Our Trip

Noordam Cruise Review to South Pacific - Australia

carolynfriese

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 60

Overall rating:

5 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night New Zealand & Australia (Auckland To Sydney)

Sail date: November 08, 2015

Ship: Noordam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6041

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

We obviously enjoyed our trip based on the five star rating. While every shore excursion was either very nice or wonderful, the length of the excursion often precluded time for anything else in the town.

Holland America could set themselves apart by offering free on board wifi.

We purchased extended leg room seating on both Delta and Air New Zealand. Delta was fine. Seating on Air New Zealand very disappointing and just plain cramped. Would not to choose to fly that airline again.

We loved New Zealand. Glad the itinerary included cruising Milford Sound.

Julie, from , was wonderful. Attentive. Helpful. Friendly. Professional. Good job, Julie!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5

Food in both dining room and Lido was usually not even warm and never hot. Expected more opportunities for fresh seafood. We had one dinner in the Pinnacle Grill. That was excellent. That was what meals in the dining rooms used to be like when we first started taking cruises.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

In fairness, we did not go to a lot of the shows. What we saw was fine. Really liked the Dancing With The Stars finale.

Children's Programs

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Our cabin steward Rudi and Michael at the inside Lido Bar.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Public areas fine. See comment about cabin 6041

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5

Small. Had some issues needing repair or refurbishment. Surface cleaning fine. White glove cleaning not so much. I finally dusted the bottom of the coffee table and cornice above bed. Pulled out stool under desk to encourage carpet being vacuumed. Was definitely needed.