What to expect on the Ossterdam Alaska New to the line

[payal25]

Hi, My family and I are booked on the Ossterdam for July heading to Alaska. We are vegetarian and I've heard they are great about dietary needs.  I haven't seen any recent reviews of the Alaska Ossterdam trip and I wanted to know what to expect for my 8 year old and my parents in their 60's. I'm in my 30's and I'll be ok with a good book.  Are there any threads or reviews you can guide me towards or  blogs? What should we expect clothing wise? Snacks? activites? shows?

 

Thank you!

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, payal25 said:

Hi, My family and I are booked on the Ossterdam for July heading to Alaska. We are vegetarian and I've heard they are great about dietary needs.  I haven't seen any recent reviews of the Alaska Ossterdam trip and I wanted to know what to expect for my 8 year old and my parents in their 60's. I'm in my 30's and I'll be ok with a good book.  Are there any threads or reviews you can guide me towards or  blogs? What should we expect clothing wise? Snacks? activites? shows?

 

Thank you!

 

The Main Dining Room has a vegetarian menu that your waiter will give you the night before so that you can pre-order for the next night.  The regular menu also includes vegetarian items.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Vegetarian.pdf

 

Bring layers for clothing that you can remove as the days warm.  As noted in many Alaska threads, the weather is unpredictable except for the guarenteed rain so a poncho would be a good thing to keep inside of your excursion backpack..  Here is a link to my Alaska daily activities from 2017 to give you an idea of typical activities:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/on-locations-specific-cruises/alaska-2017-noordam-when-where-daily-activities

 

Here is a link to typical Club HAL activities for your 8-year old:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AL-15-Kids-8-12.pdf

 

Here is the kid's menu if your 8-year old does not want anything on the adult menu:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HAL-Kids-Menu.pdf

 

The Taco Bar by the indoor pool is open for lunch and during the afternoon, pizza is available until late in the evening in the Lido Market.  Feel free to take snacks from breakfast and lunch back to your room for later consumption.  Bring Ziploc bags for your snacks that you  will be keeping in your minibar.  I bring a plate of various cheeses and a handful of packaged crackers back from breakfast.  Of course free Room Service is available 24/7.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Room-Service-and-Breakfast-Card.pdf

 

Enjoy your cruise planning and feel free to ask lots of questions.

Edited March 21, 2019 by Crew News

[payal25]

On 3/20/2019 at 8:36 PM, Crew News said:

 

The Main Dining Room has a vegetarian menu that your waiter will give you the night before so that you can pre-order for the next night.  The regular menu also includes vegetarian items.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/Vegetarian.pdf

 

Bring layers for clothing that you can remove as the days warm.  As noted in many Alaska threads, the weather is unpredictable except for the guarenteed rain so a poncho would be a good thing to keep inside of your excursion backpack..  Here is a link to my Alaska daily activities from 2017 to give you an idea of typical activities:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/on-locations-specific-cruises/alaska-2017-noordam-when-where-daily-activities

 

Here is a link to typical Club HAL activities for your 8-year old:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/AL-15-Kids-8-12.pdf

 

Here is the kid's menu if your 8-year old does not want anything on the adult menu:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/HAL-Kids-Menu.pdf

 

The Taco Bar by the indoor pool is open for lunch and during the afternoon, pizza is available until late in the evening in the Lido Market.  Feel free to take snacks from breakfast and lunch back to your room for later consumption.  Bring Ziploc bags for your snacks that you  will be keeping in your minibar.  I bring a plate of various cheeses and a handful of packaged crackers back from breakfast.  Of course free Room Service is available 24/7.

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Room-Service-and-Breakfast-Card.pdf

 

Enjoy your cruise planning and feel free to ask lots of questions.

wow! thank you so much !

[Btimmer]

We've sailed the Oosterdam to/from Alaska two years ago, and there's no lack of things to do for all ages.  Have a great time!

Edited March 22, 2019 by Btimmer

[grsnovi]

I can't think of anything to add to what Crew News said other than an Alaska cruise is great. We did our 1st one on Oosterdam and we're taking our kids and grandkids on our 4th to Alaska in August. Enjoy!

[Eileen G]

Be sure to read the Alaska board in the Port of Call section.

Edited March 22, 2019 by Eileen G

[Crew News]

3 hours ago, grsnovi said:

I can't think of anything to add to what Crew News said other than an Alaska cruise is great. We did our 1st one on Oosterdam and we're taking our kids and grandkids on our 4th to Alaska in August. Enjoy!

 

Once you visit Alaska and realize that there is so much to see, many return.

 

FWIW I will be on the Eurodam for the Pacific Coastal and scanning every menu/brochure.

[Shebba]

Our first HAL  cruise was to Alaska on the Oosterdam. We were hooked!! In three weeks we will be on the 'O' for the third time, Panama Canal repositioning cruise. Can't wait!! Have a wonderful time! Alaska is amazing in July and the Oosterdam will not disappoint!

[Moriah]

21 minutes ago, Shebba said:

Our first HAL  cruise was to Alaska on the Oosterdam. We were hooked!! In three weeks we will be on the 'O' for the third time, Panama Canal repositioning cruise. Can't wait!! Have a wonderful time! Alaska is amazing in July and the Oosterdam will not disappoint! 

 

I was just about to say the same thing, and saw your post! My first HAL cruise (my first cruise with anyone!) was in 2005 to Alaska on Oosterdam!  And just like you, after that, I was hooked!  I've gone to Alaska on a HAL ship every summer since then, and will be going in 2019 for 2 weeks.  To the OP, you are going to have a blast.  The Lido buffet has plenty to keep a vegetarian fed and happy, and if I'm not mistaken, the Dive-In has a veggie burger (have to check that).  And as someone pointed out, the taco bar just outside the Dive-In has lots of vegetarian fillings for burritos! Have a wonderful time! I know you will!

[Btimmer]

 
I was just about to say the same thing, and saw your post! My first HAL cruise (my first cruise with anyone!) was in 2005 to Alaska on Oosterdam!  And just like you, after that, I was hooked!  I've gone to Alaska on a HAL ship every summer since then, and will be going in 2019 for 2 weeks.  To the OP, you are going to have a blast.  The Lido buffet has plenty to keep a vegetarian fed and happy, and if I'm not mistaken, the Dive-In has a veggie burger (have to check that).  And as someone pointed out, the taco bar just outside the Dive-In has lots of vegetarian fillings for burritos! Have a wonderful time! I know you will!

I believe there's a veggie burger in the Dive-In and I know they have a scrumptious portobello mushroom burger (no meat).


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[payal25]

Thank you all, this puts my mind to rest.  I can't wait to board! counting the days

[grsnovi]

You're going to have a great cruise - Alaska is great!

[SeagoingMom]

We just got off Oosterdam a month ago and I will say that every vegetarian option on the regular dining room menu I tried was fabulous!  Not so on other (non-HAL) ships I've been on, but oh, so yummy on Oosterdam!!  And you can find just about ANYTHING anyone would want at the Lido buffet. Vegetables is one thing Oosterdam does exceedingly well, IMO.  Salads, roasted veggies, soups, vegetarian entrees...mmmmmmmm ❤️❤️❤️