Oosterdam 11-18 to 11-25-2016

We have been sailing with HAL since 2004, are 3-star mariners, and probably in the group often referred to here as the "cheerleaders." That being said, if this was my first voyage with Holland America, it would probably be my last.

Embarkation

This sailing was the first of the season in the Caribbean, and the ship had been swept with Noro virus on the Atlantic crossing. This wasn't our first experience boarding a ship which had the virus, so we knew there would be delays at embarkation.

Guests were told that boarding would begin at 1 pm asked to arrive at the port of Tampa no earlier than 1 so enhanced cleaning could be done and the ship inspected by the CDC prior to our boarding. We learned that the back to back passengers, who would continue the voyage with us, had to be off the ship by 8:30. They were taken on a tour of Tampa and Saint Pete if they didn't have another tour scheduled or have plans on their own.

We arrived at 1 and used valet parking again this trip (pre-paid online). So easy -- pull into the drive at terminal three and there is a sign directing you to the proper lane. We gave our keys to the attendant, unloaded our bags and wheeled them across the drive, handed bags off to the porter, stopped at the valet desk. We gave the desk agent our printed parking ticket in exchange a receipt and headed up the escalator to the terminal entrance.

There were at least a 1,000 passengers standing in a line which snaked around the side of the building. It was a beautiful, clear sunny day. Temps were in the 80s, but the sun was brutal! There was a line of benches that some of the older guests could use, but they were in the full sun, too.

About 1:30, attendants wheeled out carts with paper bags containing a small bottle of water and snack bar for those waiting in line. It was most welcome. We did wonder however, why the terminal wasn't open so at least a few hundred of the folks at the front of the line could get out of the heat. I understand that the building is capacity controlled, but the shore staff was in place, and they could have checked in the first batch of passengers and allowed them to sit in the empty chairs that waited just inside the doors until they were filled. And allowed more of those standing outside to fill the serpentine waiting line in front of the check-in stations and benefited from the AC.

This would have speeded up embarkation since those who were checked in and waiting in chairs could have immediately boarded and those in the indoor line could begin processing. As it was, the doors to the terminal didn't open until the ship had been cleared about 1:45. It may be that there are regulations that kept us out of the building, but it just didn't make sense.

So the terminal opened, and we began moving forward about 1:45. Once the line inside was full, the progress stopped and we waited for them to process.

We got inside around 2:15. The checkin was efficient, and we were onboard by 2:45. I don't know how long it took to get the remainder of the pax checked in.

Cabin

Cabins were open as soon as we got on. We were in SS 6054. The room has been updated with a fresh color palate -- cream, taupe, and black. Comfy bed, plenty of closet space. Just what we expect on a HAL ship. There is a large flat panel Interactive TV over the sofa. We think it is 52". Movies, TV, radio, news. No access to your onboard account. Electrical and USB outlets are located above each nightstand.

The bathroom has two sinks each with a mirror, a jetted tub with shower, and a separate shower stall. There is no medicine cabinet or shelves above the counter, but there is a shelf on each side below the vanity and a small drawer in the center with a built in trash container below it.

I only saw our cabin steward twice during the entire week -- he and his companion covered a large portion of our passageway. But our cabin was serviced while we were at breakfast each morning and while we were at dinner each evening. Chocolates AND towels animals included. There was always ice, plenty of towels, lotion, soap.

Cabana

When we booked the Oosterdam, I didn't realize at first that Retreat Cabanas had been added during the latest dry dock. It is one of my favorite things about sailing with HAL -- I LOVE always have a place to lounge either in the sun or the shade! I booked as soon as I found out. The cabanas on Oosterdam were $100 more than on the other ships which have them and they are configured differently. They are probably two feet wider and two feet deeper than the ones on Eurodam and NA.

Inside the cabana is a credenza that has towels, robes, slippers behind one door and glasses, plates, napkins, salt, pepper behind the other.

Across from the credenza is a modular sectional -- three seats and two ottomans. One of the ottomans serves as "a table." This bistro table and chairs was the only thing that I missed from our former cabanas.

Just outside the cabana, are two lounges for your use. This area is an extension of your cabana with the addition of hedges separating you from your neighbors and providing a bit of privacy.

The cabana guys couldn't have been more attendant. Ice, water, fruit, coffee, snacks, lunch, champagne -- all served with good humor and efficiency. I hurt my wrist while we were in Key West and they brought ice wrapped in a towel for me. Couldn't have asked for more.

Canaletto

We chose to go to dinner the first evening at Canaletto. The menu is the same as it has been and we found and ordered our favorites. Good food and very pleasant staff.

Main dining room -- anytime dining room on deck two

Dinner second night in main dining room. Arrived at 7 pm with no reservation and expected a wait. Told the maitre d would would be happy to share a table. He gave us a beeper and told us to wait in the Pinnacle Bar. The bar had no empty seats and was full of patrons holding beepers, so we walked back and sat in the Lincoln Center Stage area many diners waiting here as well.

We waited 55 minutes before we were called -- far longer than the 30 minutes we were told to expect. This is where it gets really bazaar. We were escorted to our table though the second floor dining room where at least a third of the table had NO diners. We maneuvered past table after empty table and were taken up the central staircase to the dining room on deck three and seated at a banquet table for six. We were seated facing the wall with the room to our back. After a few minutes, our waiter introduced himself and took our orders. No other guests were seated with us, and we had passed plenty of people still waiting in the lounges and standing outside the dining room on deck two.

As we waited for our food we turned and looked around at the tables adjacent to us. There was a table for four with two patrons, two tables for six with only two seated at each, and and a third table for six had a mother with her two daughters. The mom and her girls had been waiting with us and were called about twenty minutes before we were. After we finished our appetizer, one of the maitre d's asked if we would like to move to a table with more people. We told him we were fine.

We couldn't fault the wait staff; they were efficient and very pleasent, and our meal was good. Not great, but good.

So...

Why were we (and many others) kept waiting when there were many empty tables?

Why were the tables that were utilized not filled with the appropriate number of guests?

Why were we seated facing the banquet with our backs to the room?

And why, in heavens name, would we be asked to move to another table half way through our meal?

We decide to give the dining room a second chance and went to breakfast the next morning, and we arrived about ten minutes after it opened at 8 am. We were immediately seated at a table for six by the window with two other couples. Things were looking up! Coffee was poured, pastries offered, orders taken. Pleasant conversation with pleasant people. 45 minutes later we still didn't have any food.

The maitre d arrived and announced our eggs would be delayed. (Please. We placed our orders 45 minutes ago. Our eggs have already been delayed.) I asked the reason, and he said that the eggs are prepared "a la minute" so it took time. I think eggs are always prepared "a la minute," and I've never waited more than 40 minutes, plus there was an undetermined additional wait-time to come. We excused ourselves and went to the Lido. Five minutes after arriving, we had freshly prepared "a la minute" eggs and were enjoying them at a shady, breezy table next to the SeaView pool.

So, we didn't go back to the main dining room. We ate breakfast and dinner in the Lido, and lunch either in our cabana, ashore, or the Lido. The

Lido food was fine, and service courteous and thoughtful. We found that as the week progressed there are more and more folks eating dinner upstairs with us. Perhaps they didn't enjoy the MDR delays in service either.

Lido

Crew members served everything in the Lido for the first few days. The buffets all had plastic cling wrap covering the front so it was impossible for anyone to reach in and help themselves. No salt and pepper on the tables. Little packets if you asked. Lido never seemed too crowded. Finding a table wasn't a problem.

When we cruise, we have always considered dinner an event, but HAL really let us down on this sailing. The experience in the Lido was far better than our forays into the dining. This makes me sad. There were things onboard that we loved -- probably more than things we disliked -- but the chance to enjoy our meals in a beautiful room with attentive service and a tableful of interesting people, left us very disappointed.

The crew were great and REALLY worked hard. I think there were just too few of them.

I guess the Maitre 'D is not bothered at all with guests waiting unreasonably long, to be seated or get served for the orders. He does not know his job! I too would avoid being in that situation. Too bad it somehow spoiled your cruise experience. Thanks for the feedback.

Appreciate the report.

Thanks for your review.

Thank you for taking the time to write your review.

Sorry your cruise wasn't up to your expectations.

We have a sailing booked on Oosterdam. Glad to have your information about the Lido. We hardly every use the MDR since we find it too much of a hassle and have been quite content to use room service, specialty, or the Lido.

This will be our first voyage from Tampa. Appreciate the information about valet parking.

I'm curious if the empty or partially filled tables might have been allocated to traditional dinning or reserved by those in anytime dining? A lot of 'no-shows'?

trying to post pics from Flickr, but having issues...

Oosterdam cabana 11-18-16 by marti polaski, on Flickr

Oosterdam cabana 11-18-16 by marti polaski, on Flickr

Oosterdam cabana 11-18-16 by marti polaski, on Flickr

Oosterdam cabana 11-18-16 by marti polaski, on Flickr

Oosterdam cabana 11-18-16 by marti polaski, on Flickr

I'm curious if the empty or partially filled tables might have been allocated to traditional dinning or reserved by those in anytime dining? A lot of 'no-shows'?

Deck two of the MDR was for the anytime dining and that is where the majority of the empty tables were. And it wasn't random empty tables scattered throughout the dining room, it was whole areas that were empty -- that is what made it so noticeable.

As for the tables on deck three where we were seated, it could be that some were no-shows, but the mom and daughters at a table for six adjacent to us were anytime dining passengers who waited in the lounge with us. It was just bazaar!

Maybe they were very short-handed due to crew still suffering from the norovirus on the cruise just before yours? Or maybe they were moved to the Lido for the first few days?

Maybe they were very short-handed due to crew still suffering from the norovirus on the cruise just before yours? Or maybe they were moved to the Lido for the first few days?

These are very logical reasons . Plenty of tables but not enough servers for reasons having to do with the outbreak cleanup/Lido service.

Deck two of the MDR was for the anytime dining and that is where the majority of the empty tables were. And it wasn't random empty tables scattered throughout the dining room, it was whole areas that were empty -- that is what made it so noticeable.

 

As for the tables on deck three where we were seated, it could be that some were no-shows, but the mom and daughters at a table for six adjacent to us were anytime dining passengers who waited in the lounge with us. It was just bazaar!

Thanks for answering my question. "Just bazaar!"

Deck two of the MDR was for the anytime dining and that is where the majority of the empty tables were. And it wasn't random empty tables scattered throughout the dining room, it was whole areas that were empty -- that is what made it so noticeable.

 

As for the tables on deck three where we were seated, it could be that some were no-shows, but the mom and daughters at a table for six adjacent to us were anytime dining passengers who waited in the lounge with us. It was just bazaar!

We got off the Oosterdam on the 18th. The second floor of the MDR is for regular, 8:00 p.m. seating. Were you talking about Deck 2 or the second floor of the MDR? You talked about being taken to your table through the second floor, which is fixed dining. There frequently were empty tables at this 8:00 p.m. seating. It sounds like the management finally gave up on room on the main floor and seated you with the fixed dining group. If so, the maitre'd was doing what he could to accommodate you.

I have a question regarding the cabanas at the Retreat. Isn't that located at the very top? Is it really windy up there and how convenient is it to get up and down from there? My right knee needs surgery, but I'm trying to avoid that for as long as I can, so stairs are an issue for me.

Thanks! :)

I have a question regarding the cabanas at the Retreat. Isn't that located at the very top? Is it really windy up there and how convenient is it to get up and down from there? My right knee needs surgery, but I'm trying to avoid that for as long as I can, so stairs are an issue for me.

 

Thanks! :)

The cabanas are up top and the open deck could get really windy when sailing. Once we were inside the cabana, the sides offered protection from the wind. On our last sea day, the wind was coming right through -- we had a side facing unit. The guys closed and fastened our curtain that opened onto the deck and we were totally sheltered. The front facing cabanas had more issues with the wind than we did.

And good news (!) -- they have installed a small elevator in the back of the elevator lobby one deck below that goes to the cabana deck. Very nice!

Thank you Marti. This is what we are here for, to share experiences.

Thanks for your review!

The cabanas are up top and the open deck could get really windy when sailing. Once we were inside the cabana, the sides offered protection from the wind. On our last sea day, the wind was coming right through -- we had a side facing unit. The guys closed and fastened our curtain that opened onto the deck and we were totally sheltered. The front facing cabanas had more issues with the wind than we did.

 

And good news (!) -- they have installed a small elevator in the back of the elevator lobby one deck below that goes to the cabana deck. Very nice!

since we sailed on the Oosterdam when it was home ported here in SD a number of years ago...do you purchase these for the entire cruise? If so is it a per cruise and/or per cruise cost? With a cruise from SD to HI and back do you think the 10 days at sea would be just too windy to really justify the cost? So they are at the very aft portion of the ship?..and on which deck? Thanks for any info and help!!! LuAnn

Oh boy, I'll be joining the Oosterdam on Jan. 13. I can only hope that by that time, there's been some changes in the higher ranked staff onboard. Don't ask me why, but often, this can bring tremendous changes among the crew (I think this has been discussed in another thread, but I can't seem to remember which one).

Your review of a recent Oosterdam cruise is not the first one by a disappointed HAL loyal I come across. I truly hope HAL notices and makes the needed adjustments.

Did you share your thoughts IN Writing while on the ship and then to Corp once home. Your comments are concerning. Both shoreside and onboard.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Did you share your thoughts IN Writing while on the ship and then to Corp once home. Your comments are concerning. Both shoreside and onboard.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I didn't address the issues while onboard, but included details in the post-cruise survey. Got the following response.

Thank you very much for submitting your Guest Satisfaction Survey regarding your recent Holland America Line sailing aboard the ms Oosterdam. We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain our Signature of Excellence and continually improve the onboard experience for all of our travelers.

We acknowledge your input and we truly appreciate that you have taken the time to share your thoughts and observations with us such as the outrageously poor service in the dining room, where everyone appeared inept (even asked to move to another table half way through your meal). And, embarkation was poorly handled, why the terminal wasn't open so at least a few hundred of the folks at the front of the line could get out of the heat was the question on every ones mind. Comments are important to us and because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit. If there is anything additional you want to discuss with us or follow up on, please feel free to contact our Guest Relations team directly; you may reach us by email at guestrelations@hollandamerica.com or by phone at 1-800-599-8256.

Again, we want you to know that we greatly appreciate your taking the time to share your comments. We thank you for choosing Holland America Line, and we do hope you consider us for future trips.

Best regards,

Shawn Davidson

Guest Relations

since we sailed on the Oosterdam when it was home ported here in SD a number of years ago...do you purchase these for the entire cruise? If so is it a per cruise and/or per cruise cost? With a cruise from SD to HI and back do you think the 10 days at sea would be just too windy to really justify the cost? So they are at the very aft portion of the ship?..and on which deck? Thanks for any info and help!!! LuAnn

The cabanas are near the front of the ship to the rear of the front elevator banks -- one deck up from the Crows Nest and Explorations. The area faces the rear of the ship and overlooks the lido pool.

We booked for the entire cruise in advance and the price was for the entire cruise not per person. Individual days can be booked once onboard if there is availability.

Personally, I would not hesitate to book with 10 sea days! It would be fabulous! We have booked the cabanas on 6 cruises, and of all those days, only one was too windy for us. We even spent one rainy afternoon in ours. It was lovely.

Thank you for your review and sorry to hear about the issues. These are the first photos I have seen of the Retreat Areas on the Vista Class ships and they do appear much larger than on the Signature Class. We love the cabana areas and are looking at a cruise on the Zuiderdam, so your photos are very helpful.

The cabanas are up top and the open deck could get really windy when sailing. Once we were inside the cabana, the sides offered protection from the wind. On our last sea day, the wind was coming right through -- we had a side facing unit. The guys closed and fastened our curtain that opened onto the deck and we were totally sheltered. The front facing cabanas had more issues with the wind than we did.

 

And good news (!) -- they have installed a small elevator in the back of the elevator lobby one deck below that goes to the cabana deck. Very nice!

Sorry to revive this thread after so much time, but it is the only one I can find with good Oosterdam Retreat info. This new elevator - would it fit a person on a small scooter? We'd really miss the small dining table and chairs that we had on Eurodam - mom likes to sit upright in a regular chair. Also on Eurodam there was a good amount of shared furniture in the center of the Retreat, but that doesn't look to be the case in your photo. Is it really just the modular furniture inside the cabana, and the loungers just outside your door? Thanks!

Sorry to revive this thread after so much time, but it is the only one I can find with good Oosterdam Retreat info. This new elevator - would it fit a person on a small scooter? We'd really miss the small dining table and chairs that we had on Eurodam - mom likes to sit upright in a regular chair. Also on Eurodam there was a good amount of shared furniture in the center of the Retreat, but that doesn't look to be the case in your photo. Is it really just the modular furniture inside the cabana, and the loungers just outside your door? Thanks!

Hi.

I missed the Eurodam furniture set up also, but I'm sure if you secure a cabana, one of those fab cabana guys will do whatever they can to make mom comfortable. AND for the life of me, I can't remember what furniture was in the commen area. Hopefully someone will chime in.

As for the elevator, yep a small scooter shouldn't be a problem.

Cheers!