DAHBBOTT

Booked on Caribbean Cruise on the OOSTERDAM in December.  We were on the Koningsdam last November and enjoyed several activities which added greatly to the cruise.  Does the Oosterdam have a pub crawl? If so, is there a particular day/time (for example, a "sea day", when it is offered?  We also enjoyed the "Sip and Savor" event in the early evening on the Koningsdam - a glass of red or white wine and a freshly made appetizer for $4.  Is there any event like that on the Oosterdam? Finally, any info about "hands on" food classes (how and when to enroll, when offered, are they worthwhile) would be appreciated.

You might also consider the wine packages offered online by HAL.  We travelled with another couple on the Koningsdam last November and each couple purchased a 5 day wine package which worked out to one bottle of wine each night for 10 nights (we only drank wine at dinner meal).  As it worked out, one night we all drank lightly so finished the bottle the next night - thus had wine all eleven nights from the package.  It was a pretty comprehensive selection - there were a good number of wines to select from and the wine steward at our table got to know our tastes fairly quickly and was able to give helpful guidance as to our selection each evening.  I believe there are several levels of quality (we chose #2 and were very happy) and a number of options as to the number of bottles in the package.  Then, if you're only having 2-3 G&Ts a day, you purchase them as you go.  Unless you are lucky enough to get a discount on the drink package, we worked out that you would have to consume 6-7 drinks each day to make it worthwhile.  (We do enjoy a cocktail before dinner, and perhaps at the theater on board and in the casino later in the evening, but 3-4 is pushing the limits for us.)

Hi! This is my first post to this - or any- online forum. Have been on 8 cruises in the last 5 years - 4 each on Norwegian and Carnival. Am considering a cruise on HAL next spring. However it's 21 days and I would hate to discover after 5 days that I don't like the ship (the Westerndam) or the experiences on it. My main concern is if there is enough "quality" entertainment in the evenings. HAL website doesn't give that much info about what is available. How good are the production shows in the theaters? What about entertainment in other venues (like dueling pianos, or even a piano bar). Of lesser concern is dress code(s) in dining room (we like set time meals in main dining room - enjoy interaction with same wait staff over the course of the cruise). Any help/suggestions these or other important info I should know, would be great. Thanks!