Definitely a "Seniors" trip

Oosterdam Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 47

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5
Oosterdam

7 Night Alaskan Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 11, 2019

Ship: Oosterdam

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 7040

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

We have enjoyed many cruises (20+) on multiple lines and think this was probably our least favorite. We had friends with us and generally made our own party. The excursions were, on the whole, very good and we recommend (though post excursion port time is non existent). We feel they could take many lessons from Carnival (parent company?) with regard to accommodations and overall service. Rated 1 out 10? Somewhere around a 6. Rated 1 out of 5? Somewhere between 2 & 3 (based primarily on the food).

Embarkation

4 out of 5
quick, efficiwnt, professionals

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5
Do not miss the steakhouse for lunch or dinner. Additionally, the Italian was very good. Lido selections are vast and pretty tasty.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
If you enjoy gambling (blackjack in particular) be ready to wait in line for a seat at the tables. Though many tables were available most of the time, only a very few (like 1 or 2) , were actually open for play.

Entertainment

2 out of 5
The showroom was vastly under served by amateurish shows. The majority of the shows would be much better suited for a smaller venue (maybe BB's). The dueling pianos (we visited every night) saved this category from being terrible.

Children's Programs

all older couples with no children. Would have been better if there was an adults only area.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Would have rated better but for one main dinning room experience, initial steward meeting (since we had to go find ours roaming around the deck), and general lack of table service (at all bar and casino areas).

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
Well maintained but "NO WOW" area. Only 1964 passengers so on the small side and easy to get around. Awesome elevator system with quick response and fast floor to floor. Other than our cabin, pretty clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
Incredibly small for the fee. No drawer space, very small bathroom, entry door and "hallway" so tight only one person at a time could pass. Have been on several cruises, this was by far the worst accommodation. Even though the food was really good, the cabin so bad I don't believe we will try this line again (second time we have sailed with this line).

Ship tip

Check the floor plan of your room (including size and floor plan) including balcony size prior to booking. Our friends had a suite that was really nice but the cost was ridiculous!!

Ports of call

Seattle, Washington

3 out of 5
Just for Boarding and it was great. Did not tour the city

Cruise Puget Sound Did not visit port

cruising only

CRUISE STEPHENS PASSAGE Did not visit port

Same as Puget

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5
Could have been better if we had ANY time in the port after our excursion.

Cruise Hubbard Glacier

3 out of 5
Previously visited and still great.

Sitka, Alaska

3 out of 5
Again, could have been a lot better with ANY time after our excursion

Ketchikan, Alaska

3 out of 5
Same as other stops. VERY LIMITED time in port. Nearly had to run to get to the ship. What a shame!!!!

Victoria, British Columbia

4 out of 5
The fire works at the gardens were absolutely awesome, recommend.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
"Dragged" our own bags for early departure. Wanted to get off the ship and to the airport.
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5 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

katierney23    4 years ago

We did a 14 day round trip out of Seattle last year on HAL Amsterdam and found port times to be more than adequate to see all we wanted to see.

15mustang    5 years ago

Don't do a round trip cruise for Alaska. Port times are shorter. Northbound and southbound cruises give you lots of time.

Shh813    5 years ago

This doesn’t sound like a review to me. I think it’s fake. All cruises I have seen to Alaska always have enough time at the ports

CruzeFan    5 years ago

Try a one-way or 10+ day itinerary for more time in the ports.

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