Our room 5116 was a Deluxe Verandah Oceanview on deck 5, not too deluxe - at only 143 square feet. Balcony was shorter because there was a life boat that was even with the balcony floor - wish we had been made aware of that. Very narrow hallway between closets & bathroom. We had to shut all closet doors in able to reach the bathroom. Bathroom was very small, with toilet being set at an angle (our knees were touching the tub) 
Had a mechanical issue that was resolved quickly by our room steward and Cathy at the Front Desk. Plenty of storage, just not a lot of room to walk around. We used the stool at the desk for our dirty clothes as the top lifts off.

Our Jungle Queen Riverboat tour was complimentary from Holland American Cruise Line on our turn-around on 2/8 because they were doing a super clean of the ship due to 17 cases of Noro virus. 
It was a tad bit cool (mid 70's) in Ft. Lauderdale and the first bus load went on the enclosed lower deck. So, we ended up on the top unenclosed deck. BRRRR!

We toured the inter-coastal waterways of the New River. Went under two lift bridges and saw many expensive homes and yachts in the canals. Just not our thing! But, the price was right!

tender port - 15 to fill & 10 minute ride to beach.

Half Moon Cay

Walked off the HAL Oosterdam on 1/31 and into the cruise line built village of the typical retail shops & a Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville.

Spotted a person for the Island Trams Limited behind a kiosk. For $25 per adult, they offered a 2 hour tour of the island. We were told to go to the beach and find the meeting place & pay. About 1/2 hour later we were told to walk out into the parking lot & then outside the village compound. Found the waiting open-air trams after about a 10 minute walk. We were each given a bottle of cold water. Slow drive, past a replica of John Glenn's space capsule Friendship 7, then into downtown Cockburn Town. Stopped for 20 minutes near the Turks & Caicos National Museum (but not enough time to visit it) Went past the many salt ponds and the unique Turks Head Cactus. Our driver told us that there was a 40% excise tax to bring a car to Grand Turks & gas was $6 a gallon. Most of the buildings were boarded up or very 3rd world quality.

Next a drive to the north end of the island to visit the Lighthouse which has a $3 entrance fee. No one on our tram paid to go in. The highlight of our tour was the wild donkeys that came to be feed. The donkeys used to be used to pull the salt out of the ponds, but they were let loose after their services were no longer needed. And they have definitely multiplied! They are everywhere, they even manage to open gates and get in residential gardens.

Hammish the Cruise Director stated the night before we arrived that there was not much to see. Plus the Zika virus was in the Dominican Republic. So, we stayed on the ship.

Samana and Cayo Levantado

The Woodwind, a 37-foot Trimaran that takes 8 to 25 passengers. We went out to Klein Bonaire Marine Park for our 1st snorkel (45 minutes). Saw all the colorful coral (Brain, Tube, Lettuce & Elkhorn) and fish (Angelfish, Parrotfish, Blue Tang and a Tarpon. Our second snorkel (45 minutes) was terrific - calmer and several turtles. The Woodwind photographer would get close to a turtle to get him to swim (they teach you to never touch sea coral or animals) If you touch coral - that part will die. We were able to get great photos of the sea turtles.

Curacao

Walked downtown, bought a Larimar pendant. Stopped & had a beer (2/$7)

Aruba

We took $7 water taxi to Great Bay Beach and stayed 3 hours.

St. Maarten

Have been here before, so stayed on ship & did Piton cruise-by from bow of ship.

St. Lucia

Tiami Was Our Best Catamaran Tour Ever! Booked on board for $119.95 each. Saw many sea turtles. good lunch & open bar.

Was trying to find Caribelle Batik downtown, but none to be found. You had to take a taxi to Romney Manor.

St. Kitts (Port Zante)

$10 per person each way plus $5 per person to enter Magen's Bay. So $50.00 for 3hours at the beach. More crowded by noon.

$259 for 1 night hotel room, free parking for the duration of our cruise in a secure (key card entry) ramp garage, free breakfast buffet, 2 free drink coupons and transportation to cruise dock.The Oosterdam was constantly being cleaned by staff BUT, it is in desperate need of a refurbishing (will be done in April) Rugs & furniture in room & public areas, many pool lounge chair pads need replacing.

Oosterdam Review

SOS to HGTV for HAL Oosterdam

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Deluxe Ocean-View Verandah Stateroom

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