Panama Canal Cruise was above average
Oosterdam Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 37
Review summary
I was unable take the survey on the Holland America site due to them closing the survey so early (I returned home on the 30th and attempted to take the survey on the 10th).Embarkation
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
I never ate in the dining room because every time I looked at the menu nothing appealed to me. I mostly ate at the Lido deck and the food was above average however, due to traveling by myself I had some issues when leaving the table to get food, they would clear the table and other people would be sitting there. It would be nice if the ship had some way of saving the table such as a sign that you could flip around saying occupied or giving the guest something to place on the table. The food in the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto was excellent however, due to traveling by myself they felt that I should not have a table by the window even though I pay double the price for the cruise.
Onboard Activities
I really can’t rate this because there wasn’t any activity that interested me with the exception of “America’s Test Kitchen” - Everything Salmon. I also enjoyed going to a few of the Afternoon Teas.
Service and Staff
The waiters we’re very good and professional. Overall the room stewards were pretty good with the exception of them handling my CPAP machine. I had wrapped the headgear in a towel and they would remove the towel plus they would remove the washcloth where I had my water chamber draining. After this happening a few times I spoke with them directly and explained the importance of leaving my equipment alone because of sanitary reasons. I had booked a couple of hair appointments approx. a month in advance. When I arrived for my first appointment they told me they had overbooked and wanted me to come back at a later time, I told them to change the other person, after a few minutes they were able to take me 15 minutes later. After they finished washing, drying and braiding my hair they asked me to sign a slip of paper, I told them I had already pre-paid, they said that I still needed to sign it and when I looked at the paper it was $20 more, when I asked them the reason they said because my hair was extra long, The paper also had a tip to include which I told them I had tipped her in cash so on the slip of paper I put a zero and signed the paper. When I checked my account a few days later they had still added on the tip. I called them and they seemed surprised that I did not wish to include that tip but after talking with them they removed the charge.
Ship Quality
Everything seemed to be well-maintained.
Cabin / Stateroom
The size was adequate. The cabin was clean. The bed was comfortable. The size of the bathroom was nice, I liked having a shower/tub combo. The balcony was a nice size however, I paid for an unobstructed view but I had metal pipes jetting out in front of my balcony.
Ship tip
Check your account on a regular basis to ensure that no additional costs have been added.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
I did not do an excursion here I only stayed at Harbor Beach Marriott resort which was very nice.
My excursion was “Hop on Hop Off” plus a walking tour of the “Walled City”. It was very interesting and I enjoyed it.
My excursion was “Monkey Watch and Canal Nature Cruise”. I enjoyed this excursion and we saw some monkeys, alligators and chameleons.
My excursion was “Colonial Léon and Chorotega Museum”. The tour guide was good and informative. I enjoyed the tour of the church however, I was not that impressed with the tour of the museum because the curator would describe everything and then the tour guide would translate what she had said so to me it became boring.
My excursion was “Panoramic Antigua”. The tour guide was very informative and I enjoyed the tour around the city plus of the Jade Factory.
Puerto Chiapas (Tapachula), Mexico
My excursion today was “Chiapas through the ages: Izapa ruins and Tapachula”. Our tour guide was very informative end it was fascinating looking at the ruins.
My excursion today was “Huatulco by Land and Sea”. It was an OK excursion but I thought we might see more than just the tourist areas.
My excursion today was “Cuyutlan Turtle Experience”. We were able to release some baby turtles into the ocean plus we were able to see some adult turtles, alligators and iguanas. We also visited a salt factory. The tour guide was very knowledgeable.
My excursion today was “All-Inclusive Sea Lion Encounter in the Water”. This was my favorite excursion of my trip. It was a lot of fun being in the water with the sea lions and I would most definitely do this again.
Disembarkation
Everything went very smooth.
1 Comment
SvetlanaS 5 years ago
There is some issues traveling along, I do see it, but how difficult it will be to leave any personal item on table at Lido? It will show that it still occupied. I do use CPAP and it take only brief talk with the Stuart to explain what do you want from them. Communication issues? Yes. HAL problems? No.