pro. The show put on by the cruise staff of Philipinos and Indonesians on separate evenings was supberb giving travellers a glimpse into their lives (i.e.; country) and the dedication these people exhibit especially when you consider the workday they endure but still find time to entertain us late at night.

Charlotte Amelie; Castries, St. Lucia / The Pitons; Aruba, Bonaire were our favs while Dominica was somewhat crude. Barbados was nice but found people somewhat pushy as a lot of islands are similar. Didn't like Marguriete Island as it was too far to nearest civilization. We had plenty of entertainment onboard when sailing except it did get somewhat boring with 4-day sail before reaching US Virgin Islands as San Juan was axed. So was Grand Cayman!!! but they put Key West into mix which was nice but too short a stay.

Typical HAL crowd but a great mix. Some old cranks but you get that at McDonald's!! We made good friends with our table and still keep in touch. Would I invite them over!! - except for one chap who 'ate like a horse' -- yes!!