Dobby36

We did the same and enjoyed it. Process was simple, the ride was enjoyable. And they had a snack car for hot cocoa and beer etc which was the cherry on top of the magestic views!

I should caveat with an asterisk: IF they have them in stock…

it would seem none of the Gins are above the beverage package limit, if made with a free mixer like tonic. This is from 2022, but I imagine even if an increase has happened it wouldn’t need an elite package to cover it.

There was something so peaceful about having a balcony early in the AM when we pulled into a long turn to view a glacier on the Oosterdam in Chile last season. We also spent time in the covered lido pool area but then it’s a crapshoot on chairs and table being as available, the conversation nearby, etc. so it was nice to have the balcony and they gave us a deck blanket which was a nice touch when you wanted to just sit out in pajamas for a while.

It is St. Germaine liquor, sparkling wine of some sort and club soda, with a garnish-mint, I believe. Wasn’t my fav so next cruise I tried to redeem it for something else and they sort of said it’s good for one of “anything”, although I suspect that response may vary based on the bartender.

I have seen the Pussers Punch as the drink of the day in Caribbean sailings. But I bet you could ask for it anytime. I think it’s a rum based cocktail with juices. I find many of the HAL bartenders (I only ask if it’s not too busy) will take the time to make you something a bit custom if you find things too sweet, want a liquor swapped out for something else, etc. etc. I usually think he drinks with juice are too sugary and prefer some of the juice replaced with club soda

Depending on your ship, I’d vote for the Tamarind bar as a first night stop. May have to wait until 4-5 for them to open, but the views from high up during sail away are lovely and most non-mariners haven’t found it yet the first night. The drink menu is more interesting than most other bars, with some fruity, some herbal choices and they can also make the mango or lychee martinis spicy if you ask- my favs! I think they muddle a pepper in there 😉

It’s the best deal on the ship, and such a treat. There are a few things on the menu not found on the dinner menu either, so if you’ve been a lot at dinner it’ll be a fun treat to try.

We almost always get the VB cabins on the this floor (10/11 depending on ship) that has the short hallways and is close to crows nest. Great for early AM coffee runs. And you are all the way back as far as you can be without having the last cabin (which can get some noise depending on the exterior deck door slamming at the end of hallways ) which should be the best for motion on that deck. i find these convenient to the elevators and much improved over being in a ship-length hallways that can get crowded with mobility devices and folks of various walking speeds on other decks.

Looks lovely, congrats! Thanks for sharing.

We used them for a tour and transfer from port to various hotels in March. Was easy to organize, paid in USD when we met them, def recommend.

on the Oosterdam a few months back, I had club orange and at MDR breakfast a few times. I did get the mimosa. Didn’t try the OJ. I think the “expanded” part of the food menu at breakfast is just in room service. Not MDR. From room service you can get the bread pudding croissant thing for free, and the special smoothie I think (forgetting the name) and maybe one other.

Even without a bus transfer in a regular (non Disney-run) cruise terminal it was no problem to have the porters just write one up easily. We had our room number and confirmation email etc, but one of the mailers got lost and we didn’t have enough tags. I think they just needed stateroom #, really.

Yes, they also do transfers to and from Santiago airport/hotels/port. We paid in USD and it couldn’t have been easier to communicate and arrange via email or WhatsApp beforehand.

We did the HaL tour of la boca and tango show in Buenos Aires. It was actually better than we were expecting! in Ushuaia we did a pleasant HAL catamaran and wildlife spotting cruise (but there were a dozen similar options for harbor cruises at the same dock area so I would recommend just getting off and arranging one in person) the Falkland Islands were the absolute highlight for us. We did the Bluff Cove Penguin Rookery and found it full of charming guides and cute touches like the homemade treats served with tea (and of course the penguins!) the only private one we did was https://puertosanantoniotours.com Puerto San Antonio tours in San Antonio. It went to Valparaiso for a fascinating look at the street art and harbor, before a couple vineyard stops and a lovely local lunch. Small van, reasonable price and flexible options decided among the group in real time.

Our cruise to Asia is with Celebrity, in November from Tokyo to Singapore. The next HAL one for us is a short one in Canada/New England in the fall to see the leaves change color.

And I agree with pretty much all you said, too! The worst point for me was the Lido. Things seemed less organized and almost always busier than I’ve ever seen it. People sitting in there in couples for hours reading and taking up a four top is one reason. I also think with the switch to non-self service at a lot of stations there needs to be more signage or the staff needs to take more control somehow. It’s confusing to some and people line up in either direction and it’s not well done now. Also, the tables aren’t cleared as quickly as they used to be in my experience so it’s harder to tell if someone is up getting food or has actually left. anyhow, thanks for sharing your review here!

@Florida_gal_50 the OP said “with the exception of Aruba”. I was on this trip with you @Roz, and it was good running into you at Trivia. So glad you signed up for another long cruise! Our next one is Asia too. Flights will still be long, but hopefully smoother for you next time. Cheers 🙂

when we were in a chaotic stiflingly hot cruise terminal in Buenos Aires when three ships were trying to board at once, the priority boarding would have been worth it for the price alone! But we also found value in the extra menu item occasionally, in sitting alone at any time if we wanted, and in never waiting for a table. Also enjoyed the expanded breakfast room service and the walk-off tender priority. Ive added it to my next three cruises, and being a 3star only, the benefits don’t overlap much so I find it a savings.

The Buffet on the cay is not beachside, but close. On the walking path. And free. I think for a few hrs around lunchtime, not open entire day. They had burgers and salads and chicken and beans and whatnot the last few times I’ve been. Not really my fav thing, but some people seemed to enjoy it much more than I did. I did have a soft serve cone that was perfect out in the heat, also there and free.

So glad to hear, and thanks for sharing back with us!

I haven’t seen one since 2019, but I sure wish it did come back and I’ve just missed it. All I can ever find onboard is printed PDFs

The Oosterdam has an area that was used both times we were there by the officers and Captain which was a group of 8-10, but it was toward the left when you walked in, adjacent to the entrance to the kitchen and not in view of the windows, if that matters to your group.

Haven’t been in there myself, but see these pics from 2022 that seems to show a Club HAL (their name for the kids clubs) https://www.cruisedeckplans.com/DP/deckplans/shiptour.php?r=5176

Zuiderdam September 2, Quebec 7 days thanks!