4th cruise around NZ at Xmas in 5 years, the previous two on Volendam and this year decided to try the larger Oosterdam and do back-to-back cruise by combining the 14nt NZ with the following 10nt Pacific is cruise.

Remarkable difference in passengers between the two cruises. the Xmas/New year cruise was a quite old crowd, as had been the previous two years, but the second cruise beginning 02 Jan was much younger, noisier and double the families, showing the difference in pricing that HAL had offered. the Xmas cruise is always considerably dearer than their other departures.

Sup Verandah 6111 was an excelent cabin. Good location, little noise, spacious and like all HAL cabins, laid out with plenty of cupboards and drawers. Many complained about the lack of an Aust power point but we were prepared with an adaptor. We also bought the Suite Amenities package which I consider excellent value - 2 full size bottle of liquor, 2 bottles of wine, 2 monogrammed bathrobes, canapes or high tea in cabin every day, dinner in the Pinnacle Grill, 2 x $50 beverage cards an most particularly unlimited laundry and pressing. This is worth its weight in gold as you can take less clothes along and just keep getting them washed. Read more