Just Back From Noordam

[RuthC]

One of my daughters told me that her oldest would be happy with a jug of maple syrup for Christmas!

You've given me a great idea for a Christmas gift for my younger grand-girl! :D She practically drinks it out of a mug!

Both of my grand-girls were weened on it. ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hi all,

Sorry for the delayed answers to your questions. I was away on a business trip and just got back last night.

 

KK - The Mariner's party was a luncheon on the last full sea day. Unfortunately my DH injured his back that morning and we were unable to attend. When I was in the Neptune Lounge I heard someone saying they liked it alot, and then someone else telling the concierge that they didnt like the new lunch format. Sorry I dont have more info. However, at the Suite reception the first evening, they were passing the usual champagne and mimosas, and I saw a man order a Manhattan and they went and got it for him (knew you'd be interested).

 

Comptech - The iPod art tour is just audio. There is a different picture displayed for every chapter, but it's just a fixed picture of one of the objects.

 

Sinbad37 - I dont know if you sailed HAL before or not, but the sea day activities arent as lively as on some other lines (that's exactly what we like). There's plenty to do - board games, trivia games, movies, two pools, Explorations Cafe which has puzzles, music listening stations, books...all that suits us very well. The casino and shops are also open. We met a few that were used to RCI or Carnival and looking for extensive pool games (belly flop contests, treasure hunts, hair chest contests and the like)..you wont find that type of stuff. My favorite way to spend a sea day is to read a book by the pool, meet and spend time talking to other people, play a game of trivia, have a nice lunch outdoors, do a few laps around the teak promendade deck, etc.

 

Studebaker59 - Sorry it took me so long to get to you! Your questions arent stupid at all. We all had to learn, ask, or figure this stuff out at one time ;) . You can borrow an iPod in the Explorations Cafe, so dont worry if you dont have one. The thermal suite was $250 for the whole cruise for both of us (one person was $150). I believe it's $40 a day if you want to do only a day or two. They will give you a tour if you ask before you decide to purchase. Breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill is free, but only available to passengers in a Deluxe Verandah or Penthouse Suite. Besides the Pinnacle Grill you can have breakfast at the Lido, Dining Room, or via Room Serive. The Dining Room has a fixed menu of most standard offerings. The Lido has different stations of almost anything you'd want - a make to order omelette station, eggs benedict, pancake and french toast (regular and "special" items every day such as Dutch pancake, raisin bread french toast), eggs to order (not just a buffet style as on some other lines), fresh squeezed juices, fresh fruit, European style meats and cheeses...the list goes on. For room service you can leave a card on your door the night before, or just call in the morning. There are set selections, but we also write in items without a problem (For example, I requested blueberry pancakes a few times and even though they're not a choice on the card I got them each time). For some reason the Lido has the fresh squeezed orange juice...I didnt like it in the other venues. My only other "wish" item is that I grew up in New England and am partial to real maple syrup. All I can find on the ships is "pancake" syrup.

 

Thank You!!