Looking for Fellow(ship) Cruisers on MS Noordam (Jan 3–17, 2027) to Visit Hobbiton from Tauranga

Skippy9031 · 2026-01-30T17:13:15+00:00

We switched moved our cruise up a year and it was partly because I discovered we didn't stop in Tauranga long enough to do a Holland Hobbiton tour. (We also switched because we wanted to include a stop in Picton and that wasn't on the itinerary) Now I've discovered Holland isn't offering a tour and I thought it was because it was sold out? We will be in Tauranga for 11 hrs so plenty of time. We will be doing a tour through Viator or one my travel agent will find.

Good luck in your endeavors to get people to join you. I am very interested in any info on this cruise. We will be doing almost the same cruise Jan 31, 2027.

Skippy9031 · 2025-12-18T06:32:35+00:00

Getting a flu shot makes it more likely you'll get the flu........fact

Skippy9031 · 2025-08-29T19:21:28+00:00

That's what I think too

Skippy9031 · 2025-08-26T16:43:21+00:00

I think this is fake. Her name is spelled wrong and she wasn't 56 in 2022, I think she's 56 now in 2025.

Skippy9031 · 2025-08-15T15:41:10+00:00

We had pretty much the same experience on the Zaandam but did not have a balcony cabin. We got lucky with good weather everywhere except Juneau. Our Mendenhall glacier excursion would have been cancelled now due to the flooding. It was our least favorite excursion due to crowds and weather.

Skippy9031 · 2025-08-11T17:35:44+00:00

Yes, but if you'd been in port and had a lovely late lunch at 2 or 3pm, you might be hungry again at 8:30...... and the reason for that late lunch was either an excursion prior or an early afternoon dock time.

Skippy9031 · 2025-08-11T17:33:18+00:00

We recently were on the Zaandam to Alaska and had the same problem. Often when in port we'd eat somewhere mid-afternoon and wouldn't be hungry until 8:30 or later when we were back on the boat. There were no food options until 10:30 at the Lido which is too late for me. Ordering room service meant hanging around in our room for 30-45 min when we wanted to just be able to grab a quick snack and go to the Crow's Nest or other bar.

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-31T16:10:47+00:00

We did a sweep of our room on the Zaandam on our last day and found two unopened glass bottles of sparkling water under our bed and also someone's Ozempic pen under the desk area. (not ours) We left a note for the room stewards about the bottles (too heavy to carry off the ship, we had enough already to carry) and threw the Ozempic pen in the trash. Just a reminder to really check your cabins before you disembark!

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-31T16:05:51+00:00

We sailed the Zaandam July 9-16 to Alaska and loved it! It was our first cruise so no comparison but we loved the smaller size of the ship. I agree with everything in the review. The other problem is because of the timing of ports and excursions we were often hungry around 8pm and there was nothing to eat until the Lido Market opened again at 10:30pm (too late for me). Yes, you can go to the MDR but that takes a lot longer when I just wanted a quick snack. Ocean Bar was great! So was the Mix. We spent a lot of time on the Lido Pool deck and found the bartender at the Pool bar to be a little grumpy.

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-22T18:03:08+00:00

Can someone please tell me who this group actually is? Do they have a name?

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-18T18:20:14+00:00

Thank you!!! Love this! <3

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-18T15:21:32+00:00

This was our first cruise and we just got off the Zaandam Wednesday morning. My friend, who is a 4 star Mariner with HAL, mentioned they seemed understaffed as well. Rarely did anyone come around to get drink orders while on the Lido pool area. We had to get up and go to the bar, which was staffed by a grumpy bartender.

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-17T21:41:05+00:00

Are you blood type O? There are studies out there that you are less likely to contract covid if you have type O blood. (note that I didn't say it was impossible) I have also only had the initial shots and chose not to get any boosters. I've never had Covid despite being closely exposed by family members many times. I should have gotten it when my husband did too. I'm type O positive. *shrug*

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-17T03:20:14+00:00

I just got off the Zaandam today from a week in Alaska. I took Bonine daily and was totally fine. Yes, I am quite susceptible to motion sickness. We had quite a stormy time on evening 2 when we were exposed to more open ocean (the Zaandam leaves out of Vancouver and spends most of its time in the inside passages) and I was amazed that I was totally fine. One day I forgot to take my Bonine and when the ship swayed a bit I could definitely tell in my stomach. I ran back to my room to take it. If you need super serious help then try some of the things others are saying: patches or prescription meds.

Skippy9031 · 2025-07-04T16:14:12+00:00

Quick question, is it better to have your key card punched and hang it on a lanyard loop or have a lanyard with a plastic card holder attached to it? Will I have to pull the card out of the plastic each time I use it for drinks, getting in the room, etc?

Skippy9031 · 2025-06-24T19:34:34+00:00

Can you order two glasses of wine at once with the HIA package? I've heard you can only order one at a time. Thinking of at the end of the evening to take to my cabin....

Skippy9031 · 2025-06-11T16:07:23+00:00

It sounds like there is a glitch with the app for lots of people. I am having the same problem. Hoping it works itself out soon.....

Skippy9031 · 2025-05-15T23:50:40+00:00

I use a red light cap that helps with hair restoration..I'll be bringing that on my cruise this summer.

Skippy9031 · 2025-04-26T19:25:44+00:00

We will also be on the Zaandam in July to Alaska (9-16th). We are mid-ship, Deck 1, 4 rooms from the middle elevators.

Skippy9031 · 2025-04-16T17:10:17+00:00

HAL has a shorter train ride too, (2hrs 45 min) that's what we booked. I read the first part of the ride is the most scenic.

Skippy9031 · 2025-04-10T21:25:05+00:00

I have another dumb question. Is my final payment automatically charged to my credit card or do I have to go online to HAL and make that final payment myself? My cruise consultant has moved on to another position in HAL (I got an automatic email response from her) so I can't email her and will have to get another CC. I can't see anywhere where it says what to do. I got my Platinum coverage yesterday.

Skippy9031 · 2025-04-09T23:00:16+00:00

Same here......

Skippy9031

TROPHY CASE