Noordam Question

[waveriderAS]

Hello everyone, I'm just wondering if anybody knows what kind of shops are onboard the noordam? Anything special or just the usual stuff?:)

[FoxyTerrier]

Just the same as all the other which mostly sell junk - it's a real shame too.

[RuthC]

I would put them under the heading of "same-ol'/same ol'". It's the usual, as far as I could see, although there were a few nice pieces of jewelry. And Stephen Card's book, of course. :)

[sail7seas]

Very unfortunately.......in recent years, the shops on HAL ships have sold low quality, uninspired, boring, blah 'stuff'. DH loves it!!! :) If I can't find anything to spend money on in any store, you KNOW that store has big problems. The most I've bought in recent years is some luggage tags and t-shirts. I also bought the HAL cookbook this summer on Maasdam. That's about it.

 

 

We have Stephen Card's book but did not see it for sale on Maasdam or Volendam. I think it is available on Noordam. If it is available, BUY IT. What a wonderful book. We have it on our coffee table and pick it up often to look through. It's a treasure IMO

 

 

 

 

 

[scopewest]

Agree with everyone else. Same shops as other ships. For the first time in years I didn't buy a t-shirt or even the Christmas ornament!

[rkacruiser]

One item that I found unique in the Noordam's logo shop was Captain Mateboar's book The Captain's Log. Since Captain Mateboar is one of the Masters of the Noordam, I imagine that is why they have it for sale. Consider buying the book. It is very humorous and well written.

[bepsf]

Mostly the same old Made-in-China junk...

[waveriderAS]

It's ashame. I think there's a huge market there for improvement. I mean you're stuck on the ship for x amount of days, chances are you will buy something. I wonder what their reasoning is? They had to played with the idea of putting in some better shops? or even renting them out to other retailers? I just don't get it!!:confused:

[ekerr19]

Well, I'm going to disagree a bit here. When we were on the Noordam in July/August (Med cruise) there were some different, local crafts - surprisingly. Not much mind you, but a few. Some very different Murano glass pieces, hand carved & painted wood pieces etc., also some very unique fine jewelry pieces. I did get a handmade 24K gold & diamond piece fashioned after a medallion taken from the art on a Spanish church door... these medallion necklaces are all the rage now, I see them in Nordstroms, Neiman's and Saks catalogs - first to have them was the Noordam however. ;)

 

rkacruiser, the Captain's Log was a wonderful find. :)

 

Also, Stephen's HAL book was available on the inaugural but not on the Med cruise this summer. My understanding was it had sold out - i don't know if there are plans to replenish the inventory, but maybe it is back in stock now.

[ESLO]

I must agree that NOT all items are junk, Made In China etc...

 

I did purchase a pair of diamond earrings for my wife for our 30th Wed Annv from Casino Winnings and she found them to be a very special gift and value. They were also checked out and very well estimated above for insurances purpose.

 

Yes, some items are what you would find on other ships or also other items on land especially those that are logo items for the particular ship.

 

I opted to also during the cruise to purchase a Citizen Watch on San Juan in one of the best known Jewelry Shops there. Unaware that the same watch was also offered in one of the ships shops abit lower than land price and love it. If known I would have purchased it onboard.

 

I would keep an open mind about the shops onboard as I also support the ship that I am sailing on for it quality. I sail on the QM2 also and can find faults onboard there too but also see quality. We do have a choice of purchasing on land visiting, ship and also at home.

[hammybee]

Agree with everyone else. Same shops as other ships. For the first time in years I didn't buy a t-shirt or even the Christmas ornament!

 

People must be buying the junk, else they would not continue to sell it.

 

I am curious if something different is sold on longer voyages and/or world cruises. I do not recall Grumpy and Slinky mentioning that it was "Gold by the Inch "day on day 94 of their world voyage :)

[navybankerteacher]

I think it is wonderful of HAL to carry boring, uninspired wares -- why does anyone, other than a shopaholic, have to spend cruise time buying anything? Their scientifically selected assortment of routine "stuff" (I do not want to use a derogarory term like "junk") allows those with a spending abuse problem to get their periodic fixes -- while carefully avoiding putting temptation before the rest of us.

[ekerr19]

I am curious if something different is sold on longer voyages and/or world cruises. I do not recall Grumpy and Slinky mentioning that it was "Gold by the Inch "day on day 94 of their world voyage :)

 

hammybee-

 

They did not sell the gold by the inch on our med cruise this summer, thankfully. I don't recall seeing the cubic zirconia (and other fake stone)ring sale either. I hope this is a permanent change for HAL.

[ekerr19]

I did purchase a pair of diamond earrings for my wife for our 30th Wed Annv from Casino Winnings and she found them to be a very special gift and value. They were also checked out and very well estimated above for insurances purpose.

 

 

What a nice gesture! A few years back, my DH placed in some money in an amateur bowling tournament - and he stopped and bought me a very pretty little diamond pendant on his way home... I was so touched by his thoughtfulness, it's still one of my favorites of all the gifts he's given me. :)