Will Oosterdam return to the west coast ?

[caribbeanboy]

Will Oosterdam return next year november to the west coast after she comes back from europe?

[Krazy Kruizers]

She is scheduled to do South American cruises beginning in Nov 2009.

[Susie51]

What ship will replace the Oosterdam? Why the changes?

[LAFFNVEGAS]

What ship will replace the Oosterdam? Why the changes?

:( Sadly HAL is not replacing the Oosterdam doing Mexican Riviera. I keep hoping they realize they made a HUGE mistake. But so far it appears that even into 2010 the Oosterdam will continue doing Europe and South America with no sign of any regular weekly 7 day sailings:mad: Now HAL will try to tell you that you can still do the Mexican Riviera on the Ryndam but the 7 day cruises are few and far between and when they do have one the prices in all categories all double to triple the price for all categories than prior Oosterdam cruises or even Princess or Carnival cruises. I really do not think they realize how they will be forcing their faithful West Coast Cruisers to go to other cruise lines.

In all honestly I really prefer the Vista Class and have not hidden that fact but the Ryndam is nice for a slow pace, relaxing sedate cruise, the Oosterdam just has more LIFE and fun to it.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

What ship will replace the Oosterdam? Why the changes?

 

I forgot to answer your 2nd question. It is all about the money!!!! They feel with the US economy that not enough on board money is being spent and they figure they can increase profits by going to South America. Also I think they are a bit concerned about competition (although they really should not be) Both Carnival and RCL and bringing their HUGE ships to the West Coast for 7 day sailings even taking the Oosterdam out of the picture with the Splendor and the Mariner of the Seas there will now be far more cabins to fill then there has ever been doing 7 day Mexican Riviera cruises.

Thankfully it does not appear that Princess will be taking away their 7 day itinerary on the Sapphire ;)

[nobbync]

It is too bad she is leaving with no replacement since I live here in San Diego I loved this option. Now I will use another line that still does the 7 day cruises here. I loved the Saturday to Saturday schedule and hope another cruise line takes those days because I will be on it. If I want 10 days or more to cruise I'd rather go someplace else. 7 day Mexico is just a great quick getaway for us and Oosterdam was perfect for it... :(

 

Nobby

[Copper10-8]

What ship will replace the Oosterdam? Why the changes?

 

 

Ryndam will be the only HAL ship doing Mexican Riviera cruises in 2009 after Oosterdam takes off. She's scheduled to do 7, 9, 10 and 12-day cruises from San Diego. Statendam is doing some 7 and 9-day cruises from SD starting in JAN 2010

 

Why is Oosterdam leaving SD? Probably for the same reason Noordam is leaving NYC - $$$

[Krazy Kruizers]

And with the Oosterdam being taken away from the 7 day Mexican cruises, our 23 day Ryndam cruise - PanAmerican/Ecuador was cancelled for 2009 so that the Ryndam can do some of those 7, 9, 10 and 12 day Mexican cruises.

[mcarroll2]

We are doing the 2/21/09 MR Cruise on the Oosterdam. Looks like that will be the last one for a while. We have done this 3 out of the last 4 years. It seems to be a popular cruise, maybe they will replace it with a different ship. I hope!

[LAFFNVEGAS]

We are doing the 2/21/09 MR Cruise on the Oosterdam. Looks like that will be the last one for a while. We have done this 3 out of the last 4 years. It seems to be a popular cruise, maybe they will replace it with a different ship. I hope!

 

Sadly this is not going to happen, at least not thru 2010 unless sales for South America tank big time for HAL and they are forced to place one of the Vista Class ships some where else.

I personally think HAL does not want to compete with their cousin the Carnival Splendor nor does CCL want them competing. Carnival is going head to head against RCL's Mariner for market share of the Mexican Riviera. The Oosterdam is just getting in their way for numbers of vailable cabins.

[Roz]

Carnival Splendor doesn't sail out of San Diego, and RCI only has a limited number cruises leaving from that port.

 

San Diego is so much nicer (and easier!) to sail out of than LA or Long Beach.

 

Roz

[LAFFNVEGAS]

Carnival Splendor doesn't sail out of San Diego, and RCI only has a limited number cruises leaving from that port.

 

San Diego is so much nicer (and easier!) to sail out of than LA or Long Beach.

 

Roz

Roz, I totally agree but the power who control all the cruiselines seem to think the San Pedro/Long Beach area is more central and are sailing more ships out of that area. If you look at up coming cruise ship schedule for San Diego into late 2009 you will se less and less ships :(

[Susie51]

I'm glad we booked Oosterdam for Dec. 13. DH and I enjoyed Zuiderdam and we are excited about our close to home port on the MR cruise. Mariner seems just too big to me. I can't see how Cabo will be able to handle such a big crowd of people.

 

Thanks everyone for responding to my questions.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been in Cabo when there was 5 ships there. We were lucky that we anchored close. Some had a good distance to tender.

 

Once we got to the pier it was crowded -- but after that when you headed into town -- not so crowded -- everyone had their own places where they wanted to go.

 

We have been in Grand Cayman with 8 ships, St Maartin with 10 and Cozumel with 10. Now that is crowded.

[MightyQuinn]

It is all about the money!!!! They feel with the US economy that not enough on board money is being spent and they figure they can increase profits by going to South America.

I think you're 100% correct here. There's been some recent discussion on the South America forum about how Celebrity specifically target markets into SA for its Round the Horn itineraries. It was reported that on these Celebrity sailings, particularly around Christmas, it's not unusual to have a majority of guests from SA. Apparently, they often travel as large multi-generational families & spend massive amounts on-board in the bars, casino & spa.