ldlewis45

It has far improved since the last time I sailed on her. In 2017 and 2019, I could rarely even pick up internet in the room. I upgraded to the premium wifi on this cruise, and I've been able to stream without issues (granted, I haven't used Zoom, just streamed videos on FB and websites).

The regular shampoo, conditioner, and bodywash dispensers in the shower and bathtub, liquid hand soap and lotion dispensers at the sinks, mini bar of soap, and a shower cap.

For me, the internet has been fine. I have heard several people complain about the internet, but I've never had an issue. And I did on previous cruises, so it has definitely improved.

I figure that every cruise can be a different experience for each cruiser, depending on their expectations, their stateroom location, stewards, etc. I've had cruises that I thought were fantastic and I've later listened to people say it was the worst cruise they've been on. I'm sure that other cruisers probably would have been screaming down the house at guest services with the water issues, but while it is frustrating to not know from day to day whether I'll have sufficiently hot water, it isn't like screeching at the Neptune Suite concierge or guest services is likely going to change anything. Bad pipes or water systems in that section of the ship isn't necessarily something they're going to make perfect without going into drydock. What matters is that they have been responsive and have been trying to fix it, even going to the extent of shutting off the water entirely one morning nd basically destroying a hallway to try to get it fixed.

Especially since she didn't even clean them up! She couldn't have figured out in the changing room that she needed clipping and done it there?

It's weird, because it seems like water issues are a problem in multiple areas. One of the people in my rollcall said that they've got the opposite problem, that their hot water can get so hot sporadically that it probably isn't safe.

She literally just lifted her leg and let another one rip right before she sat up to clip her toenails. Not even an, "Oh, excuse me," or anything. I thought it was unintentional until then, then I realized that was definitely not the issue at hand.

So a bit of back-story first. This is my 3rd HAL cruise, and coincidentally, also my third on thr Oosterdam and in Neptune Suite 5190. My other cruises were 7-day round-trip Alaska cruises from Seattle, so this was my longest cruise on the ship. To be honest, I was worrying that I would run out of things to do on a longer cruise, since the Oosterdam is not a massive ship. I was pleasantly surprised, although there were a few changes in the 4 years since I'd last boarded her that I wasn't thrilled with. For one, I miss B.B. King's. It was replaced with the Rolling Stone lounge earlier this year, and while I'll admit that the variation in musical styles is nice, the lounge isn't acoustically suited for rock music (the reverberation is a little too much sometimes), in my opinion. Another change is that they aren't doing the Rudi's pop-up dinner in the Pinnacle Grill, and that was one of the dining highlights of the Alaska cruises I took on the Oosterdam. HAL has apparently also cut out the additional Elemis toiletries in the suites now (used to have pillow spray, lip balm, eye gel, etc. provided at night). And apparently chocolates are no longer provided every night. I was given a couple of pieces on the cruise so far, but not since the first week (and I think only on two occasions that week). My biggest complaint has been that I have been unable to get truly hot water in my suite at any point on this cruise. To the point where there was literally only cold water on two mornings. I've made a couple of complaints, but it's only been a temporary fix and still has never resulted in actually hot water. I've kept the knob turned as hot as it'll go, and it's still usually a bit tepid at best. To make the point, the mineral pool in the spa has always been hotter than the hottest water I've gotten in my suite. I'm guessing the root cause is a lack of maintenance, as this was never an issue during my previous cruises in the same suite. While she's still a nice ship, the Oosterdam is badly in need of updating in the staterooms. The view from 5190 and its balcony can't be beat (it's a massive, completely covered aft corner wrap balcony with a dining table, four dining chairs, 2 arm chairs, and 2 lounge chairs with a side table) but the room and especially the bathroom are in need of updates. While admittedly subjective, the bed is probably the least comfortable bed I've had on a cruise, and that's counting the two previous Oosterdam cruises, where I was sleeping on the couch bed. The two sides have definitely had uneven wear. It's not a deal-breaker or the end of the world, but again shows a need for refurbishment. In terms of food, service and quality has been decent to very good. I've dined in the Pinnacle Grill twice and Canaletto once. The Canaletto meal was okay, but the appetizers (burrata with tomatoes and some really tasty meatballs) were better than the ossobuco, which had decent flavor but seemed like it had been improperly pressure cooked (kind of tender, but somehow still dry). The highlight of the premium meals was the chocolate souffle that I had both times I ate at the Pinnacle Grill. It was perfectly cooked and just the right level of richness and sweetness. Again, I miss the pop-up Rudi's, as they have replaced it with a seafood boil in the lido. I'm not a fan, as I don't eat that much seafood and when I do, it's almost always going to be either fresh fish or king crab legs. As usual, the lido has been surprisingly good, to the point that I have yet to go the dining room. I'm still a big fan of the custom omelets and crepes. We have today, tomorrow, and Tuesday remaining, and arrive in Ft. Lauderdale on Wednesday. This has been overall a good cruise, but I'll admit I am hoping I can actually get a truly hot shower in my stateroom before I get off the ship, especially with how much this vacation cost. Although, I am finding today a bit questionable since I'm currently laying on a hot tile lounger in the spa listening to a lady casually pass gas multiple times on lounger two down from me and literally just started clipping her toenails. 😬😬😬

Yeah, JD is available on this one, too, but it's not to my taste. Now, if they had Widow Jane or Russell's Reserve, I'd be all over it, even though I'd hate to see how much they'd charge!

YES. It's so gross. I really wish that HAL would put a great bourbon/whisky bar on board, with really good bourbon that's harder to find. I'd be willing to pay for really good quality stuff. But I'm not paying almost $90 for a bottle of crummy Jim Beam and 3 cans of Coke, lol.

I'd love to get a decent bottle of bourbon to have in my stateroom for when I'm chilling on the balcony (it's an AMAZING balcony, lol). Problem is, the only bourbon that they offer on the website to buy in advance is Jim Beam, which isn't gonna cut it, lol. Can you purchase a full bottle at one of the bars and just keep it in your stateroom? I really don't feel like having to run out to one of the bars when I'm enjoying the balcony. I know they won't have my preferred brands on board (they're from small-batch distilleries), but I'd be satisfied with Maker's Mark or Woodford Reserve.