Holland America, MS Noordam, 2023

On 5 November 2023, the Holland America cruise ship MS Noordam arrived on Norfolk Island and anchored at Cascade Bay. The Norfolk Island Radio staff announced that the passengers would be coming ashore at Cascade Pier, as the transfer vessels were driven out to the cruise ship as they prepared to ferry the passengers from the ship to shore.

During the afternoon on Sunday, I drove to the clifftop lookout above Cascade Pier and captured photos of the lovely ship in the bay. The travellers were already returning to their cruise ship by mid-afternoon. Later in the day, I drove out to Captain Cook Reserve and took a few more photos of the cruise ship from the coastal lookout viewing area. It was a wonderful view of MS Noordam and as it was anchored on the Norfolk Island shoreline.

An estimate of 2380 passengers were on-board the cruise ship and the visitors were bused into Burnt Pine and the pickup, drop off point was at the RSL carpark. There appeared to be many of the travelers ashore and I saw them walking around the shops in town and down in Kingston enjoying the World Heritage Convict Area, known as KAVHA, (Kingston Arthur’s Vale Historic Area). Others explored along the wonderful lagoon and walks along the shoreline. The local Norfolk Island tourist industries

once again had a busy day welcoming and sharing our local hospitality.

This 49-day cruise, one way voyage started in San Diego on 8 October 2023, the cruise ship MS Noordam arrived at Norfolk Island on Sunday morning, 5 November. As they departed our friendly shores their adventure continued to Brisbane, then Sydney on 12 November. The next stage of the adventures the cruise ship will sail south to Tasmania, then onto Fiordland New Zealand and stopping at ports in the South Island and North Island of New Zealand and the final scheduled stop is at Auckland, New Zealand on 26 November 2023.

MS Noordam was built in 2006 with eleven decks and seven of the decks have cabins, and the information records 986 cabins. This 17-years-old cruise ship sails under the Netherland flag and was last refurnished in 2019. There are an estimate of 2380 passengers and about 820 crew are onboard which will make another busy day on Norfolk Island, and this will be the 8^th large cruise ship to visit Norfolk Island since June 2023.

Noordam Cruise Ship | Holland America Line

MS Noordam, Named for the Northern compass point, Noordam dazzles with museum-quality art and lavish staterooms. Guests of this Vista Class ship will have their pick of onboard activities. Sing along to your favorite hits at Billboard Onboard. Enjoy a Pilates class at the Fitness Centre. Or savor the delights of one of our specialty restaurants. The Pinnacle Grill serves the juiciest steak at sea …

If you would like to follow the voyage of the cruise ship, MS Noordam, check out this website, which has the current position details included.

ms Noordam Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review | CruiseMapper

The cruise ship visits to Norfolk Island have been very successful this year, with settled weather. My records show that eight large cruise ships have disembarked passengers since June 2023. Thank you to all the cruise ship organisers, tour company staff and managers and everyone who managed the boats down at Cascade Bay.

This week there were two cruise ships to visit Norfolk Island, and both ship’s passengers were able to disembark at Cascade Pier.

On Sunday 5 November 2023, the Holland America cruise ship MS Noordam, with approximately 2380 passengers on-board.

And on Monday 6 November 2023 the smaller vessel National Geographic Orion with approximate 100 passengers.

The next scheduled cruise ships on my list, appears to be February and March 2024. I have been told there may be one other small cruise ship this year, but I have not found conformation of that vessel.

It was wonderful to see the passengers ashore, I am sure they had a great day exploring our beautiful Norfolk Island. As the sunset, at the end of the day, the ship departed, and we wish the passengers safe travels on the Holland America MS Noordam Cruise and let’s hope we see you again on your next visit to our friendly Norfolk Island shores.

Betty Matthews

10 November 2023