Report from the Noordam - Maiden Voyage

[ekerr19]

We ended up changing our flight and coming home early yesterday instead of staying until this afternoon. We were in the group Blue 2 for disembarkation and had to wait about 45 minutes or so to disembark, but once off the ship, all went smoothly. Apparently, the port authority requested all the luggage be off loaded before the pax were allowed to do so - which is not the normal process.

 

Had a great cruise, happy to be home in Colorado were the temps are much warmer than those in NYC.

 

The ship is lovely and we miss her already. :)

[HeatherInFlorida]

Welcome home, Laura. I was confused when you said you were home! I had thought originally you planned a couple of extra days in NYC. Don't blame you for wanting slightly warmer temps!

 

Good to have you back home. We missed everyone, but it was a good week and everyone stayed out of trouble here on the boards:D . As a matter of fact it was blissfully serene!

[Himself]

Greg:

 

I am sorry you have to come back and do a funeral. The guy who covered for me in November died when I was on my way home and so when I returned on Thursday night I unpacked and went up to his funeral on Friday morning. I got an e-mail on Monday night at sea. It sure made a trip to Hawaii a memory quick.

 

I will be very interested in your review for I will be most anxious to learn whether or not there were any "kinks" on this maiden voyage.

John

[Ziggy7]

We still havent heard from JimAndStan, I hope all is going well for Jim. Hope someone can email him and find out if he's doing ok!

[RevNeal]

I have e-mailed Jim and Stan and hope to hear back from them soon with an update. :) Once I hear I will let the board know ... unless, of course, they drop in and post here first. :D

[RevNeal]

Laura ... I'm jealous! You're going to be on the Noordam in the Med this summer! :( And you're not taking ME?

 

I LOVED meeting you and your wonderful man. It WAS a blast, wasn't it? I look forward to future cruises (wink wink, nudge nudge).

[calm_seas]

If you don't think CC'ers are appreciated.... Here is a partial quote from an email I just received. I thought it was a nice gesture and definitely "above and beyond" the call of duty:

 

"I hope you enjoyed your inaugural cruise … it was definitely an honor for me to meet you and the rest of the cruise critics group.

 

We are already on our way back to the Caribbean and the weather is not too bad.

 

Once again thank you for sailing with us and I hope to welcome you on our next inaugural sailing of the new “signature class” ship.

 

Kind Regards,

 

Stan Kuppens

Hotel Manager

ms Noordam

Holland America Line

[FlorenceItaly]

inaugural of the Signature Class? Someone mentioned 2008, but any idea roughly when and sailing where out of??? I have GOT to be there :).

 

Marie

[calm_seas]

inaugural of the Signature Class? Someone mentioned 2008, but any idea roughly when and sailing where out of??? I have GOT to be there :).

 

Marie

 

I asked that question of Captain Scott. However, there are no specifics at this time. It is too early to pin down dates because they can't predict the build will follow the timetable. Everyone seems to want to get it right before they "commit" to dates, etc. HAL is aware that there are quite a few CC'ers interested. Hopefully, some of us will get a shot at it;)

[Loralu]

Hello all, I have been following the posts here for a while now, since I have booked the Noordam for 11/4. I have a few questions? When you refer to CCers? do you mean Cruise Critic members? Also will Greg be posting his review here? or on another thread? I have been on CC here for a few years since my first cruise, but basically stuck to the roll calls for the cruise I was on.. seems there is so much more out there I'm just finding out about. You all sound like a great bunch - do you plan trips together?

Lora

[RuthC]

When you refer to CCers? do you mean Cruise Critic members?

Yes, we do.

 

Also will Greg be posting his review here? or on another thread?

The Great Carnac says: here.:D

 

You all sound like a great bunch - do you plan trips together?

Lora

Thank you, we are. As a matter of fact there are a few CC/HAL group cruises planned. RevNeal is heading the Voyage of the Spammed cruise to Hawaii in October of this year on the Zaandam. I am one of the "spammed". Would you like to join us?

[RevNeal]

I will be posting my review here. Never fear. And it will be up tomorrow. I've gotten a bit of it drafted and am going to try and finish it tomorrow and post it tomorrow night. Photos will be up within the week.

 

As for the next Inaugural cruise ... I, like Martha and several others, have every intention of booking it when it becomes available.

[Ziggy7]

Hi Everyone,

 

I just got off the phone with my parents and boy oh boy did they have a wonderful time!!!! They especially thought meeting all the CC'ers was a great highlight to the cruise!

 

They really enjoyed the cabin crawl, going from a single inside all the way up to the Penthouse Suite! I will have lots of pictures to share after we see them on the 16th.

 

They said Martha (calm_seas) was such a wonderful person to be around, very charming and caring person! Brian (Bespf) stole my mothers heart buy calling her name out and giving her a big hug everytime her saw her! She felt very special because of it! They just fell in love with Laura (ekeer19) and told me I was going to have a blast with her in May! They said she is very sweet, bubbly and always cheerful person! Jim & Stan were very welcoming and friendly, they are very intelligent caring people!

 

There were so many more they mentioned and I really should have taken notes hehehe of course they didnt know eveyones names so they described them, like the beautiful blonde (long hair) person who popped over and said "Ziggy7 ask me to say Hi" so she did hehehe, Oh yeah, RevNeal is a very funny guy hehehe and enjoyed chatting with him.

 

There were many of you CC'ers that welcomed them and made them feel comforable and for that I thank you all from the bottom of my heart! I cant begin to tell you all how greatful I am because of all of you! Big hugs from me and I hope we meet someday on a ship!

[jasl]

Martha....... So nice to hear you had such a good time on the Noordam. Guess Jason remembered you from the Veendam, he is a great CD. I was happy to note that Stan Kuppens is on the Noordam, he is our favourite Hotel Manager and this a good excuse for us to book this lovely new ship. Thanks for your posts.

[jasl]

THANKS for your reports REVNEAL.... be looking forward to your review and pictures. It sure sounds like you sailed with a great bunch of people.

[calm_seas]

I was happy to note that Stan Kuppens is on the Noordam, he is our favourite Hotel Manager and this a good excuse for us to book this lovely new ship. Thanks for your posts.

 

I am sure that all the CC'ers who were onboard would agree that Stan is one of the best in the industry (not just HAL)! He is very approachable and willing to hear any items of concern that will make the passengers more comfortable onboard. I am not sure how long he is actually going to be on the ship, as he indicated he has an upcoming vacation time at some point in the future. However, no matter when he leaves the ship, I am positive that the groundwork that he has established will certainly make the Noordam a very special ship.

[ejbmorr]

To all of you who were so friendly and welcoming to us as newcomers to the CC group, I want to say a heartfelt THANK YOU. We had such a good time at the CCer's Party on the morning of February 23. It was my birthday and made the day all the more perfect. Martha, Jim and Stan- I know you three put a lot of effort into the preparations. It was very much appreciated. The CC group is made up of very special people. I hope that we will have the opportunity to share future cruises with all of you so we to get to know you all even more.

I have been worrying so about Jim and his broken leg. Like all of you, we will be waiting to hear more news about his condition.

I hope all made it home safely from the ship. We were in the last group called for disembarkation and so there were very few still in the terminal when we got there at about 11:30. Hopefully you were all on your way by then.

Wasn't it a beautiful ship, the best of staff and crew and a wonderful cruise? We were really thrilled with it all. The returning high seas made it all-the-more exciting. Everything a maiden cruise could be! Thanks again.....

Elaine

[Vic The Parrot]

It was a rough night sailing back to NY.

 

We were somewhat delayed by the swells that the ship encountered off VA.

But we're all safe and sound at home. (Can't wait for the next sailing from NY)

 

 

--- Note to fellow CC'rs --- Say hi when you get a chance, and let us know you've arrived home. Thanks for a memorable trip.

[Loralu]

Thank you, we are. As a matter of fact there are a few CC/HAL group cruises planned. RevNeal is heading the Voyage of the Spammed cruise to Hawaii in October of this year on the Zaandam. I am one of the "spammed". Would you like to join us?

 

Oh I would love to - but since we are booked on the 11/4/06 Noordam, I dont think I can afford another so close, but would love to hear more about it. Thanks for your reply:) I look forward to chatting more with all of you.

[RevNeal]

Oh I would love to - but since we are booked on the 11/4/06 Noordam, I dont think I can afford another so close, but would love to hear more about it. Thanks for your reply I look forward to chatting more with all of you.

 

That would be very close to the end of the Spamdam cruise (October 7-22, 2006) ... but you'd have a week to wash and get ready for the Noordam!! Here's a link to information about the Cruise Critics Group Cruise to Hawaii:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/interests/groups.cfm?ID=71

[sail7seas]

I am sure that all the CC'ers who were onboard would agree that Stan is one of the best in the industry (not just HAL)! He is very approachable and willing to hear any items of concern that will make the passengers more comfortable onboard. I am not sure how long he is actually going to be on the ship, as he indicated he has an upcoming vacation time at some point in the future. However, no matter when he leaves the ship, I am positive that the groundwork that he has established will certainly make the Noordam a very special ship.

 

 

 

I think Mr. Kuppens is leaving Noordam around mid April. It wasn't clear if he returns to Noordam but I think perhaps not. I agree that he is a delightful gentleman and does everything in his power to make guests happy and comfortable. A very nice man IMO

[ekerr19]

Laura ... I'm jealous! You're going to be on the Noordam in the Med this summer! :( And you're not taking ME?

 

I LOVED meeting you and your wonderful man. It WAS a blast, wasn't it? I look forward to future cruises (wink wink, nudge nudge).

 

Greg - We enjoyed meeting you as well! Time flew didn't it? We are excited to be back in July for the Med cruise - many of the staff will still be aboard.

 

Hmmmm - we'll have to see if you can come with a way to get back on that ship, lol!!!! ;)

[ekerr19]

I think Mr. Kuppens is leaving Noordam around mid April. It wasn't clear if he returns to Noordam but I think perhaps not. I agree that he is a delightful gentleman and does everything in his power to make guests happy and comfortable. A very nice man IMO

 

Sail - That was our understanding as well. We enjoyed meeting him and as others have mentioned, very nice and approachable - he was always (as Jason says) "out and about"...

 

Interesting note - the VIP party had more guests in attendance than we'd ever seen, many having sailed with Captain Scott, Mr. Kuppens and Jason our fantastic CD numerous times. I can't say enough of the cruise staff - they were simply fabulous and we enjoyed meeting some new faces, particularly Chris & David. :)

 

We especially enjoyed the Officer's Black and White Ball which is not common for a 10-day cruise. It was a very nice touch.

[ekerr19]

It was a rough night sailing back to NY.

 

We were somewhat delayed by the swells that the ship encountered off VA.

But we're all safe and sound at home. (Can't wait for the next sailing from NY)

 

 

--- Note to fellow CC'rs --- Say hi when you get a chance, and let us know you've arrived home. Thanks for a memorable trip.

 

Vic - Glad to hear you also made it home safely! email me when you get a chance - I had your email address on my old PC which died a slow death in December, lol!!!

 

My email is in my signature (a link) and it should still be working ok - I got an email from FallBride today and I think she used that link.

[RevNeal]

I thought I would give everyone a run-down of what happened aboard the Noordam (at least from my experience) following Martha's March 1 report. Yes, we fell off the internet and out of all communication with land -- and yes, there were lots of jokes running around the ship about our being captured by Aliens and having been dropped off in the Atlantic in the 15th century ... ;)

 

We gathered for our group photo just as the ship was getting ready to depart San Juan. It's rather a GOOD photo, and I'll make sure to post it here once I have the chance. We gathered in the Atrium to take it, and while it's a nice-sized group, it's not even half of all those who were a part of our grouping. :)

 

San Juan was too short of a stay as far as ports go ... and, to top it off, it rained. :( A lot of people didn't leave the ship, but many did and I hear tell that they had some excellent tours that morning.

 

We pulled out of port under heavy Coast Guard escort, and then made our way north. That night was both an informal night AND the night of the Mariner's Reception. Since all but about 200 aboard were Mariners they held the reception(s) in the evening in two sections -- one prior to Early seating and one prior to Main seating. And, surprise! surprise!, even though I was to finish this cruise with only 99 days as a passenger, I was awarded my 100 day "hardwear" anyway! Martha also received hers, Sonny got his, and several CCers with more days than some of the staff were recognized at the Silver, Gold, and Platinum levels (Stephen and Ruth)! It was, indeed a "CC" night! :D Martha had a party in the Pinnacle -- service dragged VERY SSSSLLLOOOOWWWW (three hours for dinner???)-- and then several of us spent time between the Northern Lights and the Piano Bar, staying up late and enjoying the evening.

 

The first day of our two-day sprint back to New York was almost surreal ... we had expected rough seas but God smiled upon us and the Atlantic was as smooth as glass. It made for a very enjoyable day aboard the Noordam, with a morning CC get-together in the Crows Nest, followed by a day of many activities aboard ship. I particularly enjoyed invading Martha's Penthouse, along with Mark, Martin, Scotty, and Brian, and abusing her hot tub as we watched the sun set. :D Ah ... the life styles of the "rich and famous!" (Lady Bird, you're one in a MILLION!). Later, we enjoyed a very festive Formal Night (Laura and Sonny ... dinner together was a real treat!) with the Captain's "Black and White" Ball in the Crows Nest, conversations, and meeting still more "new friends" taking up a huge chunk of the evening. I didn't get to bed until very late.

 

Our last day of the cruise was the bipolar opposite of the prior day. We experienced "Very Rough" to "High" and "Very High" Seas the entire day, with action becoming much worse as the hours grew later. Some people had trouble, and took to hiding out in their cabins and ordering room service. I sympathize with them, and if it had not been for drugs (Scopace) I would have been among their number. The ship's motion was, at times, extreme. During our final dinner the rough motion of the ship was almost too much for some of the service staff. More than once the ship lurched so violently that a steward either lost their plates or, as happened once, totally lost their footing. In many respects it was like trying to have dinner while riding on a roller coaster ... between the lurching motions, the swells, the Gail Force winds, the 47 foot waves, and the rough vibrations from the ship's propulsion, it was quite an experience. Still, a brave half-dozen of us enjoyed a wonderful dinner and evening together. Afterwards a few of us (Brian, Scotty, myself) made our way up to the Crows Nest to see what the ride was like up there. As rough as the dining room was, the Crows Nest provided quite a wild ride. After about 20 minutes of relaxing in one of the "Captain Kirk" chairs I decided to make my way down to my cabin, finish my packing, and turn in. It was not easy to call it a night at around 11:30 pm (I usually stay up VERY late on the last night of a cruise) but, what with the ship's motion and the early-morning arrival in New York, I decided to "call it quits."

 

I shall be posting my "formal review" tonight, however suffice it to say now that this was one of my most enjoyable cruises ... and I'm not in the least bit surprised that such turned out to be the case. Sure, I had been to most of the ports before, I did VERY little off the ship, I did not have Christopher with me, and the last night we had disappointingly VERY High Seas. But on this cruise I was surrounded by a group of wonderful people ... friends I had made on line over the years and whom, now, I knew "in person." I've always enjoyed cruising on my own, or with one or two other people, but now I see the great advantage to cruising with a larger group of people whom I know, appreciate, and with whom I enjoy spending time. I want to thank all those many wonderful CCer friends who made this cruise such a pleasure. Some of you I didn't get to spend nearly as much time with as I would have liked (Vic and the General and Mrs. Max, for instance), and I look forward to future opportunities to cruise with you again. Some of you I had never even met on-line and, yet, I came to consider you good friends over the 10 days we were aboard the ship. It was, indeed, a pleasurable journey.

 

For any who were on the cruise and would like a CD with my photos, I will be happy to physically mail it to you when it is ready. Please e-mail your address. I will have a gallery up within the next couple of days with photos ... these will be processed for posting on the internet, and will NOT be as high of quality as those on the CD.

 

Blessings and Peace to all of you.