OOSTERDAM REVIEW - (Mexico) - November 1 - 8, 2008

[poolwife]

I have submitted my review but it has yet posted so I am submitting here also. We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Oosterdam and our Mexican Riviera cruise.

 

I do NOT agree with a few of the previous posters. We (we are both 58) have been on this itinerary several times and this was by far the best trip to the Mexican Rivera we have had. This was our 14th cruise so have some experience in cruising. Numerous factors weighed in this decision.

 

One being getting the opportunity to unexpectedly stay in an "SA" category suite (provided by the upgrade fairy) was absolutely wonderful. The suite was so large and comfortable. Our room steward, Soli. and his assistant made sure everything was taken care of and yes, we did have little chocolates every night and a towel animal also. They make

for such a delightful surprise when coming back to our room in the evening. They were outstanding in handling all of our needs. My friend's that were in a regular balcony cabin (#6031) also got the chocolates and towel animals every night. They also raved about their room steward and his making sure they were well taken care of and all of their needs met.

 

I cannot say enough good things about the service in the Neptune Lounge and especially the concierges, Elli and Essie. They arranged for anything and took care of a shirt (was ready in just 4 hours) that needed to be laundered to be worn to a funeral the day we disembarked in San Diego. They were outstanding. They were great at taking care of our

requests and making sure our breakfast party was all handled.

Yes, getting to stay in an SA suite was absolutely great and an opportunity I probably won't get again but even with that set aside it was still a great cruise cause of the outstanding quality of the food and service.

 

Yes, as I have previously read on the boards and other places the Oosterdam lacks the "WOW" factor, but it more than makes up for it in other things. There isn't any gorgeous middle centrum, but there is great food and service. We found the service and the food to both be excellent. There were 9 of us travelling together all in different rooms and everyone had great room stewards except one couple that was in a VA category. He just didn't have that specialness to him and barely did his job.

 

We had room service for breakfast several times and it was the best we have ever experienced on any ship. The food was delivered correct and hot. I also got the best omelette from room service. The Lido breakfast buffet offered numerous selections of eggs benedict and we were also able to get eggs benedict from room service. You could write in anything

you wanted on the room service hanger that you wanted and you got it.

The food in the dining room was very good also. I didn't like that it was hard to get a reservation. They only wanted to give reservations at 5:00, 5:30 or 7:45 either too early or too late. So, we had to try and arrive each night at 6:30 and we requested the same table with the same servers and we got it. Got the maitre 'd to remember we wanted table 101 or 139 every night cause they both accommodated our large group of 9 and we could get the servers we liked. The first night in open seating we were at a different table with poor servers so from the second night on board on we kept trying for table 101 or 139 after finding out what good servers were assigned to those tables.

 

We enjoyed all of the entertainment but who stood out as truly outstanding and enjoyable was Johnny Jones at the piano

bar. What enjoyable evenings we had listening to him sing and watch his fingers just dance across those keys. Yes, the

much talked about Joel Mason was good but Johnny Jones was OUTSTANDING and we all felt he should be given a bigger venue

in which to play, but then again the intimacy of sitting around the piano would probably be lost. The only negative was the location of the piano bar. One of its entry doors opened from the casino which smoke would drift from the casino into the piano bar. No smoking was allowed in the piano bar but enough came in from the casino which wasn't so good.

The only other BIG negative was the location of the Northern Lights lounge. It also opened off of the casino. My husband loves to dance and they were playing good music in there and I just couldn't stay very long due to how bad the smoke was coming from the surrounding bar and casino. More emphasis should be put on dancing being put maybe up in

the Crow's Nest. It was a much larger area but not focused on for dancing.

 

The Lido Buffet was very good for breakfast with a large variety such as those 6 - 9 different egg benedicts to choose from. Also, a good omelette and waffle station. We loved that you could get ice cream anytime you wanted it and it didn't cost extra like on some other cruise lines. There was also toppings for ice cream and waffle cones. There was

also a good sandwich bar which made made-to-order grilled sandwiches.

One thing I almost forgot to mention was the "fresh squeezed orange juice" available at breakfast for no extra charge. I have seen it offered on other cruise lines but for an extra charge such as $3.50 per glass. So, we really enjoyed this feature.

 

We enjoyed the thermal suite package also only I highly recommend that if you purchase it that you make sure you know what the hours are for the hydro spa pool. Loved that pool but it closed early on our last night and we weren't aware of that.

 

We thought, ho-hum about the itinerary cause we had been-there, done-that so we thought. We were just going on this cruise cause we like cruising and living only 3 hours from San Diego found it advantageous to us and we didn't have to book airfare so that was definitely a plus. We had all been wanting to try HAL. We had only been on HAL once in 2001

and had a good experience and the rest of our party were new to HAL. So when it came to picking a Mexican cruise we all decided to try HAL for a new experience and we really enjoyed it and will try it again.

 

Cabo San Lucas - We got a water taxi with the glass bottom and sailed out past the arch and Lover's Beach and then over to Medrano Beach and had some great food and just enjoyed the view and watched the action on the beach. We took a water taxi back to the marina and then the tender to the boat. Really enjoyed the boat ride out past the rock formations as we had never done that before. It was a great day!

 

Mazatlan - We got a driver with a van for our group who we told that we just wanted to shop for a couple certain things for an hour and he waited and then took us to a group Mexican restaurant on the beach past the Golden Zone. Really irritates me that I can't remember the name of the restaurant cause it was so good. Then we stopped briefly cause I

wanted to check out the El Cid Hotel to see if we would like to try it for a day excursion maybe the next time and it definitly looked very nice and worth a try.

 

Puerto Vallarta - Just took a taxi to town to shop a little, went back to the ship for lunch and rest before our "Rhythms of the Night" shore excursion which left at 3:30 to Las Caletas' Rhythm of the Nights. That is truly worth doing. A little pricey at $99.00 per person but we truly enjoyed it. It took about 1 hour and 15 minutes each way by boat, you saw a show complete with fire throwers, etc. It seemed a little like a mexican outdoor circus soleil show mixed in with things you might see in Hawaii. Was very enjoyable and then they take you to the delicious buffet of meats, bbq chicken, fish, salads, potatoes and all the drinks you want. Drinks were also plentiful on the boat going and coming to Las

Caletas. The crew on the boat were also very entertaining coming and going. The place has no electricity and they cook everything there. Food was very good and if you were a party of 2 you got to sit at a private table right on the beach in the waters edge. This was really an outstanding excursion and like everyone else I highly recommend it.

However, I would not recommend it for anyone that cannot walk well or is in a wheelchair. I saw staff pushing someone

in a wheelchair and was wondering how they were going to get the man over all of the paths.

 

Embarkation & Debarkation - We all thought they were the absolute smoothest we have ever had. My friends didn't get the

advantage of the short "suite" line like we did and it still went rather quickly and smoothly for them. We waited for them so we could all board at the same time so we know it didn't take them long either. Our luggage came rather quickly also. Getting off of the ship, we were all allowed to wait in our suite to get off until our designated time. Our time was 10:00 a.m. and about 9:40 the ship made a last call announcement for anyone who hadn't gotten off of the ship so we all just walked off of the

ship. Apparently, the big rush was about an hour before. I guess we got a late frame cause we were driving and not having to make a flight schedule. I don't know but it was great.

 

We would definitely use the Oosterdam again and HAL. Remember, a day on a cruise is always better than a day at work.

[poolwife]

I see I misspelled "disembarkation" at the end of my review, but I think you will all know what I meant.

 

I hope this 'positive' review will help all those out there that were hesitant to try the Oosterdam.

 

One other thing we felt the food in the dining room was so good we didn't see any need to spend the extra money on the Pinnacle Grill restaurant.

[PathfinderEss]

Nice review poolwife, thanks for taking the time to post it. Glad you had such a good time on the Oosterdam. Would expect now that your going to have a hard time going back to a smaller room. What a nice up grade!

[Northshorecruisers]

Thanks for the review Poolwife. We were on the Oosterdam 10/18 and even though we have done this cruise before we felt that this cruise was the best. We also had an upgrade to a suite and loved it. One thing not mentioned was that for suite guests you can have breakfast in the Pinnacle. Same food as the diningroom but just a nicer venue. We enjoyed that quite a bit.

I wish we had done the Rhythums of the Night tour. Some people we met on the cruise had done this excursion and loved it. Once HAL changes the stops around for the Oosterdam it no longer will be in PV late enough for this tour. Such a shame.

Glad to hear you enjoyed your Oosterdam cruise.

[larsenbiz]

Thanks for the review. We're headed off on the same cruise in just a few short weeks. We cant' wait!

[poolwife]

What do you mean they are changing the stops for the Mexican cruise and not being in PV late? Are they going to PV first instead of the end of the trip?

 

Yes, I was so sorry I missed having breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill. Wanted to do it then got wrapped up in what we were doing and breakfast in our room I actually forgot. I was so disappointed I forgot about it until the last day when it was too late.

[poolwife]

Wow! Too bad - I just looked up the schedule for next fall and the 2 sea days are at the beginning of the trip. We loved having them at the end of the trip to relax after the port days. Don't just like one sea day at the end cause I always feel that is packing day and it isn't the same.

 

Wonder why they changed it around. It was particularly great the way it was and it was the itinerary that helped make it so good.

[manbehindthecurtain]

Wonder why they changed it around. It was particularly great the way it was and it was the itinerary that helped make it so good.

 

Probably has to do with congestion in some ports, by turning the cruise around there will probably be less ships in the various ports (and/or prevent having to tender in other ports in addition to Cabo).

[TwoWhoCruise]

Thank you poolwife for the great Oosterdam review! I'll be on the ship next week, so I was interested to see what you did in the ports too.

 

I'd like to do the water taxi with the glass bottom in Cabo San Lucas - did you just book that at the pier? Is there anybody you'd recommend doing that tour with? It will be my first visit to that port, and that sounds like a fun thing to do, along with the beach visit.

 

Sounds like you had a great cruise!

[poolwife]

Yes, we had a great cruise. There are a lot of guys with boats at the end of the pier when you get off the tender in Cabo. They are all looking for your business. Most of them have a glass bottom section to their boats. Our "driver" had tortillas with him to feed to the fish to attract them to our boat for us to see. That was really neat and fun to watch.

 

There are also a lots and lots of pelicans in the harbor where you pull out of the marina at so have your cameras ready.

[Northshorecruisers]

It will be interesting to see the reviews when the Oosterdam changes their port order. We have done this cruise twice now and both times it was Cabo, Maz, PV. I too really enjoy the two sea days at the end. Especially for 1st time cruisers, I think having one sea day then hitting the ports works well.

[TwoWhoCruise]

Thank you poolwife, for letting me know about the glass-bottom boat tours!

 

We're also looking at Rhythm of the Nights, the excursion description says it gets cool at night and to dress warmly. Will a light jacket or sweater do? Are sandals not advisable? Did people dress up for this? (smart-casual as opposed to casual)? (So many questions....! :) )

 

I'd rather have 2 sea days at the end of the cruise, rather than at the beginning too.

[poolwife]

Regarding "Rhythm of the Nights Tour" - most people did not dress up. Very few even casual dresses. I had a comfortable sleeveless tank top type dress on with a short little jacket that was really just a short sleeve thin little cover up type thing and it was plenty. We sailed on 11/1/08 and we were in Puerto Vallarta on 11/5. I did not need more than that either on the boat going over to the show sight.

 

I, personally, wished I had worn some capris and more comfortable sandals. DO NOT wear heels. I wore dressy sandals and had wished that I had worn more casual sandals that were better for walking in. It is a lot of dirt paths that kind of go up and down in a slight hilly fashion. If you decide to take a jacket make it something light. I wouldn't recommend this tour for someone that can't walk well. You will love it. I always take a thin jacket with me even on Mexico or Caribbean cruises cause I feel like you never know if you need it. So, if you bring one along wth you on the cruise then you have the option to take it with you if you want at the time.

 

When you arrive in the boat just look up at the hillside and jungle - it is just awe-inspiring. it is so beautiful. So glad they get there before dark so you can see how beautiful that it really is. Very pretty and romantic after dark. It is kind of one of those indescribable places that you can't really understand unless you are there.

 

If you go please let me know what you thought of it.

 

I, like you, also wish they would keep the itinerary just as it is. Not as tempting with just 1 sea day at the end.

[jimgev]

We were on the "Big O" for the Nov. 15 sailing on the same itinerary.

I agree with you completely on your assessment. Johnny Jones in the Piano Bar was great. The Kareoke machine was broken during our voyage and Johnny was asked to help fill that void. He did an outstanding job. Joel was also amazing. It was a great trip.

[askworldtraveler]

We booked today (Dec 23) to leave on Dec 27th - A last minute change allowed us to get away for a week - booked in SA - quite happy for a very last minute decision.

 

Debating how to get to the ship - We live less then 3 hrs (Santa Monica) away.

Train and Taxi?

Flight and Taxi?

Drive and leave a car (is it easy - cost per day)

 

Any thoughts?

 

All pre booking anything online is now closed - did as for 2nd seating - however the open looks like it might work well.

 

We too have made this trip several times - and like you not going for the ports - just enjoy being on the water. The night excursion sounds interesting.

 

What did you take that your glad you did?

What didn't you take that you wish you had?

 

First time on HAL in .... more then a few decades...

Any helpful hints appreciated-

 

One final question - does anyone know what HAL does for New Years???

BYO Hat??? :)

 

Thank you!!!!!

[TwoWhoCruise]

Poolwife - so glad this post bubbled to the top, I had been trying to find it to tell you that we did go to the Rhythms of the Night show/dinner in Puerto Vallarta and enjoyed it! I see what you mean about not wearing high heels! It was a beautiful night, we enjoyed the show and the dinner, the evening passed too quickly, we would have loved to have more time to linger at our table on the beach (we had one of those 2-person tables right along the water) or explore a little bit and see all the candle lit paths. They were serious about getting us back to the ship on time for our departure though, which was good. Very good crew who made it a lot of fun.

 

I did bring a light wrap sweater but didn't wear it. Since we all sat downstairs for the cruise back (we rode on top for the ride over, which gave us a nice view!) I could have gone either way on wearing the sweater, but managed fine without it. I'd advise anybody who gets chilly to have a light jacket or sweater along though.

 

We didn't take a glass-bottomed boat in Cabo San Lucas, we had plenty of offers at the dock, but decided to walk around town, and then returned to the ship early and didn't tender back, just relaxed on the ship which was nice too! :)

 

Thanks again for your advice on Rhythms of the Night, because it was a little pricey we did think about it a while before booking it, but it was a nice "once-in-a-lifetime" experience.

[skypilot9]

Askworldtraveler,

I have taken the Amtrak Surfliner, business class, to get to the port in San Diego and it was stress free although they now weigh your luggage, just as the airlines do. The train station is very close to the port, and a taxi could take you and your bags to the ship or you could drag them two blocks or so yourself. You are not very close to an Amtrak station in Santa Monica, I don't believe, so you might consider driving. There is a parking lot directly across the street from the port and I believe they give a special rate for cruise people...I don't recall the price but believe it was around $11 per day, but you could research that online. It is convenient to park across the street since one person can stay with the bags near the ship while the other person parks the car and walks across the street. Have fun!

[askworldtraveler]

I'm getting close to figuring this out.... A ride between SM and downtown for Amtrak is no problem - I drive a sports car - the two golf bag type - and my children are driving my larger wheels this week (I'm not quite ready to hand them keys to my car :-) ). 50lbs is no big deal even with Tux.

 

Thanks everyone for the help.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

Thank you for tazking the time to write your wonderful review.

I enjoyed reading it.