Noordam Overview:

The ms Noordam (North) completes the set of "compass point" ships for Holland America, joining her sister ships the Westerdam (West), Oosterdam (East), and Zuiderdam (South) as one of HAL's "Vista" class cruise ships. The Noordam is HAL's first ship to have the full complement of "Signature of Excellence" enhancements. The Noordam is well-designed to appeal to active, multi-generational cruisers and families.

Noordam Cabins:

The Noordam has 24 price categories of cabins, ranging from standard inside cabins to 1100 square foot penthouse verandah suites. Some exterior cabins have obstructed views, some cabins can accommodate a third or fourth person, and some have interconnecting doors. Suite passengers enjoy special perks such as priority boarding, concierge service, and exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge.

Noordam Cuisine and Dining:

The Noordam's Vista (main) Dining Room is two decks high, with seating on both the main and balcony levels. The Noordam has fixed dinner seating at four assigned times--5:45 pm, 6:15 pm, 8:00 pm or 8:30 pm.

Breakfast and lunch have open seating.

The Noordam has an alternative restaurant, the Odyssey, which features Pacific Northwest cuisine and has a fee of $20 per person. The Noordam also has casual dining cafes.

Noordam Entertainment:

The Noordam's 867-seat Vista Lounge features Las Vegas-style entertainment and cabaret shows. The Crow's Nest Nightclub and Lounge features a DJ and bandstand at night and has a 5x10 foot video wall, perfect for watching sports events or movies.

Noordam Explorations Cafe:

Explorations is an upscale coffee house/library with over 2000 books and access to all sorts of items from the New York Times, including news, puzzles, email, music listening stations, and travel-related material.

Noordam Culinary Arts Center:

The Culinary Arts Center is a theater-style venue for cooking demonstrations and classes. Passengers can learn about the unique foods and cuisines of their ports of call. HAL has partnered with Food & Wine magazine to present this onboard culinary program fleetwide.

Noordam Greenhouse Spa & Salon:

The Greenhouse features a solarium, hydrotherapy pool, sauna, steamroom, aromatic room, 11 massage/therapy rooms, beauty salon, and a windowed fitness center equipped with the latest equipment. Yoga, Pilates, and spinning classes are available. The spa also has couple's massage rooms with some sumptious-sounding treatments.

Noordam Children's Program - Club HAL:

The Noordam has a play area dedicated to childrean ages 5-17, with programming for different age groups and one counselor for every 30 children. The play area has games, TV, Sony Playstations, and Internet access.

Noordam Teen Program:

The Noordam has a new area designed exclusively for teens ages 13-17. The Loft inlcudes a lounge area designed to resemble a New York City artist's loft, with TV, Internet, video games, and karaoke. The Oasis, which is above The Loft, is a teens-only sun deck, with a waterfall, snack machines, sound system and light show for dancing.

Noordam Cruise Ship Facts:

Ship's Registry -- The Netherlands
Passenger capacity -- 1,918
Crew members -- 800
Gross tonnage -- 82,500 grt.
Length -- 950 feet
Beam -- 106 feet
Passenger Decks -- 11
Cabins (total) -- 924
Cabins (outside and balconies) -- 788
Cabins (interior) -- 136
Cabins (wheelchair accessible) - 28
Maximum speed -- 24 knots
Noordam Christening Date -- February 22, 2006
Noordam Godmother -- Marlee Matlin

Noordam Itineraries -- The ms Noordam will sail from New York to the Caribbean in the winter, and then in the Mediterranean from April through September, with a repositioning cruise across the Atlantic in April and early October.