Sydney (Australia) Holland America Line Oosterdam Cruise Reviews

First, and most important, today's HAL is not the HAL of years past. It was once a gracious and elegant line that appealed to well-traveled middle to upper age passengers. In HAL's effort to appeal to the masses, much has changed. We are a well-travelled couple, mid-60's, who have been on 25 plus cruises all over the world. --Embarkation and Debarkation in Sydney:  Both nicely done and ...

We are still recovering from our first cruise experience! We had a wonderful time aboard the Oosterdam and found that we really had two holidays in one. We understand now why so many people do countless cruises year after year...It is a fun and economical way to travel. I travelled with my husband, we are both in our late twenties from Melbourne, Australia. Anyway, on with my (point form) ...

Sailed away to the South Pacific for Christmas and New Year on the Oosterdam. It was my third cruise, previously sailed on Pride of America and the Westerdam to Alaska. Wasn't expecting too much from the itinerary, especially the number of sea days but found the overall experience to be way better than expected as I really love to snorkel. We also booked our first inside cabin. The service was ...

In 2013 we did two cruises on the Oosterdam. The first was in March to the Pacific Islands, the second was a round trip to New Zealand in December. We could not get over the difference between the two cruises. Our disappointments started with the same dancing shows yes exactly the same on both cruises...surely we are not the only people who go on 2 cruises 9 months apart? We and other Mariners ...

My husband and I cruised to New Zealand on the Oosterdam for our 50th Wedding anv and to visit family and friends. We had a amazing time and really enjoyed all that was offered on board. My only comment is that if you have a problem with walking, there really is a lot of it to do between Dining at one end of the ship and entertainment at the other end. Then again if you plan you time there are ...

Quick synopsis: Old ship in need of total refurbishment to bring up to today’s standards. Crew at times were surly and quite confrontational. Food okay but not outstanding. Entertainment mostly appalling Ships senior offers not available or seen above the rank of a 1 bar. Scandalous! Front desk, polite but useless. Certain areas of ship need a good spotless clean. Carpets on stairwells ...

I and my husband were another two of the unfortunates that chose the Xmas new year cruise. Dirty towels in our cabin from previous passengers was our first encounter . Bookings I had made and paid for ,on board restaurants were mislaid, when I turned up at arranged time was told too come back in 1/2 an hour and they would try and fit us in.The house staff were over worked so things such as a half ...

This was our first cruise and Holland America had been recommended by my brother so we had a bit of background on what to expect. The first sighting of the ship on Sunday 8 December from our airport shuttle service coming down George Street Sydney was amazing with the ship moored at Circular Quay towering above the Harbour Bridge and Opera House. From that moment we were impressed with most ...

Thoroughly enjoyable 2 weeks doing very little. There is a full program of activities and events always happening on the ship so one can either do nothing or find something to do. Open Dining was great - no need to worry about what time we dined however the one night we did find some friends to dine with we perhaps should have made a reservation as we had to wait 15 minutes or so. Rooms with ...

So, if you have been on Disney then you can't compare. The Oosterdam is old. Really old. Things work. This was pretty much a retirement people cruise. Only 1 family with two small kids. No teens and no other kids. Lots of old people - like 75 and up. I think I was like the only 36 year old there. Oh yeah - really weird there was a dog - Chihuahua - on the boat. So you can bring a pet - I was told ...