Oosterdam Review
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About us: This cruise was our family Christmas celebration, December 19 - 26. My husband and I are 46 and 50, and sailed with our 17 year old son, my parents, 77 and 86, my brother 40, his wife 28 and my nephew 13 months. For the purpose of this review, "we" will mean myself, my husband and my son.
Arrival and first impressions: We arrived at the port around 12:15, dropped off our luggage curbside (I did tip) and parked in the Midport garage. Embarkation went smoothly and took 30 minutes or so. Lido Restaurant was up and running, and we got lunch. By the time we were finished eating, they announced our rooms were ready. We went directly to the room and put up the Christmas decorations. Our cabin steward was great. We also liked the tub in the room. It was by far the roomiest bathroom of any line we've sailed on. Then, the muster drill, when we returned from that, all of our luggage had arrived. We went to the Seaview Bar where we met a couple from the Cruise Critic Roll Call board. We ordered drinks at the bar, the worst margarita I had ever tasted, and they made husbands cuba libre with spiced rum! So, we learned quickly that you have to specify the ingredients in your drinks! Didn't meet any others from the Cruise Critic board. The wind was a little cool outside, so we went to the Crow's Nest. Here, they made the drinks just right. The ship is beautiful and well designed, I thought. The crew had on Santa hats, and the holiday trees, lights, decorations, etc. were pretty.
Food: Then, time for dinner on Deck 2 Vista Dining Room. We ate every night with the exception of one night in the main dining room. Food was very good. Service was good. A couple of times they were slow filling the wine glasses, but maybe we just drink fast! Breakfast and Lunch every day in the Lido Restaurant was always good, and only one time did we have trouble finding a table. There was always someone available to carry your tray and assist you if needed. We had at least coffee and juice delivered via room service every morning. Always on time, and coffee was hot and good. I had an espresso in the Windstar Cafe one afternoon and it was very good. The one night we did not eat in the dining room, we ate at the Poolside Barbecue Cookout and it was very good - big selection of food.