Oosterdam Review

HAL is HAL Not Carnival or Others

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Oosterdam
User Avatar
marluvs2go
First Time Cruiser • Age 70s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Cabin

Additional details

Sail Date: Nov 2008
Cabin: Signature Superior Verandah Suite

We live in San Diego and we are 58 and 69 and decided to try HAL for the first time. First Impressions: The crowd was a little older for the most part than Carnival. The staff were happier than Carnivals... We Arrived at Port at 10:00 AM and could not go on pier since two ships were debarking, so my daughter dropped us off and we hired a pedi-cap. He loaded all our bags and us and peddled us about 50 feet, took our baggage in and we gave him $10.00. We checked in without a hassle around 11:00 and were eating lunch in the Lido around 11:30 By 12:00 we were meeting and drinking with "new friends" in the AFT Bar.

CABIN 8068: We booked an SZ guarantee and received an SS. We got lots of wrong info on this room so here are the facts. It was lovely, although wheelchair accessible, it had two showers one in tub and one where the toilet is. The counter space is limited due to handicap features but was totally adequate for us. It was right next to the the glass outside elevators which was not an issue, no noise, in fact was lots of fun to people watch. Yes it is above the Lido restaurant but only a small portion and their was no noise, a room farther down may have been an issue but not ours. The beds were fantastic as were the pillows. Our room was always clean and our ice chest was always full. Thank you to our wonderful cabin attendant D.B! This was our first time in a suite and the extra room was very nice, most of all the (dining height)table on the balcony with two chairs, that would have been enough for us, as we did not use the chaise chairs. We loved the Elemis shampoo and lotions and received new ones daily!

FOOD: We are casual diners and only went to main dining one time so the following depicts the Lido I have never seen so many "happy, friendly employees" Hot food was hot and cold was cold, The waffle bar was amazing! I was worried that HAL would not be casual enough for me, not to worry, everybody does their own thing and even tho nice, it was as casual as you want to make it.HAL knows exactly what they are doing. The emphasis I felt was on quality and not quantity and everything was served by friendly professional "servers" at the counters.I particularly enjoyed the roast turkey, roast pork, rotisserie chicken. The Prime Rib was wonderful..The salad bar was fresh and had tons of offerings. HAL Lido is very elegant compared to Carnival, it is carpeted , has candles, piped in music and real flowers! ENTERTAINMENT AND STUFF TO DO: I thought Joel Mason was very talented and put on one heck of a good show. However, in my humble opinion, I feel he benefits from depicting/impersonating Elton John a highly respected member of the gay community...yet when I asked him if he raises money or awareness of AIDS his answer was that he does not subscribe to "that" life style and the subject is too controversial for a cruise ship. HELLO...ok next thing we enjoyed was team trivia, and lost in desert and lost at sea quiz's. I enjoy the Casino and won $1,000.00.on the quarter slots (you must play 3 quarters to win big) I did not come home with that but was fun and I came out ahead.

Cabin Review

Signature Superior Verandah Suite

Cabin SY

Perfect!

previous reviewnext review

Find an Oosterdam Cruise from $685

Any Month

Get special cruise deals, expert advice, insider tips and more.By proceeding, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

© 1995—2024, The Independent Traveler, Inc.