Thread: Things not to be missed on the Oosterdam

Over the course of the last year, I have made a list to take with me when I go on the Oosterdam to Mexico in Oct. 05. I have gotten these ideas from all the wonderful HAL cruisers who post. I hope you can use them someday when you sail on her. If you can think of anything else, please feel free to add it to the list.


Things not to be missed:

1. Thermo Suite $15 a day

2. Hydro Suite $15 a day

3. Flambé desserts in Explorers lounge

4. Afternoon Tea & Dutch High Tea

5. Free espresso & cappa’s in dining room

6. Chocolate candy at night in Explorer’s lounge

7. Bami Goreng (Indonesian noodle dish)

8. Yum Yum Man (outside of the dining room)

9. Dover Sole

10. Crab Cakes in Pinnacle

11. Volcano cake in Pinnacle

12. Poolside BBQ Cookout

13. Fresh squeezed O.J. in Lido

14. Bread pudding in Lido

15. Pizza, Wok, & Pasta stations in Lido

16. Ice cream & Fat Free Yogurt in Lido

17. Happy Hour 2 for 1 drinks 3:00-4:30?

18. Wine by the glass package---10 glasses for $ 50

19. Popcorn & Movie before dining in Queens Lounge

20. Trivia Contest----Prizes—YEAH!!!!

21. Shoes in closet basket for a shine

22. Garlic Bread in Lido

23. Bar Hopping drink card $20 for 6 drinks

24. Afternoon Apps. on balcony (cheese plate & shrimp cocktails)

25. Sky deck for romantic spot (sports deck & up the stairs)

26. Comp Apps. in bar before dinner

27. Ice Cream with Liqueurs in Lido

28. “Dam Ships” t-shirts at pool bar (cheap)

29. Free Cruise Lottery at front desk ($10 for 1--$20 for 3 entries)

30. Dessert Extravaganza in dining room (last day)

31. $12 bag of laundry cleaned—stuff it full-roll clothes to get more in

32. Soda card--$17.50 for 10 cans (dock waiting or Lido deck)

33. Leprechaun Nickel Machines---pay well

34. Comlimentary Hal Beach Bag in room

35. Best poured drink is in the Sports Bar

36. In P.V.—Wal-Mart is within walking distance of pier

37. In Cabo—free day use at these hotels: Melia, Hacienda, Finisterra, and Pueblo Bonita (tip kiosk girl and ask for towels & loungers

38. In Mazatlan—free day use at El Cid Castilla (waterfall & slide)

39. In P.V.--- free day use at Krystal Hotel, 3 pools (close to docks) & 60 minute massage for $35 at the Spa

40. Free sauna on ship—very back of Lido buffet before you go out to aft pool, starboard side by men’s room near elevators

41. Lobster night is Thursday

42. You can order off the dining room menu and have it delivered to your room (you have to call it in within the first ½ hour of the first seating but you can schedule delivery anytime after that)

43. Lido dining time for dinner is from 6:00 - 8:30

44. Order a “wang wang” in the Crow’s Nest or the disco(best)

Update on a few of your items.

Lido dinner - 6:30 - 8 PM

2 for 1 drinks - varies from ship to ship. Usually held during bingo times - some ships are strickt - only those holding bingo cards can buy the drinks - other ships don't care.

Bami Goreng is only offered at lunch in the dining room.

Nasi Goreng is offered on the evening menu.

Dover Sole - long gone from all ships.

Bar hopping drink card - never heard of it - only the soda cards.

Prizes for games - mostly mugs or luggage tags.

I have a couple of comments.


7. Bami Goreng (Indonesian noodle dish)
Agree with Krazy - It has not been in the dining room for a long time. The Bami is much better than the Nasi unless you are a big fan of rice.

9. Dover Sole
Agree with Krazy - It has been gone for a long time.

12. Poolside BBQ Cookout
Lots of people do enjoy it but I don't care for it. Tried it once, that was enough.

17. Happy Hour 2 for 1 drinks 3:00-4:30?
Agree with Krazy - Varies ship to ship.

18. Wine by the glass package---10 glasses for $ 50
New on on me. Maybe they have added this?

23. Bar Hopping drink card $20 for 6 drinks
Like Krazy, never heard of this one or seen it advertised.

24. Afternoon Apps. on balcony (cheese plate & shrimp cocktails)
Beware of the shrimp. They are so tiny, I don't know how they can call it shrimp cocktail. They look like those tiny canned shrimp. Your finger nail is bigger than the shrimp.

25. Sky deck for romantic spot (sports deck & up the stairs)
VERY WINDY- Kiss your hairdo goodbye.

27. Ice Cream with Liqueurs in Lido
Maybe. I am no so sure about the Vista ships. I know I did read there was none on the Vistas but this may have changed. All the other ships do have this.

28. “Dam Ships” t-shirts at pool bar (cheap)
Never saw this but this might be something new.

32. Soda card--$17.50 for 10 cans (dock waiting or Lido deck)
Maybe this is new also. Soda cards used to be for fountain soda only.

33. Leprechaun Nickel Machines---pay well
Good Luck

35. Best poured drink is in the Sports Bar
Don't count on it. It all depends on who is pouring. The bar tenders rotate from bar to bar every couple of weeks.

41. Lobster night is Thursday
Lobster night is on the last formal night. This varies according to itinerary.

Janice since my cruise is right before when I return I should be able to answer for sure but like the other I agree with what some was said but here are by differences I do know for sure.

Things not to be missed:

1. Thermo Suite $15 a day

2. Hydro Suite $15 a day
These two are usually combined for 1 price but it varies from ship to ship that have the Green House Spa. Last I knew it was one price for both and usually $15.00 per day

3. Flambé desserts in Explorers lounge
Yes they did this in the Explorer's Lounge on the Westerdam but they might not do it on the Oosterdam, they may not have it at all.
4. Afternoon Tea & Dutch High Tea
You are good to go here

5. Free espresso & cappa’s in dining room
Here too

6. Chocolate candy at night in Explorer’s lounge
Here's another one that varies there may not be any goodies there.

7. Bami Goreng (Indonesian noodle dish)
Like the others said

8. Yum Yum Man (outside of the dining room)

9. Dover Sole Long Gone

10. Crab Cakes in Pinnacle

11. Volcano cake in Pinnacle

12. Poolside BBQ Cookout I have enjoyed the ones we have had, of course the best one was when I as last on the Oosterdam in Alaska

13. Fresh squeezed O.J. in Lido

14. Bread pudding in Lido

15. Pizza, Wok, & Pasta stations in Lido

16. Ice cream & Fat Free Yogurt in Lido

17. Happy Hour 2 for 1 drinks 3:00-4:30? The time could vary and days and location

18. Wine by the glass package---10 glasses for $ 50 I have seen this but not all ships do the same thing, they may off special of buying so many bottles of wine, but not by the glass.I would not count on this one

19. Popcorn & Movie before dining in Queens Lounge

20. Trivia Contest----Prizes—YEAH!!!!

21. Shoes in closet basket for a shine

22. Garlic Bread in Lido

23. Bar Hopping drink card $20 for 6 drinks I have to admit I too have never heard of this one

24. Afternoon Apps. on balcony (cheese plate & shrimp cocktails)

25. Sky deck for romantic spot (sports deck & up the stairs) I agree if not in port it is very windy up there. Although in PV we are there till 10 PM that would be nice.

26. Comp Apps. in bar before dinner

27. Ice Cream with Liqueurs in Lido I have always seen this and enjoyed it, even on the Oosterdam

28. “Dam Ships” t-shirts at pool bar (cheap)I have never ever seen this, the only place I have been able to buy the Dam T-Shirts is the gift shop

29. Free Cruise Lottery at front desk ($10 for 1--$20 for 3 entries)

30. Dessert Extravaganza in dining room (last day)It may not be in the Dining Room, it could be in the Lido or out by the Lido Pool, the only time I have seen it in the Dining Room is when they do it in the afternoon and that has only happened once for us and that was in 2003 on the Zuirderdam. When we were last on the Oosterdam in was at night in the Lido

31. $12 bag of laundry cleaned—stuff it full-roll clothes to get more in

32. Soda card--$17.50 for 10 cans (dock waiting or Lido deck)I have seen both fountain or can drinks offered but not both this varies from ship to ship. When we were on the Oosterdam it was fountain drinks only

33. Leprechaun Nickel Machines---pay well We do not gable so have no idea

34. Comlimentary Hal Beach Bag in room

35. Best poured drink is in the Sports Bar That is up to the bartender


36. In P.V.—Wal-Mart is within walking distance of pier

37. In Cabo—free day use at these hotels: Melia, Hacienda, Finisterra, and Pueblo Bonita (tip kiosk girl and ask for towels & loungers this I am not sure of

38. In Mazatlan—free day use at El Cid Castilla (waterfall & slide) not sure

39. In P.V.--- free day use at Krystal Hotel, 3 pools (close to docks) & 60 minute massage for $35 at the Spa Not sure but sounds good

40. Free sauna on ship—very back of Lido buffet before you go out to aft pool, starboard side by men’s room near elevators

41. Lobster night is Thursday as said this varies ship to ship but I can assure you for the Mex Riv it will be Thursday

42. You can order off the dining room menu and have it delivered to your room (you have to call it in within the first ½ hour of the first seating but you can schedule delivery anytime after that)

43. Lido dining time for dinner is from 6:00 - 8:30

44. Order a “wang wang” in the Crow’s Nest or the disco(best) I might have to try that



Have fun, it won't be long!!!!!

On another site we tried to get people to answer about the flambes on ships on recent cruises - didn't get many answers.

The question was asked because when we were on the Zuiderdam in May we didn't have any flambes in the dining room or the Explorer's Lounge. And no extra choclates were served!!!

Yet when we were on the Westerdam in January and the Volendam in Feb/Mar there were flambes.

All three Vista class ships that we have been on had a choice of 3 liquors with the ice cream on the Lido Deck.

In Puerto Vallarta you may be at the new pier which is across from the Wal-Mart BUT you will be required to walk to the security entrance which is way down to the right - about 1/2 block and then back track to the Wal-Mart.

We have a situation in November. The first time we are there, there is only one other ship. But the second time we are there, 3 ships will be there and there are only 2 docks - a third one is suppose to be built. So that means one ship will have to tender. Don't know which one yet.

Thanks KK, Sea Otter, and Lisa for all the updates to my list. I started compiling it almost a year ago and so I knew there would be changes.

Lisa, I know that you go 2 weeks ahead of me. If there are anymore, can you let me know? Also if you find some new things, I'd like to know about those too.

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

In Puerto Vallarta you may be at the new pier which is across from the Wal-Mart BUT you will be required to walk to the security entrance which is way down to the right - about 1/2 block and then back track to the Wal-Mart.

Thanks KK. I'll let you know how many ships were there and what pier we used. This might affect the walking directions I have for the Krystal.

Having been to PV several times, I know that we won't have any trouble finding the Krystal Hotel. I just needed to know if we should ge right or left from the pier.


Directions sound easy.

Originally Posted by Krazy Kruizers

Having been to PV several times, I know that we won't have any trouble finding the Krystal Hotel. I just needed to know if we should ge right or left from the pier.


Directions sound easy.

I'll make sure to let you know when I get back, KK.