Noordam or voyager class ship

[lennel]

I am trying to choose, please only people who have been on both. I was on the Voyager in 2005 and loved that ship, in my 15 cruises this was the best ship. I have never been on Holland america. the trip is in the mediteranian

[fann1sh]

I know you only want comments from people who've been on both (class of) ships, but can you tell us what you loved so much about the Voyager class? Which amenities, or scheduled activities, or entertainment venues? Was it the buzz of the size (twice as big as the HAL Vistas = Noordam)? Or was it your cabin itself that impressed you? If the cabin is important to you, what category do you hope to book on either ship?

[geshaw30]

We've been on the Navigator and the Noordam so I hope I'm a little qualified to answer.

 

There are differences to be sure. It really comes down to what you're looking for in a vacation. The Voyager class has HAL beat hands down when it comes to activities and interior "eye candy". Much more bling and overall wow factor on the RCCL. That being said we happened to really enjoy the slower pace on the Noordam. Peace & quiet has advantages.

This is not to say that there are not activities on the Noordam- just not as many and totally different in their scope and design. HAL traditionally carries a much older crowd (and in case you're wondering our ages we are 50 & 48 respectively). The trip we made in May on the Noordam we assumed the average age to be mid to late 60's.

 

Food- no debate here. The Noordam was vastly superior to the Navigator. However the restrictions on when food is available cost HAL brownie points. It was a much greater selection, over a greater period of time, on the Navigator. In our opinion HAL shuts the Lido down way too early.

 

HAL's Neptune Lounge is a better offering than the Navigator's Concierge Club if you're staying in a suite. More food offerings in the Noordam but it lacks the alcohol offered in RCCL. The staff in the Neptune is fantastic when it comes to getting whatever you need to make your stay more enjoyable.

 

Cabin interior advantage goes to the Noordam. The suites we stayed in were comparable on each ship and we found the Noordam to be a little bit larger but not enough to sway you either way. The beds HAL offers are fantastic and RCCL did not come close to matching their comfort.

 

I could go on but I'll leave the door open to let you ask specific questions (to stop my rambling). As I mentioned it simply comes down to the type of cruise experience you are seeking. Relaxation & a little more upscale-HAL......Gitter, flash and movement-RCCL Navagation class. Both have their specific advantages and you can't go wrong either way. We'd sail Royal Caribbean anyday but we put the Noordam a small step above.

[Suesan Jean]

We've been on the Navigator and the Noordam so I hope I'm a little qualified to answer.

 

There are differences to be sure. It really comes down to what you're looking for in a vacation. The Voyager class has HAL beat hands down when it comes to activities and interior "eye candy". Much more bling and overall wow factor on the RCCL. That being said we happened to really enjoy the slower pace on the Noordam. Peace & quiet has advantages.

This is not to say that there are not activities on the Noordam- just not as many and totally different in their scope and design. HAL traditionally carries a much older crowd and in case you're wondering our ages we are 50 & 48 respectively. The trip we made in May on the Noordam we assumed the average age to be mid to late 60's.

 

Food- no debate here. The Noordam was vastly superior to the Navigator. However the restrictions on when food is available cost HAL brownie points. It was a much greater selection, over a greater period of time, on the Navigator. In our opinion HAL shuts the Lido down way too early.

 

HAL's Neptune Lounge is a better offering than the Navigator's Concierge Club if you're staying in a suite. More food offerings in the Noordam but it lacks the alcohol offered in RCCL. The staff in the Neptune is fantastic when it comes to getting whatever you need to make your stay more enjoyable.

 

Cabin interior advantage goes to the Noordam. The suites we stayed in were comparable on each ship and we found the Noordam to be a little bit larger but not enough to sway you either way. The beds HAL offers are fantastic and RCCL did not come close to matching their comfort.

 

I could go on but I'll leave the door open to let you ask specific questions (to stop my rambling). As I mentioned it simply comes down to the type of cruise experience you are seeking. Relaxation & a little more upscale-HAL......Gitter, flash and Movement-RCCL Navagation class. Both have their specific advantages and you can't go wrong either way. We'd sail Royal Caribbean anyday.

 

I agree with geshaw about cruising on the Voyager or the Noordam. I was on the Voyager back in 2005 (Explorer in 2006) and we were on the Noordam just last year, in March.

"Glitter, Flash, Movement" that basically sums up the Voyager and the Explorer. The theater had FANTASTIC SHOWS, FABULOUS ICE Skating Shows, Mini Golf, Roller Skating, Rock Climbing, a Parade, and a 50's style Diner.....!!!

I thought that the food was EXCELLENT on BOTH ships, I found having a set Dinner time hard to keep, ESPECIALLY when we were in port. I LOVED that the Waiters knew after ONE DAY that I liked Lipton Tea with Honey. But, I found that on the Royal Caribbean cruises, dining with the SAME PEOPLE, was like a slow torture.....!!!:eek:

I throughly enjoyed both cruises, but, I am in no major rush to go back to Royal Caribbean. I can't really pin point it. I think it is a variety of reasons, I don't like the set Dinner times, with set tables and people, the ship is just a bit to big for me, it costs more than other cruise lines and they don't go to enough ports-of-call in the cruises. I like 4 stops in a seven day cruise and at least 6 in a ten day cruise. Plus, we always get a "Suite" and the perks just didn't cut it for us on Royal Caribbean. I MUCH PREFER NCL for their perks.

The Noordam, for me was PERFECT.....!!! It is a BEAUTIFULL, ELEGANT, CLASSY SHIP.....!!!:)

The crew were WONDERFULL....!!! The food was DELICIOUS.....!!! I LOVED the Library, the Internet area, the Culinary Arts Center, the pool area and the decor around the ship, well, it is like being in a museum. There are some wonderfull pieces on that ship. Even the elevator doors are GORGEOUS....!!! It is a MUCH, MUCH, MUCH MORE quieter ship than the Voyager. No "Bells and Whistles"......;)

I thought that the shows were quite good, although the music was "canned", points off for that. (On my Norwegian Dream cruise this past October, the show band was truly FANTASTIC...!!!) But, there were musicians scattered around in the evenings for your listening pleasure.....:)

No Rock Walls, No Skating Rinks, No 50's Diner, No Mini Golf, etc....

I found their Anytime Dining perfect for us, I found Room Service just fine, I can't talk about the cafeteria, I don't go there. We could dine by ourselves or we could share a table, which we did often. We met ALOT of interesting people from all over the world that way.......:)

The Noordam is a quieter, sedate ship, compared to the Voyager where there is action, action, action. Even the Noordam Casino is far off to one end of the ship, I only passed through it once, by accident (I got misplaced.....).

You have to decide what you like on a ship, do you want "Bells and Whistles" or do you want quiet, elegant and classy?

As fannish said, "what did you love about the Voyager?" We have told you about the Noordam, does that "fit" into your Voyager experience?

[lennel]

We are a couple in our mid 40's I liked the fun on the ship although the Noordam is more value to the buck 10 days 999.00 we use interior cabin because we are rarely in them. On the Navigator we did have a mini suite type room with balcony when we did the eastern carribean, we loved the middle of the ship the best, we also tend to like a younger crowd. We are also looking into the new ship the carnival dream for its inaugral cruise in oct 3 2009. thanks so far for the input.

[geshaw30]

lennel- I'd stick with RCCL then. I suspect you're going to be happier if for no other reason than the younger crowd.... IMHO