Noordam 1/17, or "If Carnival and Cunard Had a Love Child"

[Seago2]

ANOTHER HUGE NEGATIVE:

 

I was in fact mugged in NYC. Times Square- 7:15pm. The best I can describe it is "snatch and grab gone very bad." He punched my face, blackened my eye, and then smashed me up against an exterior drain pipe. He got a necklace worth about 20 bucks. The incident itself was about a 4 on the Very Bad Scale. Walking around a cruise ship with 2500 people looking at you and gasping: 9. I got one formal picture and you can totally see the Eye from Hell.

 

All I could think was: I'm getting on that ship tomorrow, come Hell or high water!

[Seago2]

ANOTHER NEGATIVE THAT WILL AMOUNT TO NOTHING:

 

The layout of the marvelous Noordam is a tad WIERD.

 

1. Explorations Cafe: Hi, I think we'll put a FREAKING LIBRARY in the middle of a major thoroughfare. That way, when people get off the elevator, they will hush their voices and apologize to the readers. They will have the vague idea that the only shops on the entire ship are just beyond, but they will never actually walk through the LIBRARY, which is the farthest thing from a CAFE in the world.

 

I've heard it's being moved to the Crow's Nest, but does anyone have confirmation on that?

 

2. Spa: Hello, why don't we put a SPA right in between the aft elevators and the most used part of the entire ship: the Lido deck? That way, for the first three days people will be confused and go back to the elevators, right to their cabins, and order room service and watch the shore excursions channel.

 

I can understand that HAL wants to sell spa services, and it's kind of like a casino: keep routing people right through it so they break down and buy. But there aren't even any real signs or anything! You would think they were hotel desk clerks or something.

 

MASSIVE NEGATIVE: Speaking of hotel employees, is there a lowlier job on the entire ship than the bellhop/organ grinder's monkey guys that give out ginger after dinner? Can someone post a picture of that getup please? It's got a pillbox hat, all kinds of wierd ropes- this is the guy that sounds the chimes for dinner- very bad.

[Seago2]

What else.....

 

OK, The Vista food took a massive nose dive after my first post. It hit the two on the Cruise Ship Main Dining Room Scale for one night. The pea soup was reduced for so long that it was so salty you could not eat it. The prawns were hard, dry, and oversalted.

 

The next night was the dreaded meat loaf night. We headed up to the Lido instead.

 

Things perked up after that, but never hit the highs of the first four nights. The menu got better but the taste was not consistent. The last formal night was actually excellent, though.

 

So, hit or miss.

 

The Lido food was GREAT. Consistently well above any buffet food I've ever had. The different stations made things very easy. I don't know what you guys are talking about when you mention traffic jams and things. I thought it worked very well. Look for the people in their late 90's and don't go there.

 

The Lido chef is a TRIP. This guy is completely on steroids and caffeine. He looks like he's in charge of the Cuban Missile Crisis literally every second he is in whites. And not a real smiley guy! not at all.

 

Funny story that I know a CC'er is going to post as one of his negatives:

 

Lido chef and gang decide they are going to try some kind of Caribbean Jerk Sailaway Party. Decorations go up, fall down, crew works diligently to make the fake grass stick to the ceiling. Captain watches with bemused look. "We are trying this for the first time" he says. "Oh great, Captain! That's so great! Awesome! Wow!!!!" says me.

 

They try to fit Jessie and the Hal Cats on a miniature platform- another Admiralty tort. She is going to fall into the keyboard and they are all going to end up in the pool, electrocuting everyone.

 

So we are in the hot tub, watching Lido Chef pour four huge bags of charcoal briquets into grills, light them and stalk angrily away. Lido roof closed. Now- any of you live in the Northeast US? (Yes, Carla) So we all know about carbon monoxide, right?

 

So the flames are so high that they are licking the multinational Caribbean Jerk flags that are strung from the ceiling. Philipinos desperately try to get them out of the way. We are in the hot tub watching the heat waves go 5 feet up from the huge grills and we know what comes next, right? carbon monoxide. So he is screaming for the roof to be opened. Long story short: it eventually gets opened, rain comes, no problem, food was GREAT. They need to do this every cruise. I loved the caribbean sailaway on NCL.

[Seago2]

POSITIVES, in no particular order:

 

The cabin. So much room! So much storage space. Huge bathroom- but no glass doors, so the shower curtain icky cling factor is high. The bed was comfortable and the pillows were excellent. The place is clean, well decorated, the flat screen TV is the bomb- all good.

 

DO NOT BOOK CABIN 4005! Or 4001, or 4003.... The steel verandah wall is the worst. You can't see out of it when you are sitting and you can barely peep over it when you are sitting. If you like to stand holding binoculars, you're fine. My advice: book an inside and take the binoculars down to the Promenade deck. Also, if you're ever in a storm you will hear loud clanging and banging!

 

Room service. What do you call the nicest people in the world who come bearing good food and coffee and good cheer, and then their boss CALLS YOU to see if you liked it? The room service menu is huge, and you can get the entire Vista menu from 8-10. You can get anything you can think of for breakfast, delivered on time, hot (or cold), on elegant plates, with a smile.

 

Desserts. Ummm... how come everyone else serves dry cake with sticky sweet lard on top, but on the Noordam the stuff was GOOOOOD? I'm talking cheesecake that tastes like cheesecake, not sugary air. Chocolate that has depth and texture. I had this ice cream sundae one night with mangoes and melon in it- something along those lines. GET IT. LOOK FOR IT AND GET IT. Tropical sundae or something like that. Apple and peach cobbler? GET IT.

 

Vista Service: God is great, God is good, let us thank him for USIN. This guy was the best. Our table was so dysfunctional- I could go on here for many paragraphs but all six of us are CC'ers. Let's just say that one couple was into... frugality and... complaining... while the other was into wine and... debate. Tension? You betcha. Usin handled couple number one with such grace and deference- I would have killed them. They are on a B2B so I think I am safe here... They became friends of ours so I think they will laugh if they read this. Low sodium diet anyone? "NO ICE!" "I NEED JUICE INSTEAD OF WATER!" blah blah, on and on, and Usin had their juices ready at 8 on the dot, sitting at the table.

 

I hope I see Usin again. Jeff and Bob, also CC'ers, had their waiter from ten years ago as their maitre d.

 

But then we ate at the officer's table. Our whole dysfunctional table, with Jeff and Bob along for the fun. Wife Number Two got totally lit at the piano bar before dinner and made many disappearances. Hubby Number Two sat there FUMING. The Complainers freaked out about ice, portion size (yo, if it says medallions it will be like three pieces, get TWO if you need to), Baked Alaska (NO! NO!), you name it. DH and I are of course perfect and completely without fault. So we get this young girl officer- her 8th day on the job. And what kind of service do we get? Can you say HAZING RITUAL? There is no other answer than that they were making her suffer for being a newbie officer. She was so nice- what a great girl! Stephanie Sillge in Guest Services. She was mortified by the service.

 

OK, more later.

 

Did I say I loved this trip? Best cruise ever.

[Old As Dirt Mom]

.......................

Did I say I loved this trip? Best cruise ever.

 

Carlalena:

 

Whew, I'm so glad you cleared that up! I wasn't sure that you'd had such a good trip!:p :eek: :D :( ;) Yes, all the "emoticons" are needed for this thread!!! It is one of the most dramatic, traumatic, ecstatic, erratic, and emphatic operas I've ever read here!

 

Bravo......Bravissimo.....

 

Karin

[SusieCruisie]

WoW!......Keep it comming, I'm sure you have alot more details to post. Glad to hear in the end it was still a great cruise for you. :) Thanks for sharing!

[Seago2]

Carlalena:

 

Whew, I'm so glad you cleared that up! I wasn't sure that you'd had such a good trip!:p :eek: :D :( ;) Yes, all the "emoticons" are needed for this thread!!! It is one of the most dramatic, traumatic, ecstatic, erratic, and emphatic operas I've ever read here!

 

 

Well, I'm sitting here trying to remember everything with five kids walking around, all of them trying to use the computer!

 

I'll have to get it together to write an actual member review... It will be nothing like this!

 

Yes, it was a wonderful trip. The superlatives don't make for a totally interesting review, but it was the cleanest, happiest, most comfortable ship I can even imagine. The Promenade Deck with the Titanic chairs is outstanding. The Vista dining room is gorgeous. The lack of cheesy decor was appreciated. The retractable Lido ceiling- how did we ever survive without them???

[sab490]

ANOTHER NEGATIVE THAT WILL AMOUNT TO NOTHING:

 

MASSIVE NEGATIVE: Speaking of hotel employees, is there a lowlier job on the entire ship than the bellhop/organ grinder's monkey guys that give out ginger after dinner? Can someone post a picture of that getup please? It's got a pillbox hat, all kinds of wierd ropes- this is the guy that sounds the chimes for dinner- very bad.

 

I never tried to attach a picture but here goes. This is Albert. He was the "Doorman" (that's his official position) in the lower dining room. He also worked breakfasts in the Lido and often carried our trays. He was a great guy and for us a MASSIVE POSITIVE!

[Seago2]

I never tried to attach a picture but here goes. This is Albert. He was the "Doorman" (that's his official position) in the lower dining room. He also worked breakfasts in the Lido and often carried our trays. He was a great guy and for us a MASSIVE POSITIVE!

 

I KNEW it! I told DH that someone would post a picture of that get up in three minutes. CC is amazing.

 

Yes, I agree, the man himself is a positive! In fact, a CC'er with too much "festivity" in her grabbed his xylophone thingie and began to ring out her own dinner chimes. Not a pleasant sight!!!!! The guy- Albert- was so professional and kind to her. he was a very nice guy.

 

but- the costume is a negative! we all watched it every night and thought: man, could they not give him something more dignified to wear???????

[herb]

those outfits they make the doormen wear remind me of the elevator operators on "Tower of Terror" ride at MGM Studios in Florida! :eek:

[SteveFriday]

Carlalena is correct that the ship layout has its problems .. mostly that they try to route you through certain areas, such as the Art Gallery or the Photo Gallery (the only access from the center of the ship to the Vista Dining Room on both decks 2 and 3). I opted to go aft on Deck 4, all cabins with two corridors (one on each side) that made getting to the aft stairs easier. Toward the front on Deck 2 you need to walk through the Casino past the Sports Bar (a smoking area) and then past the Queen's Lounge, where overflow seats in the hallway (for smokers) clog the works. One can shortcut in daytime through the unused Northern Lights Disco which opens into the Casino on one end, the center stairs on the other. Deck 3 routes you through the shops (actually the center corridor is a road block, but cutting through the jewelry shop when its open is a quicker bypass), and then through the Library. Worse, there are three function rooms off the Library, and mornings when religious services are held there, doors are not shut .. so singing and other sounds waft into the Library area. This is designed to provide traffic through the sales areas, but you can avoid it by using decks 1 or 4 to get to the other end of the ship efficiently. Also as noted on Deck 9 the front elevators/stairs are only accessibly by going through the Spa reception area, which I found uncomfortable, but hey they designed it that way. Once you learned the problem areas, it was easy to devise alternate routes and make your on board travel efficient.

[Seago2]

Carlalena is correct that the ship layout has its problems .. mostly that they try to route you through certain areas, such as the Art Gallery or the Photo Gallery (the only access from the center of the ship to the Vista Dining Room on both decks 2 and 3). I opted to go aft on Deck 4, all cabins with two corridors (one on each side) that made getting to the aft stairs easier. Toward the front on Deck 2 you need to walk through the Casino past the Sports Bar (a smoking area) and then past the Queen's Lounge, where overflow seats in the hallway (for smokers) clog the works. One can shortcut in daytime through the unused Northern Lights Disco which opens into the Casino on one end, the center stairs on the other. Deck 3 routes you through the shops (actually the center corridor is a road block, but cutting through the jewelry shop when its open is a quicker bypass), and then through the Library. Worse, there are three function rooms off the Library, and mornings when religious services are held there, doors are not shut .. so singing and other sounds waft into the Library area. This is designed to provide traffic through the sales areas, but you can avoid it by using decks 1 or 4 to get to the other end of the ship efficiently. Also as noted on Deck 9 the front elevators/stairs are only accessibly by going through the Spa reception area, which I found uncomfortable, but hey they designed it that way. Once you learned the problem areas, it was easy to devise alternate routes and make your on board travel efficient.

 

That's exactly what I did- used Deck 4 to get anywhere (where my cabin was, anyway). I had no idea that Northern Lights was a pass through. I heard the singing coming from the rooms off the library/cafe as well. Makes no sense!

[Karen112999]

Hi Carla... loved the review. And hope you eye is getting better. I guess I am not meant to be a "reviewer" because everything said about the layout is correct - but I just never paid attention to it.

 

Yes, the crew was in March and still is fabulous. Captain Scott definately did show his face all over the ship and so did all the other officers. But the crew - special mention to my buddy Edgar - who had moved to the piano bar. (no smoking - so it was just quick hellos) is my one and only favorite. Don't tell my fiance, but I wish I was 15 years younger.

 

Rough weather - it was amazing. I have been in worse Jan 06, but I never watched the weather change so fast. I spent the entire afternoon out on the aft pool balcony. One minute, sunshine, sunbathing, swimming....and then clouds, darkness, and major wind gusts. Loved it and was glad that noone was hurt. And yes, some insisted, like myself, to stay out and enjoy it. But some were crazier than I...who stayed protected at the outdoor bar... others were out in the lounge chairs on the open deck. And I will say....there were still many heels that evening at dinner... (I wore my comfie sandals - didnt match - but who cares).

 

Jason was back as CD... he was there in March. After one unhandled problem last cruise - I must say he was excellent. He handled everything that I saw come his way... Quite impressive and of course adorable. Jazzy was also back (or never left) as DJ... and seemed to take a much larger entertainment role than I had remembered....

 

Our CC group was fun... Of course some I saw more than others, it was all quite enjoyable. Jeff & Bob....thanks for the dances. Mac D, Wendy & group... enjoyed sharing some "beverages" with you and sorry I kept saying WHAT???? You would think I could deal the accent. Carla, I wish you started off better... the NY episode..and as soon as I find a color scanner... I will be sharing our photo with the entire board...

 

Well take care all and I am looking forward to my next cruise... although it is a Carnival cruise...

 

Karen

[Seago2]

Hi Karen! I think I saw you and Linda accosting that officer on the last formal night- something about "taking a picture"- yeah, right :) .

 

I also saw you guys camping out at the aft pool bar during the beginning of the storm. We were in the hot tub, which is where I wish I was now.

 

I'm definitely taking a Carnival cruise this summer with the kids- hey, nothing wrong with Carnival! Food is good and it's a FUN SHIP. The Elation was, anyway.

[nurseblissful]

you got mugged at times square? i am so paranoid about going to ny, and that was the first thing my dh said! how can we avoid this? and if you don't want to elaborate, then tell me to mmob! i am sorry such a thing happened. oh my.....

[Seago2]

In my heart I believe it was a freak occurence. I have never felt unsafe in NYC. I was walking out of a bar (O'Brien's) about a block away from Times Square. My DH and my cousin were inside paying the bill and I said I was just going to walk up the block. Then the proverbial guy from outta nowhere came up and snatched my necklace, which was not a long necklace. he then basically had me by a noose, and I was fighting him off, so he punched me in the face and flipped me around and smashed my head into a metal drainpipe. He got the necklace, which is a joke, and thank God I had left my purse (with docs, credit cards, passports, etc) at the hotel.

So DH, who is a 20 year cop, and my cousin came out and they ran around but the guy was well gone. There were people nearby but the only one who saw the whole thing was an awesome guy from across the street. We called the cops and waited in the freezing cold on the corner for 45 mins, then called back and told them our hotel room #, and they never came. Not that they would have been able to do anything but possibly hold up our departure (in my mind but DH says they would have taken the report and been done with it). Not faulting the cops because I am sure I was extremely low priority.

So, anyway, there you go.

[Rahi]

Hi Carla, Hope you are feeling better. I was wondering about nights in the dining room, how people were dressed, ie , casual, informal. Thanks!

[Karen112999]

It strange. I live about 50 miles away from NYC and I will not consider myself an expert, but what Carla said was correct - she was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. Its a city so things do happen. What bothers me the most is the violence... grab the necklace or bag if she had it, but no reason to do what he did. Thankfully, it was not worse...

The best bet in any city... put away the flashy jewelry...keep track of you bag if you have one...never a backpack strapped to your back.. keep you eyes open and use common sense.. But even following those rules you can be targeted like Carla was.

Rahi -

Formal nights (2) and 1 optional - gowns & evening dresses for women, tuxes and dark suits for men were the standard.

Informal night(2) - dinner dresses/suits for women... dark suits with ties for men.

Casual (5) A variety... for women - casual skirt, dresses, pants, khakis, even jeans for some... Khakis, pants, sport jackets, few ties for men. First and last casual nights were more casual then midcruise ones. Alot of jeans and sweat outfits on the last night.

Overall, the majority followed protocol.... me included.

Karen

[madelinerose]

nurseblissful...stuff happens, [B][COLOR=red]everywhere[/COLOR]. [/B] NYC is absolutely fabulous...savor the flavor of the city and enjoy.

[quote name='nurseblissful']you got mugged at times square? i am so paranoid about going to ny...[/quote]



Carla....so sorry to hear about your incident.


Karen

[Seago2]

[quote name='Rahi']Hi Carla, Hope you are feeling better. I was wondering about nights in the dining room, how people were dressed, ie , casual, informal. Thanks![/quote]

I was prepared for 50% suits and 50% tuxes, but I would swear it was about 90% tuxes!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

[SIZE=3]Carla, I am so very very that you got mugged in NY. How terrible:( Your humor and attitude is just so very happy and refreshing that I actually thought you could be joking. I am so sorry. How great that you did not make this incident destroy your wonderful cruise. Thanks again for reporting everything on the Noordam, we look forward to sailing on her this coming June.[/SIZE]

[MacD]

Carla,


Whilst I may not agree with you on a number of points, weather related!! [I](perhaps I do not have a critical enough eye?)[/I] No pun intended!!!!!!!! I have to say that on content alone it is a very comprehensive & superb review! How did you manage to find the time to see so much????? I may have indulged a little at night, but in the day I was almost dry!!!!!!!!!! Your good eye was certainly working well! One wonders that if both were functioning fully if perhaps you would have given us the Bridge & Engine Room layout. You certainly didn't miss very much!!!!!!!!!! However given your pre NYC incident I am pleased that overall you had a nice cruise. We can certainly agree on one thing Capt. Scott is a superb Master Mariner & a real diamond never ducking out of passenger contact & always available whether it be for a quick photo shot or the simplest of queries from a passenger. I had never in my many years at sea witnessed a Capt of such a large vessel who could be both humble & polite & seldom displaying any type of arrogance or aloofness. He is an absolutely superb communicator, which seemed to add to the calm atmosphere which reasonated throughout the vessel! We haven't as yet booked up for next years corresponding voyage, but will certainly be perusing the itineraries at an early stage!

Regards

MacD:)

[Boytjie]

[quote name='nurseblissful']you got mugged at times square? i am so paranoid about going to ny, and that was the first thing my dh said! how can we avoid this? [/quote]

Don't look like a tourist! :D

Muggings are not all that common these days. Yes, there will always be crime - in big cities as well as small towns - but New York is now the safest big city.

Carla, I am sorry that the police's response was so poor. That's embarrassing.

[Seago2]

[quote name='Boytjie']Don't look like a tourist! :D

Muggings are not all that common these days. Yes, there will always be crime - in big cities as well as small towns - but New York is now the safest big city.

Carla, I am sorry that the police's response was so poor. That's embarrassing.[/quote]

That's ok, my husband is a cop. I know how it goes! ;)

[PalmBeachMom]

John Scott does it for me....