Oosterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,087 reviews

Oosterdam - Alaska

Review for Alaska Cruise on Oosterdam
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semlohah
First Time Cruiser • Age 20s

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Sail Date: May 2004
Cabin: Signature Superior Verandah Suite

The first Alaska cruise ever of the Oosterdam was incredible. Everyone traveling to Alaska on her is guaranteed to have a wonderful trip. The Holland America line strives for perfection in everything they do with the realization that there is no such thing as perfection. They came pretty close on this cruise. Of course, I have a few thoughts on improvements, but overall this was an excellent value for a week long vacation.

Embarkation. The travel tickets stated to embark at 2:00 p.m., but we arrived earlier. We arrived via shuttle express from the Seatac Airport. The cost for 5 adults was $37.50 total. There was a long line wrapped outside of the building and around the corner. A porter immediately took our luggage and we got in the line at 1:10 p.m. After a half an hour, a Holland America employee said all Penthouse, Deluxe Suites, and Superior Suites could go to the Suites only line. The sign said to the contrary, but I obeyed. As we were baking in the sun (I know it was hot and sunny in Seattle), we were happy to get into the building. We only had a Superior Suite so we were worried that we weren't supposed to be in the suite line, but no one ever said anything. In actuality the other line went faster since they had four ticket agents serving the suite line and about 14 agents serving the other line. The non-suite passengers behind us got to a ticket agent about 2 minutes before we did in the suite line. The agents were using a brand new computer system and there were some glitches. They took my picture three times, scanned my passport three times, and scanned my credit card two times. A different ticket agent gave my room card to another passenger who quickly realized that it was not her room key and returned it. When you get your picture taken, it is this little computer wand. We joked that it was like the wand in the move "Men in Black" and we would forget the line and have a wonderful cruise from that point forward. Next, you have the embarkation photo line. Next, you have the security and x-ray machine line. We took a lot of wine on board. They checked the bottles to make sure the foil was sealed and that we had not replaced the contents with other spirits. We then were off to the gangway and we boarded the ship at 2:45 p.m.

We were pointed to our room (which actually was the wrong direction). After walking almost the length of the ship, I questioned why the numbers were going up and not down. We then had dissension in our group since the crew told us to go that way. When we got to our room, it was ready and the luggage was already there. I was impressed that our luggage had beat us to our room. Next, we went to the Lido for lunch. It was crowded. You needed to find a table before getting into line. We then toured the spa. Even if you don't plan to use the Greenhouse Spa, it is fun to see the spa rooms. Next, it was lifeboat drill time. I loved that it was women and children first with men in back. Many men didn't step back and I can imagine in a true evacuation it is every person for themselves. We then sailed away on our verandah drinking champagne and dreaming of the fun week to come.

Cabin Review

Signature Superior Verandah Suite

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