Oosterdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
Pre cruise/departure city we enjoyed 3 days in Venice on our own. We wanted to cruise over our wedding anniversary - so a mid June sail date; itinerary we loved, and sailing on a different HAL ship. Cut backs at time noticeable but the staff continue to show their warmth, friendliness and aim to please. We had the Elite drink package and while early in the cruise one of our favorite wines was no longer available beverage staff offered a good substitute. The Beverage team also managed to move the wine to the bars we most frequented. People's taste in music and entertainment vary so I won't address that. We would like more dance venues then the BB King's. Do not like what is apparently a fleet wide change to the Crows Nest. Dined at the Pinnacle Grill once super meal, attentive and knowledgable wait staff. Suggest to HAL to expand wine list - too many Washington State wines and many do not go well with the menu there. The Oosterdam Singers and dancers very good (especially the dancers) orchestra good not great. We did just one shore excursion and it was excellent. Did not attend enrichment activities. Did go to most of the entertainment (some very good guest entertainers). We did the 12 day segment of this cruise. While we would not do this same cruise again I would recommend it and have already to friends.
Cabin Review
Standard Interior Stateroom
Cabin stewards are like magicians an excellent job keeping our cabin clean. Often surprised how quickly in the morning they had finished. We are not messy guests and do keep our things picked up and away and we hope that helps.
Port Reviews
Venice
On on our we have been to Venice before - fabulous sail away.
Split
Explored old town on our own.
Dubrovnik
Explored old town on our own, easy!
Sarande
Walked the promenade. A little concerned about safety from what we heard from others. For us all was okay for us. It was a very hot day. We would go back.
Mykonos
Easy to visit the old town on your own. No longer a tender port. Paid to take a Sea Bus to the old town port.
Malta (Valletta)
Visited the old town on our own. Easy to do but some walking which is okay with us.
Palermo (Sicily)
Not much at the port. We have spent 3 nights in Palermo on our own a number of years ago - go to the old city.
Naples
We did on our own wanting to visit the National Archaeological Museum and eat pizza! A long walk but easy to find.
Rome (Civitavecchia)
W took the post cruise transfer and stayed one night in Rome. Not a central location but not too bad. A lot of guests waiting for rooms but the HAL staff and the hotel staff seemed to manage things well.
Crete (Heraklion)
On our own took the bus to get to the old town.