Oosterdam Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,087 reviews

12-Day Western Mediterannean Cruise aboard the Oosterdam

Review for the Western Mediterranean Cruise on Oosterdam
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Cahadley24
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

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Sail Date: May 2016
Cabin: Standard Interior Stateroom

My 20-year-old daughter and I took the 12-night Western Med cruise leaving out of Rome, and just returned a few days ago. The cruise definitely exceeded our expectations. We flew into Rome, and took advantage of HAL's air program. I was able to get air for just $804 round trip pp through them, and that was a direct flight from Chicago. We stayed at a wonderful B&B near the Vatican (Al Colonnato di San Pietro Bed and Breakfast), number one on tripadvisor, and I can see why. Reasonably priced, perfectly located, and the proprietor, Rosa Maria, took care of us like family.

After four glorious and extremely tiring days in Rome, We were ready for our cruise. We took the train from Rome to the port, Civitavecchia, and then simply took a cab to the ship after we arrived. It was only 20 euros, and well worth avoiding the hassle of waiting for a bus. Additionally, we had saved a ton taking the train down, at only like 5 euros each. Embarkation was a breeze. Very little waiting and super organized. Our room was actually ready when we arrived as well, and we were early at just before 1 p.m.

We had chosen an inside cabin, 8126. The cabin had tons of storage, so we were able to get everything organized and put away. Very little noise and very little movement. Our stateroom was attended by Asis and Eko, and they were just phenomenal throughout the cruise taking care of the cabin. When we arrived, the room was made up into a king, but when we asked, they quickly changed it to two twins.

Cabin Review

Standard Interior Stateroom

Cabin MM

Cabin was an inside standard cabin on the Navigation Deck, Deck 8. Lots of storage space. Plenty of room for two people. Very quiet and easy to get rest.

Port Reviews

Rome (Civitavecchia)

We flew into Rome, and took advantage of HAL's air program. I was able to get air for just $804 round trip pp through them, and that was a direct flight from Chicago. We stayed at a wonderful B&B near the Vatican (Al Colonnato di San Pietro Bed and Breakfast), number one on tripadvisor, and I can see why. Reasonably priced, perfectly located, and the proprietor, Rosa Maria, took care of us like family.

I had arranged in advance for an audience with the pope, as well as the scavi tour to see St. Peter's tomb under the basilica. Dear daughter and I also took part in the pilgrimage to the Holy Door. I also had appointments made for the Vatican Museum and Sistene Chapel, as well as the Colosseum for the full tour below the Colosseum as well. It is extremely helpful to make reservations online in advance, and thus bypass the crazy lines at all of the attractions in Rome. The city is truly amazing. We had the best time there, but it is exhausting. We also climbed the Dome of the Basilica, which afforded fantastic views. We spent a day taking the train to Pompeii on our own, which was another great day, and we took time to see Trevi Fountain and the Capuchin Crypt, the pantheon, and just to walk and enjoy the city. Food in Rome was amazing too. We simply stopped and ate at anyplace that appealed to us, and can honestly say we never had a bad meal our entire time there.

Our final day, we took the train from Rome to the port, Civitavecchia, and then simply took a cab to the ship after we arrived. It was only 20 euros, and well worth avoiding the hassle of waiting for a bus. Additionally, we had saved a ton taking the train down, at only like 5 euros each.

Florence (Livorno)

We grabbed a cab to the train station and then took a train to Pisa. I had made arrangements in advance to climb it, and we had lunch literally looking up at the leaning tower. Pure magic. We then took the train to Lucca, and rented bikes, and biked all around the wall of the town. Took our bikes down to a little cafe and had croissants. It was a truly splendid day. Hint: Cabs are plentiful and much quicker than the bus service and parked right there at the dock. However, returning to the train station in the afternoon, it is difficult to find a cab. Make sure to leave plenty of time for this. The train was an easy option and saved hundreds of dollars over tours, plus we were able to spend time exactly as we wished at each location.

Monaco (Monte Carlo)

The Antique Grand Prix was going. This definitely added to the experience, and we could see the cars racing below from the palace, as well as hear them zooming past us on the streets behind barricades. We loved it, but admittedly it made it trickier to get around. Gorgeous yachts were in the port, and Ferraris were like Fords there.. Literally everywhere. We saw the changing of the guard at the palace, went and lost a little money at the Grand Casino and went to a great market there. We also took the train to Eze that day. Had lunch at Le Chevre D'or, a two michelin star restaurant overlooking the Med. The view was pure magic. Even got a little teary as they showed us to our table. It was that spectacular, and I had read about the place long ago. The medieval village of Eze was gorgeous. We did some shopping there. A little rain came, and we went and took a wifi break and waited it out. It was a great day. Hint: Take the bus to Eze. The train station is a long long distance from the village and is at the base of the cliffs. It is really not walkable. The bus does pick up there in front of the train station however, and will get you to Eze, if you make the mistake we did and take the train. We had difficulties finding the bus station in Monte Carlo, as the stop we needed was barricaded up due to the race.

Saint-Tropez

In St. Tropez, I had been given some erroneous information, making it sound like Pampelonne Beach is walking distance from the port. It very definitely is not. Of course we realized this once we were about 25% there, on a road with no place to walk and surrounded by vineyards lol. Ended up finding this strange oasis in the middle of nowhere, where we bought fruit, and the proprietor called a taxi for us for the rest of the way. 30 euros to go 2-1/2 miles was a bit extreme, but we were just happy to not be on the side of the road anymore. I would have paid anything lol. Went to Nikki Beach Club, so my daughter could finally see some people her age. We were there a bit early, and it was super quiet, so headed to the beach. Daughter rented a jet ski for 65 euros for 20 minutes, but the guy took a liking to her and she ended up out there for about 45 minutes, then had lunch at a great french restaurant literally right on the beach. After lunch, headed back to Nikki's. It was now PACKED. Loud music and a fashion show going on. The bouncer found us a bed and we enjoyed music and laid out the rest of the afternoon. It was a great day. Had a Mercedes sedan take us all the way back to the ship and he charged 30 euros as well. Just be prepared.. In St. Tropez.. Have a lot of money available. We spent almost 100 euros for lunch. The beds were 20 euros apiece. It's not a cheap place lol. It sure is fun though =)

Corsica (Ajaccio)

I really wanted to take one of their boat tours here; however, literally none of them worked with our time in port. We had eight hours, but the boat companies literally all were approximately 15 minutes off from being doable for any of our passengers. We took the petit train tour of the town. Saw all the sights of Napolean's birthplace, and then went to a great market right in the town square. Ended with some great food right on the dock, and then went back to the ship. Pretty laid back and relaxing day.

Marseille

In Marseilles, we were bussed to the port area, and did pay a small fee for the transportation. We took a boat tour of the calanque formations out of the port for 27 euros each. We then went to lunch at Miramar Restaurant, a very swanky port-side restaurant. At 113 euros, it was an expensive lunch, but the food was quite good. In the beginning, the hauty waiter was ignoring us. We noticed French patrons around us talking about us and motioning to us. Suddenly, the couple sitting to our right complained about our service. Well they talked to the staff in French and that's what we gather anyway lol, because suddenly everything changed. We had great service after that, and our fresh fish was amazing and swimming in butter. Yummmm.

We also took a boat out to the Island of If, where there is an old prison, made famous in the book, The Count of Monte Cristo. We had fun exploring that as well. Bus service back to the ship was quite slow to arrive, and many passengers were getting disgruntled about that. In the ship's defense, everyone arrived looking to go back around the same time, so that is rather hard to avoid.

Sete

In Sete, we had very little planned. I had asked Dear Daughter about Carcassone. It is super easy to get to by train, but she just wanted a laid back day, and wanted to see the port we were in. Just an easy day sightseeing this pretty little town with canals. We went to an awesome bakery and had croissants, and then went over to the town market. Fish so fresh, it was still moving! :/ Dear daughter bought some strawberries and we found some wonderful soaps and sachets from the region's lavender. Had lunch in a little bistro in town and enjoyed some wifi, and then headed back to the ship.

Barcelona

The ship overnighted here. It ended up being our favorite port. We started out in La Rambla and enjoyed that immensely. Mimes, and booths of very type abound there. We ended at this square (Placa de Catalunya) that is literally covered in pigeons. Dear daughter bought some seeds and they were all over her. After lunch at an awesome little bistro nearby, she wanted to come back and do that again. Got some great pictures, and then took the subway to La Familia Sagrada (powerful and breathtaking), followed by another subway trip to Park Guell. The subway is very easy to navigate. A 10 ride ticket can be shared between passengers and worked perfectly for our day there. We even had two left, and it was a lot more economical than individual tickets. Hint: Park Guell is a very long and strenuous walk from the subway station. A cab might be a good idea. If you want to enter La Familia Sagrada, be sure you have made a reservation before arrival. We thoroughly enjoyed Barcelona and definitely would like more time there. It was nice that the ship overnighted there, but we had to leave the next morning, so we went back around 8:00 p.m. to have dinner and pack.

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