Great first cruise on Holland America (after 7 previous good ones with 3 other cruise lines)
Oosterdam Cruise Review to Mexico
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 67
Review summary
Best cruise ever. See other fields for details.Embarkation
Easy and well organized. Transportation was outstanding for us. Easy to hop on the #992 bus (comes every 18 minutes) at the airport with $2.50 exact change (1/2 that for senior fare), go 3 miles, 8 stops, 12 minutes to Cruise Port. Easy-peazy if you don't need help with your luggage.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Food was great -- the best of any line we've travelled (most recently Princess in March 2018, which was fine, but this was even better). Clearing of departed guests' tables was slow -- guess that helped service for active diners, but not those who were waiting or near uncleared tables. Nightly $5 martini samples were wonderful. The only waste was the Wine and snack pairing -- overpriced and skimpy.
Onboard Activities
Fitness center was a little small but adequate. Would have liked to see an ergometer / rowing machine -- preferably Concept2. Pools and hot tubs were fine. 10th Deck Exploration Center / Library / Bar was wonderful. Some good games in 2nd deck Gallery Bar, could use a few more. Nice art on 2nd Deck Gallery and in all hallways and stairwells -- all type, experimental, historical, etc.
Entertainment
Educational talks and string quartet (Lincoln Center Stage) was outstanding. Piano players and BBKing band OK. Comedian not to my taste -- drinking jokes get old very fast.
Children's Programs
No kids with us, but I looked at the game room which seemed great.
Service and Staff
Uniformly outstanding. Best ever service (7 previous cruises) from room stewards.
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
A bit smaller than expected, nothing outstanding about decor, gutter at edge of verandah collected water that didn't drain. Stewards kept very clean. Great selection of on-demand movies on TV.
Ports of call
San Diego, California Did not visit port
Have enjoyed a visit here once before, but didn't have time on this trip.
Thumbs Up
0
Tendering was handled very well. Did snorkeling (by van to Chileno and Santa Maria) and boat tour to the arch, etc. Wish we'd had time to get to San Jose del Cabo, much more charming than the port town.
Much bigger town. Bad luck with weather and couldn't do any snorkeling. Got the taxi ride south and still enjoyed some of the Malecon, Gringo Gulch, and outstanding Maritime/Naval Museum nearby.
Disembarkation
Easy and well organized. Transportation was outstanding for us. Easy to hop on the #992 bus (comes every 18 minutes) at the across the street from the Cruise Terminal with $2.50 exact change (1/2 that for senior fare), go 3 miles, 8 stops, 12 minutes to airport. Easy-peazy if you don't need help with your luggage.