I have cruised many times, with Celebrity as well as some other cruise lines. I had heard some good reports about Holland America, and liked the itinerary of this cruise, so I decided to give it a try.
First morning we went up to the gym, and I couldn't believe how small it was. Half of the 10 treadmills were broken, with signs on them saying not to use them. With the remaining ones that ...
Choose this cruise to commemorate our 65th wedding anniversary & My 90 birthday. Boarded the Oosterdam Nov.6th. Nov. 9th severe coughing, Nov.14th after ships doctor did two tests said I had Bronchitis & bacteria infection & a bill for $227,08. Disembarked ship Nov.23rd @9am, by late afternoon Nov.23rd after being transferred by ambulance Doctors @ Highline hospital I.C.U. ward diagnosed me ...
It pains me to say this because in the past we have always loved HAL but this cruise fell so short of expectations that we have resolved never to sail with this line again.
Some things remain the same - the friendliness of the crew and truly great fellow passengers - but almost everything else was wanting.
The ship itself was in poor repair. There were broken windows, chipped paint, soiled ...
This cruise has several cons.
Too many days at sea ( 12 ) which would be ok except the ship had a very poor entertainment program. The evening shows on the first leg were poor quality, better on the return leg, but still not great. The daytime presentations were uninteresting to most, spotty in number, - who wants to do towel folding, teeth whitening, sarong tying? The days at sea were boring, ...
I've been to Hawaii RT 6 times and this was the worst for activities and on any cruise ever taken as well and that numbers about 40. There was no Hawaiian enrichment speaker unlike last year. No guest speakers. NO COOKING CLASSES on way over. No singers\dancers until the return. Etc etc. Everyone was complaining and one lady canceled two future HAL cruises. Finally in Hawaii HAL got the word ...
We booked this cruise 2 weeks before sailing. The itinerary and price was too good to pass up. Leaving from San Diego was the perfect start of this 17 day cruise. Embarkation was a bit chaotic as a Disney ship was embarking at the same time. This caused an hour or more of standing in line and wait time. This was the perfect way to visit Hawaii. The 5 days on the Pacific crossing were warm ...
We chose this cruise because we have never been disappointed with HAL, and they continue to provide excellent service and MDR dining, which are the two areas that we scrutinize when cruising.
The great service continues at most levels from room stewards to managerial staff, with a personal touch in knowing your name.
Dining in the MDR has always been semi-gourmet, with small portions like ...
Excellent service excellent vegetarian food good place to meet a lot of World Travelers. I enjoyed the Lincoln Center this time around I wish I had more great classical music or modern music on this ship line. I met some very nice people and in hindsight I wish I hadn't gotten Roberts information who I had High Tea with on October 13th 2019.Heathe Millard Fbk okay I have to add 65 more words I did ...
This was our 4th HAL cruise and about our 40th cruise overall. We have been fortunate to have done of the worlds best cruises itineraries all over the world. We started cruising in our 40s and have done as many as two a year. For reference most of our cruises have been on Celebrity, but our more recent cruises on Azamara (4), Celebrity (2), Oceania (1) HAL (2) and Crystal (1)..
This last cruise ...
This was a our first cruise on a HAL ship and longest itinerary of the 10 previous cruises we have taken. Overall the Oosterdam was quietly average, but disappointing for several reasons:
1. Guests demographics and mobility issues were a big surprise. We knew HAL drew older guests, but had no idea this would feel like are floating "retirement home". We are active 65-67 year olds yet we felt ...