Shipboard Life

After our brief stay in San Diego we departed in late afternoon bound for Hawaii. We were looking forward to the five days at sea. It’s interesting to compare the big boat experience of an ocean crossing to the small one. First, we can’t believe the speed and smooth ride of the large ship. We are averaging around 17-18 knots, but, can do up to 22. Contrasted with small sailboats which only average maybe 5-7 knots, the big ship gets to places three to four times faster (let’s not mention the differences in environmental impact of the two methods). Although classed as a medium size ship, the Noordam still has almost 2,500 people on it, around 1800 guests and 600 crew. It’s unbelievable.

Handling of this large ship is also almost easier than a long keel sailboat. The Noordam has all-electric engines powered by five generators. The ship can do a 360 degree turn in its own length using its ‘azipods’ which unlike standard shafts and propellers rotate completely around and pull the ship rather than push it. Stabilizers can also be deployed on either side of the ship to keep the ship level. There are three bow thrusters and the ship is able to stop  itself within a couple of boat lengths, unlike a cargo ship which can take several miles to stop.

The ship is very luxurious with two swimming pools, a 500 seat theatre, casino, library, multiple restaurants, shops, spa, gym, art and photo gallery, bars and clubs.

There are quality Dutch antiques and interesting objects sprinkled around the ship and a few nice nautical touches as well, like these unique stools at the poolside bar.

We’re very comfortable in our verandah stateroom and sleep well, leaving the overnight watches to the bridge crew.

Twelve thousand meals a day are served on this ship! You can have three full meals, afternoon tea and a late night buffet if you wanted to. After a summer of a somewhat spartan diet (freeze-dried backpacking food is like eating wet cardboard and canoeing food isn’t much better) we were now faced with huge quantities of all-you-can-eat quality food. We went crazy for the first week eating everything in sight. After viewing the daily parade of poolside pulchritude we soon realized we needed to cut back unless we wanted to join the parade. The quality and variety of food has been excellent with anything and everything you could possibly want. The whole operation runs like an efficient well-oiled machine. Although we’re not much for being waited on and fussed-over you can’t help but admire how the food service operates. You never have to ask for anything in the dining room. White-jacketed waiters bring plates and whisk them away at all the proper intervals.

We were worried about having nothing to do on the sea days other than eat, but, there is such a full slate of activities and entertainment every day that it is not a worry. If anything, some days are packed too full of interesting things to do. There’s really something for everyone. Due to the number of sea days on this cruise they must have hired a number of special lecturers which have been really great. All retired university professors, we’ve attended their very interesting lectures on history, astronomy, anthropology and zoology. It’s also been an interesting introduction to southern hemisphere stories and history which we’ve never really been exposed to before and it’s been an eye-opener.

As this is our first big ship cruise, we don’t have anything to compare it to, but, so far we have been very impressed with Holland America Lines. We met one man on his 33^rd cruise, so, I guess they must be doing something right! The only thing that has been disappointing is that, after traveling to all these exotic places, there is usually such a short time in port that you never get more than a very brief taste of the place. It’s a good introduction though and we hope to spend more time in the area post-cruise.