HAL not what it used to be!

Item: Oosterdam
Rating: 3
Author: sasha6259

Oosterdam Cruise Review to Europe - Western Mediterranean

sasha6259

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

12 Night Mediterranean Rivieras (Barcelona To Rome)

Sail date: July 11, 2016

Ship: Oosterdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 5187

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

The ports schedule was very good and the stewards and bar staff were very friendly. However ongoing issues with toilet and air conditioning were a problem. Food was nice but very difficult to get a table when you wanted even if you reserved well in advance. It was difficult to find food on the ship between 8.30 and 10.30 as the buffet close and room service took an hour and the main dinning area closed around nine. HAL advertises to be an upmarket ship but was very casual so it was a waste to take the tuxedo . Shorts, jandals and jeans were seen in the main dinning area often and gala night for many was very casual. The atmosphere was just not as they advertise to be, with kids running everywhere and even in the bars. HAL seems to be trying to change its market but not catering to any one group in particular. This was our third Holland cruise and second on the Oosterdam and we are likely to try another line in the future. Sorry HAL not what you used to be!

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

The buffet closed early at night, slow in room dinning except for breakfast which was great.Burget joint closed at 5.30 and the wait for a burger could be 20 mi Utes or more.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

not applicable

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

Toilet and air on poor. Carpet old but rest all good.

Ship tip

Aft pool was good as no kids, reeve as you wish dinning 3 days in advance as can always cancel. Walkin dinning can often be a big wait as busy. Burgers great if you are prepared to wait.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Barcelona, Spain

5 out of 5

Cadiz (Seville), Spain

3 out of 5

Gibraltar (U.K.)

5 out of 5

Alicante, Spain

5 out of 5

Palma De Mallorca, Balearic Islands

3 out of 5

Marseille (Provence), France

5 out of 5

Calvi, Corsica

5 out of 5

Monte Carlo, Monaco

5 out of 5

Livorno (Florence & Pisa), Italy

5 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

5 out of 5

16 Comments

Gwbigdog 2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

onepatrick 8 years ago

I can't tell you how Disney is, but they are the only other line that does classic cruising other then HAL. My son and I always put on our tuxedos for formal night. We were once sent away from the dinning room on our first night because we were in shorts. The guy said "Gentlemen must wear long pants" we joked about that all week. I did see one man in shorts but for the most part people dress. We have on at least a polo but mostly a shirt and tie. We get room service breakfast every morning as we have a veranda room. We eat on lido now and then but the food is good and a ton to chose from at meal time. Gets limited after dinner. Don't worry at all. It's the best way to vacation.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

babs1arnold 8 years ago

Thanks onepatrick you have made me feel less apprehensive about this cruise now.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

onepatrick 8 years ago

We've had problems that HAL has taken care of but food was never one of them. My son and I will be bringing grandma and Pop-Pop on our cruise in November on the Oosterdam.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

maureenpaul 8 years ago

Thank you so much. Made us feel so much better and look forward again to the journey. Looking forward also to seeing you aboard torhilde. Paul Maureen

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

onepatrick 8 years ago

I've been cruising with HAL since I was 9 on the old SS Rotterdam and although food was always good. In the past 3 years I've been on Eurodam, Westerdam and Nieuw Amsterdam and the food in main dining was awesome and the Lido was good to great. I can't remember ever eating anything poor.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

babs1arnold 8 years ago

We board on 16 Sept - hope you are wrong about the food. Not bothered about the entertainment - we make our own entertainment.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

SvetlanaS 8 years ago

Anytime;)

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

torhilde 8 years ago

Hi MaureenandPaul. I was starting to be quenched myself! I will be on the same cruise with you on the 16th. Thank you onepatrick, SvetlanaS and medicus for the encouragement.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

onepatrick 8 years ago

HAL is awesome. The only time many kids run around are on holiday cruises like thanksgiving. My now 10yo always comes with us and he enjoys when there are fewer kids too as too many are left to go crazy and misbehave. But for the most part we never had problems with kids but at the early show.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

SvetlanaS 8 years ago

Don't worry - HAL still great! You will have time of your life. :) People always complains about changes even if it a good one. This is human nature. Enjoy your trip!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

maureenpaul 8 years ago

Tku so much for your reassurance. Been such a complicated business just organising the reams of terms and stipulations, need the break to recover. Paul and MaureenandPaul. Cape Town. South Africa.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

medicus 8 years ago

No, no... not a total disaster.. continue looking forward... it is only the little here and there that made the general impression compared to for example Celebrity.. for my opinion they try to save money whereever they can... but in end all depends on own taste and personal experience

Thumbs Up 2

Flag

maureenpaul 8 years ago

This is so distressing! We embark on Ooster dam 16th Aug and so looking forward to trip of a lifetime. Hope not going to be a total disaster.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

medicus 8 years ago

Same opinion... we not take HAL anymore!

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

SvetlanaS 8 years ago

I got the same feeling-HAL trying to get younger crowd on board.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag