NedRyerson57

Does the Oosterdam have any formal or gala nights during the 7 day Alaska trips?

Sitting in London on Sat. Off on the Queen Mary 2 on Thursday.

This is great stuff. Thanks everybody.

WHAT HAVE I DONE!!??

Haha, thanks for the advice. I was not planning on doing more than steering everybody in the right direction. Only taking the reins because otherwise it wouldn't happen.

Getting ready to book a large group on an Alaskan cruise. Was curious as if I'm better off going directly with the cruise line or using a online travel agent. Seems like dealing with a large group might be easier going directly through the cruise line, but I guess I really don't know. Thoughts and suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the great advise. Now the question is one jacket or jacket and a tux.

Traveling on the Queen in May. I want to look stylish on Formal Nights but don't want to carry around my tux for the previous week in London. What would the general rates be for renting a tux on the ship?

Lots of great comments. Thanks for your help.

Would really appreciate any information and HINTS regarding train travel to QM2.

Sidebar, is First Class a guaranteed seat and is it recommended on cruise ship departure days because of crowds?

I have been spoiled by the very inexpensive unlimited laundry and dry cleaning service offered by HAL and Windstar.

Does the QM2 offer the same? I know they have a free laundromat but I would just as soon avoid that if they have reasonably priced service,

Is there any advantage to buying the internet package before the cruise? If I wait until I'm onboard I can use my OBC to purchase the internet package, correct?

That's what I plan on doing. Laundry pkg, too.:cool:

Strongly considering doing the Transatlantic thing next year and wanted to start a chat on the good and bad of sailing across the pond on the QM2.

Please feel free to share stories and experiences, both good and bad.

Would also love to know if the Club Balcony is worth the extra money.

You're on our cruise, thought something looked familiar reading your post. How long is your flight? I think you should take the 6am flight. Live in Seattle, if you have any questions, will be more than happy to try and help.

Thx for all the advice. Decided on the 6:00. Knowing me I would have flipped out over the tiniest delay. Anyone know of a good place for breakfast near the ship terminal?

What's the flight time from LA to Seattle? If it were me, I'd go for the earlier flight just to be on the safe side.

 

But then again, I'm the type that ALWAYS flies in a day early no matter the length of the flight, since these days, there are too many things that can go wrong with flight schedules to take a chance on missing the ship.

It is three hours from LA to Seattle.

Hi HALers,

Need some advise. Wife thinks I might be over reacting. Sailing 9/10 on Oosterdam from SEA @ 4PM. Flying up that morning from LAX @ 7AM.

Alaska Air just notified me that flight was canceled and I've been rebooked @ 8:10AM. The only earlier flight is 6AM.

I know it's just an hour later but I wanted as much cushion as possible.

Should I just relax or book the 6 AM?

That is amazing! People are unbelievable.

Laundry on the Holland America ships is a dream. You can stuff a bag for $20.00 and it all comes back laundered, ironed and underwear folded in tissue paper. One of another reason HAL is our favorite ships. Just as a side note, on the QM2 in April most arguments were in the laundry room with one lady throwing a Mars bar in another ladys clothes dryer. She was put off at the next port. Yay!!

Don't want that either. Just stating the way it is.

Would love to hear what the casino was like aboard the Oosterdam. Are the machines typically tight? Do they offer any type of poker or blackjack tournaments during the cruise?

That is no longer true. Smoking is allowed in a couple areas.

We sailed last year on the Oosterdam on its maiden voyage out of drydock. There was no smoking allowed anywhere on the ship it was awesome

 

 

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Yes there will be. And it should be $7 per day unless it changed suddenly ;).

 

Note - for laundry - you usually have a cut off time for the last laundry turn in day and time in order to allow time for you to get it back and packed ;)

 

 

 

Basically, there is a hydrotherapy pool, sauna and thermal chairs - they are like ceramic lounge chairs that are heated. Very relaxing. Best bet, visit the spa on embarkation day and they will show you around. It will give you a very good idea.

 

Love the hydrotherapy pool. If you have any ailments (muscular, prior surgeries, etc.) it can be very helpful.

 

Really helped me with my healing elbow surgery and rehab exercises. I walked on the Westerdam in a sling and walked off without one :)

Great info, thanks. Do you know roughly what the cost is, daily or weekly for the spa?

Would love it if someone could explain the daily and weekly spa offerings on the Oosterdam in Sept. Keep reading about Thermal Rooms and others and have no clue what this is about. Thx.

Unlimited laundry where HAL does it....

 

On most itineraries it's $7/ day / cabin. On European cruises and certain other exotic itineraries it seems to be around $9/$9.50 per day per cabin.

I guess I should be more specific, going on Oosterdam to Alaska in Sept. Do they offer a laundry pkg for the week?

What is the current price for the All You Can Laundry?