Pacific Coastal Van to San Diego 2008 on Oosterdam?

[cruisecrasy]

Anyone done this cruise or one similar? I wld really appreciate getting opinions as to which side of the ship - port or starboard - to book a balcony cabin...and the reasons for same.

I plan on a fall cruise - wld u recommend it or not?

Plus, what did u enjoy or dislike about your cruise?

Thanks in advance &

Happy cruisin'!

[casavaha]

If you plan a fall cruise, then you will be heading s. from Vancouver.
So you will want a port side cabin, that way you will be facing land, which
is good for your cell phone.

This is a great cruise, it is too short but it ends in San Diego. The weather generally gets better as you head south.

[Atomica]

I did a Vancouver to Los Angeles repo in September 2005 on the Veendam. Although a bit short at 4 days, it made for a fantastic little getaway - I'd easily do one again. Fall is a good time of year; from what I've read, seas seem to be calmer going down the coast than they are coming up.

Port vs. starboard: in my mind, no real advantage. On our cruise, we sailed far enough away from the coast line that it usually wasn't visible anyway.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

In late September last year we did the repositionng cruise on the Veendam from Vancouver to Los Angeles. Because it was actuall the first 4 days of a 34 day cruise it did not completely feel like a repositioning cruise. The weather and seas can be very iffy this time of year. We were fortunate with extremely calm seas which was not the case this year for the Ryndam, we had wonderful weather for our one day stop in Seattle but then had solid fog for 2 days. So it really did not matter which side of the ship you were on. I agree with what Aaron (Atomica)just said you said so off the shore line that even if there is no fog you really do not see land. The price for these 4 day cruises are usually a bargin but there is a reason for this and the time goes by far too quickly. But then what cruise does not:o

[sassyredhat]

Agree with everything the others have said. Very fun cruise, but too short.
The one time we went, the seas were a little rough, and they took the water out of the atrium fountain.
We had starboard side, but didn't really see all that much land.

Pat

[billroddy]

The Pacific Ocean along the coast, particularly Oregon and No CA can get lots of swells rolling in from the West in heavy weather. However HAL ships with their stablizers can minimize this.
When I was in the merchant marine in World War II I had a hellish three days outside Newport OR waiting for the seas to subside so we could enter the harbor.
Bill

[janmcn]

I wouldn't bother to book a verandah on this particular cruise. Weather will usually be cold enough you won't get much use out of it. Save your dollars for ANOTHER cruise :) ...Just enjoy whatever it gives you...can be nice, can be foggy, can be rough, can be calm.
Jan

[jhannah]

We have done two 4-day coastals. Yes, it's too short. But when we were living in Las Vegas they made for a wonderful getaway. We didn't have to fly far, and never left our own time zone.

We were on land side once, but never really saw anything, as Lisa noted. Still, it's a fun cruise.

[Bramcruiser]

Anyone done this cruise or one similar?

I've done the same Oosterdam cruise in September 2005.

Yes, you do get wildly differing opinions but I will admit that the 4 days Pacific Coast cruise was an enjoyable experience for me. After a stressful job having a few "at sea" days to relax and on such a great line as HAL was exhilirating. I think the issue with some people has more to do with their liking of longer cruises. Sometimes the short ones can appear to be rushed or attended by those who normally would not be on the ship. However, I saw the one I did as being rather classy and relaxing despite its short length.

The issue with the weather is that you could potentially run into storms especially in the Pacific Northwest. We left Vancouver under sunny skies and warm temperatures but ran into stormy weather on the second evening. On the two at-sea days we had fog and more fog. In that regards it was a disappoitment but the ship and the overall experience more than made up for it. Ironically, the weather cleared and was hot when we arrived in San Diego. This doesn't mean it will happen to you but just be aware that the fall up in the Northwest can be unpredictable from time to time.

If you have never been to Victoria, BC before and your itinerary stops there you are in for a treat. It is a small and lovely city. If you only have one port of call on the Pacific repositioning cruises count yourself lucky to visit Victoria.

The Oosterdam is a lovely ship. Enuff said? Which side to cabin on. Well the port side faces the mainland but if the weather was like it was for us then it really doesn't matter at all. For the record we were on the starboard side and it was good for us as that was the side you'll approach Vancouver Island and Victoria from.

I say go for it if you are interested.

David

[cruisecrasy]

You folks are awesome. Just the type of info and opinions I was looking for..

Really appreciated..many thanks!!

Happy cruisin'!!

[KAYEF]

We've done this repo often..................but always connect to another. The BEST was Seattle north to Vancouver, then south to Long Beach, to the M. Riviera, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Panama Canal and then all over the Caribbean............23 days of heaven...........our first cruise and boy were we HOOKED!! That was on the "O."
This year we were on Zaandam and continued on to a ten day M. Riviera cruise...............should have stayed on for the 15 day Hawaii one as well.
We have never had rough water along our coast (live in Oregon!). We always do the end of Sept. / Oct. repo, not the spring one.
And, IF there are swells, HAL hands out free medication packets. You chew one or two and are fine.
I THINK you said Veendam...............short memory here ;) ..........we love that ship.

[cruisecrasy]

We've done this repo often..................but always connect to another. The BEST was Seattle north to Vancouver, then south to Long Beach, to the M. Riviera, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Nicaragua, the Panama Canal and then all over the Caribbean............23 days of heaven...........our first cruise and boy were we HOOKED!! That was on the "O."
This year we were on Zaandam and continued on to a ten day M. Riviera cruise...............should have stayed on for the 15 day Hawaii one as well.
We have never had rough water along our coast (live in Oregon!). We always do the end of Sept. / Oct. repo, not the spring one.
And, IF there are swells, HAL hands out free medication packets. You chew one or two and are fine.
I THINK you said Veendam...............short memory here ;) ..........we love that ship.

I have booked a B2B to Mexico for a week also and best of all, in the same cabin !!..

Thanks for the idea and the great weather/medicine info...and no its not the Veendam (although a nice ship) it's the 'O"..!!!

Happy cruisin' to u..

[geomew]

We are going on the Sept 30 4 night cruise from Vancouver to San Diego. Is that the same one as you are on?

[teemsum]

Did this cruise 2 yrs ago.

Don't bother booking a 'view' room as there is nothing to see but water.

We booked an MM Gty and got an H Oceanview.

If you get to San Diego on Oct 02, go to the Zoo.
Oct 02 is Founder's Day & the zoo is FREE !

Cruisingly Yours

[Copper10-8]

We did a 7-day Vancouver to L.A. repo cruise way back in the mid-90ties on Nordic Prince (RCI) with stops in Victoria, BC, Seattle, WA, Grays Harbor, WA and San Fransisco, CA. Had a great time but, as been said, the weather/seas along the coast can be rough at that time of year so you need to get your sea legs