Some general Noordam questions

[limace]

We are getting closer to booking an 11 day Eastern Caribbean cruise on the Noordam for January 2014. I'll be sailing with my mom, and it's our first cruise. I'm early 40s, she'll be almost 70. It's a quilting cruise, so we'll have the option of classes on our at-sea days. We're both active and healthy, and very excited! We love good food.

 

Questions:

-Although I'll be happy reading and drinking a glass of wine by the pool for hours at a time, I also want to try new things. What is there to do on this ship in the evening, especially on a long cruise. The entertainment sounds like it's so-so, and I'm not a huge show person, though would love to catch at least one. I know the ship closes down pretty early at night, and we're not late night partiers anyway :) but is there any night life? How are the bars? The HAL website isn't super helpful.

-What is the extra charge for premium dining. What do you recommend most?

-Are there premium dining packages? If so, are they worth it?

-The culinary arts center? Can you tell me more about it? Are the classes good? Is there a charge?

 

What else do I need to know about this ship? We're deciding between this and a 7 day on the Allure of the Seas, but I like the itinerary and classes so much more on this cruise, and the Allure is almost too-Vegas for me. I mean, I love Las Vegas, but that's a completely different experience than I want in a cruise, I think.

[Krazy Kruizers]

There may be movies shown in the Queen's Lounge some evenings. Your daily Explorer program will list them -- times and places for them to be sown.

There is the Piano Bar. Opens at 9 -- there have been some really great Piano men in there who have sing-a-longs.

There is the Norther Lights Disco -- dancing and a bar.

There may be a guitarist in the Crow's Nest.

In the Explorer's Lounge there used to be the Adagio Strings -- 4 people. Now it is down to 2 people - usually one at the piano and one on strings playing classical music. Hopefully HAL will bring back the 4 string groups.

Queen's Lounge is also the Culinary Arts Center. On sea days there will be free cooking demonstrations -- most times with a free sample. There are cooking classes -- limited to 12 people -- costs $29 per person. Need to sign up at the front desk -- they will show you the menu and give you the day and time of the classes. People have experienced differences here. Some were broken down into groups of 4 people and actually got to make one of the 3 dishes. Recently I read a report where all they did was sit and watch what was being prepared. You do get to eat the meal.

Speciality restaurants:

Pinnacle Grill -- open some days for lunch -- $10 per person -- can not be booked on line.

Pinnacle Grill -- dinner is $25 per person -- can be booked on line or once on the ship or via ship services at 1-800-541-1576.

Canaletto -- open only for dinner -- $10 per person -- can be booked on line.

There are no dining packages on HAL.

[limace]

Thanks so much! I do love me a good piano bar :)

 

Any thoughts about the Pinnacle and Canaletto? And do they still do the Le Cirque nights?

[mamaofami]

Noordam is a great ship.

[innlady1]

Thanks so much! I do love me a good piano bar :)

 

Any thoughts about the Pinnacle and Canaletto? And do they still do the Le Cirque nights?

 

The Piano Bar is lovely on the Noordam. Cross your fingers for a good pianist! The Ocean Bar is fun and the trio enjoyable.

We love the Pinnacle Grille...yes, they do have Le Cirque, too. Canaletto is a nice change. Although the food isn't spectacular. So-so Italian.

I'd choose the Noordam, hands down, over the Allure!

[JJPacer]

Pinnacle and Canaletto are both good. Pinnacle has great steaks, and other dishes. We love the Pinnacle Grill. However the portions are large IMHO and we tend to overeat there, just because it's all so good. Go hungry!

 

Canaletto is italian cuisine. They include a glass of wine with the meal and various itialian food options to choose from. Some have been excellent, while others are OK, but not quite up to the excellent category. It is in a corner of the Lido buffet. White table cloths, and waiters to serve you. We like eating there.

 

Le Cirque is in the Pinnacle Grill on certain nights of the cruise while other nights it is the Pinnacle.

 

We have done several 10,11,14 day cruises on HAL and have never been bored. We like to dance in the evening. We enjoy the shows, especially the guest entertainers that come onboard. Various locations offer different types of entertainment/music. Try going to the shows, and sit in the back of the theater. If you don't care for it, you can slip out.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Fouremco]

Canaletto is italian cuisine. They include a glass of wine with the meal and various itialian food options to choose from.

Is this still so? I've been reading the boards daily for the past few months and this is the first mention I've seen of a free glass of wine.

[cruz chic]

Is this still so? I've been reading the boards daily for the past few months and this is the first mention I've seen of a free glass of wine.

It wasn't included on the N.A. in Nov. I think that might have been the enticement to get peeps in there when they first started charging for it.

[Typhoon1]

Noordam is a great ship. Rest assured, you won't be bored in the early evening as there is plenty to do.

[baby]

but what about dancing options to bands that play somewhat modern music

 

is there any

[Crew News]

Daily activities are typical on most HAL ships so take a look at the menus and Explorers for both the Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam for the Caribbean.

 

There is always plenty to do.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/home/hal-western-caribbean-menus-and-explorer/

[limace]

Daily activities are typical on most HAL ships so take a look at the menus and Explorers for both the Nieuw Amsterdam and Westerdam for the Caribbean.

 

There is always plenty to do.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/home/hal-western-caribbean-menus-and-explorer/

 

Thanks! That was very helpful!

[Tampa Girl]

As for things to do, don't forget the computer classes. I discovered them too late on our Noordam cruise, but what little I heard was very helpful. And I am with Innlady - it's the Noordam over the Allure - hands down!

 

Baby - what do you mean by "modern music" - the kind that you can't recognize a tune? If so, I don't remember the bands playing that music, but maybe I just wasn't around when it was played.

[Ineke]

We love the Noordam, just finished the Eastern Caribbean itinerary 2 weeks ago. We have never been bored. You won't regret booking this cruise. It's a beautiful ship with a great crew and it's a wonderful itinerary. Enjoy!

[496and706]

What time will you be eating?

 

Dh and I found that having the 8 p.m. seating kept us busy for a couple of hours. We usually were one of the last tables to leave every night. That was totally by choice. Dh and I would share a bottle of wine and then have coffees with dessert and then a cheese plate after that.

 

 

The Northern Lights disco was somewhat up to date.

 

Also the HAL Cats on our November 2012 cruise were the best ones we've heard.

 

Then there's the casino.

 

We also went on the internet late at night. Not very many people using the computers on HAL at 11:30 p.m.

 

Walking the decks or being on the Observation deck between 11 and 12 was nice.