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Oosterdam Cruise Review to Mexico

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 6
Helpful Votes: 214

Overall rating:

4.6 out of 5
Oosterdam

7 Night Mexican Riviera (San Diego Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 14, 2019

Ship: Oosterdam

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 years ago

Review summary

This was our first time sailing in the Pacific. The cruise itself was very nice as HAL did not disappoint. The ports are pretty and historic. We really enjoyed it but I have to say that the Caribbean is still our favorite. The water on the Pacific side is dark and very rough. So, for that reason, we would probably not sail there again unless it was Alaska or Hawaii. The weather was perfect!

Embarkation

5 out of 5
This was our first time to embark in San Diego. We were delighted to find that the dock was so close to the downtown area. We could see the ship from our hotel window. I think the ship terminal can accommodate only one ship at a time because we were the only ship in that day and the terminal was full as we waited. We arrived around noon and the there was no line to get checked in. We waited about 30 minutes before they called our boarding group. Rooms were ready when we got on the ship and sail off went on without a hitch.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We did only the main dining room for dinner and ate there every evening. Breakfast was in the Lido and lunch was here, there, and everywhere. Food was great. Service was outstanding.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5
I really enjoyed the activities this time. The ship has a "mexican ambassador" that gave several lectures/presentations on the culture of mexico, history, and even one on the climate crises. They were great. I really enjoyed attending them. We also went to afternoon tea, which has changed since we started sailing but still it was a great activity. We purchased a couples pass prior to sailing for the thermal suite and it did not disappoint. The only negative is that i've also felt the thermal suites to be a "quite" place. Not this time. Several guests treated the thermal pool like it was a Lido deck hot tub and just sat around in groups with drinks in hand and gabbing away.

Entertainment

3 out of 5
The entertainment was ok. Like everyone else has noted, the evening entertainment from HAL has declined significantly. We did attend two shows--a comedian and a singer and we enjoyed both. There were a few nights that had no evening entertainment at all.

Children's Programs

no children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Outstanding! All of it, everywhere. I have to especially note that the service in the MDR was great.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
This is one of HAL's smaller ships but I really liked it. I lived everything about it.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Great location, easy to find from the elevator. Balcony. Enough space. The bathroom was a bit dated but otherwise, good value for the room.

Ship tip

If you are interested in the thermal suite passes, purchase them before boarding. We bought a couple's pass for $210 and on board it was $299.

Ports of call

San Diego, California

5 out of 5
This was a lovely port! First time in California (ever) and i was so impressed by the city. I loved it. We did some touring on our own. I would totally go back to San Diego just to visit again.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

4 out of 5
This was a nice, small port. They are renovating the ship terminal and duty free shops, so there was lots of unused space. However, what they did have was nice and once they finish the terminal, it is going to be beautiful. We did an excursion that took us snorkeling and then to Yelapa beach. It was nice, but too long. If there is a next time, i would really want to do a city tour.

Mazatlan, Mexico

4 out of 5
Nice port. Lots of shopping in the duty free shops. Lots of salesman and tour sellers that can be quite aggressive. Booked an independent excursion on a 4x4 rhino. It was a blast!

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

4 out of 5
This is a very pretty port as we tendered right by the marina. It's very clean. We took a short boat ride out to the Arch for some nice pictures and then walked to Cabo Wabo. Very nice port.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
So easy, so smooth. No problems at all--other than we had to get off. :(
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3 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing your cruise.

cruisereckoning    4 years ago

Glad you enjoyed, have been on the Oosterdam twice and enjoyed both times.

Thomas4    4 years ago

Thanks for sharing this review. Glad you had a nice cruise.

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