Schooner-ca

Schooner-ca. We are on the Noordam in March 40 days sydney to Vancouver, did you have any lectures etc on board during your sea days? Thank you

 

 

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No. We did not. One of our dinner companions did. He was happy with them. We spent our sea days on the back deck reading. We had very good weather for most of the trip.

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We have sailed on HAL only once, on Oosterdam, just as it came out of dry dock in May 2016 to Alaska, SA Suite. I just came across what seems to be a very good itinerary for 8 days to Alaska from Vancouver, round trip, on Noordam. I started reading about the ship and found many comments about it being in need of upgrades, but planed refurbishment is being postponed. In fact, it appears that the very cruise I am looking to book is a newly scheduled cruise in the time slot earlier designated for that refurbishment. To those who recently been on Noordam, what is your opinion of the ship vs Oosterdam. We sailed NCL Breakaway, Gem, Dawn; RCCL Alure, Explore, Grandure, Rapsody; Celebrity Equinox and similar ships. That said, we liked Oosterdam very much. Is Noordam a ship for us or would it be a great disappointment compared to other ships I have listed? As much as itinerary is important to us, the condition of the ship is just as important. Thank you all who will reply.

We just got off the Noordam in Sydney 12 days ago. The condition of the ship is very good considering it’s age and traffic.They are currently upgrading a couple of minor public rooms. We spent 28 days on board. We have a fantastic trip. The ship is only part of the experience. The staff were very friendly and accommodating. The food was outstanding. The fellow passengers were respectable and friendly. My advise would be if the itinerary is what your looking for will you will receive excellent value for your money.

We are planning to rebook the same trip in a couple of years.

This was our 18 cruise. The first with HAL. We are sold on there passenger experience

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Your kidding eh. [emoji1063] you might want read a guide book before your trip. I hope like Canadian food [emoji44]

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I highly recommend downloading the Mobile Passport app. It's pretty new but I read about it here and we used it coming into DC from Amsterdam on Sunday. Although there were long lines for folks with paper forms, there was no line for us with the paperless Mobile Passport app.

Hi there the Vancouver Port can handle 3 ships at once. This should not be a concern.

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Never travel without travel insurance. The decision to buy an annual package or a defined term is simple economics. In Canada we have universal health care. Have used our travel insurance twice in the last 15 years. Hospitalize in Vegas on our first cruise. 6 hours in a hospital and ambulance was $8,000. I paid $300 deductible.

16 cruises later the number of times I have witnessed air evacuations , off loaded in a far away port in serious condition the costs are enormous. Unless you easily afford to cover the costs your self insurance in a no brainer

The only suggestion I have is don't buy more than u need. If you buy a 2 week annual package and plan a trip for 28 days you buy a defined period 14 day top up package from the same company you bought the annual policy.

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Check on the number of ships in port that day. 3 ships on the day can be a mad house

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Good luck with that. You can Buy the US dollars at home cheaper.

I so disagree with you about this excursion, but to each his own. Yes, we were given basic information and exact meeting times were not given until we arrived at the hotel and true the first day was a basic outline and it was a full day. It was all part of the experience, if you had wanted to be waited on you chose he wrong place to do it. I felt that I got my 2100 dollars worth I had talked to previous people having done the excursion and they had prepared me for exactly what I got. The hotel served us quinoa, a risky choice but it was flavourful and it was important for us to eat lightly. The breakfast was phenomenal in the morning. I think if you choose to criticize maybe you should complement as well. I think your whole diatribe is somewhat one sided. You fail to note anything whatsoever about the majesty of Machu Picchu. There may come a time when we will be forbidden from these sights. Consider yourself lucky. This excursion was obviously not something you should have done. Any comments I heard were all positive. It is a shame that you had such a negative experience. I believe that the entire process from Cuzco to our hotel was a preparation to avoid and prepare us for altitude sickness. This also included a "light meal" in preparation and if I am not mistaken there were no cases of altitude sickness because we were prepared. It's a shame to base future land excursions on one experience. My husband and I loved the experience and it we got value for our money.

schooner-cA

Taxi with tip is $50

Joining the Ocean in less than 2 weeks. Looking forward to this one. Not worrying about how much bacon I get. Is the wine cellar full?

I have traveled all over Europe, Central America and soon South America. I haven't paid a dime on land to use my phone to text,post or telephone. Leave your phone on airplane mode and turn the wifi on and off as needed. When eating ask if they have free high speed internet. On the ship I get a free internet package I have never gone over. If you need to stay in instant contact don't leave home. All I can that would suck. I just had my daughter travel around the world for 6 months. I was able to stay in touch with better than I do at home

There is a train that goes from the airport to 1 block away from the cruise ship terminal quick and cheap

Thanks for the information, it is sincerely appreciated. I did not want to take if I could not use. You would think after over 100 days at sea and 15 cruises I would remember if there was an outlet. Oh well. Thanks again

We are going on the Ocean Princess in a couple weeks. I cannot remember if there is a power outlet in the bathroom for a waterpik? Does anyone remember?