My Oosterdam Mexican Riveria cruise 1/28

[karolm]

My friend Gerry and I flew to San Diego on Friday night staying at the Hampton Inn near the dock terminal. Flew in from Chicago and weather was fine and left only 30 minutes late which is great for O`Hare airport.

Sign up for the shuttle bus for the time that you want to be shuttled over to the dock in the morning when you check into the hotel. Those shuttles do fill up. Saturday am walked over to a drugstore a few blocks away and purchased a case of water. Put my name and cabin number on the case and checked it in with my luggage.

 

Went to the dock at 12:pm and we were on the boat in 30 minutes. Very efficient.

 

Met the CC group for sailaway. Easy to spot great beads. It was so nice seeing people and placing faces with names. For the rest of the cruise I saw Doug and Eric one day while waiting for the elevator and saw Susan and Brian on a tram going to an excursion. Saw Mary in casino a few times cause my friend Gerry lived there. I never knew of any other get togethers or I sure would have been attending. I`m not a lurker just uninformed. It is a big ship and I truly thought I`d be seeing a lot more of the cc group and was disappointed that I did not.

 

We were at the early dinner seating at a round table for 6. Had wonderful tablemates.

 

Had a superior verandah suite 8053. This was a step down from the deluxe suite. Had a dvd player, (free dvd`s at the front desk which we never used) mini-bar refrigerator, (which we emptied and put on a shelf and used it for our own water and leftovers) whirlpool bath, separate shower, dual sinks, safe, down pillows, and huge balcony.

 

We had breakfast in the room every morning. Key word here is MUESLIX.

I had heard about this cereal from this board and it truly lived up to its fame. Try it you will like it.

 

Had first dinner in the Pinnacle. We were disappointed. Dry tough t-bone, "off" tasting lamb chops, cold mashed potatoes.

We had every other dinner in Vista dining room and every dinner was great. Favorite rack of lamb and osso bucco.

 

Went to spa every day. Had signed up for the week hydrotherapy pool (which was a large type of hot tub) and warm tile lounges. Loved the spa.

 

Went to the gym every morning to do a stationary bike for my knees and there were usually only 2 other people there. Except on last day where every treadmill was taken (12?) and a class going on and lots of machines in use. Gym had large ceiling to floor windows and nice to gaze out onto the ocean.

 

The service was superb everywhere. Our room was made up everytime we turned around. Our waiters in the dining room were absolutely great.

 

I was extremely disappointed in the entertainment dept.

 

To be continued........

 

Carol M

[shonuf]

Carol,

We were disappointed that we didn't see more of you also. What times we got together were kind of hit or miss. We were all invited for cocktails in the Crow's Nest but I guess early seating got in the way of that. The CC Q&A was listed in the daily program but only 5 of us met for that. All of us had late seating but you so I think that probably had something to do with us not seeing each other.

[herb]

I was extremely disappointed in the entertainment dept. Carol M

 

I hear this more often than not. What is that HAL offers that seems to be unappealing to many passenger?

[shonuf]

I hear this more often than not. What is that HAL offers that seems to be unappealing to many passenger?

 

DH and I felt that the female singers on the "O" were only okay, the male singers slightly better. I have always felt while watching the dancers that I was at a dance recital where the dancers knew the steps but weren't really dancers. I don't know if it is a function of the size of the stage but they always seem to be pulling in their moves. Not in any way am I implying I could do better. :)

 

The first night comedian seemed to get more groans than laughs, a couple bits went over okay but we weren't interested enough to see his second show later in the week.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We rarely go to any of the shows.

 

Thanks for your review.

[karolm]

Continued

 

Entertainment fell far below my expectations.

Cruise director Drew was witty, charming, good looking, etc when I saw him. I would have liked to see more of him. I have no idea where he was on this cruise??

 

My girlfriend and I were on Carnival last year to the Carribean. Every hour there were 3 good activities to pick from day and night. The busiest person on that ship was the cruise director. I saw him constantly organizing, socializing and doing a really good job. Last year we had 3 different comedians, magicians, hynotists. Many people that really entertained. Horse racing which is an all time favorite on cruise lines was absent. Superstar (American Idol) was great but was held in a small room so not many people could attend the first 2 sessions.?? Most nights not a thing to do after 9:30 except go to bar and listen to music. Most ships have a late show of some sort. For the first time ever on a cruise I watched a couple of movies on tv. I did enjoy the trivia and pictionary sessions.

 

I did have a good time on this cruise and thought all the services were great. Food was excellent. Couldn`t believe that I lost 2 pounds. YEAH!

It is a long walk back and forth to the dining room.

 

In Cabo and Puerta Vallarta did city tours with people we met on the dock. In Mazatlan we went to the Royal Spa for the $20/hour massage.

We were quite satified. At dinner that night a couple that I had given the adress to were not so satisfied. One gentleman said that he was missing $20 from his wallet and the other gentleman said he was missing $5 from his wallet at the end of the session. They do put a cover over your eyes for a period of time. BEWARE?

 

June 24th my husband and I will go on a Mediterrean cruise with Carnival Liberty for 13 days Rome/Rome. Am now getting all my guide books and gathering info for that trip.

 

I think this forum is just great with everyone sharing their opinions (we all have our own) and experiences. Have learned so much here. I wanted to share mine.

 

Did pack 3 times as many clothes as I wore.

 

I have to say something about dress. I did wear a cocktail dress for formal nights. If you do not have a cocktail dress at the present time that fits, do not feel you have to run out and buy one to fit in with other people. Many ladies wore long black skirts and nice blouses for formal night. In fact that is what you can rent from Holland America. Many gentlemen wore suits at dinner and all looked super - suit or tuxedo. Just MY opinion. My brother died last year from ALS and I have been learning not to sweat the small stuff. Remember health is the most important and not the length of your dress...

 

Used Airborne (heavy duty vitamin) and felt great thru the week.

 

Be sure to bring an extra pair of glasses. I did remember thank goodness as I had a pair that broke the 2nd day.

 

 

 

Disembarkation was a breeze. We waited in our cabin after having our room service breakfast for our color and group and walked right off.

 

Today is the first day that my house has stopped swaying back and forth.

 

Be glad to answer any questions.

Happy cruising,

 

Carol M:) :)

[lougee1043]

re- entertainment-- i always try to remember that i am on a cruise ship bobbing in the middle of the ocean---imo different entertainment goes from acceptable to very good and i accept that --- have only walked out on the entertainment once---------lady piano player