Oosterdam Alaska

[worldtrekker]

I am booking a cruise for Glacier Bay and, after much deliberation in viewing the ship and itinerary, have (nearly) decided on HAL Oosterdam in early Sept 2010. (Thanks to all the the Alaska board for your help and advice!) This is a trip for my family - Myself, DH, and two children (age 6,10) in one stateroom and my parents (Dad turning 70) in another. This will be my parent's first cruise (they are pretty active, though).

I am looking at cabins VC 5014 and 5012, which are port, but near the front. Any comments on these? Is VC class ok (we definitely want a balcony).

Also, what are the pools like (I looked at the website, but want to get an idea from someone who has been there)? Do people tend to swim during an Alaska cruise?

Thank you for your help - I am just getting nervous booking a vacation so far in advance, I think, but am already excited.

[NYGirl1002]

Very good choice. We were on the Oosterdam last September to Alaska and absolutely loved the ship and the cruise! I don't know anything about your room category but I can answer your other question. The main pool is covered so you can swim even if the weather is rainy and crappy. I did see people swimming and also using the hot tubs.

We got the pass for the spa and went in the thermal pool which is approximately body temperature.

[JAMS1]

Loved our Alaskan Cruise on the Oosterdam

When the ship turned to leave Glacier Bay, we were so close to the Glacier, seemed like just 50 yards or less, a passenger walked up to the diving board, stripped down to his swim trunks, climbed up and ran off the end of the diving board doing a very impressive flip into the pool. It looked so cool with the glacier in the background. He spent the rest of the time while we were cruising around in the Glacier Bay swimming in the pool. A fairly warm low 70's, partly cloudy day, not bad for swimming. On rainy days they closed the cover over the main pool & it was plenty warm to swim all day.
Have a Great time!:)

[Storylady]

Only criticism that I have heard on the front cabins and I don't think you are forward enough were from some people that complained about a loud noise around 5 AM in the morning. They booked the most forward of the cabins and I think they were also one of the lowest decks---they heard the anchor chain being lowered.

When we were that far forward on the Oosterdam in similar cabins, I got slightly scared by the pitching and the rolling---but we were on the coastal cruise and the waves were 35 ft high. I don't think you will have that on your Alaskan cruise.

You will have a grand time. Enjoy your cruise.

[worldtrekker]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I realized that most of the quads in balcony categories are forward - so I think we will be in that area - We should be fine as motion and noise don't bother us much. I have yet to book our trip, however I did book my parent's cabin as I thought they may enjoy an aft cabin and those tend to be coveted - they are in #5185.

Great news about the pool being open!

I am looking forward to the trip already (though it is one year away), but am nervous. While this will be my second cruise - I have not even done the first one yet! I will be following the HAL boards for more great advice.

[Storylady]

Thank you so much for your replies.

I realized that most of the quads in balcony categories are forward - so I think we will be in that area - We should be fine as motion and noise don't bother us much. I have yet to book our trip, however I did book my parent's cabin as I thought they may enjoy an aft cabin and those tend to be coveted - they are in #5185.

Great news about the pool being open!

I am looking forward to the trip already (though it is one year away), but am nervous. While this will be my second cruise - I have not even done the first one yet! I will be following the HAL boards for more great advice.

Since you have 2 kids with you, you might want to get the quad. I have never seen a quad. That would be a good question for someone who has been in one.