Oosterdam leaving Mexico Oct 2012

[califgary]

Bummer about HAL Oosterdam leaving Mex Riviera after next season...hopefully they will substitute a ship and not leave that itinerary altogether!


http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=4479

[Roz]

San Diego is such a beautiful and easy city to sail from; I hate to see so many ships leave.

Roz

[lorekauf]

It's sad for sure. It's such an easy cruise for us left coast peeps. It's painful to go to Florida and I'm not a fan of Fort Lauderdale.

[Krazy Kruizers]

it is sad

but with the violence in Mexico -- guess they want to keep everyone safe

plus -- the Ooosterdam run has not been making any money for hal the last couple of years

[Goldryder]

Seeing that Oosterdam is replacing Zaandam down under, chances are that Zaandam will return to San Diego.

HAL announced the redeployment of Oosterdam on March 2 this year via Cruise Industry News website. It confirmed that Oosterdam was replacing Zaandam and pairing up with Volendam for 2012/13.

[c-cruise]

I think it has a lot to do with the Mexican Riviera itineraries just not being that compelling for a lot of people. I love San Diego and living on the West coast it is certainly a convenient port for us to cruise out of. I just don't really care for the Mexican Riviera enough to need to do it again anytime soon. Much prefer flying to Florida and sailing the Caribbean even though it is a lot longer flight for us to get there from the West coast.

[piscesgal223]

I don't mind going to Ft. Lauderdale..just a little miffed that a new cruise ship terminal was built in San Diego recently and it won't get any use once all the cruise ships quit using SD as a port. It's a waste of money.

[solocanadian]

I will truly miss Hal's 14 day reposition cruise to Vancouver. Made a future cruise deposit While on the last Oosterdam Cruise but don't know what I will do. It's so difficult getting to Florida from Vancouver & I object to Alaska's $25.00 Head Tax!

[CruiserBruce]

I don't mind going to Ft. Lauderdale..just a little miffed that a new cruise ship terminal was built in San Diego recently and it won't get any use once all the cruise ships quit using SD as a port. It's a waste of money.

You realize there are two different timelines here. The new terminal was probably 3-4 years (or more) in the making. Dropping cruises from San Diego is, at most, a 2 year time line. So, when the cruise lines started dropping sailings from San Diego, the new terminal was over probably over half done.

[erewhon]

We have known for a long time that the Oosterdam is to have a season "downunder".
May even have an opportunity to sail aboard her.

[piscesgal223]

We definitely need a new cruise ship terminal..the old one was pretty blah-like an airport hanger.


But yeah, they couldn't have known all the cruise ships were going to quit using SD as a port.Shame, since as several people have said, it's convenient for them(and I agree-the only downside is getting out of there after a cruise!)

[CRUZBUDS]

We are hoping the down-turn is temporary and Mexico can get it's act together. The California economy hasn't helped either.

Our last 17 cruises have been from San Diego and will be flying one way for our next two cruises. On the bright side it's forcing us to try new things.

We think San Diego should proceed with major renovations to the terminal. The new terminal was designed for to take over flow ships. The pier the new one is on is much smaller than the main one. Build it and they will come (at least I hope so :))

[Ine]

Hopefully HAL will put one of the smaller ships like Statendam or Ryndam sailing the Mexican Riviera. Not only for the people living in CA. not willing to fly but also for the people in Mexico making a living in tourism.
Despite all the negative reports people (and HAL) should realise certainly not all towns are dangerous. The problems/murders are drugs-related and absolutely not against tourists who in general still have a good and safe time there.

[sail7seas]

We live on the East U.S. Coast. From all we hear of what goes on in border towns and Mexico, we wouldn't dream of flying cross country at that expense of time and money to sail someplace we have heard of so much crime.

While we see annecdotal comments that crime isn't so rampant everywhere, us right coasters don't want to get into it at all. Maybe if you live in and around San Diego you think it safe and you would know but a large part of U.S. and Canada residents won't book those cruises.

IMO.....

[Ine]

We live on the East U.S. Coast. From all we hear of what goes on in border towns and Mexico, we wouldn't dream of flying cross country at that expense of time and money to sail someplace we have heard of so much crime.

While we see annecdotal comments that crime isn't so rampant everywhere, us right coasters don't want to get into it at all. Maybe if you live in and around San Diego you think it safe and you would know but a large part of U.S. and Canada residents won't book those cruises.

IMO.....

This winter we stayed (again) 5 months in Puerto vallarta, traveled/drove around there and in the vicinity without any problem.
With us lots of americans and canadians did the same,escaping the cold, all enjoying their long winterstay.
Many people donot realise Mexico is a very large country with still plenty of places that are safe. The press doesnot always give the right impression (like stating that most killings are drugsrelated and not against tourists.)
When I am abroad and read in the dutch newspapers what is reported and happening (also often drugsrelated) I certainly donot recognise the country.
I remember a TV show (about 2 years ago)on US-TV about Amsterdam which made the city look like one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but many tourists are still enjoying a visit to this country and city.
Safety cannot be guaranteed in any place in the world.

We have had various (some CC) friends coming to PVR for either a day or longer and with pleasure we showed them around. We could show them staying there was a pleasure.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Hopefully HAL will put one of the smaller ships like Statendam or Ryndam sailing the Mexican Riviera. Not only for the people living in CA. not willing to fly but also for the people in Mexico making a living in tourism.
Despite all the negative reports people (and HAL) should realise certainly not all towns are dangerous. The problems/murders are drugs-related and absolutely not against tourists who in general still have a good and safe time there.


we loved it when the ryndam did 10 days sea of coftez and then 10 days mexican riviera cruises -- 20 days -- well worth the hassle of flying across the country

sure wish hal would bring back those itineraries

[sail7seas]

What year did you do that cruise, KK?

[lorekauf]

we loved it when the ryndam did 10 days sea of coftez and then 10 days mexican riviera cruises -- 20 days -- well worth the hassle of flying across the country

sure wish hal would bring back those itineraries
I loved that too. I'd even love a 14 day cruise to would go to one of my favorite places (Huatulco).

[lorekauf]

This winter we stayed (again) 5 months in Puerto vallarta, traveled/drove around there and in the vicinity without any problem.
With us lots of americans and canadians did the same,escaping the cold, all enjoying their long winterstay.
Many people donot realise Mexico is a very large country with still plenty of places that are safe. The press doesnot always give the right impression (like stating that most killings are drugsrelated and not against tourists.)
When I am abroad and read in the dutch newspapers what is reported and happening (also often drugsrelated) I certainly donot recognise the country.
I remember a TV show (about 2 years ago)on US-TV about Amsterdam which made the city look like one of the most dangerous cities in the world, but many tourists are still enjoying a visit to this country and city.
Safety cannot be guaranteed in any place in the world.

We have had various (some CC) friends coming to PVR for either a day or longer and with pleasure we showed them around. We could show them staying there was a pleasure.
I've spent a LOT of time in Mexico and I've never felt scared anywhere. I've also gone to many places in the Caribbean and have been scared. Many of us do realize that Mexico is a large country and people are NOT being shot on every street corner.

[Roz]

There are people in Nashville who won't go to NYC (or any place in the North) because they think it's dangerous. :D

Roz

[Mollynme]

Hi,
About 1 hour ago, I asked the Oosterdam Hotel Manager (I forget his name) if it is true that HAL will no longer be going to Mexico. He replied that they will just be cutting back on their Mexico sailings and that the ship would be alternating cruises between the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii. I assumed he meant the Oosterdam but I could be wrong

[sassyredhat]

We live in SD. From what I've heard, there will be no ships embarking from SD after CCL Spirit and the O leave for Australia.

There will still be CCL Splendor and PCL Sapphire in LA. CCL's Inspiration is going to LA for a short time. We are booked for that. Sailed Splendor once--that was enough.

The only place I was uneasy was in Alcapulco. We are booked for Ensenada in Feb. on a ship's tour. So far I am not uncomfortable with that.

We REALLY miss having ships here. I thought I read that Zaandam will not be back here. Too bad. She was one of our favorite ships.

Pat

[sail7seas]

Hi,
About 1 hour ago, I asked the Oosterdam Hotel Manager (I forget his name) if it is true that HAL will no longer be going to Mexico. He replied that they will just be cutting back on their Mexico sailings and that the ship would be alternating cruises between the Mexican Riviera and Hawaii. I assumed he meant the Oosterdam but I could be wrong


Is Douglas Hernandez the Hotel Manager? He's OUTSTANDING. We think very highly of him.