Hawaii in December and the Oosterdam

[hal lover]

Thinking about HI in December and sailing on the MS Oosterdam. I have been reading the review's, however none are on the MS Oosterdam. Anyone have any information? I would appreciate it. Where is a nice hotel in San Diego close to the terminal? Are the sea's really that rough on the first few days? Really would like to spend a day or so in San Diego prior to cruise, what are the must see's?
Thanks in advance!

[MAHLO]

As we are going in Nov. will keep a eye on your thread as I was wondering the very same thing. Hope we get some good replys...:):)

[Boytjie]

Thinking about HI in December and sailing on the MS Oosterdam. I have been reading the review's, however none are on the MS Oosterdam.

Oosterdam reviews: http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/getreviews.cfm?action=ship&ShipID=283

[RuthC]

Where is a nice hotel in San Diego close to the terminal?
The Holiday Inn on the Bay is about as close to the terminal as you can stay. It's directly across the street. You can step out on your balcony as the ship is docking and be afraid that the bow is going to hit you. You'll hear any announcements made---just as clearly as if you were on the ship's deck.

There's a restaurant off the lobby, and a Ruth's Chris Steakhouse on the grounds.
Are the sea's really that rough on the first few days?
When I've done this cruise (twice from San Diego, once from Los Angeles), the seas weren't so much "rough" as they were long, slow rolls. It's a different tempo than the Atlantic or Caribbean. The first day or two out, and last day or two coming back, will be wear a windbreaker cool.

[catl331]

The Pacific is a colder ocean and the "rolls" come from a further distance than the "rolls" in Caribbean that come off of Africa. Usually the rule is bring clothes that can be worn in layers. we liked the old town portion of San DIego and there is a on/off tour one can take.

[Hobbsey]

San Diego must sees always include the zoo. Adjacent is Balboa Park with some nice grounds and museums. You also might go out to Point Cabrillo and see the monunent. I also would recomment spending part of the day over on Coronado, easily accessed by ferry from the San Diego pier adjacent to the cruise terminal. The hotel there is a huge landmark, made famous in "Some Like It Hot".

I've stayed in that Holiday Inn. Not a bad spot and very convenient to the airport and the pier. I took my wife there when she was a CA newby, the day before a cruise. As soon as we got in the room she laid down. The bed started to vibrate and she thought I had put a quarter in the box. Nope, it was just her first earthquake.

As far as the seas - well - it is the start of rainy season about then so you might have a squall or two. Ooster is a pretty big ship so unless it's a true storm you'll not notice it I bet. It is also rainy season in the Islands, so, a bit cooler and you might have passing showers or even a down pour, espeically on the windward side of the Islands (such as Hilo).

My first cruise was on a 22 grt steam ship in Feb of 1968. We got tossed around for more than half the trip from San Fran. None-the-less, my Mom counts it as her best cruise ever.

Enjoy!

[mauiedin87]

We're taking the same cruise in late March next year. It will be our third cruise from the West Coast to Hawaii. Each time we have done it, the first two days and the last two days were "rather choppy". It was explained to me that this is due to the Humboldt Current that runs down the entire West Coast and has to be crossed. It doesn't matter much what time of year one sails, it never seems to be totally calm and this is one of the reasons why we like cabins on the lower decks, amidships.

[Boatdrill]

is the Midway aircraft carrier, docked less than a block from the cruise ship terminal on Harbor Drive.

www.midway.org (http://www.midway.org)

Many passengers check-in for their cruise first, and then walk over to the Midway for a look.

[RonJoan]

We strongly endorse the earlier post recommending a cabin located mid-ship on one of the lower decks for minimum ship motion in heavy seas. Oftentimes the "cheap seats" turn out to be the best!!!

RonJoan

[TWOFERTWO]

We're taking the same cruise in late March next year. It will be our third cruise from the West Coast to Hawaii. Each time we have done it, the first two days and the last two days were "rather choppy". It was explained to me that this is due to the Humboldt Current that runs down the entire West Coast and has to be crossed. It doesn't matter much what time of year one sails, it never seems to be totally calm and this is one of the reasons why we like cabins on the lower decks, amidships.

mauiedin87, see the Roll Call for this cruise, I did an up-date posting last week. We are on this cruise, also.:)

[SF49erfan]

San Diego is a beautiful city. It really doesn't feel like a "big city", The Holiday Inn across from the pier is nice, but we have always stayed in the LaQuinta in "Old Town". It is a short cab ride from the airport and to the pier. And within walking distance to great Mexican restaurants.

As for what not to miss - the zoo, Balboa Park, the USS Midway, Seaport Village, go over to Coronado. There is a hop-on-hop-off trolley that will take you to all these places and more. You can get a one or a two day pass.

Whatever you decide - Enjoy!

[luvcruisn']

In San Diego, there is also a very good bus and trolley transportation system. You can get a 1 day pass for $5.00, 2 day pass for $9.00, and use it to get to the zoo, old town, etc., if you don't want to do the hop on/hop off trolley. The current hop on/hop off rate is $34.00, $32.00 if bought online. There is a regular bus that goes to Coronado as well as a ferry. The ferry price to Coronado is separate from the bus/trolley system, so you would have to pay a separate fare for that. I wanted to try the ferry, so I took the ferry over, and the regular bus back. The ferry drops you off at an area with a small group of shops - there was a nice art gallery, as well as boutiques and souvenir shops there. From that drop-off area, you have to either take a bus, or walk several blocks to get to the Hotel del Coronado. The hotel's architecture is very interesting, and there are some lovely shops inside in the lobby area, and downstairs. There is a very old elevator which is interesting to look at also.

There is a good tourist information centre across the street from the pier, and it has discount tickets on a day at the Zoo, which your hotel might also have. It is a short walk from the tourist information centre to Seaport Village, and the USS Midway is located across the street from the information centre, just south of the ship terminal, and on the way to Seaport Village.

[Hawaiidan]

Humbold current runs off the coast of South America.. below the equator The Pacific Current runs off California above the equator.

The currents as to shoal up as depth decreases its natural any time one approaches a land mass. Australia can be very interesting.....and rough

Ok..."choppy" You need to understand that some people expect the ship to glide as if it was on rails..... smooth as silk and than any motion , no matter how slight is seen as some level of rough.
So beware one persons choppy would be anothers gentle sway. I have sailed to Hawaii many times in ships form 300 to 700 and in boats in the 40 foot range.
I have never seen anything I would remotely call un0comfortable, choppy?
what that....reallly feeling a little motion......its a ship for God's sake, floating in the water, which is moving.... I find the gentle motion comfortable and part of the overall enjoyment... isnt that why you rook the ship instead of flying?

It is a very smooth transit just about all year except for an occasional passing storm. As it is the end of cyclone.hurricane season

December will be high 82 to75 low 67-72 It rains everyday every day of the year. short showers....not days on end ( except in Kauai and Hilo) East side like Hilo are very wet. Kauai too, Hana in Maui
Most to the ports will be on the dry west side late November is fantastic. Feb to May us mormaly the wettest

It will be in the low 60's along the calif coast