Noordam Caribbean - Oct.-Dec. 2006

[Joanandjoe]

It's too early to have a roll call for our November 25, 2006 11 day Caribbean cruise on the Noordam. Instead, we decided to start a thread for the voyagers on all six autumn, 2006 cruises. Here we can share our thoughts about the new ship, the experiences of the first February-April cruisers, ports, etc.

 

Let us know which sailing you'll be on, and what your thoughts were in booking this new ship. We'll put in our two cents after we have a few responses.

[Mustangs]

Hello,

 

We try to plan two cruises per year: One during spring break (family cruise for 4 people), and the other in late November - early December for the two of us.

 

We would love to book the new Noordam for our family cruise in March, but from past experience we have found that we need a large verandah for 4 people, or two connecting outside cabins (I prefer the verandah!). Unfortunately, since the Noordam would only be on her second sailing at this time, prices are a little too steep for this family vacation (as long as we don't go back to a Carnivore ship):eek:.

 

However, we are considering the Noordam's December 6th, 2006 sailing. Driving to New York is easy for us - about 7 hours, and much cheaper than air (for us Canadians).

 

Will she be sailing from the passenger ship terminal off 54th street?

 

We have used the NYPST in the past, and will be sailing from NY this December on the QM2!

 

I hope that more people will respond to your thread.

 

Cheers!

[w770496]

Booked on 11/25/06. For me it was a no-brainer price was right and no airfare to deal with!

[Joanandjoe]

It's a little early; but if you'd like to get in touch with us regarding our 11/25/06 Noordam cruise, send us an email to Joanandjoe@vtmail.com, and we'll send you a reply either from VT or our personal email. The VT email address can be used by any 11/25/06 cruisers.

[Joanandjoe]

Based on what we've seen on the board, "Navy_Chief" will be on 12/6/06 and might be joined by "Mustangs". "W770496" will be with us on our 11/25 cruise, but he or she has not contacted us at our "Virtual Tourist" email address. It's still early, but it would be nice if other October to December, 2006 sailors on the Noordam from NYC would sign in on this thread.

 

All of us are, we're sure, looking forward to the initial CC reviews of the new ship. Hopefully HAL will have ironed out some of the wrinkles regarding the Vista ships, and the reviews will be great!

[w770496]

I am still planning to go. Right now I am looking forward to my Voyager Bermuda Trip next month.

[Joanandjoe]

Enjoy your trip, W. We weren't aware that there were Bermuda cruises so late in the season.

 

We've asked our TA to upgrade us to a full SA suite. Let's hope she can do it!

[Navy_Chief]

Yes we settled on the December trip as it will be well past "Shake Down" as it were and it gives us time to get things worked out with other schedules. Things could not have worked out better for us. We wanted to bring my parents out on a cruise and NYC was the only option to get to the carribbean. So when it was announced that HAL had a brand new ship making 10 day EC cruises from NYC, it was a "No Brainer". We are all looking forward to this trip and some of the reviews from the spring sailings.:) Oh and yes the ship will steam from the 54th street piers.

[Joanandjoe]

Time for another posting. Surely there are more CC people signed up for the six Fall, 2006 Noordam cruises than the three posters here so far: NavyChief, W770496, and us. Bon Voyage for your 11/13 Bermuda trip, Bob & Nikki (w)-less than two weeks to go! Mustangs, did you book your cruise on 12/6 with NavyChief?

 

We are looking foward to our full SA suite on the Noordam!

[Mustangs]

Hi Joanandjoe,

 

We haven't booked the Noordam yet. Our travel agent has quoted us a price on both the November 25th and December 6th sailings. They will hold the price until the end of December, unless the ship sells out.

 

Congratulations on your SA upgrade!

 

We have asked for a quote on a VA, which may be hard to "downgrade" to after our P1 Princess Grill suite on the QM2 this December and AB suite that we have booked on the NCL Dawn next March.

 

Hopefully more people will join this thread as we get closer to sailing.

 

Cheers!