Live review with pics, HAL Oosterdam Vancouver 5/24 - Seward 5/31/2015

[Seafoam Green]

Joel -

 

Thank you so much for your review. DH and I will take our first HAL cruise on the Oosterdam in an aft balcony cabin next year, and your impressions were great to read!

 

Alaska is on our Bucket List in the future. Your photographs and descriptions of the itinerary were excellent.

 

Looking forward to more of your posts about this experience.

 

:D

[Himself]

Thank you for your review and thank you for the pictures. I enjoyed it very much. I will be getting on the Oosterdam in three weeks. I was most pleased to learn Pieter Bos will be the Master of the Vessel. I will be on for two weeks. One of the things I like about Captain Bos is that he keeps the vessel inside as much as he can. He also has a knack of finding whales.

 

Again, thank you for the review and the pictures.

[madera1]

Thanks again Joel for the review and awesome photos.

 

 

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[pepsigirl64]

:D I enjoyed your review of your cruise. We have been to Alaska nine times and I always enjoy living it again through others voyages. We also are HAL returnees with several in our resume. We tried Celebrity in April and enjoyed it, our opinion is the two cruise lines have a lot of similarities. Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and Welcome to the HAL family. :D

[cl.klink]

Thanks everyone! It was fun.

 

Enjoying a relaxing dinner on Elliott Bay in Seattle.

 

- Joel

 

 

 

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[gigianne]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post as you cruised - your descriptions and photos were awesome!! We just left the Oosterdam 3 weeks ago after a 36 day cruise, so seeing your pictures brought back many wonderful memories.

[cl.klink]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post as you cruised - your descriptions and photos were awesome!! We just left the Oosterdam 3 weeks ago after a 36 day cruise, so seeing your pictures brought back many wonderful memories.

 

 

Glad to hear it!

- Joel

 

 

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[cl.klink]

Thank you for your review and thank you for the pictures. I enjoyed it very much. I will be getting on the Oosterdam in three weeks. I was most pleased to learn Pieter Bos will be the Master of the Vessel. I will be on for two weeks. One of the things I like about Captain Bos is that he keeps the vessel inside as much as he can. He also has a knack of finding whales.

 

 

 

Again, thank you for the review and the pictures.

 

 

You are right about him. Very impressive person. Sail well!

 

- Joel

 

 

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[Buck-White Boys]

Joel,

 

THANK YOU for posting these! It was great to read along and see your opinions/thoughts/experience. We are almost 100% percent simpatico in reaction to last week's trip -- only sorry I didn't make it a point to seek you out or be able to attend the Meet & Greet, but from your pictures there were a couple of times we were in the same place at the same time! :D

 

Glad you enjoyed the trip. I don't know about, but I'm still nursing the tan I got from Glacier Bay day. A pleasure sailing with you and, again, thanks for posting this review and the great pictures!

[cl.klink]

Joel,

 

 

 

THANK YOU for posting these! It was great to read along and see your opinions/thoughts/experience. We are almost 100% percent simpatico in reaction to last week's trip -- only sorry I didn't make it a point to seek you out or be able to attend the Meet & Greet, but from your pictures there were a couple of times we were in the same place at the same time! :D

 

 

 

Glad you enjoyed the trip. I don't know about, but I'm still nursing the tan I got from Glacier Bay day. A pleasure sailing with you and, again, thanks for posting this review and the great pictures!

 

 

We'll just have to sail together again, then.

Hope you have a safe trip home.

- Joel

 

 

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[nutensteve]

Excellent review and pictures. Thanks very much for posting.

[Buck-White Boys]

We'll just have to sail together again, then.

Hope you have a safe trip home.

- Joel

 

 

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You're ON! Care for a return trip? We spend a LOT of time in the Greenhouse Spa pool and stone benches, so this trip we chose a cabin waaaaaaay up front . . . we were one door away from the upper bow (deck 6). Amazing for Glacier Point Day and any times the bow was open because we could just step out and be right there (and duck back for warmer clothing and/or sunscreen as our ever-changing weather demanded). BUT, seeing your pictures we're kind of, now, going back to our love of the aft cabin. So glad you enjoyed it - we think it's heaven. Plus it looks like your deck had the extended balconies which are nothing short of amazing.

 

We made it home late last night. The Buck-White Boys themselves (the dogs) were beyond thrilled and even got a bag of Chummy Yummies salmon treats.

 

Enjoy the post-cruise euphoria. Still feeling the ship moving a little bit?

[Krazy Kruizers]

I will need reliable wifi to load up my video of the calving at South Sawyer Glacier and will post here when I do.

 

Otherwise, the cruise is ended. Thanks for following. All that remains for DW and me is an overnight in Seattle to rest up and then a more pleasant day time flight home tomorrow than a late night or overnight in a plane tonight. This trip was a surprise for her 60th, and a big hit.

 

I will get a bit reviewy, now. But I want to make a disclaimer with an overarching point: If you can't be happy and enjoy yourself on a cruise, you just ain't trying. This is an awesome way to travel and a privilege to be able to do so. I really appreciate all the planing and work that went into making a cruise like this possible. The criticisms that make their way into my points below are just quibbles. I get it that I have just been treated very well and am very blessed.

 

ALASKA.

A+

It is huge and vast, the largest US state by far, yet only about 1% is privately owned land, so it is the least densely populated US state. Of all the actual countries in the world, only 18 are larger than this US state. It is the northernmost point in US, westernmost point in US, and even the easternmost point in US (the Aleutian islands cross the international date line). There are a double digit number of mountains taller than the highest point in the lower 48. It is bold, raw, and a place of extremes and simplicity mixed together. Many places people were people live here are inaccessible by roads, including the capital city of Juneau. One can see the planet actively being shaped and recently having been shaped. Seeing all this made me feel small and humble and yet also elevated by having been made to feel so. Even now in early sumner, the weather varied a lot. We were lucky to have had sunny days permitting far away views, and mostly warm temperatures (60s and 70s), sometimes enough that I was sweaty with just a t shirt. But we had fog and rain too and at one point we had chills enough that I needed several layers with my winter hat and earmuffs and gloves. Most of the time the sun set well after 9 PM and often after 10 PM , usually light starting outside well before 5 AM.

 

Alaska for a cruise was very beautiful. Having grown up Oregon, the types of trees and some of the terrain reminded me a lot of home in some ways, especially Vancouver BC to Ketchikan. The Inside Passage had always sounded underwhelming to me compared to the "real" Alaska interior to the north. That was a wrong perception. There is nothing minimalist about the Inside Passage. It is easy to see and there is so much nature, culture, and diversity in terms of how to see it. While excursions offer profound experiences, one could also see a lot by the sailing itself and then do stuff on your own in each town, easily rewarding a car rental and/or some advance planing, and a willingness to seek out small town life.

 

A bonus in the Inside Passage is just sailing from place to place. The water journey itself is almost constantly exposed to scenery so there is almost no time you are not seeing good stuff. And although we had profoundly lucky sunny and warm weather most of the time, the times we had rain and fog and cold did not change any of the above. I do think that this means the Vancouver departures/arrivals have an advantage because the part between Vancouver BC and southern Alaska is mostly nonstop scenery whereas Seattle has a day at sea between it and southern Alaska (tempered, sometimes, by a stop in Victoria, but even then the sailing route is mostly just open sea). I would consider Seattle though because the cost would be less both for the cruise and the airfare from the US 48.

 

Still want a way to come in the winter to see northern lights (obviously a cruise would not be the way to get here in December or January!).

 

I really loved it here and hope to return often, like a song you can enjoy over.

 

HAL VS. CELEBRITY

wait for it ...

 

SEATTLE - VANCOUVER HAL SHUTTLE

B

Worked well, it was easy, and I'd do it again. But a bus ride is a bus ride so this can only get so good. I must say I would have liked to spend some time in Vancouver so next time might just go there first. I liked that the coach was arranged with HAL so if there had been a snafu, the ship would have waited and would have taken care of us. Made me feel less stress as soon as I got on the bus, and kinda felt like the cruise had started.

 

EMBARKATION (VANCOUVER)

B-

Took under an hour, fairly efficient, but again, how "good" can something like this be? Also, would have liked a more dramatic place to step onto the ship with, a grand foyer or something to feel that "not in Kansas anymore feeling." Quibbling points to be sure.

 

DISEMBARKATION (SEWARD)

C+

A bit chaotic. Long cues, not clear where to go at times. All worked out in the end. The coach arranged for us through HAL was a bit too close in time to the fight arranged for us through HAL, but, again, all worked out in the end, and we were at our gate and waiting in a very nice Anchorage airport terminal by 10:30 AM for our 11:35 departure.

 

 

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CABIN ITSELF

A-

Comfortable beds and big comfortable pillows. Lots of space and appreciate several things about layout. The metallic walls allowed magnets to hang things up. Art on the walls was a nice touch. Layout of lighting was good and effective and liked having switches by bed. Extra chair and fold out couch gave good sitting room. Small desk was adequate. TV worked, few channels to choose from, and did not care. Veranda had two comfortable chairs one with stool, a small table, and a recliner. Storage was abundant and very well conceived. My wife and I are one bag each travelers so we did not need a lot, but nice to have had it. Even the stool for the desk is hollow with a top that lifts to use the inside space for storage. Can store several bags under bed. Three standing closets, one with lots of shelves and a locking safe, and the others for hanging clothes each have larger shelves that can fold down or not as you wish. One even had a rack for belts and ties. Several shelves in bathroom too, for toiletries. Shower with good water pressure, massage head, and was a tub-shower mix. Clothes line for drying clothes over tub. Cannisters of self serve shampoo, conditioner, soap in shower worked well. Room decor and materials a bit dated and worn, but everything very clean and working well.

 

FOOD

B

Not the high point, which saddened me, but some was outstanding, especially Le Cirque, and I would pay for that again. Most food at MDR was good to very good. Pinnacle grill was very good but not the first rate special meal I was expecting and do not think I'd pay for the experience again. I found buffet sometimes disappointing in both variety and quality, but choosing wisely allowed me to stay with options that were good. I'd more or less skip the buffet next time if I could. Room service was efficient though missed items were not rare. Still it became our preferred mode for daily breakfast and was a great option for us, always on time after ordering in advance the night before. Also, room service for dinner one night was a great experience, ordered off the MDR menu (though in part it was a great experience because of our veranda and the view that night)). On the whole, the entire food experience was decidedly above average, but not best most special category, and so a solid and appreciated "B."

 

ENTERTAINMENT

A

Went to one show which was illusionist and fine. But really enjoyed classical music every night, a pianist and violinist duo self named "Adagio," played several hours each night, in Explorer's Lounge. Became popular and packed. Though this is highly subjective, that one venue and these performers made evenings a real joy each day for us. Stayed till they finished at 10 each night (usually still light out, because .... it's Alaska!). There did not seem to be a lot going on when we returned to our room after that but really was not looking. I do not know if others would have found as many options as they might have wanted. For me, though, this was excellent. Some of the other offerings good too, such as the live cooking demos, but missed most of these because we were out seeing Alaska!

 

 

PUBLIC SPACES

A-

The ship goes to dry dock next year and I assume it will have a face lift. The vessel looks older than the super duper new sips coming out in recent years, well used but clean, in good repair, and just fine. It looks used and loved, not used and abused. But, it looks used, and used hard in some places, with some fabrics and furnishings worn, some styles dated. The spaces are very well attended to, and clean. I like the deep blue or warm earth tone colors that felt calm and welcoming. The ship has many pleasant public spaces to spend time. I especially liked the flow from one space to another, and in particular the use of curved and rounded passages and rooms, giving the illusion of more space and not one rectilinear box overall. I especially liked the look of the dining room which felt more like a nice restaurant than a cafeteria.

 

INSIDE PASSAGE, VANCOUVER --> KETCHIKAN

A

Captain chose a more inland route and the wall of forested greenery on either side of ship was sublime. Sat out on deck all day. Felt like time had stopped.

 

KETCHIKAN, WILD WOLF TOURS EXCURSION

A-

Competent though unspectacular private tour made better by excellent guide Tracy, whose personal stories of growing up here and her native family heritage made this much more special. Enjoyed spending time in town, especially lunch and view from Cape Fox Lodge.

 

JUNEAU, TRACY ARM FJORD HAL EXCURSION

A+

A town with a bit of size has some more to offer. Enjoyed walking into town and meeting people. Some very good food near the pier. HAL excursion from here into Tracy Arm fjord was best of trip and a huge life long remembrance. I think this is the best port of the trip with the most options. If you re going to splurge on n excursion, here is the place to do it.

 

SKAGWAY, FRONTIER ADVENTURES YUKONER EXCURSION

A

Deceptively substantial town for its very small size, walkable with some good food, a few nice excursions possible. Would rent a car next time and go up into Yukon.

 

GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK

A

Stunning commanding beauty. Another world feeling. History and geology and scenery conjoin. Liked having the forest rangers' input and that of the Tinglit native -- gave it a very special feel. Glaciers were not as impressive as the small boat experience at Tracy Arm but still very imressive.

 

SERVICE, STAFF

A-

Very well trained. I appreciated their uniformly hard work. Friendly, but in a politely restrained way. Even if formulaic, everyone said and did all the right things. The theme seemed to be to make me feel warmly welcomed and taken care of when I asked, else not intruded upon. The result was a nice balance. Very little of the more intrusive effort to sell drinks, photos, etc such as on Celebrity. To some the style might seem so laid back as to give a sedate and hands off feel, but I felt this was instead a contentment to let me have a good time but still remain open and ready to serve me. A tough balance. Smiles and friendliness whenever I passed ANYONE. Often saw workers carefully cleaning public areas each day. Stateroom cleaned and resupplied daily and reliably. I would summarize the theme as hospitality rather than sophistication, and it makes for a serene and relaxing feeling that marks the experience better than any one single other element.

 

HAL vs. CELEBRITY

I have liked Celebrity a lot, and did not intend to consider other mass market lines before this. My initial feeling on this ship was a bit disappointed, seemed less luxurious, less exciting, food less good. While I think those impressions were true to some degree, I warmed to HAL each day, and I would now temper my initial feelings. The HAL experience is more like going to a hotel in the US National Register of Historic Places than a modern glass and shiny new hotel. I appreciated the feeling created on ship. I would sail HAL again if I can. I will still like Celebrity too.

 

Much has been written about the smoking policy. I did smell smoke from cigarettes and some pipe / cigar on our deck from time to time. I would have preferred that it were not so. I prefer Celebrity's more restrictive policy. That said, this was not a major theme of the trip.

 

Which line is better? I think the question is unanswerable. While I can see some people having a clear preference, I think it's more correct to say that they are both good in somewhat different ways. Just as an apple and an orange are good foods, or New York and Chicago are good cities to visit, I don't think one can say one is objectively better than the other. There are so that hate apples or Chicago, most would find plenty of merit in all these choices. Celebrity I think had better food, and feels more shiny, splashy, and HAL feels nice, calm, relaxing, warm, contented. I'm glad to have extended to be in the HAL family now.

 

Thanks everyone for following and the kind words along the way.

 

Sail well!

 

- Joel

 

 

Thank you for summing everything up.

Love the extra pictures from Seward to Anchorage.

[cccole]

Your daily reports, photos, attitude, and summary were absolutely fabulous. We cruised Alaska on Celebrity several years ago and it remains one of my favorite cruises. Your descriptions of your days on and off the ship were wonderful and made me contemplate another Alaska cruise. I could be wrong, it has happened before, but I think you might be able to fill a ship with cruisers that would love to cruise with you two!! Thank you for taking us along on the 60th birthday surprise trip for your DW!!!!! Cherie

[cl.klink]

Your daily reports, photos, attitude, and summary were absolutely fabulous. We cruised Alaska on Celebrity several years ago and it remains one of my favorite cruises. Your descriptions of your days on and off the ship were wonderful and made me contemplate another Alaska cruise. I could be wrong, it has happened before, but I think you might be able to fill a ship with cruisers that would love to cruise with you two!! Thank you for taking us along on the 60th birthday surprise trip for your DW!!!!! Cherie

 

 

Very sweet of you. Thanks.

- Joel

 

 

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[Divi]

Thank you for your review and pictures. You obviously put a lot of thought and effort into writing such a balanced report and your pictures were wonderful.

We will be on the Oosterdam for the first time in November and, if possible, we are looking forward to it even more after following this. :)

[Dismomx5]

Thanks for the review. I loved the pics and relived our cruise from last year. Your words were thoughtful and appreciated.

[cl.klink]

Here is the video of the South Sawyer glacier calving I saw:

 

 

- Joel

[erewhon]

Super review.

Thank you for sharing your video.

[js4rq]

What a great photo review. Alaska looks gorgeous! Thanks for posting! :D

[2old4this]

Here is the video of the South Sawyer glacier calving I saw:

 

 

- Joel

 

What steps do you follow to post a photograph? Jack

[cl.klink]

What steps do you follow to post a photograph? Jack

 

 

I've found best success by using my iPhone both for the photo and also to use go to CC on Tapatalk. From that app there is an easy dialog box for uploading photos.

- Joel

 

 

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[SilvertoGold]

OP:

 

Many tanks for the video! Great!

 

I can't remember if you mentioned, this but how was the temperature in the common areas? Dining Room and Pinnacle especially, but also Crows Nest, Show Lounge.

 

Often HAL ship are know for, shall we say, wildly fluctuating temperatures. The "Icebox Explorer's Lounge" comes to mind.

 

Hot or cold or nice?

 

Thank a lot!

[cl.klink]

OP:

 

 

 

Many tanks for the video! Great!

 

 

 

I can't remember if you mentioned, this but how was the temperature in the common areas? Dining Room and Pinnacle especially, but also Crows Nest, Show Lounge.

 

 

 

Often HAL ship are know for, shall we say, wildly fluctuating temperatures. The "Icebox Explorer's Lounge" comes to mind.

 

 

 

Hot or cold or nice?

 

 

 

Thank a lot!

 

 

I would say it was cool and comfortable almost everywhere. I was never too cold. I was occasionally too warm, especially on lounge where I listened to music at night.

 

- Joel

 

 

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[Krazy Kruizers]

Here is the video of the South Sawyer glacier calving I saw:

 

 

- Joel

 

 

Wonderful video.

Thank you for sharing it.