Amsterdam or Noordam

solomon · November 25, 2006

OK, here is where we stand. Due to timing, work etc, our Alaska cruise has been narrowed down to June, sailing out of Seattle. We have 2 choices, Amsterdam or Noordam. Itineraries are similar so that is not an issue.

Never cruised on HAL so I can't rely on past experience.

A new ship appeals to me (Noordam), but so does a smaller & seasoned ship (Amsterdam).

There will be 3 of us, wife, 12 year old son & myself.

We will book this as soon as decision is made on which ship.

YOU help make that decision for us.

Thanks....Greg

jtl513 · November 25, 2006

OK, here is where we stand. Due to timing, work etc, our Alaska cruise has been narrowed down to June, sailing out of Seattle. We have 2 choices, Amsterdam or Noordam. Itineraries are similar so that is not an issue.

Never cruised on HAL so I can't rely on past experience.

A new ship appeals to me (Noordam), but so does a smaller & seasoned ship (Amsterdam).

There will be 3 of us, wife, 12 year old son & myself.

We will book this as soon as decision is made on which ship.

YOU help make that decision for us.

Thanks....Greg

Tough choice!! :) I like both ships a lot, but for AK I think I'd choose Amsterdam again. Fewer people is better at AK ports. Have you checked cruisecal.com to see what other ships would be in port(s) at the same time? That might help you decide. Good luck! :D

grannynurse · November 25, 2006

Amsterdam is the co-flagship of the fleet. She's about 6 years old and is about 180 feet shorter than Noordam. She has 2 fewer passenger decks and fewer cabin categories but her cabins are larger in sq. footage.

Many of us prefer the smaller HAL ships and think the ambiance and warm service are better on the S and R class ships. We sailed on Noordam's sister ship Westerdam from Seattle to Alaska in September and found that she does some things better than the other ships but that is true fleet-wide. Every ship has some areas that are stronger than the others. June is a busy time in Alaska, later is bussier than early in the month, and more expensive.

I was apprehensive about sailing on a Vista ship but my fears were unfounded. Except for the walking, I was very pleased with our experience.

If you read the sticky on this page on the HAL board that describes the differences in the ships you may have a better handle on which one to choose.

I'd say that you can't go wrong either way. You'll have to see which day of the week you'd prefer to sail and which of the ships' amenities appeal to you more. Example: Want a disco, choose Noordam, want a dedicated movie theatre, pick Amsterdam.

Hope this helps,

GN

Krazy Kruizers · November 25, 2006

Have sailed on the other 3 Vista class ships and the Amsterdam a couple of times.

If it were me, I would choose the Amsterdam -- beautiful ship -- nice size.

Bill S · November 25, 2006

I've sailed on the Noordam once and the Amsterdam, twice. They are both beautiful ships, but my preference is the Amsterdam, as I prefer the smaller ships. If you prefer larger ships, then the Noordam would be a good choice for you.

Sea King · November 25, 2006

choosing between Amsterdam and Noordam is like choosing between flying 1st class on a 767 or 777 operated by the same airline

both ships are truly beautiful ..

the biggest differences IMO are size and layout

Amsterdam is 20,000 tons smaller than Noordam; on Amsterdam, most of the "activities" other than for Crow's Nest on are 1 deck; on Noordam, they're on 2 decks in addition to the Crow's Nest and Oak Room

each has a separate Pinnacle; both are beautiful

Lido is entirely different on Noordam than Amsterdam; on Noordam, there are separate dining stations; on Amsterdam, a single line; IMO, the Noordam Lido has a much better layout both for selection and seating

the Disco on Amsterdam is in the Crow's Nest; on Noordam, the Northern Lights is located next to the Casino, across from the sports bar and only a short walk on the same deck to the Piano Bar; Noordam IMO has a more functional atrium

tough choice

if I had to pick, I'd probably "opt" for Noordam:)

bepsf · November 25, 2006

Amsterdam has that awful new protuberance above the bridge that prevents one from seeing the bow from the Crow's Nest and closes off one of the forward viewing decks - a major issue when viewing glaciers.* Plus, the new Loft/Oasis additions to ClubHAL blocks more deck space at the stern - making it less comfortable walking around the ship on Deck 9 (Observation Deck)*

On the plus side, Amsterdam has a better dining room arrangement, so as you're sailing through the inside passage, you have a 180 degree view while enjoying your luncheon. * However if you want lunch in Pinnacle, there are no views at all (No windows) on Amsterdam whereas Noordam has windows in it's Pinnacle.* Then of course, there's the issue of walking over the kitchen to get to the dining room on Amsterdam - no such concerns on Noordam.

Plus, Noordam has more verandahs so if you'd like you can wander out to your own private deck and still see pretty much everything there is to see.

I'd choose Noordam

RuthC · November 26, 2006

Day of the week the ship sails may be a major consideration.

In Alaska nightlife is not as great a consideration as some other itineraries as it's one of those "get up and get out early" places.

Unless you plan on booking a cabin with a balcony---especially an aft balcony---the Amsterdam has more open deck space. This is one place where it's easy to spend several hours just sitting outdoors enjoying the show.

I'd take the Amsterdam.

FoxyTerrier · November 26, 2006

We were faced with the exact same choice for our Alaska in August. We choose the Noordam for 2 reason.

1. The Noordam offers Aft staterooms which we love - from the deck plans it seems the Amsterdam does not.

2. The Noordam sails Sunday to Sunday so flying out from the East Coast on Saturday saves one vacation day. I believe the Amsterdam was Saturday to Saturday.

The Amsterdam did Tracey Arm and Noordam did Glacier Bay - not sure which iten is better.

In the end we picked the Noordam - we sailed her this past summer and loved her. We did tour the Amsterdam while she was in port in Majorica in 2001 (I think she was brand new then) and she looked very nice as well.

kryos · November 26, 2006

2. The Noordam sails Sunday to Sunday so flying out from the East Coast on Saturday saves one vacation day. I believe the Amsterdam was Saturday to Saturday.

You lost me somewhere here. Do you work a four-day workweek? How does the day of the week that the ship leaves save you a vacation day on a cruise of seven days? Would seem you'd need five vacation days either way?

Blue skies ...

--rita

kryos · November 26, 2006

Have sailed on the other 3 Vista class ships and the Amsterdam a couple of times.

If it were me, I would choose the Amsterdam -- beautiful ship -- nice size.

I'm with you.

True, I've never sailed the Noordam, so I really shouldn't even be weighing in on this. But I have sailed the Zuiderdam (also a Vista) and would take the Amsterdam over that anyday. Much smaller ship, more "cozy," more elegant, and less walking overall to get from point A to point B ... the benefits are overwhelming on the side of the Amsterdam ... at least for me.

Blue skies ...

--rita

jtl513 · November 27, 2006

How does the day of the week that the ship leaves save you a vacation day on a cruise of seven days?

Sounds to me like she wants/likes to fly the day before the cruise ... which I don't think is necessary when sailing from anywhere on the West Coast. I think a Sat-Sat cruise is better for East Coasters because we don't have to get home late on a Sunday night and go to work the next day!

kruskat · November 27, 2006

Questions

We are looking at the Noordam verses Amsterdam to Alaska next year.

Currently available suites on the Amsterdam cabins are (SA) cabins forward that look to be under the Terrace Grill on the Lido Deck and aft (SB) cabins. The SB cabins are under the rear pool and just aft of the Lido restuarant.

1. Are these SA or SB cabins noisey due to foot traffic and chairs moving from above.

3. Is there some reason why none of the (SA) cabins between those currently listed between the front and rear of the ship, are not showing available? Do think they are sold out or an agency has a big block of them?

3. Are all the suites noisey being under the Lido Deck or are some better than others? It seems strange to locate all suites in a noise location if so.

4. 1. The website also indicates shower only for the SB cabins? I thought all suites had the jacuzzi tubs?

Any information regarding these cabins would be sincerely appreciated.

We are considering the Amsterdam because we thought it would be interesting to try a smaller ship after reading so many great reviews. Honestly, it would be difficult to top our trip last year on the Westerdam.

Thanks

kruskat · November 27, 2006