This is a question for any/all who have cruised aboard the MS Noordam. I've read a lot of fairly negative reviews of the ship, but I don't know if these are fair. What was your experience with the quality of the Noordam, it's staff and condition? I would like to make a trip on her, but am a bit concerned given the large number of negative evaluations I've read.
We were on the Noordam over last New Year's cruise. The ship is older, but it was still in very good condition. The crew was as good as any HAL cruise. The ship's pools were nothing special, but otherwise, we really liked it. It's very classic.
KrazyKruisers - just read your review. What can I say - that isn't like the Noordam we sailed on for many years. Yes, if I remember correctly, luggage on the Noordam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Westerdam, old Statendam, Veendam, Rotterdam and Volendam, was all stored outside in large metal crates and yes, our luggage did get rained on once - everything was soaking wet when we got home. A good friend of my husband's is/was the Chief Engineer on the Noordam and I bet if he was on board, he was pulling his hair and screaming at everyone during those trying times. Maybe it is time they retired her!
When we were on the Ryndam in April and again in June we were told at the Mariner's party that the Westerdam is being sold first and then the Noordam, probably in 2002 and 2003, respectively.
We spent 20 days on the Noordam in the Mediterranean a year ago. While the ship does not match the newer ships in terms of design and amenities, we were very happy with it overall, found the service to be even friendlier than what we'd become accustomed to with HAL and felt the food quality to be the best yet [we collected 100-day medallions on this one, so are not novices]. I realize this contradicts what a number of folks have reported - so perhaps the ship is pefroming inconsistently, or perhaps many of us just don't like the older ships any more. Taste's a wonderful thing, isn't it!
I totally agree with Tim. We were on the Noordam in Nov, 2000 (Rome to Lisbon) and AGAIN in May, 2001 (Istanbul to Rome via the ancient ruins in the Greek Isles).
The service and food were TOP NOTCH!! The waiter, bus boy, and head waiter even remembered our faces, stories, and dining habits from our Nov cruise. Note: Most of the crew on our November cruise had just started their contracts. When we returned on the Noordam in May, most were concluding their orignal contract. We also sat in the smoking section, so there are fewer faces to remember.
The only problem with the Noordam (which we find difficult to overcome) is all cabins below a "C" category are TWIN BEDS which CANNOT be moved. Yes, she is older, but.... she reminds us of the 'old days' of cruising where service was paramount to environment. The Noordam carries about 1,000 passengers and by the end of the cruise you can recognize the faces of most of the other passengers. She carries a warmth and intimacy, friendliness and style, that very few of the newer and larger ships can duplicate
Noordam Quality
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