Oosterdam New Year's - What a shame!

[californiacruiseluvrs]

We just returned from the Thanksgiving sailing to Mexico on the Diamond Princess and are looking forward to our New Year's sailing on Oosterdam. We chose this cruise out of San Diego as you get more time in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. Had we known about the Oosterdam Azipod problems we would have changed to the Diamond Princess for New Year's. We have sailed on both of these ships and both are awesome, but being Los Angeles residents it is much more convenient to sail on Princess and given that the itinerary of the Oosterdam is now changed I'm sorry we are on that ship. Is HAL offering any compensation to passengers for the inconvenience? Interestingly, I spoke with HAL today (800) 426-0327 and they know nothing about the Oosterdam problems. Any other updates?

[Copper10-8]

Last time I checked $25 pp shipboard credit and that is for five hours less in Cabo (1200 noon - 6:00 pm instead of 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM) and four less hours in PV (8:00 AM -7:00 PM instead of 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM). Oosterdam is making a bit more speed now so she might spend some more time in Cabo and PV when our New Years cruise comes around.

Living in L.A., come on now, you know that leisurely drive on the 5 down the coast is not going to bother you. Plop in a Jimmy Buffett "Margaritaville" CD, a couple of cold Pepsi's/Cokes/7-ups, a nice sunny day in So Cal, Marines waiving hi to you at Pendleton, zooming by the US Border Patrol checkpoint outside Oceanside, stopping for a Starbuck's......................live is good! See ya on Oosterdam, bring your party hat:) !

[Jemima]

We were on the Diamond Princess last month and the Oosterdam was in all three ports with us. There was not much difference port time. While the Oosterdam's published schedule has more hours in port than the Diamond, the Oosterdam's revised schedule is almost the same as the Diamond in total port hours. Comparing the Diamond's schedule & revised Oosterdam schedule, the Oosterdam has one more hour in PV, one less in Cabo, and the same in Mazatlan. That's also about what we observed watching the Oosterdam from aboard the Diamond.
Of the two ships, we much prefer the Oosterdam and also sailing from San Diego.

[CathieM88]

Our friends just called HAL to ask about the azipod problem on the O and the person they spoke with said it was fixed. He questioned their answer and was again assured the problem has been fixed. He asked them for that in writing and so far, he hasn't received an email or fax from HAL.

[NHBob]

Our friends just called HAL to ask about the azipod problem on the O and the person they spoke with said it was fixed. He questioned their answer and was again assured the problem has been fixed. He asked them for that in writing and so far, he hasn't received an email or fax from HAL.

And he probably won't! Unfortunately, HAL's Seattle office is the least responsive of any of the cruise lines I have sailed with. Even their on-board future cruises cunsultants can't seem to get answers from Sattle.

[californiacruiseluvrs]

Life is good and we will absolutely bring our party hats. It is just a shame as we love Cabo, but certainly won't prevent us from thoroughly enjoying our cruise.

[Copper10-8]

Life is good and we will absolutely bring our party hats. It is just a shame as we love Cabo, but certainly won't prevent us from thoroughly enjoying our cruise.

Cool beans!:) Come to the CC get together and I'll buy you guys (sorry S7S;) ) a drink

[Sea King]

I just don't get it

why is compensation the first and foremost topic when a problem arises:confused:

I'd be more concerned about whether the ship would be sailing; how it would impact the itinerary and most importantly whether my vacation would suffer

is New Year's Eve going to improve if Santa leaves a shipboard credit under your door? if you miss 2 ports out of 5, will a discount make you miss the ports less?

sorry but I just don't get this:rolleyes:

[jascruise]

And he probably won't! Unfortunately, HAL's Seattle office is the least responsive of any of the cruise lines I have sailed with. Even their on-board future cruises cunsultants can't seem to get answers from Sattle.

Have you ever tried to deal with Celebrity? Their land-based offices are, in a word, clueless.