cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #26 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Discovery Park is a nature preserve that takes up the northwest part of Seattle and ends on a beach facing Puget Sound, complete with sea gulls and salt air and driftwood with excuse me waves lapping at the shore. That's the NCL Jewel we saw earlier, putting out to sea. - Joel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #27 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Dinner at Daniel's Broiler to cap off a great 1st day of our trip. The view is facing east, to Lake Washington. The tall buildings to the left are Bellevue. - Joel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepsigirl64 Posted May 24, 2015 #28 Share Posted May 24, 2015 :D I am looking forward to your review. We have been to Alaska Nine times and have been on the Oosterdam a few times. It will be fun to follow your trip as I have been antsy for another cruise to Alaska. Thanks for taking us with you. ENJOY :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare erewhon Posted May 24, 2015 #29 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Thank you for your "live from" thread. Great photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare puppycanducruise Posted May 24, 2015 #30 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Looks like you're off to a great start. Thanks for taking us along. Can't wait to see more. Have a great cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
I_r_a Posted May 24, 2015 #31 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Hey Joel, We'll be doing your cruise (also aft cabin) in August. Reading your report with great interest. Ira Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #32 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Super! I can't wait to have an act cabin. It's been our favorite area of ships before, but had to enjoy it up top. - Joel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #33 Share Posted May 24, 2015 It was so nice to have rented a car yesterday. We had rule of the city and could do what we pleased. Fun to explore too. This morning was easy too. Drove to airport and dropped off car and their shuttle ran faster and more often than hotel's. Easy uneventful check-in to HAL "Vancouver desk." Now I feel we're part of the HAL umbrella. Feels like the cruise has started. Taking motor coach to take us from Seattle airport to Vancouver pier. Driver took us through Seattle and gave a 20 minute tour of downtown, pier, etc, but on freeway or highway so no delays. Pointed out highlights and talked about Seattle and region. I love this part of a cruise. Everyone is cheerful, expectant, lots of camaraderie. - Joel Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 24, 2015 #34 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Great reporting with pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean1946 Posted May 24, 2015 #35 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Love your reviews. My son and his girlfriend live in Columbia, MO! GF works for the Mayor or one of the County officials. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #36 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Bus got us through border in no time. We all had to get off, show passport, answer questions. This time did not need to show our bags even. Through this building and we are IN Canada! Don't mouth off at border. This family did, had to get out of car, everything being sifted with a fine tooth comb. Arrived at Canada Place at pier! After customs / passport control, then check in, and it's off to the ship! I love this moment most of all: finally admitted to the inner sanctum of a cruise ship, meeting her for the first time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #37 Share Posted May 24, 2015 First impressions of my first HAL ship were good. O is not new, and it shows. But she is cared for and warm. The styles are more classic than splashy, and colors are warm and classy but not shiny glass modernism. I can see some wear on carpets and fabrics but not a speck of dirt. Staff cheerful and inviting. Ship nicely laid out. State room felt bigger than I expected and was in excellent order. Good amount of well planned closet space. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #38 Share Posted May 24, 2015 View from our aft veranda View of water south of Vancouver from lido pool, port side Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 24, 2015 Author #39 Share Posted May 24, 2015 View of cabin 4176 View of our veranda Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruiser Andi Posted May 24, 2015 #40 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Looks like fun! I love Seattle and the Alaska tours. I live in the Pacific Northwest and it is a wonderful place to be. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old As Dirt Mom Posted May 24, 2015 #41 Share Posted May 24, 2015 :)Thank you, Col Klink! My sister and I enjoyed the b2b (Vancouver-Seward-Vancouver) itinerary on the Oosterdam last July. We had an aft cabin on deck 5. I am re-living our wonderful cruise via your eyes. All your photos are very helpful indeed for your fellow cruisers. Bon Voyage; may you have as lovely a cruise as we did on the Oosterdam! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 25, 2015 Author #42 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Moorings are cast off and the ship is hers and hers alone! Farewell Vancouver. Lions Gate Bridge. I realized right away that I am going to LOVE being in an aft cabin. This is the view the captains of the old wooden ships always had. Looking out out window and out onto the ship's wake makes it feel like the ship is sailing for us alone somehow. Feels like we are in the center of it all. Love it. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cl.klink Posted May 25, 2015 Author #43 Share Posted May 25, 2015 On first day, had lunch at Lido and dinner at Pinnacle Grill, signed up for Cooking class for later in cruise, signed up for Internet, signed up for a wine tasting. Starting to get a feel for the ship and the experience. I can't help but compare to our other cruises, 3 of them, all on Celebrity. I find the mood here more serene and calm and relaxing, and Celebrity was more shiny and exciting and wow-ing. I am not trying to say one is better. I am trying to see how each is good. And, they both are. I have found the food less good than it was on Celebrity but perfectly fine and some of it very good. So far would happily look forward to another HAL ship. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EbayCruiser Posted May 25, 2015 #44 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Enjoy your cruise! Our very first cruise was on the Oosterdam out of Seattle. She was only a year or so old then and we had a fabulous time. Eat some bread pudding for me!! LOL It is served every day in the Lido at lunch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cbr663 Posted May 25, 2015 #45 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Wonderful pictures. I especially enjoyed the pics of the fish market. Boy, those fish prices are high. :) I also enjoyed the pics of Vancouver. I use to live in Coal Harbour in Vancouver and would walk it each day to get to and from work. It was such a wonderful way to start and end your workday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted May 25, 2015 #46 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Wonderful start with great pictures. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SilvertoGold Posted May 25, 2015 #47 Share Posted May 25, 2015 Great photos, especially of your balcony and the cabin. Thanks for posting this thread!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted May 25, 2015 #48 Share Posted May 25, 2015 I am enjoying your reporting. In four weeks I will be on the Oosterdam. Who is the Captain? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wntgoislnds Posted May 25, 2015 #49 Share Posted May 25, 2015 What deck are you on? Looks great! Thank you for posting the wonderful photos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1ANGELCAT Posted May 26, 2015 #50 Share Posted May 26, 2015 I am enjoying your reporting. In four weeks I will be on the Oosterdam. Who is the Captain? Good evening Father, I am on the Oosterdam on 6/28. I had asked Copper who the Captain would be and his reply was Captain Bos. Looking forward to meeting you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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