First time on Holland America--any tips?

We've sailed quite a bit on 5 different lines but are going on our first HA cruise in December--the Oosterdam.

Any good tips or advice for this ship and Holland America. We're 70, quite active.

We've sailed quite a bit on 5 different lines but are going on our first HA cruise in December--the Oosterdam.

 

Any good tips or advice for this ship and Holland America. We're 70, quite active.

A couple things not included in pre-cruise documents, etc

Happy Hour will happen 1 or 2 times daily. Typically buy 1 get one free or buy 1 get one for $1. With that in mind drinks are typically less on HAL than on most other lines. (You have to TRY to break $10 on a drink)

Crow's Nest has the best views up top and the Explorations Cafe with coffee and snacks is around the corner.

Aft pool is adults only.

You MUST go to Dive In Burgers off the midship pool at least once. It's amazing! I recommend the Cannonball burger and the fries with cheese sauce

The atrium globe is Waterford crystal and gorgeous

Pinnacle Grill is one of the best specialty steakhouses in the industry. One night each cruise they turn Pinnacle Grill into Le Cirque (the famous restaurant from NYC and Las Vegas)

On Deck for a Cause is a fundraiser for 5 major global cancer charities once every cruise

The hydropool/thermal suites are great on Oosterdam. You can get a couples pass on a 7 day cruise for, I believe it's still $249

Hope those help and I'm sure others will add more

If you like chocolate, stop by The Explorer's Lounge in the evening after dinner (deck 2, lower prom deck, starboard side, forward of aft elevators). You will find a sampling of HAL's chocolates made on the ship. It's on the same cart as the liqueurs and coffee. Delicious:)

And to help you walk off the calories from the chocolate, deck 3 has a lovely promenade deck that completely encircles the ship:)

We've sailed quite a bit on 5 different lines but are going on our first HA cruise in December--the Oosterdam.

 

Any good tips or advice for this ship and Holland America. We're 70, quite active.

HAL has very good room service. In the morning you place your order on a card that hangs on your door (very common approach). Two differences - first, you will see several "hot" items on this card (unlike most other cruise lines). Second, if you do not see an item(s) that you want and they are on the main dining room breakfast menu, you can write them in (on the card) and they will bring them to you (as long as your delivery time is around the time the main dining room is open).

Further (and we do this at least once a cruise), you can call room service for dinner and ORDER OFF OF THE MAIN DINING ROOM MENU for that evening. You do have to call the first hour the main dining room is open, but your dinner can be delivered at any normal dining time (5:30 - 8 PM I think). Try this on another cruise line! This works great if you just do not feel like going out on an evening, or perhaps if you are not feeling well. Or maybe just for a "special" intimate dinner?

See you onboard!

Dave

Thank you so much--those are some really great tips. I will be noting them down--especially looking forward to a 'real' promenade deck.

We are getting a meal at the Pinnacle Grill as a perk, so that will be nice.

It will be fun to try a different cruise line for a change--we've mostly been doing Princess or Celebrity lately.

Try the bread pudding. It's a HAL tradition. Available at lunch in the Lido usually with the ice cream. If you can't find it, ask.

If you like to read, we think HAL has some of the best libraries. It is lovely to get a speciality coffee in the Explorations Café, find a comfy seat and read for a while.

Be sure to see the "Yum Yum man" on your way out of the main dining room after dinner - a steward dressed in a brass-buttoned uniform with small round hat, stationed by a cart. He will offer you a napkin and serve small treats ...if memory serves, candied ginger, dates, or small mints.

In the past, this steward would announce the opening of the main dining room for dinner by walking through the nearest lounge with a little hand-held chime (like a xylophone.) Not sure if they still do that.

Thank you so much--those are some really great tips. I will be noting them down--especially looking forward to a 'real' promenade deck.

 

We are getting a meal at the Pinnacle Grill as a perk, so that will be nice.

 

It will be fun to try a different cruise line for a change--we've mostly been doing Princess or Celebrity lately.

We also just cruised on HAL for the first time, having cruised many other lines.

Since you have the Pinnacle Grill perk - GO IMMEDIATELY after boarding! We went the morning of the next day (first sea day) and there were no times left for dinner. We were able to get lunch, and it was nice, but the dinner menu looked awesome. In all my research, I had not seen how quickly those reservations were filled.

The thermal suite/spa pass was the best purchase of our cruise. If you are interested, do this as soon as boarding also as they sell out. On the Amsterdam, the prices were $99 for one or $149 for two. This was amazing and we definitely got way more than our money's worth.

They will give sea sickness pills at the front desk whenever you ask - chewable, chew one every 12 hours and start before you feel sick. (I have never had any seasickness but did not want to take any chances so chewed them faithfully!)

Not sure of your itinerary but if you stop at Victoria on the last night, the casino will close at 1:00 and the shops will close around 6 making it difficult to spend that last OBC. I never thought we would donate to the ship, and never will again.

At least on the Amsterdam, the buffets are not self serve. You must choose what you want and crew members fill your plate. I have never seen this on any other lines. (I had read on this board that it was only for the first 48 hours to combat Noro but it was the entire time).

If you have any time dining, you can always be seated immediately if you are willing to join a table with others. We enjoyed having this option.

Overall, I felt the HAL staff were friendlier and more helpful than crew members on other lines. They were all just awesome.

Have fun. We really enjoyed our first trip on HAL.

Seeing the BB King show at least once is a must!

On HAL, as opposed to most other lines, you get to remain in your stateroom on disembarkation morning until your color/number is called. Additionally you can order room service for that morning.... sure is better than fighting the crowds in the Lido.

If you are in a stateroom other than a suite make certain you locate all the available drawers. There are large ones at the end of each bed and then two under the love seat. Additionally if you have a cube shaped stool at the dressing table the seat comes off offering even more storage space.

The table in front of the love seat raises and lowers by use of the bar under the top.

HAL's laundry service is superb! The "by the bag" ($20-$25) or the "unlimited" at $7 a day is a wonderful way to cut down on packing and allowing you to return home with clean and pressed clothes.

Try the bread pudding. It's a HAL tradition. Available at lunch in the Lido usually with the ice cream. If you can't find it, ask.

Yum--love bread pudding! And, so many other great ideas. I'm a reader so I'll be checking out the library. All the storage sounds great--thanks for that tip. We're in a guarantee cabin (balcony) so who knows what we'll get.

Can you reserve the Pinnacle Grill beforehand? Also, somewhere else I read that you can reserve it near the buffet the first day and that might be faster. We might just try dinner in our room some night--what a great option.

Nebr.cruiser,

Would enjoy a report from you after you return on how you liked HAL.

Nebr.cruiser,

 

Would enjoy a report from you after you return on how you liked HAL.

I'll try--we don't cruise until December. I had a hard time convincing my husband to try HAL--he thinks it's for 'old' people. Did I mention I'm 70 and he's 69? I guess 70 is the new 50?

At least I'm excited to try something new; he's actually fine with it.

From what DaveOKC said about the breakfast order, I took it to mean you put the card out in the morning, but I do believe you need to do it in the evening.

If you need to do a little hand wash, the shampoo supplied in the bathroom is good for that, and there is a line in the bath or shower to hang things on.

I agree that the staff is the best part of HAL! (And the itineraries, of course.)

In the past, this steward would announce the opening of the main dining room for dinner by walking through the nearest lounge with a little hand-held chime (like a xylophone.) Not sure if they still do that.

I been reading all the good tips and advice for the Oosterdam and they are very helpful. I will check out the happy hours, Dive-In for burgers, Crows Nest, BB King show and the Explorer's Lounge to sample the chocolates. Yum!

I also got the Pinnacle Grill as a perk and where do I go to see about setting up my times for dinner?

Just 2 days left and I will be sailing on my first HAL cruise. So looking forward to trying a new line.:)

We also just recently took our first HAL trip (see review below)... It was quite a different, and enjoyable experience from other lines. We are 43, 33, and three teenage boys and we were able to find things to do and had a great time.

Enjoy yourselves... we'd love to hear what you think when you return!

If you like chocolate, stop by The Explorer's Lounge in the evening after dinner (deck 2, lower prom deck, starboard side, forward of aft elevators). You will find a sampling of HAL's chocolates made on the ship. It's on the same cart as the liqueurs and coffee. Delicious:)

 

And to help you walk off the calories from the chocolate, deck 3 has a lovely promenade deck that completely encircles the ship:)

I hadn't found the chocolates in a few year's - I figured they had stopped doing this - wonderful to hear they still are Explorer's lounge you say? How late in the evening do they do this?

:rolleyes:

I been reading all the good tips and advice for the Oosterdam and they are very helpful. I will check out the happy hours, Dive-In for burgers, Crows Nest, BB King show and the Explorer's Lounge to sample the chocolates. Yum!

 

I also got the Pinnacle Grill as a perk and where do I go to see about setting up my times for dinner?

 

Just 2 days left and I will be sailing on my first HAL cruise. So looking forward to trying a new line.:)

YOU will LOVE the Osterdam! HAL does such a wonderful job with their cruises - they are no longer just for old folks :-)

You can also call the dining line the number will be on your phone in your cabin to make your Pinnacle Grill dinner reservations - I would call ASAP when you get onboard.

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We are getting a meal at the Pinnacle Grill as a perk, so that will be nice.

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Can you reserve the Pinnacle Grill beforehand? Also, somewhere else I read that you can reserve it near the buffet the first day and that might be faster. We might just try dinner in our room some night--what a great option.

If your dinner in the Pinnacle was a result of Explore4 or the Anniversary Promo you can not make an advanced reservation. HAL will pick that for you and when you first arrive in your stateroom there will be a card with the reservation time awaiting you. If those arrangements are not to your liking you can either call the Pinnacle or drop by their desk and see if you can change the reservation. Several have noted in the past that they were successful in making changes.

Yum--love bread pudding! And, so many other great ideas....

When you find the bread pudding, look for a container next to it with warm vanilla sauce to pour over the top.

If you enjoy cooking, you may want to sign up for a hands-on class in the culinary arts center taught by one of the chefs - a fee is charged. Go to the front desk the very first day to ask about registering if offered on your sailing - they are small, not promoted much, and book up very quickly. Everyone receives an apron and chef's hat - the class prepares a full meal of Holland America recipes (you are given printed cards to keep), and then goes to the Pinnacle Grill to enjoy what you have all prepared, with wines included. (I try to remember not to eat a heavy meal before the class.)

In one of the classes I took, we made the HAL vanilla sauce, using vanilla beans - I believe it was called creme Anglaise.

There are also free spectator-type cooking demos offered in the same location during most cruises.

The bread pudding sounds amazing. Does HAL offer biscuits and sausage gravy as part of their breakfast offering?

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Others have mentioned the Explorations Café close to the library. The coffee and drinks do cost extra, but the treats and snacks in the display case do not. You do have to ask the worker behind the counter to get your selections.

I will second the Unlimited Laundry. For $7 a day, this is one thing I always get and feel it is a bargain! We typically fill the bag and leave it on our bed when we leave for breakfast. Usually the clothes are back the next morning.

If you are a geek like me, there are really good Windows and photo editing classes on most (all?) HAL ships. Go early as they fill up fast.

I would also suggest that you go to the MDR the first night and order the Prime Rib. It's good! They always have Prime Rib the first night. Never have seen it another night unless I did a back to back. Don't miss it.

They have anything you could possibly want for breakfast in the Lido but I don't think I have every seen sausage and biscuits. They do have about six different kinds of eggs Benedict, made to order omelets, French toast, waffles, pancakes, etc. It's overwhelming. Almost all of the above available in the MDR.