Oosterdam Review
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I too experienced a horrible cruise on HAL Oosterdam. I truly understand that the GI illness is not completely their fault. However, the virus did in fact infect numerous people and was in fact encounter on ship. This said, I am sure many people experienced a less than great trip as a result.
The issue at hand for me is that HAL failed miserably in accommodating the sick and the families affect. While the Oosterdam staff conformed to CDC guidelines, they made few further efforts to make this issue palpable. Food line at all meals became unbearable, as guests were unable to serve themselves any longer. Staff was completely overwhelmed and could not accommodate nor serve guests timely or efficiently. Now guest were sick, short tempered, hungry, and impatient. The Oosterdam also closed many services that the guests came for and expected to enjoy, i.e., spa services, hot tubs, and steam rooms. Furthermore, HAL closed the children's play area and made not further attempt to accommodate recreation for children. This was exacerbated when the staff closed to family pool area for a number of hours to play a golf chipping game. As a result of the golf game taking over this pool, all children had to vacate the pool, were not allowed to take advantage of the Club HAL, the children play room, and were left with no place to play.
While quarantine is understandable, what about guest comfort? Maid service was terminated and guests were left in their unkempt quarters. As many know, stateroom are generally small at best, even suites! Thus bed and bath linen was dirty, and rooms quickly became untidy and cramp. While the Oosterdam offer $100 a day in free room service, this hardly compensated for the incontinence of having complete families being confined to their rooms. Imagine food trays and dirty dishes piling up in and outside the room, sick loved ones, and short tempers being confined in an area under 200 sq ft. Here is a novel idea.......how about providing a refuge for an hour or so while maid services cleans your room and a hot meal is provided at a proper table???? This would allow guests to at least be confined to a clean living space.