Fell short of Expectations - Disappointed

Oosterdam Cruise Review to Europe - Mediterranean

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

2.7 out of 5
Oosterdam

12 Night Adriatic Dream (Venice To Rome)

Sail date: April 30, 2018

Ship: Oosterdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 10018

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I was so excited to take this cruise with my mom. We had both heard such amazing reviews about Holland America. Needless to say we were disappointed. I guess it all comes down to the boat you get so be sure you do your research. This boat is too old and needs some major updates and a great cleaning.

Embarkation

2 out of 5
Lack of staff at Port entrance left us looking for help for my 81 year old mother.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5
Average at best. Lack of variety was disappointing. The snack items were limited. I even had to squirrel away nuts at breakfast because they did not provide at any other meal!

Lido Restaurant

2 out of 5

Lack of variety. They pretty much had the same things everyday. Also there were no real health snacks. I was hoping for almonds and walnuts and they were not available.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
Very lack luster and unorganized. YAWN!

Gymnasium

1 out of 5

Dated and small. There hours are only from 6 am to 9 Pm which is inconvenient if you are looking to vacation and get up at 7, still make shore excursions and eat at the 5:45 seating. It truly makes no sense to close the gym so early.

Lido Pool

3 out of 5

Old and dated pool furniture. Ripping cushions and rattan chairs. I saw one lady cut her leg on the damaged rattan.

Greenhouse Spa And Salon

4 out of 5

The facilities were old, but I really like Dr Luisa and wanted her to get a great review. She is wonderful.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Our stewards from the 10th floor were amazing. Hats off to Olih and Robin for making our trip!

Ship Quality

2 out of 5
Old and dated. This ship has seen better days. I was even told by a few staff memebers it was dry docked prior but nothing was really done to improve it. Its a shame!

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Ship tip

I would choose another ship. This one is too old and dated at this point.

Ports of call

Venice, Italy

3 out of 5
So so busy!

Split, Croatia

3 out of 5
Heavily tourist and over commercialized.

Dubrovnik, Croatia

4 out of 5

Sarande, Albania

2 out of 5
Could have skipped it!

Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

3 out of 5

Souda (Chania), Crete

4 out of 5

Mykonos, Greece

4 out of 5

Valletta, Malta

3 out of 5

Mgarr, Malta

3 out of 5

Palermo, Sicily

3 out of 5
Watch out for scammers! Cab drivers tried to scam multiple couples which was unsettling. Our cab driver quoted one rate and tried to collect $150 more Euros when we finished then had the audacity to ask for a tip!

Naples, Italy

3 out of 5

Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy

3 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 9

7 Comments

mariam60    6 years ago

PSPBill    6 years ago

I took the Oosterdam to Alaska last July and loved every bit if it. So much so that I'm taking the Eurodam to Mexico in December. Different lines appeal to different people. I'm happy with HAL.

barbarii    6 years ago

I too am sad to see this, sailing on the Oosterdam in July, likely my only time to do so in Europe.

kmf1955    6 years ago

I am sad to hear this, we have Mediterranean cruise planned on board Oosterdam in September

schola    6 years ago

We had a great time on the oosterdam last December. Every thing was beautiful. Food was awsome and we loved the entertainment.

majmom96    6 years ago

Wow, totally different from all the HAL cruises I’ve been on. But I’ve never been in the Oosterdam so I guess I’ll get to see first hand when I cruise the Mediterranean in August. 🍸

renaedave    6 years ago

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