Rare richwmn Posted October 13, 2019 #1 Share Posted October 13, 2019 As promised, I am starting a thread about the current ship I am on. In this case it is Noordam, fresh out of dry dock for the last two weeks. First impressions are good. Embarkation: I arrived at Canada Place a little after 10:30. Luggage drop off was fine, but it was a bit of a hike to the elevator to get to the cruise ship level. Once on the cruise ship level we got in the line that would eventually take us to the waiting area to board. Although the line was long it kept moving and I was sitting in the waiting area to board about 11:15. Boarding started about 11:30 with an announcement that cabins wouldn't be available until noon, but that lunch was immediately available on the Lido Deck and would begin at noon in the MDR. I arrived at the Dive In just in time to place the first order. The taco bar was set up and ready to go. Bar service was quick. So far I haven't found the WiFi for the ship, but not a big deal at this point. More later Rich 2 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 13, 2019 #2 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Thanks Rich 🙂 Looking forward to more of your reports. And hearing about the changes on the Noordam, too. When you say that you haven’t found wifi, do you mean it’s not working? Yikes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted October 13, 2019 #3 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Oh so happy to see this! We have friends that just got on the ship today as well going to Auckland-so jealous! Couldn’t talk hubby into this long of a cruise 😒 I would have loved it. Dive-in...love their burgers! Have a great time. Sorry our weather isn’t a bit better for your sail away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted October 13, 2019 Author #4 Share Posted October 13, 2019 (edited) Here are today's activities You are corect, the WiFi is not working yet, neither is the on demand TV. I expect both to be working shortly I tried to fix the rotation but the program I use brought out a new version that I just tried for the first time. Will have it fixed later tonight. Edited October 13, 2019 by richwmn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 13, 2019 #5 Share Posted October 13, 2019 24 minutes ago, richwmn said: Here are today's activities You are corect, the WiFi is not working yet, neither is the on demand TV. I expect both to be working shortly I tried to fix the rotation but the program I use brought out a new version that I just tried for the first time. Will have it fixed later tonight. Thanks. Hopefully all is up and running shortly. Those look different from what I’ve seen before. To make it easier to read them.. Here you go: Thanks for posting them 🙂 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted October 13, 2019 #6 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Looks like the sun is trying to come out to wish you all a great sail away from Vancouver! 😁 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted October 13, 2019 Author #7 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Thanks for rotating them. I'll get mine taken care of before tomorrow. WiFi is now up -- MAJOR changes to Navigator. When I first brought up Navigator, it asked me to login in my my HAL website login and password. That was already linked to my on board account! That is something I thought they should have done a long time ago. When I went to internet plans, it showed the prepaid plan so all I had to do was select it. I am now online with the ship's WiFi!! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted October 13, 2019 Author #8 Share Posted October 13, 2019 this evening's menu in the MDR 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 13, 2019 #9 Share Posted October 13, 2019 34 minutes ago, richwmn said: this evening's menu in the MDR Interesting on the a la carte offering, Rich. I hadn’t seen that one before. thanks for posting it 🙂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
canadianbear Posted October 13, 2019 #10 Share Posted October 13, 2019 1 hour ago, richwmn said: WiFi is now up -- MAJOR changes to Navigator. When I first brought up Navigator, it asked me to login in my my HAL website login and password. That was already linked to my on board account! That is something I thought they should have done a long time ago. When I went to internet plans, it showed the prepaid plan so all I had to do was select it. I am now online with the ship's WiFi!! Thanks for the heads up regarding this. We will have the internet included on our upcoming 2 week cruise-hope we can figure it out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cat shepard Posted October 13, 2019 #11 Share Posted October 13, 2019 Thank you Rich. I will be interested in learning what you had for dinner, and whether there was any cheese plate offered as a choice. Smooth sailing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted October 14, 2019 #12 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Thank you for taking us along with you on on journey. Do you visit Australia before arriving in New Zealand? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser Bruiser Posted October 14, 2019 #13 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Ooh, exciting! I'm anxious to learn about all the new updates. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted October 14, 2019 #14 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Rich, So happy for you!!! I love this part of the world and this will bring back fond memories for me!! Looking forward to your thread and will enjoy your blog each morning with my coffee ! Kick back and start enjoying your voyage! Hiking the Milford Sound for me was the best. Denise😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted October 14, 2019 Author #15 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) A couple of notes for the day. First, something that will make a lot of people happy. The Crows Nest was not changed! It is still the open area wonderful for sitting and watching the view, with or without adult beverages. While eating lunch I did see a couple of workers. I don't think there is anything major to finish, just touch up work. @erewhon we do visit Sydney and Melborne before continuing to Tasmania and New Zealand. I'm looking forward to visiting with friends in Sydney. Views of Vancouver The bag that was delivered tonight Edited October 14, 2019 by richwmn 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted October 14, 2019 #16 Share Posted October 14, 2019 1 minute ago, richwmn said: The Crows Nest was not changed! It is still the open area wonderful for sitting and watching the view, with or without adult beverages. Excellent news! Thank you for letting us know. That prompts a question: is the library still intact? I love perusing the shelves and getting books from there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeeniEncinitas Posted October 14, 2019 #17 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Great to know about The Crows Nest👍 I’m also wondering like Ruth about the library. I so love the smaller ships on HAL. Denise😊 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare GeezerCouple Posted October 14, 2019 #18 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Following along for updates! We'll be boarding when Noordam gets to Auckland. And I also so wish we could have started in Vancouver, well, or maybe Hawaii, after spending a few days there. We are now thinking of sailing to Hawaii next year instead of flying 🙂 We love the Vancouver port area, and sailing out of Vancouver. Enjoy! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richwmn Posted October 14, 2019 Author #19 Share Posted October 14, 2019 (edited) A walk around the public decks tonight brought some surprises. Let me start off by saying it has been a while since my last cruise on Noordam, but I have sailed more recently on other ships. I was surprised at the lack of major changes. B.B. King is in what was originally called the Queens Lounge and now goes by the BB King Lounge. It didn't really look any different than before. I didn't check to see if carpet and soft goods were replaced or just cleaned up. A change I thought would happen didn't - Northern LIghts still exists and the casino is still the same size. No Gallery Bar which I enjoyed on Westerdam. Across from the Casino is Billboard, which looks identical to the setup on Nieuw Amsterdam. No real changes other than putting two pianos there and moving the seating around. Where the piano bar was is now a larger bar. What used to be the Explorers Lounge is now branded Lincoln Center Stage, but other than that, looks pretty much the same. Where the photo studio was has about 16 touch screen computers set up, but they may only be to view the pictures you might want to buy. They had no keyboard or mouse so they would be difficult to use for general surfing. The only act that was performing during my walk was BB King, and they sounded pretty good. Tomorrow morning I'll take another walk with camera in hand. @RuthC where was the library located? I'll check tomorrow. Rich Edited October 14, 2019 by richwmn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted October 14, 2019 #20 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Rich, Thanks for your reply, and sharing your photos, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted October 14, 2019 #21 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Great -- a live review and with pictures!! Glad to know that the Crow's Nest wasn't touched. Looking forward to your reports. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jbhcw Posted October 14, 2019 #22 Share Posted October 14, 2019 looking forward to following along! Have a wonderful cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted October 14, 2019 #23 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Thanks for the info on the changes and lack thereof on the Noordam Rich 🙂 Delighted to hear that the Crow’s Nest has remained. That is really good news for our cruise next year 😄 Maybe someone “heard” us? 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted October 14, 2019 #24 Share Posted October 14, 2019 Thanks for taking us with you. Following. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael620 Posted October 14, 2019 #25 Share Posted October 14, 2019 8 hours ago, richwmn said: A walk around the public decks tonight brought some surprises. Let me start off by saying it has been a while since my last cruise on Noordam, but I have sailed more recently on other ships. I was surprised at the lack of major changes. B.B. King is in what was originally called the Queens Lounge and now goes by the BB King Lounge. It didn't really look any different than before. I didn't check to see if carpet and soft goods were replaced or just cleaned up. A change I thought would happen didn't - Northern LIghts still exists and the casino is still the same size. No Gallery Bar which I enjoyed on Westerdam. Across from the Casino is Billboard, which looks identical to the setup on Nieuw Amsterdam. No real changes other than putting two pianos there and moving the seating around. Where the piano bar was is now a larger bar. What used to be the Explorers Lounge is now branded Lincoln Center Stage, but other than that, looks pretty much the same. Where the photo studio was has about 16 touch screen computers set up, but they may only be to view the pictures you might want to buy. They had no keyboard or mouse so they would be difficult to use for general surfing. The only act that was performing during my walk was BB King, and they sounded pretty good. Tomorrow morning I'll take another walk with camera in hand. @RuthC where was the library located? I'll check tomorrow. Rich On the Eurodam, passengers could use the photo area computers to create metal and acrylic pictures, luggage tags, mugs, etc. from their own photos. Does this now exist on the Noordam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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