Retiree23

Thank you for all of your replies! Appreciate it. We are going to "stay put" and enjoy this Collector Cruise!

Totally agree, whether a PCC or a TA it all boils down to finding someone that will spend the time, effort and work with you. I so haven't felt this during this booking. I mistakenly thought going the route of a PCC was the best approach. Having said that I did experience when calling into the department one weekend a PCC that seemed more willing to help but understood our profile wasn't theirs.

Thanks again & Onwards!

Seeking Advice!

We have only sailed with HAL 4 times (2nd time posting on CC) .....and this is our 1st time booking a Collectors Cruise. I'm trying to learn and understand from all of you experts on this forum how these bookings work.

We booked via a PCC a V cabin that to us was not ideal being behind the elevators and forward just in front of midship. The more we thought about it's location and thinking about the TA part of the 2nd segment we started to worry if we encountered rough seas. Many emails and phone calls for 7 months transpired and nothing changed. Each time we noted we wanted to select another V cabin or upgrade to the suites.

We then noticed on the two segments of the collectors cruise cabins had become available and some were the same on both segments but we were told by our PCC that since the collector was sold out we couldn't move? Just recently we again reiterated that we would move to a suite....the PCC then contacted some department (not sure why not before) and was informed that the V and S are over sold on the 1st segment. We then mistakenly asked since cabins were available on the 2nd segment if we could relocate on that segment and pay the difference and the response was no, never. Further noted that perhaps we could on board.

Help me understand the rules around Collector cruises. Now in hindsight if we had known there would not be any possibly of another cabin only on the total collector we would have been wiser. Our concern and perhaps needless but we have never been on a TA cruise.

On a positive note we are excited about seeing all the ports on this itineary and are hoping for smooth sailing!

Our last two sailings on Oosterdam (latest one was in October) we were Fixed and on Deck 3. Open Seating was Deck 2. Enjoy! She's a wonderful Ship with a wonderful Crew! :)

 

 

 

We sailed the Oostie in October for the PC Transit and the year before for a Med Cruise (shortly after the remodel). We loved this Ship and would book her again in a heartbeat. We had excellent Service in the MDR, Lounges, etc. We found the food to be very good overall in the MDR and the Pinnacle and Sel de Mer Pop-Up was excellent! We had no issues at all with Maintenance problems and the Ship was spotless as was our Room (both Cruises).

 

We have also sailed the Kdam twice and really enjoy that Ship, too, especially the Dutch Café and the Specialty Restaurants. What we do like better about the Oosterdam is because of the different layout on Music Walk there was Music in Billboard every night at 7 pm. On Kdam it doesn't start up until later because of the location opposite Lincoln Center. Since we do Late Seating we would often go there for a pre-dinner drink. We noticed, too, that some who did Early Seating would go to BB before the 8 pm Show.

 

Whatever Ship you decide have a great Cruise!

Thanks so much Eileen, I really appreciate your comparison's of both ships and have set my mind at ease now! We placed our deposit on the Oosterdam 3 weeks ago (26 Day Med & Passage to America) but unfortunately there are no Signature Suites left so had to book a Verandah but location is close to the elevator!! We wanted midship and that's the closes the PCC could get! So hoping something else opens up??Just concerned on TA crossing. It doesn't appear by looking at pics that the Verandah's have been upgraded hence why we wanted a Signature Suite. I could be wrong though. Gosh I have learned you need to book really early!!! I'm new to Cruise Critic (never posted before) I have learned so much!!

Thanks again!

Donna

The staff is wonderful in the MDR, I’m on the Oosterdam right now.

 

 

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We are planning on a Med & TA passage in October and I've seen so many mixed reviews about the Oosterdam. We like the itinerary but are concerned with the reviews on this site. "cold on the ship, food is luke warm, ragged carpet, cabins in need of cleaning and repair.........We also were considering the Koningsdam (Med & TA). We were just on her for a 11 day southern and LOVED it. I realize we are comparing a new ship to old and that's fine its more the reviews I am concerned about. We previously have been on the Zuiderdam and Noordam. What are your thoughts?