Watch for our Noordam review

[Joanandjoe]

With the crazy ovetime I've been working (even tonight, my office closed at 3, I left at 6:35), it's taken a while to write our review of the Noordam, which we were on from 11/25 to 12/6. I'll post the review as soon as I finish this posting. Watch for it in the reviews section of the board! Both of us participated in the writing, about 50% each. The first person singular writer is Joan. Ratings are on a scale of 1* to 5*+, as used on another board.

Since the review is six pages single spaced, I'll just post the beginning and ending portions here. We may be among a tiny minority of CC members who find the Caribbean too hot for our tastes, but chacun a son gout.

Overall, we had a fantastic time, even though we did not like the Caribbean. The only real downer was (no surprise) my office. I had to check my office emails at least twice a day via internet, and I called in for messages each day we were on land. Ugh! That certainly detracted from the trip!

Overview Rating: 4* (Joe) 5* (Joan)

What’s not to like about a full suite, with the Neptune Lounge, Concierge Service, and breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill? With that, and our membership in the thermal suite and hydrotherapy pool, we were surrounded by luxury.

The ship itself was rather large for our taste, but there were some nice touches, such as the Explorations Café. The dining room was quite good, but not up to the standard of Regent or Windstar. The Lido dining area had some areas that were well laid out, and the food (other than the excellent Asian food) was fairly good for a buffet and stem table type of meal. Entertainment and the ports are described below.

Conclusion

I’d go back to the Noordam in a suite in a minute …but maybe not to this area again. With the exception of San Juan, I feel we’ve seen most of what these islands have to offer. We’re not drinkers, gamblers, heat lovers, sun worshipers, “shop till you drop†people, or beach people. We research the area we travel to thoroughly. Almost any temperate zone place we can think of holds more interest to us than the Caribbean, which simply isn’t for us.

[KeithnRita]

Hi J&J and thanks for the preview. We look forward to reading both of your thoughts in your full review.

[Shari2]

Hi Joe and Joan!

Glad you had a good cruise! Thanks for the preview. I'll be very interested in hearing more when you have the time.

[JoeyandDavid]

Welcome back again.... Joe and Joan I look forward to your review... and was really surprised how much you guys enjoyed it knowing how you two dislike the heat factor...

Anxiously awaiting the full review..

[Joanandjoe]

Thanks, everyone. The fact that the weather was too hot for us did not spoil the vacation; indeed, the fact that we were unliely to return added extra interest, We had no "every island is just like another" feeling. Instead, each of the islands had a distinctive flavor. As for the ship, it's too bad suites are normally so expensive, since having one is a great experience. Kudos to our TA for finding a great deal.

It appears that we will have the first CC review of the new Noordam IV. Our first cruise, other than an overnight on the M.S. Freeport, was a cruise to Alaska on the Noordam III in 1998.