Oosterdam Apr 12, 18 from Funchal TA

Much upgrading..new soft furnishings in Lido and many butnot all cabins. Ours, 4096 has huge interactive tv flush to wall. No possibility of connecting hdmi cable. Friends interior has other turntable tv that does allow access to back of tv..so our book club film will be shown there (The ManWho Never Was) apropos our dock in Huelva.

Our cabin has USB ports by night stand and on desk (one doesn’t work) fridge heats things.)

Food very good in MDR AND SERVICE ALMOST TOO ENTHUSIASTIC.

Fish okay..lamb dinners THE BEST.

Three galas, men mostly underdressed. About 25% in blazers or suits.

Lido big on delivery of coffee, etc but needs more busboys to clear faster.

Crew perfect and friendly as we expect from HAL.

ONLY WORN AREA IS ELEVATOR WALLS.

LIDO EXCELLENT WITH VPOPULAR ASIAN STIR FRY LINE. Sorry about caps and errors, limited-time.

BIG CHANGES AT dry dock includes an underwhelming “library” of reference books and passenger exchange place empty which is understandable.

Volume down 200 but ship seems a bit crowded in crows nest and the bar areas.

BB KING band so-so, not the best. Other entertainment the usual, good guest speakers on history of region, Spain.

Shops limited, bring anything you need on board.

Hope this answers your questions.

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.

Thank you for the report about the updates on the Oosterdam.

Thanks for the updates. I was on the Oosterdam in November and the Lido and other areas needed some "love".

What are the internet options aboard? They have been different based on the HAL ship in the last 6 months.

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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.

Report in. But staff busy finishing off upgrades. Keeping ice bucket in fridge.

Everyone responsive so it is a minor problem

BTW the view from deck 4 Up Promenade REALLY obstructed by the orange tenders. But windows floorto ceiling so you really get to view them.

Also not all cabins upgraded, I hear...

Guess the days of the tux over..thank the airlines.

Lisbon next (love it)

Thanks for the Oosterdam update. Will be boarding next month. Delighted about the USB ports. Disappointed to hear about the library but this is going fleet wide and the Oosterdam's was never the best. Thanks again for the information.

Thank you for the upgrade report. We also board next month and are looking forward to our first Holland America cruise.

We board next week in Barcelona, hope all the work is completed by then..

Thanks very much for report.

We board next week in Barcelona, hope all the work is completed by then..

Thanks very much for report.

Me too ! Leaving for Barcelona on Friday ( tomorrow) to see that beautiful city.. then boarding on Wednesday!

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Thanks so much for the update.

My DS & BIL are boarding in June for their first visit in Europe. Sounds very promising.

Thank you for taking the time to fill us in on the updates. I do have one question - do you know if the Retreat Cabanas were updated at all? Thank you. Enjoy your time in Lisbon.

Spa pool empty, BTW. Haven’t seen cabanas, they are above the Crows Nest. Will check.

In Huelva tomorrow. I think most work done except I hear hammering now and then.

MaisonRose - thank you for offering to check the cabanas. I've seen older pictures where there was a couch and a high side table, with 2 loungers outside the cabana. We were recently on the Nieuw Amsterdam and the Retreat cabanas had the 2 loungers in the cabana with a table and 2 chairs. I was wondering if the cabana is still the same as it was or more like the Nieuw Amsterdam. Thank you!! Would you recommend the Oosterdam?

We were up there to view Gibraltar, late at night. There are several sizes but the loungers were inside the tents and there were also sun beds on deck. The area is quite large and forward, and above, the midship pool.

Weather great in Barcelona.

Departing ship there were large lines for taxis but it went fairly fast.

There was a city CRUISES PORT bus arriving at the door as well.

Best to all looking forward to the Oosterdam. We are off and heading to MaisonRose on Friday. Bon Voyage.

Thank you for the updates - we'll be on the Oosterdam in October for her return to Florida. Have the shops been taken over by the new company? Is there a good selection of products (clothing, jewelry, purses, etc) other than the "O" offerings we've read about on FB?

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Thanks for your updates. How was the weather and the seas on your crossing?

Thank you for the updates - we'll be on the Oosterdam in October for her return to Florida. Have the shops been taken over by the new company? Is there a good selection of products (clothing, jewelry, purses, etc) other than the "O" offerings we've read about on FB?

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

Sailing was smoothe except from Funchal to Lisbon..small storm, rolling a bit but not disturbing.

New stuff in shops, usual watches and jewelry..and art. Not fully stocked but attractive things and logo items.