This was our 4th cruise with HAL and 2nd in Noordam and we did notice quite a lot of changes in the past year. Embarkation was excellent,well organised and speedy. We were 'upgraded' to a cabin unfortunately situated immediately below the lido deck so from 5.30am we were awoken by chairs and tables being scraped over the floor above, this went on all day until after the midnight buffet(no good for late rising or early nights!) Cabin service was not good, often not made up until early afternoon and not as clean as on previous cruises. The Cruise Director Eric was very good and funnier than the show comedian! Activities were well organised and internet classes were excellent. The printed programme format has changed and is a little difficult to follow. The food on the Ship was excellent as usual and the staff in the Vista Dining Room were superb,service was fast and efficient and we were always greeted by name (even when we saw them ashore). We don't smoke and found smoking on the ship intrusive, walking through the Casino to the Show Lounge it reeked of smoke and unfortunately we had smokers in the next cabin so couldn't sit on our verandah. (Some Cruise lines are restricting smoking to the upper deck areas, wish HAL would do the same) Mostly it was a great cruise we made some good friends, the weather was beautiful and most of the ports visited were interesting and varied.THis is a VA category cabin, but it doesn't warrant this category as

the noise from the Lido Deck outside seating area is VERY intrusive

from 5.30am until well after the midnight buffet. Chairs and tables are Read more