Not the HAL of old

Item: Noordam
Rating: 3.5
Author: traveld

Noordam Cruise Review to Hawaii

traveld

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 7

Overall rating:

3.5 out of 5

8 Night South Pacific Crossing (Honolulu To Vancouver)

Sail date: April 28, 2018

Ship: Noordam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

HAL appears to be cutting back on everything. The many corporate partnerships obviously limits the cost to and responsibility of the line . HAL provides the space, and the corporation provides the personnel and program. The cutbacks are pretty obvious to any long-time cruiser. It's not that the partnerships are bad: Microsoft, Lincoln Center, America's Test Kitchen, etc., but along with these, HAL needs to step up with the parts for which it is responsible, mainly evening entertainment. Would not be my first choice cruise line. Product is okay, but it could be better.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

No one available to collect luggage upon arrival at the pier -- long line up waiting for the doors to open. Another long line waiting outside the building prior to entering the departure hall. Nowhere to sit.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The best thing on the ship was the food. Well-prepared and tasty. Good variety for lunch at the buffet.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Very surprised that there were no prizes given for trivia or other activities. "Just for fun." It would have been nice to have something given out to winning players.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Staff are very friendly and welcoming. Always a smile and a greeting.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ports of call

Honolulu, Oahu

3 out of 5

Lahaina, Maui

3 out of 5

Nawiliwili, Kauai

3 out of 5

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

2 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

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onlysail 6 years ago

All cruise lines have cut back over the last 5 yrs. Short breack cruises now seem full of drunks and passengers with no manners. Still i guess it pulls in the bucks

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