Oosterdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
HAL Oosterdam - Alaska Cruise - Overall rating - 5 out of 5. This was our 10th cruise – first one on HAL. (My scale - 1=stranded at sea, 3=average cruise experience, 5=Excellent and 5+ Perfection.)
Perfect Weather (5+) – We had 7 dry sunny days. This is highly unusual for a tropical area that gets 100’s of inches of rain each year. Let’s agree everybody is happier when the weather is good.
Great Food (5) - The food quality was great in the dining room for breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. Dinner menu in dining room had great variety. There are two formal nights on this cruise and for two other nights the staff changed the dining room decor. I had mostly red meat dishes, some lamb and chicken, no fish. The portions were satisfactory (some reviews said small), however nobody left the table hungry after 4 courses and if you wanted they brought you extra of anything. The dining buffet on Lido gets a 3-4. A lot of cafeteria style food with pockets of food made to order (Pasta, Sandwich Bar, Omelets in the morning and Burger station). I love a late night pizza snack – the pizza was a 4 and Lido shutdown by 11:30 every night. Afternoon daily Taco Bar and lunch Alaskan cookout were highlights up on Lido Deck. Did not try the specialty restaurants - other food was great - why pay extra.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
Cabin (3) - Veranda Starboard Side. Mid-Back Ship 4126. Low noise. Easy Access to back elevators. . Longest walk was to the Theatre at the front of the ship. Mechanical systems worked well. Layout was functional. Room really did not feel any different than our past veranda / ocean view cabins on this / other cruise lines. The bathroom laminate was tired (chips that had been patched) and the chalking around tub was “sloppy”. As mentioned in other reviews – our floor divots under the carpet were right inside the door by the bathroom entrance. Another couple with child had one of the large indoor cabins – they did not feel crowded and were happy that the darkness encouraged sleeping in.