Noordam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Being our second cruise and reading the positive reviews of HAM & the Noordam, we were looking forward in anticipation of at least the same standard ( if not better ) as our first cruise ( Dawn Princess 14 days Melbourne- NZ -Melbourne). While we did enjoy the cruise, the Noordam/HAM/crew disappointed.
On arrival, there was no positive greeting, just formalities and a keycard. Looking forward to quickly unpacking, securing our valuables and heading up top for a drink, our plans fouled almost immediately.
Our cabin ( 8114). The safe wouldn't work. After 4 phone calls, 4 crew visits, 24 hours and 3 trips to queue at the 'front desk' for deposit box access, finally someone turned up and replaced the batteries! We also found that there were no robes, no wine glasses and one of the balcony chairs looked like it had been salvaged from a street-side collection. Poor standards and no checking.
Cabin Review
Supposedly the top verandah category, this ( and like cabins ) should be a much lower level. Situated just below the shaded aft deck seating area, the noise of scraping furniture started at about 6:30 and went all day. Trying to have a lie-in or an afternoon siesta ( Nanna Nap ) was nigh on impossible. More so when the crew was setting up for a 'sail out'. Probably one of the worst cabins in this category. Far better to be 1 or 2 decks down!