moorerf

we were on the oosterdam in early may in the med. I forgot a swimsuit coverup. I found one but the selection was very limited, some were quite expensive and since I had a couple at home did not want to pay a lot. I was able to get 30% off as it was on sale that day. the shops were limited, very open area with clothing in one place, jewelery in another, liquor in separate area with some things like medicine, sundries etc...I did not spend much time there. I only saw a few sales in the daily program and each time we walked thru shops they were fairly empty.

I'm glad you enjoyed your Venice experience; we spent 5 days there last year and made wonderful memories. Can you please explain something; what are "heavy appetizers"?

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

sorry about the delay in answering....there were a couple of people walking around with shrimp kabobs, bruschetta like items, pastries with various fillings. on a table they first had many cheeses, fruits, breads and crackers and bite size items like mushrooms. after while this became a selection of sweets and fruits. it was all delicious but might for some have not been enough to consider it dinner. we had a large lunch around 1 pm so it was just right for a light dinner. ( I heard a few people mention either they had dinner reservations around 930 pm at the hotel or they were going to try and find something else to eat when we got back around 9 pm.)

I concur on the tips so far. Arriving for an international starting cruise a day or two early is good advice. There are so many things that can happen on long flights and changes. This is just good peace of mind. Using flight ease with HAL is another good suggestion. We found for our recent Med cruise in to Venice and out of Rome their prices were better than I could book on my own and I could choose the flights and times I wanted. I liked that they would help en route with delays, cancellations etc and if god forbid I missed the ship. We used Romecabs to go to airport from port, it took 45 minutes on a Saturday morning. The price for a private cab was about 25 dollars more than HAL transfer but the service was well worth it. No waiting, private car, informed driver and dropped right at terminal. I think you could find a hotel near port for 150 to 200 dollars and if you arrive the day before you could try doing the train which is much cheaper but as everyone says involves a change and lugging your own luggage.

We did a 12 day on Oosterdam, April 30 to May 12 in Med. I found the ship in great condition. I had never been on this ship so I am not sure I can comment on what is gone or changed. I found the shops area to be smaller than I remembered on ships and totally open and very bright. I did note you had to ride elevator or go to main steps to get from level to level in atrium but did not know this was a change as it looked quite natural. I found the small venues like BB Kings, Lincoln stage to be nice and gave options for entertainment. The crows nest was fine for me and I enjoyed the coffee type drinks although they needed more servers up there and offering even just beer and wine would have been nice. There are limited seats facing forward so it was a race to see who could get them...lol. I liked the ship, the service was great, the crew was very friendly and I had a wonderful time.

We found this app very helpful. You download on ship as said. There are easy to follow directions in a book called Welcome Aboard in your cabin. We checked our account each day and found twice errors that were easily corrected since it was not end of cruise and a rush on guest services. We also liked to check out the main dining room menu and see if we wanted to dine there or go to Lido or order room service etc. We also met some people early in the cruise and could text with them about meeting for lunch or dinner. We found the app user friendly and a nice way to find out what was going on. Also nice if you are out and about and want to see what venue currently has entertainment. Put phone on airplane mode, download and enjoy all the information.:D

I did not hear this but found on my Med cruise there was little emphasis on the singers and dancers. They only had 3 shows on a 12 day cruise and one was somehow connected to a BBC earth presentation. We had no Voice like shows but did have three BBC Explorations type shows with live music. I did not attend any and heard no reviews as people I spoke with did not attend either. We only had 4 guest performers, a beatles guy who did one show alone then teamed with a magician who had done one show alone. In malta we overnighted and they had a local group come on and perform. Near the end of cruise they had a cello player one night. I only went to two shows and they were ok. Other nights the show description did not encourage me to trek all the way to the front of the ship and sit for an hour performance. I went to other venues like BB Kings.

Thanks so much for this review. We are doing the Signature Experience in Venice in August. But our hotel is different. We’re staying at the Hotel Concordia. Do you mind sharing what you wore to the evening event at the Doge Palace? Was it a formal evening? Also, the transfer to the ship sounds early. What time did your ship sail on embarkation day? We don’t sail until 9:00PM so we were hoping to do some additional site seeing before we went to the ship but don’t want to miss the HAL provided transportation. Thanks again!

 

 

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Your hotel is right on St Marks square so that is great location esp if this is your first Venice visit. We had been to Venice 3 previous times so did not mind the location about 1 mile from St Marks and a 30 minute vaporetto ride away. We enjoyed exploring a new area of Venice for us. Our ship sailed at 4 and all on board was 330 so the transfer was perfect. The terminal was not crowded at that time either. Your transfer may be later but you may still have to check out in the morning and store anything you don't want to carry. Our HAL reps were very helpful with this and other things. I wore a sleeveless dress with jacket I had gotten for a casual wedding my son had last summer. My husband wore dress pants, cufflink shirt with bow tie and a sport coat. Most people were dressed nicely with ladies in dressy dresses or pant suits and the men in dress shirts, dress pants and many with coats. There was a mix of tie and no tie. Of course there a few in casual attire and I felt they stood out.

For the concern on suitcases outside room. This was a 4 star hotel and seemed very secure. The elevator was next to check in desk and there was always someone there watching the desk and elevator. I did not find putting out my luggage here any different than putting it out on the ship the night before disembarking. To me it was nice you did not have to lug it to the lobby or wait for someone to come by and get it. We put it out and went to breakfast. When we returned it was gone and we even saw it in the lobby when we got on elevator.:)

Off the Oosterdam from a Med cruise recently. We had anytime dining and the nights we went to the MDR we went around 6 pm. Our only wait was to get up to the podium to request a table. This was anywhere from no wait to 3 minutes. We were always seated at a table for 4 immediately. We left around 730 to 8 each time and saw no one waiting to be seated. Matter of fact each night we saw empty tables going in and out. I agree, it must depend on the ship, the cruise and the make up of the passengers. We had a great experience.

We were on the April 30 Oosterdam 12 day Adriatic Dream cruise. We booked a Neptune suite and got the pre cruise signature experience in Venice. We arrived on Saturday, two days before the cruise. We were met in baggage claim by a well marked HAL rep who after we got luggage directed us to three ladies outside. One of the ladies walked us the long trek to the new airport boat dock. There were moving sidewalks but it was a good 20 minute walk. After a short wait we and our luggage were put on a private water taxi and taken to our hotel-Papadopoli near piazza Roma. It was about 25 minutes by boat. The room was not ready at 1130 but promised for 2 but it was actually about 220 before we got our room key. We went out for lunch and a stroll but still had to wait a bit in the lobby. There was a HAL rep in hotel lobby who gave you letter with info about experience and transfer to ship. The hotel was 4 star, well located, very clean and nice staff. Our room was a typical small European hotel room but ample space and nice amenities including a great shower. The buffet breakfast was massive and had many good choices. You were sure to find something to suit your needs. The experience on day 2 was wonderful. We left hotel by water taxi at 530 pm for a 25 minute ride to a doge palace. There we had drinks, heavy appetizers, desserts, entertainment and a talk by a member of the doge family. It was a grand evening weather wise and we thoroughly enjoyed the 2 and half hours. We were returned to the hotel by water taxi by 9 pm. The day of the cruise embarkation we had to put our luggage outside our room by 8 am. It was next seen in our stateroom. We had to checkout at 10 am and the water taxi transfer began about 1050. After a 20 minute ride we got out and had a fairly good walk to the terminal. A shuttle would have been nice esp for some the older follks. Checkin was a breeze and we were in and out of the terminal, on to the ship in about 20 minutes. All in all it was a grand experience and so glad we had it included. Kudos to HAL for all the arrangements and the excellent planning.

We booked on the Oosterdam for March 2019 and when I saw this post, I got concerned! But it has since come out of dry dock and refurbishment correct? How did recent passengers find the ship overall? We have never been disappointed with HAL, and of course are looking forward to our cruise!

Just got off the Oosterdam (april 30 to may 12) med cruise. The ship was in fine shape, the food was good, the service was great, the crew was very friendly, the fellow passengers were nice and our cabin was lovely. We had a wonderful time, enjoyed all our ports, all our meals and although if you wanted to look everywhere in detail and find a bit of rust or a speck of dirt we did not and thus had a grand time.:)

Thank you all, those were the answers I was hoping to hear. Now we will book the PG for the first night. I hear the dining room is something of a mess on the first night.

We just got off a Med cruise on the Oosterdam. They offered 50% off the first night on pinnacle grill dinners. This being said, I don't think you would have a problem getting a reservation that night and I don't think I would use my full price complimentary that night. I would pay that night and go again with complimentary another night. The food and service are worth it. We have never found the main dining room a mess on first night. We had a great first night dinner in the main dining room with anytime dining.

We are a bit less than 3 weeks from departure (April 30) for our Adriatic Dream cruise on Oosterdam with our booking of Neptune suite we got the pre Venice Signature experience. We were told our hotel a while back (Hotel Papadopoli) but told no breakfast included. Today my HAL rep sent info saying our hotel does now include buffet breakfast and our experience will be to Palazzo Nani Bernardo on Sunday with motorlaunch transfer, drinks, heavy appetizers, venetian music and a member of countess family to greet us. It also gives a dress recommendation and says not suited for those with limited mobility. Also a note-- it does say buffet breakfast is included with all signature experiences. I thought I would share this with those booked for this or other experiences. I also know from my HAL rep that other hotels are being used for other Venice experiences based on availability, I am pleased with ours and its excellent location.

we are back from a wonderful cruise on the Oosterdam and an update on the signature experience. We arrived in Venice about 945, met in baggage claim by HAL rep, directed to 3 ladies one of which took us to the new airport boat dock.( a long walk but had moving sidewalks) We waited about 20 minutes then had a private water taxi boat to our hotel. Hotel Papadopoli was lovely, in a great location and upscale. Our only complaint was we were told around 1130 our room would be ready at 2 p.m. We took a stroll and had lunch only to return at 2 to be told not ready but after some discussion with the onsite HAL rep we were in our room by 220. The room was small but adequate, lovely shower, nice amenities and quiet. We even got strawberries and prosecco later in the day from management. The breakfast was delicious and had many choices. It was a buffet. The experience on day 2 was wonderful. We went by water taxi with 8 others to the doge palace. Here we had drinks, heavy appetizers, desserts, entertainment by a 3 man venetian band, a talk by a member of the family who owned the home and freedom to walk about many parts of the palace. We were there about 2 and half hours then taken back by water taxi to the hotel. We had to have our luggage out by 8 am the next morning and it was taken and we saw it again in our stateroom around 3 pm. We had to check out at 10 am but the transfer was not til 11. After a stroll we caught yet another water taxi with 10 others to the cruise terminal. It was a bit of a walk here to the actual check in area. (some were struggling so a shuttle bus might have been good for the older people) We were in and out of the terminal and on the ship in about 20 minutes. Our Neptune suite on the aft of ship was wonderful. I cant say enough about how lovely this addition to our trip was. HAL made everything top level and had people at each step to be sure you were treated well and knew what to do.

We used Rome Cabs for a transfer from Rome cruise port (Civitavecchia) to FCO (Rome airport) on Saturday, May 12, 2018. Our driver was waiting with a sign with our name when we exited the ship at 745 am. She helped load our luggage into her clean car. Our driver, Dana, was friendly, chatted with us during the trip and drove very safely. We arrived in about 50 minutes at our terminal and near our check in gates. The entire process was wonderful and a great way to end a lovely 12 day cruise. I highly recommend Rome Cabs. Considering their cost for a private, door to door transfer is only about 25 dollars more than the cruise lines bus transfer which involves waits and such --it is well worth the cost!

We are going the opposite, port to airport and using a private transport at 130 euros, he will be waiting outside the ship and take us to our terminal and airline. peace of mind as we have a 1200 flight. the company is name of the city and cabs. they have a website and have gotten good reviews. they do pickup at airport outside baggage claim and drive right to ship boarding area, they are allowed inside port area.

I believe you can order the full dinner menu, ie like MDR, in your room. Also the breakfast menu is extended and the items that other cabins have to pay for are included in a Neptune. The lounge can do many helpful things like reservations etc. The breakfast in pinnacle. There are many other great amenities so check the website and read like laundry, coffeemaker in room, binoculars, big bathroom with two sinks, shower and tub, etc...

Thanks, we are getting on board April 30 in Venice for 12 day Adriatic Dream. Have you reported the heating fridge and non working USB and if so what is the response?? My husband usually takes a tux but we have decided due to flying international, port intensive cruise and the fact it seems men are not dressing up as much to just take a suit and tie. So glad to hear this is the norm nowadays. Sorry about the entertainment and the crowded bar areas. Maybe this is due to the many sea days??? We only have one.

We are a bit less than 3 weeks from departure (April 30) for our Adriatic Dream cruise on Oosterdam with our booking of Neptune suite we got the pre Venice Signature experience. We were told our hotel a while back (Hotel Papadopoli) but told no breakfast included. Today my HAL rep sent info saying our hotel does now include buffet breakfast and our experience will be to Palazzo Nani Bernardo on Sunday with motorlaunch transfer, drinks, heavy appetizers, venetian music and a member of countess family to greet us. It also gives a dress recommendation and says not suited for those with limited mobility. Also a note-- it does say buffet breakfast is included with all signature experiences. I thought I would share this with those booked for this or other experiences. I also know from my HAL rep that other hotels are being used for other Venice experiences based on availability, I am pleased with ours and its excellent location.

Thanks you are the best for getting back to me, looks close to hotel...:D

Hmm, I just google mapped it and it says it is reported closed. also I can not get vino vip.com to open...

anyone know if this wine shop is now closed????

:(

My husband is back and we found through our videos the wine store!!

Enoteca Venezia

 

Vino Vip.com

Great reviews on trip advisor too!

so enjoy your cruise!!! We love doing the 24 day Med cruise on her!

Denise:)

Thanks you are the best for getting back to me, looks close to hotel...:D

Isn’t that funny!!! Sort of the same thing happened to us back in 2012. We happened to be walking from station than and noticed a great display of wine in a window👍👍🍷 since than every year we go back there before boarding HAL! FYI it was really great in 2012 and 9/2013 when we could bring as much wine onboard as you could carry👍.

Sorry but my husband said he could not remember the name of the wine shop. Will look at our photos when he comes back from New Zealand.

Denise:)

Thanks for the response. If you find the name I would appreciate it. I pulled up google maps near Santa Lucia train station but did not see any wine shops near by. That station is only about 10-15 minute walk from our hotel- so doable. We love Italian wine and want to get a bottle of red and one of white to carry on for room use. We have the beverage package but the selection will be limited and we like a glass of wine in room before dinner.

In Greece we have a tour to mt olympus and a winery booked with HAL and will be able to bring one bottle each back on ship with no corkage so that should handle our in room wine.

We are staying at a hotel near Piazza Roma in Venice for two nights before our cruise. We are looking for somewhere to buy a couple bottles of wine before boarding. Anyone have suggestions??? Thanks

What hotel is it in Venice? When is the cruise? We are on the Oosterdam from Venice on May 24th. Thanks.

We are on the 12 day April 30th departure, Venice to Rome. The hotel is the Papadopoli, near Piazza Roma and the people mover to cruise terminal. I understand HAL has booked standard (ie lowest price) rooms which do not include breakfast. My HAL TA made a point to let me know that breakfast is not included. I figured out the low price by doing a booking with the hotel to find low prices rooms are all booked but rooms with balcony, canal view and suites are still available. Hope you enjoy your trip.....

I have seen many offers on the april 30 Adriatic dream on the roll call for tours but they may be filled. we are taking a HAL shore excursion in Katalon for mt Olympus and winery, otherwise we are doing our own thing in the ports. I got the rick steves med cruise book, checked out shore bee and other port sites like the one on this website and feel we can do our own thing. one note, we lived in Europe three times for a total of over 6 years so we don't mind going off on our own. our gauge though is if it is something we want to see and it is over 30 minutes from port we price out the HAL excursion for the safety of getting back to ship on time etc. keep this in mind when you decide on a destination, sometimes you spend as much time getting there and back with only a couple hours to see too much.....maybe we will see you on board??

Your plantinum on Princess will not get you any special check in, boarding etc. Each cruise line has its own program which is in ways good and in ways bad. Experience is though that HAL ships begin to board general boarding (usually the first to board are Pinnacle suites, then Neptune suites, 4/5 star mariners and then vista suites I believe) between 1130 and 12 and rooms are almost always ready for you. Also lunch in the MDR is nice and usually is available for a short time, so don't delay if you wish to do this. Drop things in your cabin and head to the dining room.

We booked thru flight ease for our upcoming med cruise, months ago. we got the Lufthansa flights we wanted but HAL said they could only book economy or business. I booked economy, paid for the flights a few months later, called Lufthansa and upgraded to premium economy for a low rate and with ease. My only glitch was I had to pay for the flights with HAL before my final cruise payment as Lufthansa would not upgrade until fare was paid and I had a fully paid, confirmed confirmation number. Not a big deal.