“Live” from the Oosterdam - Mexican Riviera - 12/21

[SLOTheta]

Hello!

I have not posted as much as I would have liked on CC since our first cruise in 2016. I was an avid reader and poster as I prepared for my cruise and after I arrived home. I am so thankful for all the CC posters who helped our 1st cruise be such a wonderful one. We went on our 2nd cruise this summer - Ancient Empires to celebrate my 40th and our 10th anniversary. We did quite a bit of gambling during our trip (wish I could say I won...) that we received an offer we couldn’t refuse for a cruise over the holidays. I had grand intentions of posting a review after our Greek cruise, but never found the time. For this cruise, I’m going to try my best to live post during our 7 day adventure. Changed my AT&T data plan, so I should be covered while in Mexico. 

 

We started our morning in Sacramento. Took the 10:50am Southwest flight and landed in San Diego 12:30. We picked up our bags and called an Uber. San Diego now has Uber and Lyft where you can get any car that’s waiting in the queue, after you show them your code. I used this last week in Vegas, and it was much better than waiting/searching for your driver. 

 

We arrived at the cruise terminal by 1. It’s a short Uber to the port.  The porters were busy, so we opted to roll our 2 large bags, box of wine (we reused my wine club shipment box), and small bag. I’ve never rolled all our luggage to our room, I would highly recommend it. We didn’t need to wait, we had everything with us. After the X-ray machine, we checked in with the wine steward who opened our box and counted the wine. We had 2 bottles covered, paid corkage on 3 - well worth the corkage of $18, since we had a 1998 Silver Oak, Dom and Veuve. She wrote us a receipt ticket and stuck a blue sticker on the bottles we paid corkage for so that we could bring them to the MDR to store and drink. 

 

After security, we waited for general check in. It went pretty fast. We maybe waited 10 mins. We were issued our keys and we were off. I noticed printed on our keys showed a set dining time and table #. What a relief! We were on the waitlist and it looks like we were able to get a set time (defaulted to Open Seating) 

 

Took the elevator and found our room on the 6th floor. We originally had an awesome casino rate room that was a fully obstructed view (the discount really could have just come from my losses 😬). But, I called our PCC 2 days ago to check it there were any verandah rooms. Lucky for us, we were able to get one for only $59/pp more. What a great deal!

 

Since we didn’t need to wait for our bags, we quickly unpacked. There are two closets, but there aren’t any drawers. 

 

After packing, we zipped to the Lido to check it what was offered. I opted for the Thai station. It was pretty good - fish curry and chicken basil. It had a little spice and good flavor. We also swung by and get Dive In fries with cheese sauce. Yum! I noticed there was a taco bar set up by the pool.

 

We met our room steward, Petrus. Very nice gentleman who was quick to fill my ice bucket when I asked. Mini-bar clearing is commencing now. 

 

Muster drill is soon, hubby went to explore San Diego. First couple hours on the ship have been great. We sail tonight and see day tomorrow. 

 

We did not research the cruise or it’s ports. Not sure when/if there’s a Gala night or orange party. But, we came prepared with suits and cocktail dresses. For our previous 2 European cruises, our group wore tuxes and gowns. But, since this is more casual cruise, we opted for cocktail holiday attire. I brought an orange dress just in case. The orange party on the Koningsdam was a lot of fun. 

 

I am looking forward to relaxing, eating, drinking, gambling and reading. 😬 

[VMax1700]

Have a great cruise!

 

[canadianbear]

I hope you have an awesome cruise!!  We recently returned from a back to back on the Oosterdam to Mexico.  There should be two Gala nights-Sunday & Thursday was ours for the first cruise.  (Our 2nd half of the back to back was different due to the ship overnighting in San Diego).

 

There was an Orange party but we didn’t go so can’t help you there.

[SLOTheta]

Finished the muster drill. It took about 30 mins. Last time, we were lucky to have our station inside the dining room. This time, we were outside for station 16. I’m glad I brought my jacket. It was quite chilly in the promenade. It was taking awhile for people to check in, some guests had to request to sit down inside. We were pretty crammed, shoulder to shoulder. Made me feel like we were in a lifeboat. 

 

Took a tour of the ship, stopped by the casino and noticed a sign for $5 casino drinks. I will definitely need to check that out later. 

 

I love all the Christmas decor. It’s really festive 

[cat shepard]

Bon Voyage!

[TheJurea]

Safe travels.

Thanks for posting.

We are on the Oosterdam in Feb. sooo excited!

I am thinking of decorating our door and am wondering, if you feel like you need a walk about, if you would walk by room 5191? I am wondering if our door has a metal trim for magnetic 🧲 decoration or if I need tape/sticker. 
I would prefer not to tape anything, it’s so hard to remove.

If you don’t get to the fifth floor all the way aft, starboard side, no worries.
It is a long walk from everything. But for Panama Canal, I hope an aft wrap around will be awesome 😎 and worth the long walk to everywhere (shoe choices have been adjusted accordingly).

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

SOLThea,

Glad your on board and got a great up grade! Sorry about our weather not as sunny more clouds! Sitting out on our balcony and watched a sunset with lots of pinks and orange over the ocean!

I remember when you did your first live back in 2016! All your friends and how pretty all you were in your gowns! 
We flew out in First on United and remember you had a picture of you with champagne in first on United. That was a great live thread and all the pictures! That was your first Med cruise! We boarded a couple months later on the same HAL ship.

Glad to see you back!

Have a marvelous time! Win some money 💰 and relax.

Denise😊

[SLOTheta]

2 minutes ago, TheJurea said:

Safe travels.

Thanks for posting.

We are on the Oosterdam in Feb. sooo excited!

I am thinking of decorating our door and am wondering, if you feel like you need a walk about, if you would walk by room 5191? I am wondering if our door has a metal trim for magnetic 🧲 decoration or if I need tape/sticker. 

 

I will try to go by, but I think all the rooms are the same. Seems like there’s a metal border. Here’s a picture of our door 

[SLOTheta]

2 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

SOLThea,

Glad your on board and got a great up grade! Sorry about our weather not as sunny more clouds! Sitting out on our balcony and watched a sunset with lots of pinks and orange over the ocean!

I remember when you did your first live back in 2016! All your friends and how pretty all you were in your gowns! 
We flew out in First on United and remember you had a picture of you with champagne in first on United. That was a great live thread and all the pictures! That was your first Med cruise! We boarded a couple months later on the same HAL ship.

Glad to see you back!

Have a marvelous time! Win some money 💰 and relax.

Denise😊

So nice to hear from you again Denise! We had a fabulous time on our first cruise and had another fabulous time this past summer. Our group dressed up and we had a blast on gala nights, danced the night away and spent some good time at the tables. I didn’t recap or post, but I need to since it was an amazing trip. 

 

We flew Norwegian premium this time, it wasn’t as good as United first, but it was a direct flight. We flew United first home. Definitely enjoy the Polaris! 

 

Safe travels and happy  holidays 

[DeeniEncinitas]

1 minute ago, SLOTheta said:

So nice to hear from you again Denise! We had a fabulous time on our first cruise and had another fabulous time this past summer. Our group dressed up and we had a blast on gala nights, danced the night away and spent some good time at the tables. I didn’t recap or post, but I need to since it was an amazing trip. 

 

We flew Norwegian premium this time, it wasn’t as good as United first, but it was a direct flight. We flew United first home. Definitely enjoy the Polaris! 

 

Safe travels and happy  holidays 

Oh honey have a marvelous time! Happy belated birthday too! Our daughter is the same age as you!  I like Polaris too!! Will be on United Polaris when we come home from Paris next year. 
Have a Merry Christmas on board Oosterdam! We love that ship! I wish you good health  AND WIN SOME $$$$$$🎄

Denise😊

[TheJurea]

Thank you so much! I bet you’re correct and they are all the same.

That is a perfect edge for my decorating for our 40th anniversary.

I am looking forward to any review of the slots, they are my favorite sea day activity.

 

Good Luck, win big !

 

[leerathje]

Will be on the Oosterdam in February as well!  Looking forward to seeing your live blog.

 

L.

[erewhon]

Enjoying your review, thank you.

Have a fabulous Christmas cruise.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for checking in and posting pictures.

 

Have a great cruise.

[puppycanducruise]

Great pictures and comments.

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[Matfam1970]

Thanks for sharing, we will be on the Oosterdam next week!  

[regnig]

SLOTheta look under the ends of the beds for drawers.  Also, unless they have changed the love seat there are also 2 drawers there too.

[GreenValleyDogWalker]

17 hours ago, SLOTheta said:

Finished the muster drill. It took about 30 mins. Last time, we were lucky to have our station inside the dining room. This time, we were outside for station 16. I’m glad I brought my jacket. It was quite chilly in the promenade. It was taking awhile for people to check in, some guests had to request to sit down inside. We were pretty crammed, shoulder to shoulder. Made me feel like we were in a lifeboat. 

 

Took a tour of the ship, stopped by the casino and noticed a sign for $5 casino drinks. I will definitely need to check that out later. 

 

I love all the Christmas decor. It’s really festive 

 

17 hours ago, SLOTheta said:

Finished the muster drill. It took about 30 mins. Last time, we were lucky to have our station inside the dining room. This time, we were outside for station 16. I’m glad I brought my jacket. It was quite chilly in the promenade. It was taking awhile for people to check in, some guests had to request to sit down inside. We were pretty crammed, shoulder to shoulder. Made me feel like we were in a lifeboat. 

 

Took a tour of the ship, stopped by the casino and noticed a sign for $5 casino drinks. I will definitely need to check that out later. 

 

I love all the Christmas decor. It’s really festive 

 

[GreenValleyDogWalker]

 

What time did the Muster Drill start ?

 

Have a great trip ! - We are booked for the Feb 29, 2020 Itinerary - looking forward to the rest of  your posts !

 

 

[twodjs]

17 hours ago, SLOTheta said:

I will try to go by, but I think all the rooms are the same. Seems like there’s a metal border. Here’s a picture of our door 

 

We were in 5191 a couple of weeks ago. The door looks just like those on deck 6 with a metal frame. You can see pics we posted of that cabin on halfacts dot com from a previous cruise. Nice choice for views of the canal.

[irishclover]

Have a fun! Looking forward to your posts.  We are on the ship right after you.  Will wave hi

[comcox]

I was very interested to read about your rolling your big suitcases on board yourselves; I wasn't aware that was allowed.  How well did they fit through the security scanners though?  I would much prefer to do that as we will be sailing on Oosterdam from San Diego next month.

[SLOTheta]

10 hours ago, comcox said:

I was very interested to read about your rolling your big suitcases on board yourselves; I wasn't aware that was allowed.  How well did they fit through the security scanners though?  I would much prefer to do that as we will be sailing on Oosterdam from San Diego next month.

 

We have never done it ourselves. But, we missed the porters and asked several people if we could do it ourselves. Our suitcases (50lbs) fit through the security scanners fine. One of the agents comments how strong I was since I put it up in the conveyor belt myself. No issues. It’s a long trek, so as long as you are prepared to roll quite a way, you should be fine. 

[SLOTheta]

On 12/22/2019 at 11:21 AM, GreenValleyDogWalker said:

 

What time did the Muster Drill start ?

 

Have a great trip ! - We are booked for the Feb 29, 2020 Itinerary - looking forward to the rest of  your posts !

 

 

I don’t recall exactly, but I would say around 5pm? It took about 30ish minutes for everyone to line up and for the missing cabins to check in. I’m glad I wore a jacket. It was chilly on the promenade 

 

 

 

Edited December 23, 2019 by SLOTheta

[SLOTheta]

On 12/22/2019 at 7:41 AM, regnig said:

SLOTheta look under the ends of the beds for drawers.  Also, unless they have changed the love seat there are also 2 drawers there too.

We looked under the bed, I didn’t see drawers. But, there was space under neath the bed to our our suite cases. Didn’t check the loveseat. We figured it out. Put some stuff in the shelves and bedside table