New to the Board!

[Birdiegk1]

Hi,

 

We are sailing on the Noordam Feb 28th out of NY, we took our first cruise 11 years ago on the old Westerdam (had a wonderful time) I was just wondering what the average age group is now on HAL? We were in our early forties 11 years ago and seemed to be youngest couple on the ship......Ha! Ha!

Since then we have sailed on other cruise lines just to get a feel of what's out there (Celebrity, Royal Caribbean and Princess) Now we are back to HAL and really looking forward to our vacation! Do you know if there is an iron and ironing board in the cabin, if not will they bring you one or do you have to go to the laundry room? I do have a small travel iron and I was wondering if I should bring it?

 

Thanks. :)

[crystal808]

Welcome to the HAL Discussion Board, Birdiegk1!

 

Average age? Well, I guess that depends on the cruise...shorter (7-10 days) generally will have "younger" guests; longer cruises will generally have an older "average" due to available time, etc. You should feel perfectly at home, regardless....

 

As to ironing: There is no laundry room, or irons available, on HAL's Vista ships, including the Noordam. Heat-generating appliances are forbidden, for safety reasons. You can send out your pieces, or you can use a special offered...as much as you can "stuff" in the supplied laundry bag. It's a very good deal, and you'll be surprised how much you can fit in it!

 

Laundry aside, have a wonderful time on board the Noordam! She's a lovely ship, with a stellar crew.... :D

 

Hope this helps,

Paul :)

[bankerbabe]

Welcome to the boards!

 

I've not yet sailed on the Noordam, but we are scheduled to in April. From what I've read, there are no self-serve laundry rooms on the Vista class ships (of which Noordam is one). Since that is where the irons would be, there are no self-serve irons.

 

Unfortunately, or fortunately if you happen to be the one that does the ironing :), the only way to press clothes on the Vista class ships is to send it out for pressing. Irons are not allowed in the staterooms. I've also read on these boards that someone received a notice that steamers were not allowed as well.

 

A lot of people swear by Downy wrinkle releaser and/or steam from the shower. Personally I look at wrinkled clothing as a statement: "I'm on vacation by golly".

[jhannah]

Paul and bankerbabe summed it up well. Since this is not a school break timeframe, the passenger demographics will tend to be older. But I still think you'll find a good mix of ages. We did when sailing the Zuiderdam in the Caribbean one February.

 

Enjoy the Noordam. She's a wonderful ship with a fine crew.

[Birdiegk1]

Thanks for the info Paul but when you say that heat-generating appliances are forbidden I hope that doesn't include my curling iron.....I would be lot without that ;)

[RuthC]

...when you say that heat-generating appliances are forbidden I hope that doesn't include my curling iron.....I would be lot without that ;)

The letter doesn't specify curling irons, but could be interpreted to mean them. This is a portion of the letter distributed on the Noordam last month:

"Due to the potential fire hazard, travel irons, travel steamers, candles, incense, sparklers, electric water heaters, (heating coils) and any other devices which have an open flame or generate high heat may not be used in your stateroom."

[RuthC]

A day without the WSOD is like a day without orange juice.

[mamaofami]

I can certainly understand HAL being concerned about the potential for fire in a cabin. Then , why do they allow smoking? Someone who falls asleep with a lit cigerette can cause lots of damage.:confused:

[bankerbabe]

I can certainly understand HAL being concerned about the potential for fire in a cabin. Then , why do they allow smoking? Someone who falls asleep with a lit cigerette can cause lots of damage.:confused:

 

I think that they allow smoking simply because they have to. There are just so many smokers out there, banning smoking would drive passengers to other, smoking lines. So they tolerate the fire risk from smokers.

 

Carnival briefly had a smoke-free ship, but the casino and alcohol sales reported declined so badly that they changed it to a smoking-allowed ship. Apparently their theory is that smokers gamble and drink more.

[NoNoNanette]

I think that Banker Babe is right on the money...

 

Carnival briefly had a smoke-free ship, but the casino and alcohol sales reported declined so badly that they changed it to a smoking-allowed ship. Apparently their theory is that smokers gamble and drink more.

 

As a smoker, drinker and gambler, I doubt that the experiment (?) with "no smoking ever" in the casino that's been mentioned is destined to FLOP.

 

We who smoke can be described as "risk-takers" and usually don't think twice about dropping a bundle on booze and the craps table.

 

Not saying that it's a "good thing", but just "A way of life".

 

Carnival learned that, and I'll bet the same will happen with my new favorite line, HOLLAND AMERICA. :)

[serendipity1499]

Birdegik...Welcome to the boards...You've come to a great site & hope that you will get to know us & like this site..We're here to help & will be glad to answer any questions that may come up..

 

The letter doesn't specify curling irons, but could be interpreted to mean them. This is a portion of the letter distributed on the Noordam last month:

"Due to the potential fire hazard, travel irons, travel steamers, candles, incense, sparklers, electric water heaters, (heating coils) and any other devices which have an open flame or generate high heat may not be used in your stateroom."

 

Sorry to disagree Ruth, but Curling Irons are Permitted on board..Curling Irons do not get that hot...They would burn the hair if they were too hot..Curling Irons also have automatic shut offf's if they are not used within a certain time...

 

I use a Curling Iron every day while on board & have been told it is ok to use..

 

But NEVER would I use a Travel Iron, Candles, Incense or anything which generates high heat..It is too dangerous!:( Betty

[Birdiegk1]

Thanks for all the input...........so glad I can use my curling iron :)