Holland America Line's Noordam Culinary Arts Center

I took a break from Fashion Week for an invitation I just couldn't refuse. I was honored to be included in a gathering of chefs, travel agents, writers, and other interested parties onboard the beautiful Holland America Line's glamorous cruise ship, the Noordam. Just about a year ago, I was onboard for the introductory overnight event of this stunning cruise ship (see "Nighttime on the Noordam) in my blog archives: http://www.advicesisters.net/advicesisters.net/2006_02_01_advicesistersblogarchive.html

The Noordam has a beautiful library, state-of-the-art computer center, an awesome, Waterford Crystal chandelier that can be raised and lowered, like the ones at the Metropolitan Opera house in New York, staterooms with spacious balconies, and lots of other great features. By far the most unique feature on Holland America Line ships are the Culinary Arts Centers, in partnership with "Food and Wine" magazine.

Holland America launched this innovative program back in 2005, and now there is a Culinary Arts Center onboard each of 13 Holland America line ships. Guests get printed recipes of the items being prepared, and they get to taste them, too! Several times each cruise, passengers enjoy "food network" style programming, featuring cooking demonstrations and hands-on cooking classes. While passengers sit in this space, outfitted with comfy love seats, mini-couches, and cafe tables, celebrity chefs share their recipes and techniques. The program win raves from the passengers (passengers sign up on a first-come-first served basis when they board the ship).

In the front of the lounge, there is a fully-stocked kitchen area with large plasma video screens on either side, so everyone can see the "close up" preparations, regardless of where they are sitting. Obviously, these programs are extremely popular, so I like the fact that the cooking demonstrations are also part of the in-stateroom programming. If you can't or didn't make it to the show, but want to see it, that's still an option. In addition to the cooking demos, there are at least two 90-minute, hands-on cooking classes offered on every cruise (the cost is just $29 per session!). These special sessions have a limited enrollment of just 12 people. As cooking classes go, this is a true bargain, especially when you factor in the skill of the chef you're learning from!

Our special luncheon and cooking demonstration was designed to bring attention to this innovative program. After getting past the various security checkpoints and onto the ship, we enjoyed a brief tour, and then a cocktail reception (champagne, wine, soda) in the spacious Queens Lounge, that houses the Noordam's Culinary Arts Center.

Richard D. Meadows, the Executive Vice-President of Holland America Line, and Gail Simmons of Food & Wine Magazine made some remarks, and then the fun, really began: Julie Reiner, Director/Owner of the Flatiron Lounge to a very delicious, grapefruit juice and gin-based cocktail (on top of the champagne, it gave us all quite a warm buzz). It was announced that Julie was going to be cruising on the Noordam with her mother! Then we were treated to an appetizer featuring scallops and one with a "sambal" in it (there are lots of Indonesian crew members on HAL ships. I distinctly remember from a cruise I took on the Maasdam to Greece some years ago, that this spicy, condiment was very popular with them, so it's no surprise that this would be available, onboard).

I really like this up-close-and-personal venue. Every cruise ship has "something" that makes it special. The Noordam has many, including an attention to detail and an elegance that is sadly lacking on my cruise lines, today. But the Culinary Arts Center program is tremendous fun, and an opportunity to take back a "souvenir" that won't fade like a tan, or be put in the back of a closet. It's just another reason Holland America appeals to upscale, educated adults who have "been there, done that" when it comes to traditional cruise activities and want something more in tune with their interests than pool games and bingo.

Eating is a sensory treat on the Noordam whether it's a special luncheon, or a casual dinner in the Lido. In fact, the regular dining room is quite beautiful, rivalling the elegance of many other ships in it's class, with gold-rimmed dishes and lots of gleaming crystal. In this main dining room passengers are assigned one of four formal seating times. I prefer open seating for it's flexibility, but at least having four meal seatings instead of two means that everyone gets a chance to eat at a time that is reasonably suitable for them.

Our lunch, however, was held in the Pinnacle Grill, the ship's alternative restaurant. It is very large for this type of room. Still, it manages to feel intimate, with tables set at different angles and along with balcony leading to the lounge, with seating for as few as two people, to large, oval conference room-style tables that seat 8-10. The opulent china is by Bulgari, the linens, perfectly starched. I could imagine myself staring dreamily out to sea, while sipping a good wine, and enjoying a gourmet meal....!

The luncheon planned for us included an lamb Entree by Michael Symon, Executive Chef/Owner of Parea, and a chocolate sorbet dessert by Pichet Ong, Executive Pastry Chef/Owner of P*ong. More than 52 celebrated chefs, wine experts, and even some cookbook authors, from some of the most exciting restaurants around the country, have graced Holland America's ships. The food was lovely, definitely not your standard "cruise ship fare" in either presentation, quality, or taste. One of my table mates had the vegetarian entree instead of the lamb, and she said her salmon was "quite nice."

During the cooking demonstrations in the Culinary Arts Center, we were told about the new, Holland America Cookbook which showcases Holland America Line's Fine dining. I didn't get a chance to look at it, but I'm intrigued. What a wonderful memento of a cruise this makes far nicer than a boring T-shirt (standard gift fare for the folks back home)!

In the golden age of ocean liner travel, a good meal in a formal setting was the highlight of the day's activities. Holland America brings the feeling back on it's elegant ships...and allows it's guests to take a bit of that elegance back home, through the Culinary Arts Center.

Norwegian Pearl--a "simply irresistable" Gem from Norwegian Cruise Lines

The Norwegian Pearl is Norwegian Cruise Line’s Latest Gem: The slogan for the 93,530-ton, 2,384-passenger ship Norwegian Pearl of Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) is "Simply Irresistable. I discovered why, when I attended the inaugural celebration of this impressive ship this past December.

NCL’s Young Fleet: NCL touts their fleet of 15 ships as the "youngest" on the seas. The Norwegian Pearl, carrying up to 2,394 passengers, is the 7th ship built specifically for"Freestyle Cruising," a signature of NCL that sets it apart from other cruise lines. Emphasizing a "do whatever" attitude, NCL sees their passengers as individualists and who don’t want to be regimented on vacation and may wish to go with the flow, or not. I loved the brilliant, new television commercials that make the clear point that NCL passengers don’t have to deal with dress codes, dining times, or table assignments. If a picture is worth a thousand words, NCL has also created a fantastic graphic: a school of blue fish, with one white fish swimming the other way. Each NCL passenger is a "white fish!" You’ll see the "fish" on everything from print advertising, to the glass doors leading to the pool deck!

Among the Norwegian Pearl’s unique features is the Bliss Ultra Lounge and Night Club, a fantasy room that gives passengers a unique mix of family fun and later night entertainment options. It features the cruise industry’s first four-lane ten-pin bowling alley at sea. The lounge and bar areas, surrounding the bowling lanes, has reclining double couches that look like they’ve been lifted out of a genie’s bottle. On one side, there is also an area with interactive video rides. The back, behind the lanes, has a dance floor, and the entire room features a disco with DJ later at night. The Norwegian Pearl also has the first rock-climbing wall on any NCL ship (constructed on the back of the ships’ funnel), and a pair of ultra luxurious Garden Villas and Deluxe Owner's Suites, plus 10 restaurants, 13 bars and lounges, two swimming pools and a casino. There is truly something for everyone, regardless of age or interests!

The Christening Ceremony: On December 16th, as scattered showers moistened the Miami air, forcing a shore-side ceremony inside the opulent show lounge (the Stardust Theater), the Norwegian Pearl was officially named and christened by the Emmy-award-winning entertainer and talk show host (and now, Godmother to the Norwegian Pearl), Rosie O'Donnell. NCL is a very family-friendly line, and Ms. O’Donnell and her partner Kelli O’Donnell have a strong connection to NCL not just through their personal love of cruising, but by their association with R Family Vacations, http://www.rfamilyvacations.com/. Founded in 2004 by Kelli and Gregg Kaminisky, this vacation company and NCL made history, when R. Family vacations chartered the NCL Norwegian Dawn for the industry's first ever gay family cruise. This concept was so unique that HBO made it the subject of a documentary: "All Aboard! Rosie's Family Cruise," which was subsequently nominated for three Emmy awards. R Family Vacations, has chartered four ships for gay and lesbian family-friendly cruises from NCL. The cruise line has also been generous in it’s support Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, http://www.forallkids.org/site.php , a non-profit organizations serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families (see below).

As we sipped champagne, members of the Miami Philharmonic Miami provided the accompaniment for a local Miami chamber choir, singing holiday songs. Then the celebration really got going. As the Robert Palmer song "Simply Irresistable" boomed over loud speakers and the iconic girls in the Palmer video strutted their stuff on a video screen, four sexy dancers from the Norwegian Pearl’s dance troupe, dressed in glittery, bright blue mini-dresses, appeared onstage, holding guitars and swaying to the music in the video.
A christening celebration wouldn’t be proper without some serious ritual, of course. The Norwegian Pearl's Cruise Director Matthew introduced a color guard from the Miami sector of the United States Coast Guard who marched to the front of the stage as "The Star Spangled Banner" was played. Reverend Kevin Johnson blessed the ship. The handsome, charismatic President and CEO of NCL Corporation, Colin Veitch took the microphone, made a few remarks and introduced Star Cruises Chairman Tan Sri KT Lim. We later learned that Mr. Lim was actually onboard not just for the 2-night inaugural sailing, but for the 5-day sailing (on which my husband and I were passengers) that followed. Acknowledged were employees who have been with NCL for over 18 years (quite a few of them sitting in the first half dozen rows) along some key personnel, dignitaries, family members, and Rosie O’Donnell’s partner, Kelli Carpenter O’Donnell.

Rosie The Godmother: Rose O’Donnell might have a few differences with celebrities such as Donald Trump, but she was greeted with applause and cheers as she walked up to the stage. Dressed dressed casually for NCL’s signature (no dress code) "Freestyle Cruising," Rosie wore in black pants, and a pink and blue-striped shirt. A"video cam" had been rigged up so we could see Rosie pull the level that would send the traditional bottle of champagne hurling against the hull to christen the ship. When Rosie pulled the lever, however, nothing happened! We did see the bottle smash successfully on her second try. Just for laughs, Rosie yanked the lever a few more times, and streamers fell from the ceiling in the Stardust Theater as if it was New Years’ Eve.

Happy 40th Birthday, NCL: After the official festivities, CEO Colin Veitch took the microphone, and reflected on Norwegian Cruise Line’s 40-year history, as the line marked it’s 40th anniversary the same weeks as this inaugural. He also treated us to a visual trip down NCL’s memory lane, showing the former ships in the line, to the present day. To close the festivities, we were treated to a lighthearted corporate video featuring NCL employees, including Veitch and Executive Vice President of Marketing, Sales and Passenger Services Andy Stuart. Carrying electric guitars, they hammed their way throughout the ship, lip-synching and dancing (along with members of the crew), to Robert Palmer’s video (you guessed it) "Simply Irresistible."
We hadn’t even left the dock, but the Stardust Theater pulsed with excitement, people talking, laughing, and making new friends. It is the people on the ship that make it come alive. I definitely felt the pulse of the pearl, stirring! *watch for my personal comments and review of the Norwegian Pearl, shortly.

Helping Children, Helping Families, Building Community: Rosie and Kelli O’Donnell are parents to four children, and they are dedicated to helping children in need throughout the United States. Since 1977, the O’Donnell’s charity, Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, http://www.forallkids.org/site.php, has awarded more than $15 million in early childhood care and education program grants to over 1,100 non-profit organizations serving economically disadvantaged and at-risk children and their families. The foundation has also helped to build 27 day care centers (aka. "Cutie Patootie Centers") in low income areas throughout the United States and has created "Project Katrina," to help provide child care and other services to Louisiana children and families who have been affected by Hurricane Katrina. Norwegian Cruise Lines has been a generous supporter of Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, too. The cruise line donated the Norwegian Pearl to Rosie’s For All Kids Foundation, for a one-night charity event that raised a whopping $600,000.


2007 Cruise Itineraries and Information: NCL ships sail just about everyone you’d ever want to visit. For more information on NCL cruises visit their web site: http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/home.html