Oosterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,087 reviews

Disappointing edibles

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Oosterdam
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magdalenclarity
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: May 2016
Cabin: Large Ocean-View Stateroom

Although we have built up points on 13 cruises with another line we had heard good things about Holland America so we decided to give it a go when they made an offering with ports-of-call which were new to us. After spending a week in Lucignano we arrived at Cevitavecchia around 11 to find the streets mobbed with tourists. Do not be fooled, the north entrance by the traffic circle is the one to use for embarkation, the south entrance by the old fort is for pedestrian traffic on day excursions. (If attempting a drop off for Avis/ Budget do not look for a company parking area, simply park on the street as close as possible and walk into their office)

Arriving at the Holland America check-in area we were required to fill-in a short info sheet, were issued a number and waited about half an hour for our number to be called to allow access to security and then the ship. We were allowed a bottle of wine each in our carry-on luggage and had no problem with our two bottles of bubbly.

Our cabin, luggage already arrived, was ready immediately and we were enjoying the ship's offerings around noon. (Please see my cabin description for further details.)

Cabin Review

Large Ocean-View Stateroom

Cabin F

The cramped entrance was entirely forgivable being between a long set of cabinets on the right and a bathtub-equipped bathroom on the left. In the latter and above the sink to the left there was a mirrored storage unit with three small shelves; two soap dishes protruded above sink level and one shelf extended below the sink. Although the curtained bathtub was not full size it was usable for someone 6'3" and there were wall mounted containers for body wash, shampoo and conditioner. Plumbing pressure and drainage were excellent and the light switch was outside in the hallway.

The cabin's storage contained two convertible units where clothing could be either hung or placed on shelves which swung down from the rear walls, one shelving unit which contained the safe, the desk area under which was found a storage ottoman and two large shelves, and two large drawers under the bed which still allowed enough excess room for placement of luggage. Above the desk on a protruding shelf sat the television which gave access to a large number of movies as well as news channels. Plugs here as well as bedside contained USB charging ports.

Across from the desk was the fold out couch and a coffee table. The bed was very comfortable - we requested the queen configuration which had the two twin beds pushed together with the two-drawer night tables on the outside.

Unlike some ships such as on the Azamara line, the unobstructed ocean-view window sill was not large enough for sitting and was located above the bed in any case.

A crew only gangplank was located down one deck just to the right, but we were not subjected to any noise from this being extended except on our final arrival at Barcelona.

Soundproofing is excellent so although we could hear noise from the theatre while outside the cabin, inside noise was never an issue.

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