Oosterdam Review

First HAL Cruise - YES!!!!!!!

Review for the Eastern Mediterranean Cruise on Oosterdam
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nycwebdude
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service

Additional details

Sail Date: Mar 2016
Cabin: Large Interior Stateroom
My cabin (6075)
My cabin (6075)
The Lido Pool
The Lido Pool
The Sea View Pool
Explorations Lounge / Library
Sea View Pool Deck
Atrium
The Screening Room
Vista Lounge (Main Theater)
In Room Dining (WONDERFUL)
Sea View Pool Deck
Sea View Pool Deck
Sea View Pool Deck
Queen's Lounge (B.B Kings Blues)
Dive In (Lido Pool)
Sea View Pool Deck
ms Oosertdam from Malaga, Spain
ms Oosertdam from Cartagena, Spain

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

My cruising history - this was my 16th cruise (1-Carnival/1-Celebrity/3-Norwegian/11-Royal Caribbean). I decided to try HAL because I was looking for a little "step up" from RCL for things like service, food, entertainment, etc. I believe I have found it. My biggest concern was that I've always heard that HAL tends to be a older crowd (I've heard it referred to as the "Q-Tip Cruise Line") and while I found it to be true - there were many more "younger" people than I expected (I'm 55). I was traveling alone on this cruise (as I am finding that's the way I want to cruise more and more these days). I was happy to see that HAL tends to be less on the single supplement than most others which certainly helped my buying decision (and will help future buying decisions).

SHIP INFORMATION:

Cabin Review

Large Interior Stateroom

Cabin I

I traveled alone on this cruise and had an inside room (6075) and loved it. The layout of this room was more "square" than long and skinny and it offered much more space. I think it was a Large Inside (Category I). The closet space, the bathroom, the bed position - everything felt oversized. The quality of the linens was wonderful and the bed was very comfortable. The room had a DVD player under the TV which was nice. There were 4 electrical ports on the desk (2 for U.S. and 2 for European). I brought 2 currency converters so I ended up having all the plugs I needed (4 U.S.). The only thing that would have been more perfect was if there were outlets by my bed. I liked the fact that my cabin steward brought ice into my room each day without me asking for it. I also loved the complimentary shoe shine service from my cabin.

Port Reviews

Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)

Very easy to get to the terminal and on the ship.

Madeira (Funchal)

Loved this port. I didn't do an excursion, but the city was very walkable and quite beautiful.

Malaga

Ive been to this port before, but it was nice to just get out and walk around again!

Cartagena (Spain)

This port was okay, but not allot to do and see when just out walking around.

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