Young couple, first cruise-need advice!

[Peneloper]

My husband-29, and myself-28, are on the brink of booking a cruise for the month of January. We are looking into the Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Oosterdam, in a deluxe veranda.

To provide a background: we would hate to be on a noisy, crowded ship, and are a very social couple. What's most important is the dining experience (we are foodies), the cabin, and the service. We are drinkers, have never minded children, enjoy the outdoors, and are hoping HAL offers an enriching experience.

I am wondering if our needs and age group fall into the HAL/Osterdam crowd. We initially thought HAL was perfect for us, until we were advised by an experience cruiser to try HA or Celebrity on a Caribbean cruise instead. Now we feel clueless.

Any advice for a couple of rookies? Your help is greatly appreciated! :o

[RevNeal]

My husband-29, and myself-28, are on the brink of booking a cruise for the month of January. We are looking into the Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Oosterdam, in a deluxe veranda.

To provide a background: we would hate to be on a noisy, crowded ship, and are a very social couple. What's most important is the dining experience (we are foodies), the cabin, and the service. We are drinkers, have never minded children, enjoy the outdoors, and are hoping HAL offers an enriching experience.

I am wondering if our needs and age group fall into the HAL/Osterdam crowd. We initially thought HAL was perfect for us, until we were advised by an experience cruiser to try HA or Celebrity on a Caribbean cruise instead. Now we feel clueless.

Any advice for a couple of rookies? Your help is greatly appreciated! :o

My opinion, based upon my experience on two Mexican Riviera Cruises aboard the Oosterdam, is that you will have a great time. She's an excellent ship, provides excellent meals and an excellent cruise experience. If you like the outdoors, there are plenty of active shore excursions to do; if you like the nightlife aboard, you will probably enjoy the Northern Lights Night club (some cruises it can be quiet a bit early, but usually it's a hoping place until at least midnight, and I've seen it busy all the way through until 2 am).

If you would like to see photos from my two cruises on the Oosterdam, check out the link to my cruise photo galleries bellow. I did that cruise in Feb 2005 and Jan 2006 and loved it both times. And, I look forward to doing it again, sometime. In my opinion, it makes for a great "quickie" cruise.

[hammybee]

Food and service are relative and subjective terms. Both Celebrity and HAL produce about 2000 meals each evening. As such, it is banquet food, perhaps the best banquet food you will ever have. Some things are memorable and others not so. No one goes hungry on either cruise line.

The deluxe veranda is essentially an "outside" cabin with a balcony. Pricing depends upon location and a clear or solid half wall, on the balcony. It is not however, a suite let alone a deluxe suite. The latter comes with special onboard services and perks.

Seabourn also sails in Mexico and Costa Rica, in the Winter. The ship is small and intimate and therefore can cater to serious foodies and your every whim. Of course this experience comes with a substantial higher price tag than you will find on HAL.

Given the price point for veranda cabins on the Oosterdam in January, I believe HAL offers an exceptional value. Where else will you vacation for $110-$135 p/p per day, including lodging, food, entertainment and various ports of calls? You be the judge. And remember, it's all relative to your expectations and food preferences.

[InTheWASide]

The way you describe yourselves fits me to a T.

(Only thing is I'm a couple years younger... 25, 26 in October)

This September 29 will be my second time on the Oosterdam.

The menus are great. Staff amazing. Room stewards some of the best in the business. There's lots to do without feeling crowded and it doesn't feel like you just stepped into the middle of a casino in Vegas (even in the casino!)

The Northern Lights (mentioned in prev post) has a great variety of music, the DJ's take requests and PLAY THEM, drinks are reasonably priced and everyone is courteous and gracious.

There's traditional menu items (salmon, chciken dishes, steaks) and things more "exotic" or at least not an every day thing you'd find in a typical middle of the road restaurant (like veal, duck, lamb, escargot as an appetizer, we saw chilean sea bass on an earlier cruise one night, venison and so on)

The Pinnacle Grill is incredible. Yeah, you'll pay $60 for the two of you on a given evening but you'd easily spend over $150-200 for the same thing in a restaurant on land in a trendy part of town. The staff is even more exceptional (if that's possible) and everything was cooked perfectly both times I went. (SAVE ROOM FOR DESSERT! ;) )

If you like art, it's abundant. There's even self guided iPod tours you can download ahead of time for free.

Like reading? There's a well stocked library and plenty of public areas or decks with lounge chairs to get your tan on while you read.

Like spas? It's great, with wonderful service and respectful employees that bypass any "sales pitches" with a basic request.

Like pools/hot tubs? There's a pool and 2 hot tubs devoted to "family" and the same at the aft deck for "adults only" and most passengers are respectful of the signs and requests.

Like a ship with everything you'll need for your cruise but 1000 less people than Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity would try to squeeze on a ship of relative size? You got it!

Want anything from the most exquisite cut of filet mignon with a sundried tomato steak sauce, served after an appetizer of dungeness crab cakes with sweet chili sauce and for dessert a Grand Marnier Molten Chocolate Volcano Cake, but you also like a plate of chocolate chip cookies with a glass of milk, or just a basic cheese sandwich before you go to bed? No problem, there's 24/7 room service and the lido restaurant (very diverse buffet area) is open til midnight at least!




You can probably tell that I love this ship. In a little over a year I've been on 6 HAL ships, and the Oosterdam is my first "repeat" ship.

I hope you choose the O for your cruise and have as wonderful a time as I did in May and anticipate later this month!

*'scuse me while I wipe the drool off my chin from mentioning the Pinnacle Grill menu* :D

:cool:

[innlady1]

Food and service are relative and subjective terms. Both Celebrity and HAL produce about 2000 meals each evening. As such, it is banquet food, perhaps the best banquet food you will ever have. Some things are memorable and others not so. No one goes hungry on either cruise line.

The deluxe veranda is essentially an "outside" cabin with a balcony. Pricing depends upon location and a clear or solid half wall, on the balcony. It is not however, a suite let alone a deluxe suite. The latter comes with special onboard services and perks.

Seabourn also sails in Mexico and Costa Rica, in the Winter. The ship is small and intimate and therefore can cater to serious foodies and your every whim. Of course this experience comes with a substantial higher price tag than you will find on HAL.

Given the price point for veranda cabins on the Oosterdam in January, I believe HAL offers an exceptional value. Where else will you vacation for $110-$135 p/p per day, including lodging, food, entertainment and various ports of calls? You be the judge. And remember, it's all relative to your expectations and food preferences.

As always, hammy, an excellent answer to this question!

[RevNeal]

Peneloper,

Are you going to be in a Deluxe Verandah Outside (the VA - VH cabins) or a Deluxe Verandah Suite (SA, SB, SC)? There is a big difference between these two categories, and you don't really say which one you're looking at booking.

The Deluxe Verandah Outside is a very nice cabin, but it doesn't have any extra features over the Outside with Windows or the Inside cabins except for having a Verandah. The Deluxe Verandah Suites are the "true" suites, with full amenities and access to the Neptune Lounge.

[InTheWASide]

Peneloper,

Are you going to be in a Deluxe Verandah Outside (the VA - VH cabins) or a Deluxe Verandah Suite (SA, SB, SC)? There is a big difference between these two categories, and you don't really say which one you're looking at booking.

The Deluxe Verandah Outside is a very nice cabin, but it doesn't have any extra features over the Outside with Windows or the Inside cabins except for having a Verandah. The Deluxe Verandah Suites are the "true" suites, with full amenities and access to the Neptune Lounge.

They're the "true" suites because they actually ARE suites...

I've been in both accomodations and either is great. The deluxe (SC especially) can't be beat if the money is something you can handle. Otherwise, verandah outside rooms are great.

But as always,

Ask yourself "Am I going to be in the room enough that I'll get decent use of this verandah?"

Suites are a little different. I view it as paying for extra perks and services and you just happen to get a huge balcony... In the case of SC 5187, one so big you could have a party for 20 on!

[RevNeal]

They're the "true" suites because they actually ARE suites...

Well, the problem is that HAL has a category of cabin, the Superior Verandah Suites (SS, SY, and SZ categories), that are called "suites" but which don't have most of the amenities nor access to the Neptune Lounge. They are great cabins, extra-large in comparison to the Deluxe Verandah Outsides, but it's their extra-size (and their larger bathroom with a shower and a whirlpool tub) that makes them a good value. They are NOT, however, really "suites" (despite their classification).

[middle-aged mom]

My husband-29, and myself-28, are on the brink of booking a cruise for the month of January. We are looking into the Mexican Riviera cruise aboard the Oosterdam, in a deluxe veranda.

To provide a background: we would hate to be on a noisy, crowded ship, and are a very social couple. What's most important is the dining experience (we are foodies), the cabin, and the service. We are drinkers, have never minded children, enjoy the outdoors, and are hoping HAL offers an enriching experience.

I am wondering if our needs and age group fall into the HAL/Osterdam crowd. We initially thought HAL was perfect for us, until we were advised by an experience cruiser to try HA or Celebrity on a Caribbean cruise instead. Now we feel clueless.

Any advice for a couple of rookies? Your help is greatly appreciated! :o

Peneloper:

Another cruise line to consider is Oceania. They have a 17-day Panama Canal transit from Miami to Los Angeles, departing Miami on January 12, 2008. Here's the itinerary (http://www.oceaniacruises.com/T_MainContentPage.aspx?PageUID=50db7c06-3af7-4767-88f2-b9356503e9a7&CruiseUID=4d8d4a02-cdbe-4195-ae3c-1ce77aba058f). It might work for you.

I have never sailed Oceania, but I understand that it offers a premium product, wonderful food, beautifully appointed ships, and it has a country-club casual dress code, with no formal nights. It does not cater to children. I have talked with several HAL passengers on my cruises who rave about it.

[hammybee]

Like a ship with everything you'll need for your cruise but 1000 less people than Princess, Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity would try to squeeze on a ship of relative size? You got it! :D

Wower !
You forgot:
Do you want to sit on dirty carpeted stairs while waiting for your number to be called for disembarkation or would your rather savor another bite of croisant and coffee in the comfort of your own cabin/balcony?

[middle-aged mom]

Yeah, WaSide, even though I'm a HAL PAL myself, you laid it on a little thick;) . You need to hire Hammy to write marketing material for you guys. This lady can write copy:) ! At the very least you could contract HAL's hate mail out to her (heaven forbid that HAL ever gets any;) ).

[eecue]

I am Peneloper's husband. I guess my main worry is that without a suite I am going to be missing out on good food. So my question to you is how hard is it to get in to the nice restaurants if you're in steerage?

[hammybee]

All meals, with the exception of any taken in the Pinnacle Grill, are included in your costs. Regardless of cabin category, everyone dines on the same food.

A willingness to pay $30 p/p plus a reasonable tip for service will open the doors to the Pinnacle Grill. Just stop bye and make a reservation.

Sodas, wine, beer and cocktails are not included in the cost of your cabin.

[RevNeal]

I am Peneloper's husband. I guess my main worry is that without a suite I am going to be missing out on good food. So my question to you is how hard is it to get in to the nice restaurants if you're in steerage?

Oh, you don't have to worry about that. I've never had a full Suite, and usually book inside or outside cabins, and yet have never had trouble getting reservations for the Pinnacle Grill. Otherwise, the main dining room's selections are very nice. (As has been said, tastes in food vary).

[Peneloper]

A special thanks to everyone who gave their advice!

My husband and I discussed our decision further. I've had a great impression of HAL from the start. After looking at the photos and reading through a plethora of reviews, I think we would have been crazy NOT to book a trip on the Oosterdam.

With that being said, I took the plunge and booked this afternoon. I was very torn between the price of the outdoor veranda (VE) and the luxurious deluxe veranda suite. The superior veranda suite didn't appeal to me, but thought the space, amenities, and perks would be worth booking the deluxe suite. I left that decision with my husband, and the consensus was the outdoor veranda...maybe the mysterious upgrade fairy will do great things.

I am very excited about our trip, and think we have chosen a grand ship. Now we just need to figure out the ports and other odds/ends.:D

[eecue]

I'm excited, too...
Yay!

[hammybee]

Hey- Hey. Great news.

Holler if you have any questions.

[RetiredMustang]

Peneloper/eecue,

I hope you will have a wonderful cruise on a line we all obviously like. It is also welcome to see young people joining us on HAL (to read the stereotypes, you would think we gum our gruel to the Living Strings. Hey, I'm only in my mid-50s, and I gum mine to the beat of the drum solo of "Inna-Gadda-Da-Vida", baby!:D )

Seriously, I wish you all the best, and I hope you enjoy the line we all do! To echo hammybee, want to know? Just ask! Wild opinions, unfiltered and unmedicated, free of charge!

Dave