This 1,918-passenger ship will sail out of New York the last week of February until April for 10-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, with the new ports of call Grand Turk, Turk and Caicos; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Phillipsburg, St. Maarten and 11-day Southern Caribbean cruises, with an itinerary of stops in the British and U.S. Virgin Islands and Roseau, Dominica and Bridgetown, Barbados. Then the fall sailings will start in October through December of 2006.Mickey Aronson, Carnival's chairman and chief executive, expressed delight that the Noordam will be sailing from New York part of the year, particularly since Holland America has not had a "high presence here in the last couple of decades." Sailing from New York also saves precious vacation time and eliminates flying to Florida or Puerto Rico for most Caribbean departures. Additionally, the swimming pool on the Noordam has a convertible roof, making swimming doable even during the first two days of cool weather sailing.Last week, my daughter Jill Wasser and I decided to join in the launching festivities that included Pat Riley, the former coach of the New York Knicks, now the head coach of the Miami Heat basketball team, and the Academy Award winning actress Marlee Marlin, godmother of the Noordam. Our program included an overnight on the ship, dinner and the launching ceremonies and luncheon the following day. We were pleased to find that our stateroom for the night had good sized twin beds with plush Euro-Top mattress, deluxe high- thread-count cotton sheets, flat panel TV's and DVD players, as well as a completely private verandah. We had a comfortable seating area, a dressing table, a fruit basket and some room service (which is available 24 hours a day) special cheese and crackers before cocktails and dinner in the reservations only Pinnacle Grill.The Pinnacle Grill celebrates Pacific Northwest cuisines and select fine wines in a romantic upscale atmosphere. I find that the fine dining experience is enhanced by the distinctive Bulgari china, elegant Riedel stemware and Frette linens and this epitomized elegant sophistication unmatched anywhere in the premium class category. The menus include "Sterling Silver" premium hand-selected cuts of beef, including bone-in Delmonico rib eye. Center cut Porterhouse steak and two sizes of filet mignon. Also featured are savory seafood dishes such as northwest clam chowder, Alaskan king salmon, and Dungeness crab cakes with spiral shaved cucumber and sweet chili sauce. Delicious entrees are complemented by an assortment of side dishes, including Washington spuds au gratin, asparagus avec Beamaise, sautéed button mushrooms or a honey maple three bean ragout. Deserts included warm Grand Mariner chocolate volcanoe cake, and lemon berry angel shortcake and not so classic basic Baked Alaska. (Guests who wish to dine in the Pinnacle Grill for dinner may do so with an advance reservation; there is a modest charge of $20 per person and well worth the experience.Other major Signature of Excellence attributes will include the innovative Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in the new state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon; and upgraded youth facility that includes the teens-only loft.Over the years, I had friends, the Cohens from Roslyn Harbor, who would only travel on Holland America for their helpful policy toward the physically challenged. They were comfortable enough to take the Round-the-World cruises of more than 104 days. And that was before the Holland America line launched the four ultra Luxurious Vista class ships.I have observed that Holland America Line does not discriminate against persons on the basis of disability and seeks to accommodate guests with disabilities. For guests who use wheelchairs, Holland America Line has wheelchair accessible staterooms equipped with roll-in showers, shower seats and heavy duty handrails and specially equipped public handicapped rest rooms with special door openers and closers.The overnighter at Pier 90 was an excellent introduction to the Holland America line's newest Vista class ship and a chance to spend some quality time with my daughter.It will also make some great family sailings.Contact your travel professional for more information.Copyright by Marcia Abramsone-mail: mascribe@aol.com
