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Oosterdam is beginning to show its age, but neither more nor less than any other ship from the early 2000's with only a single refurbishment.
Cuisine choices are good to excellent, though the open seating option seems to present problems for both the kitchen and the waitstaff. The Canaletto option is inexpensive but good, while the Pinnacle can be either very good or superb.
The hotel is once again under the direction of Mr. Deering, with whom we sailed on the same itinerary back in 2005. Our only problem was a somewhat chaotic debarkation owing to delays presented by Customs and Immigration.
This ship is definitely not in direct competition with either Disney Wonder or Carnival Splendor on the same route. It is not as noisy and crowded as the Splendor or best suited to families as is the Wonder. In short, it is the only solid standard medium-priced all purpose ship for a wide variety of guests in this market.
We had few problems either on board or at the two ports visited. A large contingent of physically challenged passengers was in evidence, which could have been problematic but was not. A typical senior on a walker jumped three feet into the arms of a crewman as our tender heaved upwards at Cabo.
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