Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

Hi all,

 

I've had a cruise nap and am off again!! My friend Geoff has his 70th birthday on Thursday and we'll be taking a bucket list cruise for him 😃

 

Always take a pic of your checked in luggage.

 

 

FYI the Aspire Lounge at NCL is well worth a visit.

 

If you're also boarding on Saturday feel free to share my page so others can follow us.

 

This will be our first cruise on HAL. You can expect loads of pics etc. Please feel free to ask questions and request info. For those new to me and my ramblings I'm a grandma of 6 boys, mother to 3 daughters. Retired from a couple of awesome careers far removed from the sea. Born and raised in London. Cruised as a child then more intensively since 2008 mostly solo. Previous blogs in sig.

 

Currently in business class lounge at Newcastle International Airport. I should've booked a through ticket but didn't so have to checkin again at London Heathrow 🤦‍♀️ Cruise, flights, pre and post cruise hotels booked through a UK TA.

 

Welcome aboard!

[0106]

Thank you for taking us along @NorbertsNiece!  We will be on the Oosterdam SA & Antarctica cruise departing on January 29.  I am especially interested in packing tips, excursion experiences and activities during sea days.  I am hopeful that there will be a lecturer onboard to give us insights into the area.  Safe travels!

[NorbertsNiece]

37 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Thank you for taking us along @NorbertsNiece!  We will be on the Oosterdam SA & Antarctica cruise departing on January 29.  I am especially interested in packing tips, excursion experiences and activities during sea days.  I am hopeful that there will be a lecturer onboard to give us insights into the area.  Safe travels!

I replied to your post in depth but it's vanished! Briefly, and garnered from the App:

Talks ✅️

2023 Movies ✅️

 

No one ever asks me for packing advice. Ever. And there's a reason. I use the fold, roll and chuck method. I do wear everything I  bring at least once. I do not send out laundry on a cruise unless there's a self service laundromat. Geoff is a Master Mariner. Laundry is a specialty!

 

My gate is due to be called.

 

🤞 THIS post makes it!

[Sea42]

Thank you! We have to wait until January of 2025 for our turn so I will certainly enjoy reading about your experiences.

Safe Travels!

[Gawker]

We're also on the January 29 sailing, and am excited to follow your blog.  Thank you for doing this.  

[0106]

25 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

No one ever asks me for packing advice.

We usually travel with only a carry on.  I realize it may be 100F in Buenos Aires and 32F or lower in Antartica.  I may need to check a bag for our cold weather gear.  I plan on layering.  With regards to packing, just wondering, as you cruise, if there is anything you are extremely happy you brought or something you wish you would have brought.

 

Wishing on time flights and the ability to sleep during your transatlantic.

[NorbertsNiece]

Boarded and belted. Full flight down to London. Just over an hour.

[NorbertsNiece]

6 minutes ago, 0106 said:

We usually travel with only a carry on.  I realize it may be 100F in Buenos Aires and 32F or lower in Antartica.  I may need to check a bag for our cold weather gear.  I plan on layering.  With regards to packing, just wondering, as you cruise, if there is anything you are extremely happy you brought or something you wish you would have brought.

 

Wishing on time flights and the ability to sleep during your transatlantic.

We're away for 4 weeks.

 

I have loads of shoes. At home. Mostly Tom's. I bring a sparkly pair for gala nights and a plain pair for ship wear. One pair of Ecco walking sandals for excursions. One pair of Skechers because I had room. Currently wearing waterproof walking shoes.

 

The best thing I ever have brought with me and will place a pic once unpacked on board is a hanging shoe rack. Keeps the floor clear. And useful for storing bits and pieces.

 

Magnets for paperwork and highlighter pens for important items are right up there. Have brought magnetic hooks with for the first time. Previous experience in wonderful cabins is a lack of hooks.

 

Still on the ground. Passengers with assistance needs have now been very efficiently boarded.

[NorbertsNiece]

Still on the ground. Almost ½ an hour late now. Safety demonstration demonstrated. Menu received. They should be aware that I'm Gluten Intolerant ... let's see how that goes. To be honest I'm not hungry. Need to sleep lol 

 

 

[SilvertoGold]

Wonderful thread, looking forward to your informative and fun posts (loved your shoe descriptions).  Our fav cruise itinerary so we are excited and will be watching for your posts. Have a safe flight and enjoy this lovely ship. Thanks also for the links to your blogs which we will be reading one by one along with this thread.

[NorbertsNiece]

Currently in baggage hall LHR. Flight was smooth and I had a phone signal up to the infamous Barnard Castle!

 

I was brought food,  before everyone, without asking. Did not dare refuse. Chicken salad and dessert. Was delicious!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[mjmagee]

Following and joining you!

 

Marilyn

[tupper10]

2 hours ago, 0106 said:

We usually travel with only a carry on.  I realize it may be 100F in Buenos Aires and 32F or lower in Antartica.  I may need to check a bag for our cold weather gear.  I plan on layering.  With regards to packing, just wondering, as you cruise, if there is anything you are extremely happy you brought or something you wish you would have brought.

 

Wishing on time flights and the ability to sleep during your transatlantic.

Bring long underwear for Antarctica - very lightweight and an easy layer to pack.  Also REI sells a great low turtle neck top that is windproof - so layer is long underwear, the turtle neck (you can use any one but you need to cover your neck)  fleece and rain proof/wind proof shell to go over it all. Hat and gloves are critical.  Water proof hiking shoes - this takes the place of sneakers so make sure they are comfortable.    In Antarctica it is the wind more than the cold that you must be concerned with in their 'summer'.  I had bought hiking pants that converted into capri's so no need to double pack.  I also wore them for casual nights with a nice button down sun shirt - long sleeve that I wore for 'cold' and warm weather. I wore my long underwear underneath the button down shirt if I was cold.  It was also nice that I could take it off if the weather changed when we were out - and stuff it in my backpack.  

[NorbertsNiece]

1 hour ago, mjmagee said:

Following and joining you!

 

Marilyn

Do find me on board. I wear dungarees.... a lot!!

[FLCruiser97]

Wishing you a Bon Voyage. I will be following your adventures not so much for the ports of call but for the ship. We will be on the Oosterdam next April and would love to hear your insights on the ship.

[NorbertsNiece]

Luggage took a while to be delivered. Checked in and security cleared.  I always get xrayed and patted down (hip prosthetic)

 

Currently sat in a Galleries Lounge at LHR. Boarding shortly. 16½ hours to Buenos Aires with a refuelling stop in Rio.

[FLCruiser97]

1 minute ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Luggage took a while to be delivered. Checked in and security cleared.  I always get xrayed and patted down (hip prosthetic)

 

Currently sat in a Galleries Lounge at LHR. Boarding shortly. 16½ hours to Buenos Aires with a refuelling stop in Rio.

WOW. That is a very long flight.

[oakridger]

I am getting more and more interested in a similar cruise for early late 2025 or 2026! I've been enjoying following along with the current Zaandam cruisers who were in Antarctica a month or so ago. 

 

Have a wonderful trip and thank you for your posts!

 

~Nancy

[NorbertsNiece]

Boarded flight #2

Treated the crew to a box of ferrero rocher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[cccole]

Looking forward to your posts as we will be on Oosterdam January 7.  How nice not to be traveling in steerage class!!  Bon Voyage,  Cherie 

[NorbertsNiece]

Around 0700 we landed in Rio. Clocks back 3 hours. Bit of a bumpy flight. Got well looked after. Business Class rocks! I can lay flat if I want.

 

Did not purchase on board wifi.

 

Currently sat on tarmac in Rio. People have disembarked. Their seats have been cleaned and the overhead lockers have been checked. 

 

London crew currently disembarking. New crew and any passengers to board.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gluten free dinner starter

 

Geoff had smoked salmon

 

 

GF cod main 

 

Dessert

 

GF breakfast. Was offered an omelette as well which I declined 

 

The crew presented Geoff with a bottle of bubbly and a card!

 

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

They just sprayed the cabin with disinfectant! 🤭 Announcements have been in English and Spanish. As we're in Brazil Portuguese was added in.

[LouChamp]

Aloha. We have been b

to sail HAL since the 1970s and the Oosterdam and South America/Falklands and Antarctica as well. You will have a wonderful time in a wonderful ship and a wonderful priceless experience. We sailed a similar itinerary during Hanukkah and Christmas and New Year and it was magical. Looking forward to your posts and pictures especially of the food lol!

[Johnmarley888]

Enjoying your blog     We are flying on the 15th so see you on board 🙂

[albingirl]

Great blog. Thank you!