On the Oosterdam until December 14!

[Cruise Suzy]

4 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

 

@Cruise Suzy, this report comes to you live from some currently on the Oosterdam.

 

Got it. Won't be on the Oosterdam until July 2021 - just like to plan ahead. I will report back then.

[canadianbear]

4 hours ago, Sundiego said:

Thank you for the wonderful photos! We will be getting on the ship as you leave on Dec 14! We are also in a Neptune Suite! We cruise often but haven't been on HAL in awhile. Can you tell me if there is bar soap or just body wash? And what kind of coffeemaker is in the cabin and what is the coffee provided in the cabin? And will room steward bring us as many as we want? Thank you!

 

~Denise

There is a bar of white Elemis soap plus the liquid body wash.   I only drink lattes so no idea about the coffee maker in the cabin but I’ve taken photos and hopefully those can help.  I’m sure the room steward would bring more as it’s complimentary.  Hope this helps.  

[Sundiego]

5 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

There is a bar of white Elemis soap plus the liquid body wash.   I only drink lattes so no idea about the coffee maker in the cabin but I’ve taken photos and hopefully those can help.  I’m sure the room steward would bring more as it’s complimentary.  Hope this helps.

Wow! I really appreciate you taking the time out from your cruise to share those photos with me! So very helpful 😍

 

~Denise

[canadianbear]

3 minutes ago, Sundiego said:

Wow! I really appreciate you taking the time out from your cruise to share those photos with me! So very helpful 😍

 

~Denise

 

You are most welcome!!  We are just relaxing before our Gala night dinner.  

 

If you've never been in a Neptune suite try to make sure you go to the welcome reception in the Neptune lounge as the concierge goes over all that is included and answers any questions.   It’s also a nice way to meet others.  Even though we’ve been in lots of Neptune suites we went to both receptions on our back to back mainly to meet others.  

[Sundiego]

5 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

 

You are most welcome!!  We are just relaxing before our Gala night dinner.  

 

If you've never been in a Neptune suite try to make sure you go to the welcome reception in the Neptune lounge as the concierge goes over all that is included and answers any questions.   It’s also a nice way to meet others.  Even though we’ve been in lots of Neptune suites we went to both receptions on our back to back mainly to meet others.  

Thanks for the tip! We've enjoyed the "suite life" on other lines, but not on HAL so really excited! Since you are so helpful, I'll ask a few more questions 🙂

 

Can you tell me about the muster drill? Where is it held? My husband can't stand for long periods of time so we always like to be prepared if it's a "mob scene".

 

I think I've read something about room service (breakfast menu?) being enhanced for Neptunes. Any tips on that? I've followed your Pinnacle Grill/breakfast 'saga', sounds like all the kinks got worked out and it's a perk to be enjoyed.

 

Any other helpful tips are appreciated. Enjoy gala night!!

 

~Denise

[erewhon]

Thank you for sharing your photos of the beautiful Gingerbread village, wonderful.

[canadianbear]

9 minutes ago, erewhon said:

Thank you for sharing your photos of the beautiful Gingerbread village, wonderful.

 

You’re welcome-I love seeing the ships decorations come out and glad we got to see them.   When we were on the Koningsdam a couple years ago for 21 days they didn’t start putting them out until December 12.  Always makes the shops so much more festive.  

 

[canadianbear]

19 minutes ago, Sundiego said:

Thanks for the tip! We've enjoyed the "suite life" on other lines, but not on HAL so really excited! Since you are so helpful, I'll ask a few more questions 🙂

 

Can you tell me about the muster drill? Where is it held? My husband can't stand for long periods of time so we always like to be prepared if it's a "mob scene".

 

I think I've read something about room service (breakfast menu?) being enhanced for Neptunes. Any tips on that? I've followed your Pinnacle Grill/breakfast 'saga', sounds like all the kinks got worked out and it's a perk to be enjoyed.

 

Any other helpful tips are appreciated. Enjoy gala night!!

 

~Denise

 

I also have trouble standing long.  The muster is outside so be prepared for the weather.  Last week it was only 20 minutes as everyone showed up on time.  (We didn’t have to do it this week).  

 

I will attach our room service breakfast menu-we rarely use room service.  

 

Yes, Pinnacle in the morning has been very good other than that one day.  Be aware their breakfast hours are not posted-just look at the “When and Where” and see when the MDR hours are for breakfast & the Pinnacle is the same.  They will ask your room number the first couple of days until they get to know you.  

 

When you get into your cabin there should be a “gift for you” card by the bucket with “champagne” in it so that is included plus the bottles of water beside it.  On the counter by the coffee maker-those bottles are NOT included.  If in doubt, ask your concierge.  Anything the front desk does you see the concierge instead.  The beverages in your fridge are NOT included either.  

 

Since you’ve followed along with us you know the Club Orange line at the MDR is for you too-that’s for breakfast or supper.  Some times there can be a long line in the regular line so the CO line comes in handy.  You can choose to dine with others or not.

 

Please let us know how your cruise goes-I’m sure you’ll love being pampered!

[Sundiego]

8 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

When you get into your cabin there should be a “gift for you” card by the bucket with “champagne” in it so that is included plus the bottles of water beside it. 

So we don't care for champagne, will the concierge let us substitute it for a bottle of red or white wine?

[sevenseasnomad]

The cookie house village looks as if it's going to be a-w-e-some.  I remember the one on Zuiderdam in 2010.  It took up almost the entire atrium with a train skirting the borders.  We took dozens of pictures, and every photo revealed some new aspect of a house, church, school, shop etc.  It rivaled some of the gingerbread villages in Williamsburg VA's Inn.  That's saying a lot.  Those villages were spectacular, great artistry.  Not sure if Colonial Williamsburg still puts on such displays or not.  Despite living in their backyard, so to speak, we rarely visit anymore at Christmas.

[canadianbear]

2 hours ago, Sundiego said:

So we don't care for champagne, will the concierge let us substitute it for a bottle of red or white wine?

Yes you can ask them-usually isn’t a problem. 

 

Another thing I thought of what we do-if in our room we put the Do Not Disturb sign on the door.  When we go for breakfast we put  the Service Please  on so the room stewards know they can go in your room.  I think it helps them knowing when and when they can’t knock.  Same at supper time.  

 

I’ll try to attach laundry list too-it’s in the closet.  If you put it out before turn down it will be back the next day. 

 

Edited December 13, 2019 by canadianbear

[canadianbear]

Being Gala night the dining room was busy as was the line for anytime dining but it didn’t seem to take too long for people to be seated.  No one in the CO line and we were seated immediately at a table for 4, but just for us.  

 

Lobster again and was good-Mr Bear had his usual 2 tails, no steak.  

 

I found the tiramisu better in the Canalleto.  Hubby had the flourless cake which he said was good.  Wish I had asked for chocolate sundae which is my favourite.  

 

Back at the cabin after dinner we found those fancy chocolates again.  

 

Tomorrow we have a reservation at the Pinnacle again for supper then sadly packing.  

[Pepicou]

3 hours ago, Sundiego said:

 

Can you tell me about the muster drill? Where is it held? My husband can't stand for long periods of time so we always like to be prepared if it's a "mob scene".

 

~Denise

Hiya @Sundiego if your chap struggles standing for a while, then please first report to your lifeboat to get checked off then inform your lifeboat crew or one of the Officers on deck that you need somewhere to sit. You will get escorted to the Atrium area located midships inside where there will be seating available (and a crew member assigned to demonstrate how to don a lifejacket to everyone sat there with you) 

[Sundiego]

12 hours ago, Pepicou said:

Hiya @Sundiego if your chap struggles standing for a while, then please first report to your lifeboat to get checked off then inform your lifeboat crew or one of the Officers on deck that you need somewhere to sit. You will get escorted to the Atrium area located midships inside where there will be seating available (and a crew member assigned to demonstrate how to don a lifejacket to everyone sat there with you) 

Thank you so much!!

 

~Denise

[Sundiego]

12 hours ago, canadianbear said:

 

 

Tomorrow we have a reservation at the Pinnacle again for supper then sadly packing.  

 

 

So hard to say goodbye after a b2b!! Thank you again for letting us travel with you. Loved your posts!

 

~Denise

[canadianbear]

Well, after 2 weeks on the Oosterdam it is back to reality tomorrow.  We really enjoyed just relaxing this cruise and meeting and chatting with some lovely people.

 

The ship is rocking back & forth so I hope no one gets sick-I love it but hoping hubby sleeps ok tonight.

 

I have attached photos of our two cruise logs-nice to see these.  Also of our granddaughter just for fun.   Thanks to all who followed along! 

 

 

 

 

[Crusinsusan2]

8 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

Well, after 2 weeks on the Oosterdam it is back to reality tomorrow.  We really enjoyed just relaxing this cruise and meeting and chatting with some lovely people.

 

The ship is rocking back & forth so I hope no one gets sick-I love it but hoping hubby sleeps ok tonight.

 

I have attached photos of our two cruise logs-nice to see these.  Also of our granddaughter just for fun.   Thanks to all who followed along! 

 

 

 

 

 

Enjoyed every post and pic. Thank you for taking your vacation time to let us all travel along with you.  We travel this this route on HAL often because it's close to Palm Springs and you got us excited to do it all over again. Your Grand daughter is beautiful. Merry Christmas and keep enjoying every minute on land and sea! Your posts are always so positive and thanks for that...       

[Bemidji Ty]

Thanks so much for your very well-written vlog with your excellent photos.  I think we all enjoyed taking your cruise with you.

 

Safe travels home.

 

Cheers

[sevenseasnomad]

4 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Well, after 2 weeks on the Oosterdam it is back to reality tomorrow.  We really enjoyed just relaxing this cruise and meeting and chatting with some lovely people.

 

The ship is rocking back & forth so I hope no one gets sick-I love it but hoping hubby sleeps ok tonight.

 

I have attached photos of our two cruise logs-nice to see these.  Also of our granddaughter just for fun.   Thanks to all who followed along! 

 

 

 

 

Too cute for words.  

 

Thanks for all your wonderful posts as you allowed us to cruise vicariously with you.  I'll miss catching up with you each evening.  May you have a safe journey home and a wonderful holiday season.  How could you not be jolly and merry at this season with such a precious new grandchild?  Is she a future HAL cruiser?

Edited December 14, 2019 by sevenseasnomad

[cat shepard]

9 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Well, after 2 weeks on the Oosterdam it is back to reality tomorrow.  We really enjoyed just relaxing this cruise and meeting and chatting with some lovely people.

 

The ship is rocking back & forth so I hope no one gets sick-I love it but hoping hubby sleeps ok tonight.

 

I have attached photos of our two cruise logs-nice to see these.  Also of our granddaughter just for fun.   Thanks to all who followed along! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How precious! 
 

Safe travels home & enjoy the Holiday season!  I have enjoyed your cruises, though perhaps not quite as much as you have! Thank you for posting.

[DeeniEncinitas]

Welcome Back to San Diego canadianbear!!

Loved the whole journey with you from the beginning!!!!

You took wonderful pictures.....

BUT, YOUR PRECIOUS GRANDDAUGHTER 

WILL BE THE ONE THAT I WILL REMEMBER MOST AND THOSE ADORABLE DRESSES YOU GOT IN CABO ON YOUR FIRST LEG OF YOUR CRUISE!

Wishing you Merry Christmas 🎄 

Denise😊

[canadianbear]

11 hours ago, Crusinsusan2 said:

 

Enjoyed every post and pic. Thank you for taking your vacation time to let us all travel along with you.  We travel this this route on HAL often because it's close to Palm Springs and you got us excited to do it all over again. Your Grand daughter is beautiful. Merry Christmas and keep enjoying every minute on land and sea! Your posts are always so positive and thanks for that...       

Thank you for coming along for the ride!  Our granddaughter, although only 4 months old, has quite the comical personality already.   Hoping the two little dresses we bought in Mexico will fit her.  Merry Christmas to you as well!

[canadianbear]

10 hours ago, Bemidji Ty said:

Thanks so much for your very well-written vlog with your excellent photos.  I think we all enjoyed taking your cruise with you.

 

Safe travels home.

 

Cheers

Thanks so much for following along-enjoyed doing it.

[canadianbear]

7 hours ago, sevenseasnomad said:

Too cute for words.  

 

Thanks for all your wonderful posts as you allowed us to cruise vicariously with you.  I'll miss catching up with you each evening.  May you have a safe journey home and a wonderful holiday season.  How could you not be jolly and merry at this season with such a precious new grandchild?  Is she a future HAL cruiser?

Thank you-our first grand baby but she lives in east coast and us west.   Our flight isn’t until 5 so long day in San Diego.  

 

Im sure baby will be a world traveler like her parents-they’ve already applied for her passport 😳

 

 

[canadianbear]

1 hour ago, cat shepard said:

How precious! 
 

Safe travels home & enjoy the Holiday season!  I have enjoyed your cruises, though perhaps not quite as much as you have! Thank you for posting.

Lol-this cruise(s) were so different than most where we always snorkel.  But it’s exactly what we wanted.  Thanks for following.