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Name: Robert L. Short
Email: rlshort@usa.net
Age: 30
Occupation: Manager
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Holland-Noordam
SailingDate: 1/3/98
Itinerary: Cayman Islands, Guatemala, Mexico
FoodDiningRoom: 92
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 83
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 95
CabinQuietness: 85
FoodMidnightBuffets: 85
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 90
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 80
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 80
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 80
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 90
CruiseActivities: 90
Casino: 80
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 95
DiscoNightclubs:
DeckSpace: 90
Stabilization: 80
ShopsOnBoard: 75
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 Jan 1998
Time: 14:12:33
Remote Name: 208.255.243.243
Remote User:
Comments
This is my second cruise, the first was abroad the Carnival cruise line's Fantasy while
this latest trip was abroad H.A.L.'s ms
Noordam -- quite a difference! We'll never go back to Carnival. Holland America is by far
and away a superior cruise line
with superior staff on a superior ship. The Noordam may be a 14-year-old ship, but the
elegance abroad puts the newer
Carnival ships to shame. The differences are found in three primary categories: Interior
elegance; Staff friendliness; Food
Quality
Interior Elegance: It starts with the obvious like the $2,000,000 art collection of
antiques; but what really make the difference
are the subtle touches everywhere. The cabins have elegant lightwoods; large television in
the cabin; a spacious layout in
the cabin itself; and of course the herbal soaps and lotions. We had a lovely bar (with
ice bucket refilled magically by our
room steward each time we left) within the dresser area along with an integrated stereo
and television build in.
Outside our cabin the brass and teak make a strong statement of refinement as does the
elegantly comfortable lounges.
They're just right for a quiet drink; meeting with a few friends; or even being
entertained by one or more of the staff, but
above all you won't find any brash chrome and neon. None of the tacky interior design of
the Carnival ships here.
Everything is done is woods and fine art. Even the bathrooms are quite nice. Dark wood
veneers in all of the public
restrooms along with terry hand towels to dry you hands (no paper towels anywhere, only
cloth) as well as fresh flowers on
the counter and throughout the ship. The fresh flowers are everywhere. I'm not talking
about a few daisies in a glass, I
mean full arrangements (at least one on each table) in every public room aboard.
Staff Friendliness: Everyone on board, especially the Filipino and Indonesian staff were
exquisitely friendly and helpful. I do
believe what Holland America says about the staff believing that serving you is truly and
honor. I was extremely impressed
with the lounge staff who remembered my name, my husband's name, where I was from, and
even what I drank after only
one visit the night before. In fact, when I showed up without Gar on the second night the
steward said 'Good evening Mister
Robert, where is Mister Gar?' I was impressed and touched. This type of personal service
was demonstrated all over the
ship. The lounges, the dining room, the pool, etc. The only negative aspect of my
interactions with any of the staff was that
with the girls of the Front Office staff who were slow to understand what I was wanting
and when they couldn't accommodate
didn't really have any suggestions to offer. (They had no way to get a cash advance as
there is no ATM aboard; they will
only cash traveler’s checks so take more than you think you will need.) The
girl’s fair performance was certainly
overshadowed by the excellent performance of the rest of the crew. The Dutch officers as
well were pleasant and very
helpful.
Food Quality: Four star restaurant probably describes it best. Variety of food was
excellent and the taste was superb. I tried
some new dishes such as chilled Pineapple Soup with Ginger (out of this world good) as
well as some traditional favorites
such as Sevruga Caviar and Broiled Lobster Tails (yes I ordered two). I loved the fact
that you could order 8 appetizers and
6 desserts or any combination of items that happened to please you. After all, they made a
point of accommodating your
any wish and an extra lobster tail or some additional caviar is no problem at all. On this
cruise we started ordering a
Flambé for the entire table and then each ordering our own individual dessert. In fact my
dining experience is one of my
fondest memories of the entire trip. Our four other diner companions were delightful. And
three cheers for the Smoking
tables in the dining room (another reason why I'll never go on another Carnival ship).
Would Gar and I go on another cruise? You bet, so long as it is a Holland America cruise!
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