Oosterdam or Westerdam..............can't decide

[jodster]

I am having the hardest time deciding which cruise to take. I don't mean to sound like a snob but we have always booked a balcony. Also, can someone tell me why the Mexican Riviera is so much cheaper? Any insight would be most appreciated.

Westerdam sailing 4/6 going the Southern Caribbean but can only book an oceanview (cat. G) since balcony rates are really high. Even the oceanview is more than the balcony on the Oosterdam. We have previously sailed on the Westerdam (Eastern Caribbean) back in 2006.

Oosterdam sailing 3/29 Mexican Riviera and we could book a balcony cabin and but we have never sailed this itinerary and I'm a little nervous that
I won't enjoy it as much as the Caribbean.

[dakrewser]

What is it you like to do in the Caribbean?

[jodster]

I usually like to relax and read so if I have a lounge chair and some sun I'm a happy camper. But I also enjoy snorkeling too.

I usually don't do excursions but I did find that some of the excursions that I saw on HAL's website for the Mexican Riviera that sounded very interesting............... whale watching, kayaking, shrimp feast in Mazatlan.

I like to see historical sites like cathedrals and forts....................

[Northshorecruisers]

Not that I have much experience, but we really enjoy the Mexican Riviera cruise on the Oosterdam. We will probably go back and do this every other cruise while we continue to try Caribbean cruises and we hope to throw an Alaskan in there somewhere.
The Oosterdam/Westerdam layout is great and the crews are fantastic. I don't think you can go wrong with a HAL cruise.
You might want to read through the "LaffinVegas Live" thread that is going on now. Lisa has cruised the Oosterdam many, many times and really gives a great review.

[dakrewser]

I usually like to relax and read so if I have a lounge chair and some sun I'm a happy camper. But I also enjoy snorkeling too.

I usually don't do excursions but I did find that some of the excursions that I saw on HAL's website for the Mexican Riviera that sounded very interesting............... whale watching, kayaking, shrimp feast in Mazatlan.

I like to see historical sites like cathedrals and forts....................

All things you can do on the west coast - go for it!

[jodster]

Dakrewser,

I think we are going to go for it. Are there any hotels that you could recommend close to the port??

Thank you for your help!

[dakrewser]

Dakrewser,

I think we are going to go for it. Are there any hotels that you could recommend close to the port??

Thank you for your help!

I love the Manchester Grand Hyatt and the Marriott Marina - both overlooking the bay and actually within walking distance (about 2/3 mile). There's also the Holiday Inn across the street from the pier which many folks swear by....

[Northshorecruisers]

We stayed at Holiday Inn on the Bay - it is across the street from the cruise terminal. Get a room with the balcony that faces the bay and you can watch the Oosterdam come in if you're up early enough. It's part of the cruise excitement that I really enjoy. Hey, I'm not sleeping anyway because I'm too excited!
I think the prices are a tad high - but most places in San Diego are. There is a restaurant off the lobby that has decent food and there is a Ruth's Chris down the street. Many other restaurants within walking or a quick cab ride distance. The hotel will shuttle you from the airport for free and over to the cruise ship.
We will be staying there 1 day pre-cruise and 1 day post-cruise in October. My husband wants time to tour the aircraft carrier (down the street) and I want some time at Seaport Village.

[Northshorecruisers]

Forgot to mention that since you're from the Mpls area, check the Sun Country flights. They offer a great rate and they're direct.

[jodster]

Northshorecruisers,

Thank you so much for the great information. Is there a Walgreens, CVS or even a grocery store nearby (not sure what they have in CA)?

Any helpful hints for what to do in the ports??

I see you are from Coon Rapids.............can you believe we live in Champlin.
What a small world!

[Jade13]

I am having the hardest time deciding which cruise to take. I don't mean to sound like a snob but we have always booked a balcony. Also, can someone tell me why the Mexican Riviera is so much cheaper? Any insight would be most appreciated.

Westerdam sailing 4/6 going the Southern Caribbean but can only book an oceanview (cat. G) since balcony rates are really high. Even the oceanview is more than the balcony on the Oosterdam. We have previously sailed on the Westerdam (Eastern Caribbean) back in 2006.

Oosterdam sailing 3/29 Mexican Riviera and we could book a balcony cabin and but we have never sailed this itinerary and I'm a little nervous that
I won't enjoy it as much as the Caribbean.

I have not been to the Mexican Riviera, so if it was me I would pick the new itinerary. Besides, you can get your balcony.

[jodster]

Jade13,

We decided to go with the Oosterdam and then I can still have my beloved balcony!

It will be nice to see some new scenery since we have done both the Eastern and Western Caribbean many times. The scenery is Cabo looks spectacular!


Jodi

[Northshorecruisers]

Hi Jodi,

Yes, you're just across the river from us.
San Diego is beautiful. I ordered a brochure from the San Diego Visitors Bureau (got it yesterday - took about 2 weeks). It lists tons of stuff to do, restaurants etc. When we stayed at HI on the bay, I walked to a drug store up the street and across the railroad tracks (I think it was a Rexall Drug) that had wine and liquor. They also sell some wines in the gift shop at the hotel. We definately weren't there long enough to tour everything last time, which is why we're spending more time in San Diego when we go in October.
We really enjoyed the ports. Cabo was probably my favorite. We booked ship tours on our 1/06 cruise because it was the first time we ever cruised and didn't know much. Don't know if we will even book any tours for our October trip. We'd like to go and just bum around and take things easy this trip. In Cabo, we had done a boat trip out to the arch - very pretty. The ship actually drops anchor in the bay and you tender to port. Book a cabin on the port side to get the best views. Then we took a bus outside of town to a restaurant that had beautiful terraced gardens overlooking the ocean. It was myself, my husband, my 14 y/o son, and my dad from Toronto.
In Mazatlan, my son & my dad had booked deep sea fishing for the day. They did not enjoy it. Some guy wanted to hog the pole when they caught a fish, guess he was just a jerk. Then the sandwich they gave them for lunch my son said his meat was moldy so he wouldn't eat it. Live & learn. My husband and I decided to walk our way to "town" not knowing where that was. We walked for quite a long time and kept getting into dirtier places of town so we finally hailed a cab and went to the Golden Zone. It was OK. Found some nice stores and a bar on the beach where we had a beer. I don't remember what some of the tours were that they offered, but HAL website gives you a good idea on what is available.
One note, from the port side of the ship, Mazatlan looks very dirty. If you eat breakfast in the Lido before you get off the ship, sit on the starboard side :)
Puerto Vallarta was a tender port when we were there, but now the ship can dock. Very nice for us because we travel with friends we met on our 2006 cruise and the gentleman is blind. After tendering the round about way you needed to get to shore (small narrow stairways) made it so he couldn't enjoy the port. In PV, my husband and dad did the Swim with the Dolphins. They loved it! I joined them later and we walked around their Golden Zone. Funny, as we were walking down the street, we passed a restaurant where my son recognized a girl from school (turns out they were in PV for a 2 week vacation). So, it is a small world.
After we had gotten back on the ship and it got dark, there was a great fireworks display that we enjoyed sitting on our balcony (port side).
You're right in getting a balcony. Don't think we could ever cruise without one, we really enjoy it.
If there are any other questions, just let me know.

Deb

[KroozNut]

Jodi,

I think you made the right decision, and you will enjoy Mexico. Being from San Diego ourselves, we have cruised Mexico many times because it is so convenient for us, and because we really never get tired of the itinerary. We have done the Mexican Riviera on HAL (Ryndam), RCI and Carnival.

In fact, we are considering another cruise on HAL (Oosterdam) next year sometime, hence why I've now just started researching the ship.

As others have mentioned, there are plenty of hotels very close to the cruise terminal, and the Holiday Inn seems to be the most popular for SD cruisers. As for things to do, it really depends on how much time you have before/after your cruise, but I would recommend Seaport Village, which is near the cruise terminal; and we also have the world famous SD Zoo, and of course Sea World. We also have some of the finest beaches in the world. The weather in SD and Baja Mexico should be wonderful in late March.

Have a great time, and who knows, we may end up on the same cruise next year!

[jodster]

KroozNut,

I think we made the right decision too! We actually have been to San Diego back a few years ago on a land based vacation with the kids and visited Sea World, San Diego Zoo and the Safari Park (can't remember the actual name of it). It's a great city!

Is the Hampton Inn Downtown San Diego a nice hotel?? I have a special offer from Hilton that sure makes the price right. I think we can book a room for around $129 plus taxes but I don't want to stay in hotel that isn't decent just based on price. It looks nice on their website and it has received good reviews on Trip Advisor.

Also, can anyone give advice about flights.........we can book a 12 noon flight out of San Diego will that be cutting it too close?? I know this is subjective in the sense that things can go wrong but in all the cruises we have ever taken we always seem to be sitting at the airport for hours because debarkation went so smooth and we got to the airport way ahead
of our flight.

Thank you,
Jodi

[Northshorecruisers]

A noon flight shouldn't be a problem. The cruise terminal is very close to the airport - just a couple miles. Depending on if you tend to pack a lot of luggage, HAL has a program where they will handle your bags getting them to the airport for $15pp. I believe they want your flight to be after 1pm though. We had thought about doing that for our October trip so we could sight see but then decided to just stay an extra night and catch an early flight Sunday morning.

[KroozNut]

Wild Animal Park.. ; )

I agree with North about a 12 noon flight. You should have no problem with a 12:00 flight because you'll probably be off the ship by 9, and it's only about 15 minutes to the airport from the cruise terminal.

I can't advise you about the Hampton Inn downtown specifically, but I do know that I have stayed at other Hampton Inns in my business travels and have had no problems with them.

[jodster]

It's official we're booked on the Oosterdam........I am so excited. We booked a VF balcony for a super price so I will have my balcony after all.

Let the planning begin!

[Krazy Kruizers]

I am having the hardest time deciding which cruise to take. I don't mean to sound like a snob but we have always booked a balcony. Also, can someone tell me why the Mexican Riviera is so much cheaper? Any insight would be most appreciated.

Westerdam sailing 4/6 going the Southern Caribbean but can only book an oceanview (cat. G) since balcony rates are really high. Even the oceanview is more than the balcony on the Oosterdam. We have previously sailed on the Westerdam (Eastern Caribbean) back in 2006.

Oosterdam sailing 3/29 Mexican Riviera and we could book a balcony cabin and but we have never sailed this itinerary and I'm a little nervous that
I won't enjoy it as much as the Caribbean.

Have sailed on both ships - and have sailed in the Caribbean and the Mexican Riviera.

I suggest that you try the Oosterdam's Mexican Riviera for a change of pace. You will enjoy it.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Sorry - didn't see your post - enjoy your Oosterdam Mexican cruise!!

[jodster]

Krazy Kruizers,

Do you have any recommendations for excursion's??