Oosterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,087 reviews

First Time on Big O - Not the Last

Review for the Mexican Riviera Cruise on Oosterdam
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Okie1946
2-5 Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Apr 2011
Cabin: Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

While on this cruise I did a type of blog/daily report and had a lot to say - so I'll try to make this one shorter and more concise.Boarding - We arrived a day early in San Diego and took our time decompressing. Wanted to be wide eyed and ready for the cruise. We booked through HAL directly and couldn't have been more happy with the entire process. Boarding was a piece of cake. Dropped of the bags, walked across the street, pulled out the boarding documents and started down the lines. The entire process from start to finish took possibly 20 minutes. The cabin were ready when we boarded - VF5136 - Closet space was very nice, bathroom was a little small but adequate for two people. We didn't plan on spending too much time in the Cabin anyway. One thing though - HAL's beds are amazing. You will always get a good night's sleep. Dining - Where ever we ate we had excellent service and well prepared, excellent tasting food. We did not dine in the Vista this trip, we opted out for the experience of dining in Canaletto's three nights. All three nights we had excellent service, wonderful food and a very nice dining atmosphere. After the first night, the servers remembered what wine we enjoyed as well as our after dinner preferences. I do recommend that everyone try this upscale Italian restuarant style at least once during their trip. Had room service 4 of the 7 mornings and have no complaints. Breakfast was delivered on time, the correct temperature and always what was ordered. In fact there was more food that what we could eat. Lunch was either the taco bar or the burger/hot dog stand on the Lido deck or a sandwich from the Lido Buffet. Dinner when not taken at Canalettos, was eaten a the Lido Buffet. Not once were we disappointed in our meals. Entertainment - We went to one show in the main theater and saw the comedian. His comedy was more adult and recommend that you not bring the children, but he was very good. We spent most of our evenings in the Crow's Nest and enjoyed listening to David Oates and his music. A very talented entertainer who has a very wide repertoire. The library is well stocked and has an excellent selection of games and puzzles for those of you who enjoy quiet entertainment after dinner. The Explorations Cafe (coffee bar) is on the level of a small Starbucks and you can always get a very nice after dinner coffee or chai. The casino was hosting a "Club 21" event, so it was usually crowded, but a person interested in doing some gambling could have some fun. Particularlly like playing (and watching other play) the game that used quarters and raked them off of the various levels until they fell out. Still haven't figured that one out. Activities - While on board, if a person was bored, that was their fault. There were many seminars (cooking, animal towel folding, flowers, health and well being, shopping and tour excursions) for you to attend and chose your own. Am including excursions in this section - Puerto Vallarta was a two day stop. My husband played golf the first day and really enjoyed the course. It is located near a bird sanctuary and he said it was beautiful. Granted the crocodiles were a little off putting but as long as you stayed away - you were safe. The Malecon is full of entertainment - from the the statues, stone sculpting, SAND ART and the pole flying. The second day in Puerto, we left the town and went off to the north to a tequila factory. Learned a great deal about the liquor and about the area around Puerto Vallarta that isn't as prosperous. When we dropped anchor in Cabo San Lucus - saw some of the most beautiful waters and rock formations jutting out into the sea. A great place for water activities and such. We took an excursion that took us out of Cabo to a small and very nice town called San Jose. Recommend it highly. One side note - don't over pack. Bring enough for three days then take advantage of the laundry service. An excellent deal for your money. In before 9:00 AM back the same evening.And now to the end - disembarkation was easy but did have some issues. Since the turn around on the cabin is so short - you are expected to get out of it long before you leave the ship. Public space is limited when everyone has baggage - suggest that if you can put it out the night before - do it. Then find a public area that is not as crowded - such as an elevator landing on 4th or 5th deck and then wait until your disembarkation number and color is called. That will make the process much easier and less frustrating. It isn't HAL's fault that the crowding occurs. It is the passengers who cause the problems. Over all we enjoyed our trip, have booked another for 2012 (Panama Canal) and am looking forward to that one as well. Enjoy

Cabin Review

Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

Cabin VA

VF 5136 - small bathroom, but adequate for two people, Great balcony with overhang - is protected from wind. Three closets with more than enough room for a weeks wardrobe. Excellent Bed!!!!!

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