Which activities are included?

[card1212]

My wife and I are going on a cruise for the first time this July aboard the Oosterdam to Alaska. However, it's not clear which onboard activities are included -- I've looked through several pages of threads and other than clear guidance that the spa has a fee, its not clear to me what is included...

Cooking classes?
Wine classes?
Yoga/Pilaties? (I think there is a fee here?)
Photo classes?

Etc? Also is there a good thread/primer with tricks and tips for first timers?

Thanks

[kazu]

My wife and I are going on a cruise for the first time this July aboard the Oosterdam to Alaska. However, it's not clear which onboard activities are included -- I've looked through several pages of threads and other than clear guidance that the spa has a fee, its not clear to me what is included...

Cooking classes?
Wine classes?
Yoga/Pilaties? (I think there is a fee here?)
Photo classes?

Etc? Also is there a good thread/primer with tricks and tips for first timers?

Thanks

Welcome to cruise critic and to your first cruise. Anticipation is half the fun:D

There are cooking demonstrations which are free - the cooking classes are limited to a very small group and I believe are $29 pp

There are wine tastings which have a cost.

There are some exercise classes that are free and some that carry a fee.

Photo classes and computer classes are normally free on the ship.

I'm not sure of a thread where you can go to get the overall info, but I am sure that someone will have a good suggestion.

Your 'explorer' which is your daily programme will outline everything. check it out on day one - as there are specials (flyers with it) on the first day.

If you want to sign up for a cooking class, it's usually a good idea to do it on the first day. They can fill up quickly. Hope this helps a bit

[elycelynne]

Not sure about yoga, but I'm pretty certain that there's always a fee for Pilates classes.

[KirkNC]

Welcome to CC! Here is a link on the HAL website that also may answer some questions:

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=New+to+Cruising

[RMLincoln]

Just a note that the Digital Workshops are always well attended so if you want to go to one get there early. And you may find that some of the attendees from the previous class will stay.

The capacity (on Amsterdam where I attended most of them) is only about 12 at computers and another 15-20 around the periphery (but I'm guessing at the numbers and memory is not always as accurate as I'd like, but you get the idea). m--