Noordam Review

3.5 / 5.0
829 reviews

Time for a Re-fit, Noordam?

Review for the Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Noordam
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Conchita229
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Sep 2014
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

We are a couple of 65 year olds, who have not sailed with HAL before, but this was our fourth cruise. The embarkation process at Civitavechia, Rome, was speedy and efficient. Our luggage arrived in our stateroom 6003, just as we did. Our cabin was specifically for a disabled traveller, as I have mobility problems and use a scooter. The stateroom was situated right at the prow of the ship on the starboard side, quite a distance from restaurants, but it was quite spacious and had lots of storage space. I could drive my scooter right in, around the end of the bed and park it by the floor to ceiling verandah doors.There was a supporting pillar in the room, which I learned to negotiate. We put our large suitcases under the beds and there were two spacious drawers there too.We had a couch/ sofa bed, which was red and rather tatty, the bed valance was rose pink, quilted material, also showing signs of wear, the carpet was orange patterned and the drapes a pink mottled pattern. The throw was flowery and there were two orange cushions on the beds. Nothing in the decor seemed to match and it was very old fashioned. I was initially quite disappointed. However, everything was spotlessly clean. Our stewards, Going and Raymond, helped with our luggage and offered us adaptors for the electrical sockets, but we had our own.They were always helpful and cheery, quickly learning our first names.

The bathroom was a wet room with a shower and shower stool attached to the wall Unfortunately, the plastic covering on the stool was split at the corner, which I considered disgustingly unhygienic and covered it with a towel.The shower worked well and we had good quality shower gel, shampoo and conditioner in containers on the wall. Like the bedroom, the bathroom was showing signs of wear, the grouting in the shower area was black with mould and the towels were greyish, not white.These were changed twice a day by our faithful stewards.

We had anytime dining in the Vista Dining room. Often there were queues and a few times we were sent away with a buzzer to wait for a table inspite of us saying we would share. The food was good, not fantastic, but well presented and with adequate choice and servings. The service could be slow especially if you were on a big table. This didn't really concern me, as I like relaxed meals, but most people were not happy. I loved the soups and the appetisers especially, but the food was never hot. We ate breakfast in our room and were pleased with the room service. We did not order hot food. We found the daily phone call to check if the breakfast was satisfactory a little OTT, perhaps once a cruise would be enough.We ate lunch in the Lido and it was always a free-for-all with me finding a suitable table, while my husband collected food for me and himself. Trays were not provided, so he had lots of trips to the stations.We noticed that one side of the Bistro was closed very promptly, as was the Asian station and the whole restaurant closed very early,leaving only pizza available. The food was not well presented by the servers and was never hot. Luxwarm food is quite a risk and the temperature should be monitored. I did appreciate the care taken over serving for the first three days to prevent spread of disease. We did not use the speciality restaurants, as I feel the cruise is expensive enough, without extra being charged.

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

Cabin VB

Our stateroom was at the prow of the ship, starboard.It was quite far from the Lido and Vista Dining rooms, being the very last cabin in the corridor. Its position meant we experienced some movement when the sea was moderately rough.It was designed for disabled people, the doors were wider and the cabin was spacious enough for me to drive my scooter right in, around the end of the beds to park it by the veranda doors.There was a supporting pillar by the door, which was easy to negotiate. The bathroom had a shower only, like a wet room, with a stool attached to the wall. This room was in need of refurbishment, as the cover on the stool was split and the shower curtain was needing replaced.My first reaction was disappointment generally, as the decor was very tired looking and quite old fashioned with flowery comforters, patterned carpets and unattractive drapes. Nothing seemed to match, but I soon warmed to the room, as the storage was great, with lots of wardrobe space and two deep drawers under the beds. Our big cases could be stored under the beds too.There was a desk with good lighting and a useful mirror, the television was above, not really suitable for viewing from the beds.There was a couch/sofa bed for extra guests, but it was quite tatty and uncomfortable and frankly, I do not know how two extra people could share the space. The veranda was accessible for a wheelchair, but wasn't very big, with two chairs, a footstool and a tiny table. It was not overlooked from above or next door.We had to wedge the little table in the door to keep it open, this seemed to create a high-pitched whistle when it was windy. One stormy night the whole corridor was as if it was full of howling banshees. The air conditioner was ferocious with two outlets on the ceiling above the bed, pumping cold air.It was impossible to switch off and difficult to regulate.But, the room was scrupulously clean, kept so by our attentive stewards, who were always cheerful and chatty. The bed was comfortable, but the bedding was in need of replacement, the one blanket was thin and was not warm enough to counteract the power of the AC. The towels, similarly were greyish white and quite hard, though they were replaced twice a day.

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