We sailed on the Noordam in Cabin SS6109 ( a Signature Suite) as a novel way to spend Christmas and New Year and avoid all the hype that can be attached to buying and preparing expensive food and indulging in the giving of unwanted presents. It could not have been much better. The small suite is quite spacious with a remarkable amount of storage and a very comfortable cabin and spacious bathroom. The shower could have been bigger but I have yet to find one a cruise ship that is big enough to suit me. I also think it is about time that shower curtains were replaced with b-fold doors. The balcony was large with enough space for four people in comfort. Cabin staff were very attentive and met all our wishes with a smile and professional service.

The food was five-star. We opted for a late-sitting in the main dining room with a dedicated booking for two. The food and wine waiters were first class. The range of food was remarkable and we never found selecting a fine dining experience difficult. We opted to pay extra for one night $29 more), a lunch in the Pinnacle Grill and another in the same venue for The Cirque ($49). None was really necessary as the food in the restaurant for evenings and in the Lido (mainly buffet) were excellent. The only surprise in this department was in the Caneletto ($10 surcharge) for Italian fare which was very special. We tried to book another night but it was booked out.

The ship was full but there was plenty of space most of the time. Entertainment was a bit ho-hum although a couple of specialty acts turned out to be better than expected. Read more