Noordam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Why are disabled cabins either at the front or back of the ship? A trek to either the theatre or the restaurants. Our cabin 6003 was at the front, a good size with a pillar ( ideal for tying the wheelchair and walker to whilst crossing the Tasmin Sea ! ) It was clean but scruffy and worn, we placed a blanket over the sofa to cover stains and another over a chair to cover the threadbare arms. There was a dangerous narrow ramp leading to the balcony and a wider wooden ramp on the balcony itself which meant you couldn't turn a wheelchair round. As the cabin was under the bridge it had an electronic door curtain which could be operated from the room or the bridge, in theory that was fine but who installed it so the curtain closed over the door opening and not on the other side? You had to place the curtain behind the chair to be able to get out of the balcony door, the curtain hooks had broken and had to be re attached on each opening. As it was the cabins' situaition was so windy it was rarely able to be used on sea days. A great shame.
We chose this adventure of a lifetime for the destinations and because we had enjoyed a wonderful 40 night cruise from Southampton to Singapore on ms Rotterdam 18 months previously. A mid ship disabled cabin with a restricted view which was lovely and really easy to move around the ship.
Not only was it a very different ship it felt like we were travelling with a completely different company.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
Ono and Jar worked very hard to keep it clean but were fighting a loosing battle, the furnishings were worn, dirty and threadbare. The towels often a bit rough although clean and the bedding arrived in various shades of cream ! We had to ask for one set to be replaced due to the odour. The cabin decor very beige and 1980s, It is more than ready for a refit.
5* no, more like 2*
Issues with the curtain closing in front of the door, in a disabled cabin it should be all about access and unfortunately Holland America have got this wrong !
Also be prepared for a real trek to the Lido or open decks, best to walk past all the cabins to mid ships to avoid the water coming through the electrics on the Lido poole deck which made it an unsafe walkway.
If you get motion sickness this really isn't the cabin for you !!!
Luckily sea sickness tablets are available free from the main desk.
Port Reviews
San Diego
Docked next to the aircraft carrier which was great, we bought tickets for this and a Hop on Hop off trolley bus from the quayside. Be vary of addicts and the homeless begging in the shaded areas. By the time we had finished the aircraft carrier tour we had to wait for the trolley bus which was very busy due to the Costa ship having arrived. We didn't have time to get off at any of the stops as ms Noordam had an early departure. A shame as an overnight stop would have been good.
Pago Pago
We boarded a 'chicken bus' and joined the locals ! $2 for both of us and we were on the bus for 3 hours !!
If the bus starts at the bus station it reaches the destination advertised on the front and then returns.
A tourist market on the 'green' in the centre and a free museum near the ship both interesting.
A bit busy in the town as a Costa ship arrived half way through the day.
We enjoyed a McDonalds ! The same world wide.
Dravuni Island
A very small Island with a lovely community.
Tried a very fresh coconut, sat on logs on a white sand beach and experienced a massage.
We thought it should have been coconut oil but it took 3 showers to wash away the odour, more engine oil than coconut perhaps but still a good fun experience !
Port Vila
We took the water taxi into the town, with interesting information given during the journey, but on very small boats which they seemed to want to overfill and getting into them a little slippery and need care especially at the ship.
We found a lovely cafe with free Wi Fi and enjoyed a latte and a fruit breakfast which we shared and it was delicious.
After walking around the local market we returned to the ship via the water taxi and walked through the market on the Quayside.
Why are all the products offered made in China just for the tourist market rather than local produce ? There was just one stall that seemed to be selling such items.
There was music from the local musicians nearly all the time we were docked which was quite a treat and the stallholders really enjoyed dancing to them.
Sydney (Australia)
The Costa ship had docked in the centre.
We were miles away !!!
We took the limited shuttle bus to the centre which took 30 mins and then the Hop On Hop off bus around the city and to Bondi beach.
We enjoyed Chinese food in a lovely authentic venue overlooking the water at Bondi and walked along the front for a while.
We then boarded the Hop on Hop off again and returned to the centre for a shuttle back to the ship. The last one was supposed to be at 4.30 but the drivers seemed to think it was 3.30.
It was a shame to be docked so far out, the time constraints were awkward and an overnight stay docked in the centre would have been great and necessary to see anything more than in the 5 hours we had. A great shame, perhaps one less island and an over night instead Holland America ? If Costa can do it ?
To add insult the ship left almost an hour late !!
Hobart
A pretty town just getting to be very touristy but where the locals visit at weekends.
Napier
Shuttle bus in a quick wander around and shuttle bus back all within an hour.