Oosterdam T-Giving - Hunky Dory, Carnival Crash and Great Times

[benchmarklearning]

What a wonderful week on the Oosterdam! Yes, a few minor snags but overall a 9.5 out of 10 score for us. This was our 8th cruise, and fourth on HAL. Now for some details.

 

TRAVEL - As usual, we decided to leave a couple days early - family tradition to decide at the last moment that we can't wait any longer so let's pack up and get going. Left on Thursday and had a wonderful road trip from our CO mountain to St. George, UT. Hit the bookstore and realized that a Kindle is in the future because we take too many heavy books. On Friday it was on to Las Vegas for a relaxing day and evening at the MGM Signature - always great value for luxury accommodations. Saturday morning took an 8:00 flight on Southwest to San Diego. Flight was super and only 1/2 full.

 

EMBARKATION - Arrived early so checked bags in terminal and went to Seaport Village for late breakfast and browsing. Arrived back at terminal at 11:30 and literally walked on. No line whatsoever and went right to the Lido for more food. Then, made our reservation for the thermal suite for the week - steam rooms not working so they gave a 20% discount. I don't recall when the rooms were available but when they were we headed there and 2 of the 4 bags were already there. Met our room stewards who did a great job all week. Took a nice nap and prepared for sailaway.

 

MAIN DINING ROOM - I know that ScrapChik and some others had some issues with the MDR but our experience was great. The first night we were seated in Hunky Dory's section and we finally got to meet and experience this phenomenal HAL ambassador. Two other times in the MDR we were in his section and when we lunched in the LIDO he was always there to greet us by name. The food all week was great and service was up to normal HAL standards. We had great table mates all week.

 

PINNACLE - Had dinner twice in the Pinnacle. The food was superb both times. Is there a better bone-in ribeye? The first night was a bit rushed since our waiters had a large table to deal with but they were very accommodating and it didn't detract from the experience. The wine steward was a lot of fun. The Matre'D remembered us from the Eurodam this past spring when he was in the Canaletto. He gave us a great table both nights.

 

THERMAL SUITE - This is one of the main reasons we sail HAL. As I said the steam rooms were not working so we had a discount. The thermal pool was just the right temperature and the beds were nice and toasty. Love going in and out of sleep while on the thermal beds. We must figure out how to get one of these for home. Only crowded one day and that was tolerable.

 

PASSENGERS - Yes, there were lots of kids but they didn't bother us much at all. We always took time to talk with them in the elevators, etc. to see if they were having a good time. The staff did a good job keeping them busy. We enjoyed meeting some CC members at the Meet and Greet (Thanks LuAnn) and then played trivia each day with LuAnn and gang - we won one day and it was the highlight of DH's week! Great fun. The ship never appeared crowded and only a few downers as far as passengers. One was our neighbor. We smoke and on day 1 we were relaxing on the balcony. Mr. Grumpy came out and unleashed a string of obscenities about our smoking that would curl the toenails of any sailer. Of course, we immediately extinguised and went inside. The remainder of the week we did smoke occasionally on the balcony when he was not present. If he was on his verandah we did not smoke. If he would have only been nice the first time and just asked if we could refrain from smoking when he was out it would have been more pleasant. We did see Mr. Grouchy around the ship a few times and he did not appear to be having a good time. Too bad.

 

PIANO BAR - Pretty good and a fun group. He was hung up on show tunes and specific genre that were not to our liking so we went in an out a bit.

 

CASINO - Not too crowded and we only played our requisite $20 and broke even. I am constantly intrigued by the machine you put coins in to be pushed to different levels to finally end up dropping into the hopper. I know it is a losing proposition but I had to try.

 

PORTS - This was our third cruise on this itinerary so we just took it easy. In Mazatlan we went to old downtown and enjoyed walking around, then back to the thermal suites. In PV we went downtown and enjoyed the sculptures and shops. Cabo was just a walking day and then back to thermal suite.

 

SHOWS - So, so - sure need a Joel Mason type on all the HAL ships. The dancers were fun but the commedian/illusionist was lame.

 

CARNIVAL CRASH - While eating breakfast in PV we were watching the Carnival Splendor trying to squeeze in between RCCL and dock. All of a sudden crash! People on RCCL were running away from the bow. Took some great pics of the damage to Splendor that I will try to post later. Made for a good show and fortunately no one was hurt.

 

MARINER BRUNCH - I agree with ScrapChick and others that it could have been a bit better. Food was good but Captain was brief.

 

All in all this was a great, relaxing cruise with super people and, in our opinion, tremendous service. HAL has a great staff and Hunky Dory is a superstar among them. I hope HAL rewards him well for his tremendous efforts. Even the spa staff were very nice, which is not always the case. Room stewards were invisible but very, very efficient.

They responded to requests immediately and everyone said good morning, etc. when passing them.

 

EXPLORATIONS/LIBRARY - What a great place and super staff to make the goodies.

 

DISEMBARKATION - Why can't people follow directions? We were to disembark at 9"00 and there was a long line. Moved quickly but it was obvious there were people crowding the hallways, entry ways, etc. who were not supposed to be there yet. Off the ship by 9:20 and on our way to the airport to the long SW check in line by 9:30.

 

Short flight to Vegas where we got the car and made a very bad decision for the route home. Took 2 hours to get over the damn dam...then got to Flagstaff and a blinding snowstorm. Spent the night and then another 6 hours to get home.

 

Thanks to HAL and everyone for a great cruise! Oh...and the trivia question of the day - what do you call a group of owls? :confused:

[IRL_Joanie]

A PARLIAMENT or a STARE!!

 

Now what do I win???

 

All kidding aside, Great review of the Lady O!!

 

Glad to hear all went so well for ya'll on her. And Yes, Hunky Dory should receive something extra. He is the Poster Man of HAL in my opinion!!

 

So did you come through Albuquerque?? And hopefully, it was one of our beautiful sunny days??

 

Thanks again for the review.

 

Joanie

[benchmarklearning]

CONGRATULATIONS Joanie - yes, a group of owls is a Parliament.

 

No, we didn't go through ABQ - went through the Rez to Durango. We do get to ABQ a lot though - it's our closest big mall.

[callmedeb]

A "Hoot"!

 

Thanks for the great review!

[RedmondCruiser]

Bench -- We too ate in Hunky Dory's section and he was great. Also the greeter as you enter the dining room was probably Rahman. He is also a real asset to HAL. He remembered names and cabin numbers and was always friendly. Rahman was our waiter on a cruise a few years back on the Westerdam. He not only remembered our names but he remembered our table number. I was totally impressed. I hope that HAL regognizes their abilities and sees fit to promote them.

[IRL_Joanie]

CONGRATULATIONS Joanie - yes, a group of owls is a Parliament.

 

No, we didn't go through ABQ - went through the Rez to Durango. We do get to ABQ a lot though - it's our closest big mall.

 

Gimme a holler next time you come to town and we can do dinner?

 

Joanie

[Scrapchick]

Thanks for sharing your review! I wish I'd met this Hunky Dory waiter of yours, because he sounds fantastic.

 

Sorry we did not get to meet at the meet and greet. We moved in different circles most of the time. One of these years I must do the thermal suite. I also knew nothing about the Splendour/Radiance collision on PV. I'd love to see the pics of that... Good job we were docked well away from the other ships.

[benchmarklearning]

I was just reading the Carnival boards about the collision. There are some pics there and I will post mine later.

 

But...after leaving Cabo the Captain experienced a severe heart attack and they had to evac him and another Captain took over. They were about 6 hours late getting into Long Beach.

 

wow!

[SwissMyst]

Okay, since I will soon be on the Oosterdam, where is "Hunky Dory's" section and is he in the lower anytime dining section or the upper fixed dining section?

 

Thanks for the nice review though the pics I have seen of the crashing ships and PV though they make it look like it is a mass traffic jam against a back drop of high rises. My last visit to PV decades ago was a little more low key with only the Fiesta Americana being the sole highrise hotel and that was way out of town. Guess I'll be in for a shock.

[Scrapchick]

I was just reading the Carnival boards about the collision. There are some pics there and I will post mine later.

 

But...after leaving Cabo the Captain experienced a severe heart attack and they had to evac him and another Captain took over. They were about 6 hours late getting into Long Beach.

 

wow!

 

I read that too on the Carnival board... Very sad. What an eventful cruise that must have been for everyone.

[LMB01]

For those of you on the Oosterdam last week: How was the lifeboat drill conducted? with or without life jackets?

 

Many thanks

[heathriel]

Hunky Dory is on the Lido, port side.

 

Okey Dokey is in the Lido, Starboard.

 

:)

[benchmarklearning]

THE Hunky Dory was in the lower level (deck 2) of the main dining room. Ask the Matre'D to be seated in his section.

 

For lunch he was in the Lido and bounced from side to side.

 

Yes, you will get a shock in PV. Many new highrises, even in the last 18 months. Right across from the bow of the ship is the Liverpool mall. Don't go it, you will feel like you are in any mall in the US.

[benchmarklearning]

Lifeboat drill was with life jackets - and it was warm and the lady next to me needed a shower - bad...real bad...

[sapper1]

Lifeboat drill was with life jackets - and it was warm and the lady next to me needed a shower - bad...real bad...

Maybe it was the life jacket and not the lady. I remember having to wear one once that almost choked me, it was so ripe.

[ekerr19]

We had no life jackets on Westerdam and we were thrilled.

 

Thanks for the review - we love the thermal suites too. It was far too crowded for our liking on our cruise, but normally we have really good luck with it.

 

Sorry about your annoying balcony neighbor. Amazing how a simple request would have went such a long way. :) Some people just enjoy being rude.

[IRL_Joanie]

Okay, since I will soon be on the Oosterdam, where is "Hunky Dory's" section and is he in the lower anytime dining section or the upper fixed dining section?

 

Thanks for the nice review though the pics I have seen of the crashing ships and PV though they make it look like it is a mass traffic jam against a back drop of high rises. My last visit to PV decades ago was a little more low key with only the Fiesta Americana being the sole highrise hotel and that was way out of town. Guess I'll be in for a shock.

 

 

Here is a link to a CC Member Candy's site with Hunky Dory's photo and family photos. He is a weet heart!! If you do not see him, ask any of the Lido or MDR crew where he is and they will definitely point him out to you. Be sure and introduce yourself to him and you will have a friend for life!! http://home.g-net.net/~cbrock/HunkyDory.html

 

Joanie

[IRL_Joanie]

I read that too on the Carnival board... Very sad. What an eventful cruise that must have been for everyone.

 

 

Apparently the Captain transition on the Carnival ship was ongoing due to the Captain getting ready to go home to Italy for the Holidays. So that is why there were 2 captains aboard when the accident and heart attack happened just a couple days apart. Conjecture is that the heart attack may have been brought on by the collision.

 

Joanie

[IRL_Joanie]

For those of you on the Oosterdam last week: How was the lifeboat drill conducted? with or without life jackets?

 

Many thanks

 

 

Oringinal Deleted by Joanie due to incorrect statement. Confusing this OP's review with someone elses. Sorry

 

Joanie

[benchmarklearning]

Thanks for the link to the Hunky Dory pictures Joanie!

My pictures are now up on Facebook...if anyone wants to friend me they can see them - I am Ben McDonald, Bayfield, CO

[IRL_Joanie]

Thanks for the link to the Hunky Dory pictures Joanie!

My pictures are now up on Facebook...if anyone wants to friend me they can see them - I am Ben McDonald, Bayfield, CO

 

 

Hey Ben, I just tried to find you on Facebook and I cannot. It tells me:

No results found for Ben McDonald, Bayfield, CO.

 

Check your spelling or try another term.

 

 

Joanie

[benchmarklearning]

Try Ben McDonald Forest Lakes, Bayfield, CO

[IRL_Joanie]

Try Ben McDonald Forest Lakes, Bayfield, CO

 

 

searched all 466 listed... Tell you what, I am on under Joanie Jett if you want to add me...

 

Joanie

[benchmarklearning]

Thanks Joanie and glad we were able to connect. It was a good cruise..probably our second best. I know some of the other CC members ran into some issues but we din't and were very happy. Really enjoyed meeting a lot of nice people, contrary to our March Eurodam cruise (The Grumpy Passenger Cruise)

[IRL_Joanie]

Thanks Joanie and glad we were able to connect. It was a good cruise..probably our second best. I know some of the other CC members ran into some issues but we din't and were very happy. Really enjoyed meeting a lot of nice people, contrary to our March Eurodam cruise (The Grumpy Passenger Cruise)

 

 

LOL I hope the How Much? header made you look Ben... :)

 

Off topic for just a second here.... How much snow did you get?? Absolutely NONE here but tons apparently even as far down as El Paso:eek:

 

Joanie