Regenerating Experience

Item: Noordam
Rating: 5
Author: KeithA2

Noordam Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

KeithA2

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 0

Helpful Votes: 36

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Riviera Romance (Rome Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 30, 2011

Ship: Noordam

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 13 years ago

Review summary

I was leery of high deck, rear facing stateroom. Not any more. Couldn't have been better. Quiet and private. The nights were not long enough for us. We found that we hit the ports of call early and got back within 30 minutes of leaving. That left us exhausted. Short nap and up for dinner and entertainment (which was great) and had to force ourselves to bed to get 6 or 7 hours of sleep before breakfast and next port visit. Highly recommend you have what I call "pre-breakfast" delivered to cabin. Nice way to wake up. Experience the specialty restaurant(s) at least once. Worth it. BOOK EARLY on in the cruise. Cabin staff was ready to provide anything we asked and kept the room always ready for us.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Folks, what can I say. FANTASTIC everywhere. I got over having to pay for even a soda. Stick with water and offered juices and it is fine. Probably healthier too! Really appreciated the free room service and morning coffee in bed. Please, dress appropriately for all dining areas. Try the specialty restaurants. Worth it but make a booking early on in the cruise.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Fun, entertaining, well done. I was surprised at the low turnout for shows but they were entertaining and a nice variety. Cruise director was entertaining himself.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Staff was fantastic. We have special requirements with regards to pork products coming in contact with our food or utensils. Once explained, the staff was prepared for us at breakfast with separate utensils and never had to ask again. Now that is service! Friendly, very efficient, and accommodating to reasonable requests.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

I have been on much bigger ships and I really appreciated this smaller size. I felt consumed in the bigger ships whereas this was more intimate. Nothing was sacrificed be being smaller. In fact, enhanced the experience.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

I highly recommend the higher up the better and aft facing rooms I think are the best!

Ports of call

La Goulette (Tunis & Carthage), Tunisia

3 out of 5

We had an advantage as my wife speaks Arabic. We got a taxi and I think we had a far better tour than the bus ones. Got to spend time where we wanted and learned a lot through conversation with the driver.

Thumbs Up 0

Palermo, Sicily

3 out of 5

Rented a motor scooter for about 54 Euros for the day. Had a blast!

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Santa Margherita Ligure, Italy

5 out of 5

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Need a week here! Took a walking tour that was listed as a 2-3 hour tour and spent 5 hours. www.frommers.com has lots of good information.

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Don't Miss: Don't miss walking up La Rambla