Relaxing and Rejuvenating

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 69

Review summary

I would highly recommend the Noordam and the specific cruise through the Greek Isles, Turkey, Croatia, that we went on. I would NOT recommend bothering with most of the shore excursions as they are designed to keep you on a bus and listening to information better suited to the Encyclopedia Brittanica. I would also discourage you from too many of the Cruise Director's shows/activities, as most of the time they will feel as if they were designed to amuse those two steps from the nursing home and even condescend to retirees. The staff on the Noordam were unbelievably kind and helpful. There was not a staff member without a smile and willingness to help. I would not invest too much time in the Corfu port, as there isn't much to see. However, spend every moment you have in Dubrovnik (get a taxi to the old city) and Santorini (take the bus to the Oia Village, it's the one excursion that is worth the trouble). Try to get off the beaten path in Turkey as well otherwise you will be swamped with salesmen bugging you. Food on the cruise is plentiful, try not to miss the dinners in the Vista Dining Room or the pool buffets/barbeques on the Lido Deck. Lots of activities for kids, so if you are worried about keeping them active, that is no problem. Internet on the ship is unreasonably expensive, so be careful with usage. And when all else fails, the Mojitos and Pina Coladas on the Lido Pool Deck can make the whole world seem new. Overall, we had a wonderful time, even if it best suited for an older crowd (60 plus).

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Entertainment

Children's Programs

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Kusadasi (Ephesus), Turkey