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Oosterdam


mcrcruiser
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We were on in March and no complaints. Loved the larger flat panel TVs in the rooms on the wall instead of taking up a large spot on the desk. But the ship was clean. Food was great and service as per HAL standards. Entertainment is typical HAL. Not the best but reasonable.

Dan

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We sailed the Oosterdam in December 2016, after it's April 2016 drydock. The ship was in great shape, and as others have noted, the change to on-demand 40" flat screen TV's wall mounted at the foot of the bed (in veranda cabins) were a huge improvement over the tiny flat screens over at the desk and the difficult to use DVD lending library. Entertainment was good, Billboard Onboard, BB-King Blues Club, and the Main Stage nightly shows. There is also Lincoln Center for classical, and piano entertainment in the Ocean Bar. We still prefer the more intimate Piano Bars of the smaller ships, but Billboard Onboard is also very entertaining.

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Sailed Oosterdam a month ago. November. Everything clean and in good repair. All elevators working. Entertainment was mostly so-so and typicality HAL except for FROZEN PLANET LIVE. That was excellent as was the live music that accompanied it. Food was OK but not great. The CD was not up to HAL standards.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Just off the Oosterdam two days ago from an 18 day cruise. Ship is in good condition (IMO), entertainment was just "OK", some good some bad. Embarkation and debarkation were not up to HAL's usual high standards, due to computer issues at embarkation and a delay debarkation due to ongoing passengers not reporting compounded by HAL calling the "colors" too close together.

 

There were a number of small issues/problems we encountered (nothing major to be sure) and the crew did not seem as outgoing and friendly as on other recent HAL cruises (staffing levels seemed to be the issue, even in the Pinnacle). Onboard activities were inadequate for the final 5 sea days on this cruise (IMO).

 

We were just on the Nieuw Amsterdam two months prior and the difference was noticeable (more upbeat and positive).

 

All in all, not a bad cruise but certainly not as good as others we have taken on HAL. Just really an "OK" cruise.

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We did not like the powerful subwoofer speakers that were recently installed in the Oosterdam's Queen's Lounge. It spoiled the BB King show for me, which I normally enjoy. Earplugs don't help anymore.

 

igraf

 

 

 

We cruise on Oosterdam February 2018 & would like to know her condition from those who sailed on her recently . Also, what was your opinion of the entertainment ?

 

TIA

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We were on the "O" in Oct. and the ship looked good and everything worked well. Entertainment answer varies with cruisers' preferences. BBKings always had a big crowd. That was about the only late night entertainment. There was a "Happy Hour" in Gallery Bar at 10 0r 10:30 most nights. No live performers, near the casino activity.

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We were on the "O" in Oct. and the ship looked good and everything worked well. Entertainment answer varies with cruisers' preferences. BBKings always had a big crowd. That was about the only late night entertainment. There was a "Happy Hour" in Gallery Bar at 10 0r 10:30 most nights. No live performers, near the casino activity.

 

BB King the only entertainment in the evenings ?? How about the Billboard Onboard, right across from the casino, which has 3 sets a night, and has one night a week off. Their last set usually starts at 10:00 or 10:30 and goes until 11:00 or 11:30. When we leave the last set at Billboard, and pass by BB-King, they are either finished for the evening or in their last set. I prefer to sit through a couple of sets at the Billboard Onboard. Usually very talented people.

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TAD2005, I stand corrected. Our routine was Lincoln Center, late dinning in MDR, late in the Showroom. Somehow, we missed Billboard entirely. Would have been better than our brief time with BBKings. Do miss the combo playing in Ocean Bar.

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TAD2005, I stand corrected. Our routine was Lincoln Center, late dinning in MDR, late in the Showroom. Somehow, we missed Billboard entirely. Would have been better than our brief time with BBKings. Do miss the combo playing in Ocean Bar.

 

I have heard of more than a few people who would intentionally "miss" Billboard Onboard. Their tightly structured play lists from Billboard Corp. is no comparison to the smaller, intimate, freewheeling piano bars of the past. I still prefer them to the new Billboard facility. But the old piano bars were small, and enclosed. Probably didn't generate enough drink orders to justify the space, so HAL contracts with an outside company to provide the musicians. Plus they enlarge it by 100% and open the walls to the casino traffic. I guess it was successful, because every ship from Vista class size and up are getting the change in dry-dock.

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Few thoughts here from a cruisecritic newbie, first-time Oosterdamer shortly after returning home.

 

Admittedly don't have much to compare but to my eye and taste the ship herself was in very good shape. All of the food and our cabin (Veranda style on Rotterdam Deck 7) I found to be top notch.

 

Entertainment. The BB King All-Stars is where it's at. Full stop. On our cruise (Dec 2017) we were blessed with a very talented ensemble who deserve to be playing in front of a larger and more lively audience than the Oosterdam can typically provide I'm afraid.

 

Billboard Onboard was fun as well. Two very likable, talented pianists who had good chemistry despite their having only been performing together a short while.

 

On the main stage we caught the opening Billboard music themed song and dance show which was fun and later a very entertaining comedy and magic show. I could not help but love the Beatles tribute show being a huge Beatles fan but his (and his wife's) act had us rolling our eyes a bit at times. Musically though it was very good.

 

Whatever else you do, do not miss the BBC Earth with live music show; that was really special and unique.

 

Since others mentioned it I'll chime in that when we had time to kill and esp. on the days at sea we usually found ourselves in the Crows Nest. It was quite popular and often a bit crowded. That being said, there's a reason for that, it being a wonderful place to hang out, play a game, catch up on some reading and watch the baja peninsula slide by with a cool drink in hand.

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