Oosterdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Background:
Us: middle aged couple Husband very active and fit, wife recovering from knee surgery - so not so active or fit
Pre-Cruise Hotel: 1 night at Rodeway Inn. I am not sure why so many people complain about the Rodeway. We found it quite adequate for a 1 night pre-cruise stay and a post cruise day room. It supplies free transfers too and from the airport and cruiseship port and a free adequate continental breakfast.
Cabin Review
Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom
4136 was a well-located cabin in a quiet area near the aft elevators.
Except for creaking and rattling a lot when the seas were a little active, it was quiet. We would book it again but bring ear plugs in the event of rough seas.
We LOVED our balcony - which was quite private. Everything worked.
Port Reviews
Half Moon Cay
We never received our clamshell and HAL handled it all very poorly.
I cannot recommend this option to anyone.
Grand Turk
We went to Pillory Beach by local taxi. The beach was lovely but unfortunately totally unsuited for anyone with a physical disability (water entry was difficult.)
We liked this port but would do things very differently next time.
Samana and Cayo Levantado
We did not go ashore and after hearing other peoples' tender experiences, we knew we had made the right decision. This could be a decent port IF you have an excursion planned and are physically fit.
Bonaire
We took a taxi to Sorobon Beach (the local tourist booth recommended it as a beach with easy water entry and they were very accurate. We rented a lounger (and were given a free chair for me) at the beach bar (very pleasant and helpful). Their washrooms were clean. Water entry was flat and easy. There was some broken coral in the shallows near shore (if you have water shoes bring them) but once you got out a bit more out, it was lovely sandy bottom and shallow water that extended far out into the bay. We had a lovely day there.
Curacao
We took a taxi to Lion's Dive resort and bought a day pass to their private beach and rented loungers (best lounger I have ever had - very comfortable and stable - perfect for a person with mobility issues. They are actually pretty well setup for people with mobility issues - lots of ramps and easy water entry. The beach is small but nice. The snorkeling from the shore was pretty good - I saw LOTS of fish (coral not so good but it was so nice to be able to easily snorkel and see plenty of fish so close to shore. We had an excellent day.