first ten days on the Oosterdam

December 07, 2015

first ten days on the Oosterdam

Friday 27^th November

What a very civilised embarkation. Caught the bus from the airport and was whisked down to the docks, and immediately taken through for registration. Then we waited, using the free Wi-Fi and making calls to Iris and Gwen, Judith’s mum, before settling down and relaxing. At 11.30 we were the first to board. First time ever whilst cruising, the cabins were already. So we dropped everything off. The cabin was very spacious with plenty of shelving and wardrobe space. It also had a bath with a shower over. Brilliant.

The other welcome addition was their so called Explorer. A detailed guide to the cruise, with everything you could wish to know. Itinerary, dress code for the cruise, maps of each destination, excursions available, restaurants, what to see, shops. Plus what is available on the ship. An amazing bit of handy information. All cruises should have them.

Unfortunately things seemed to head in a downward spiral from then on. Went up to deck ten for a drink. The two staff behind the bar disappeared into a back room and the other member of stuff was chatting to customers totally oblivious to our needs. We waited until he had finished but he just turned away, looked at his watch and disappeared. At which point l headed up to the storeroom and requested serving. A barman popped his head out, and called the server back to serve us.

HAD HIGH EXPECTATIONS WHEN IT CAME TO DINNER. But these were soon squashed. Ordered scallop starter, received two small scallops no bigger than a 25p coin. The whole dish could have fitted onto a 50 pence piece.

The main course was snapper, which was overcooked and curled up. Should have sent it back, but when you are on a large table you don’t want to be seen to cause a fuss. The only good course, was the cheese. Good selection, but we had to attract someone’s attention to bring bread and crackers to go with it.

The staff rushed around without any real care and attention. It was an attitude of let’s get finished.

Noticed that the stairwell carpets are dirty no matter what time you use them. And you never see anyone sterilising the hand rails, something that was continually done by NCL on our two week cruise from the UK to Tampa.

Whilst comparing two cruise lines, the staff on H&A are not a patch on those at NCL. No one looks you in the eye, or greats you, tables in the buffet restaurant are often dirty, with piles of dirties stacked to overflowing on the trays. Have not seen any supervisors checking on the service, clearing or replenishing napkins and cutlery. The hotel director, food manager and all the food supervisors made it their job to talk to the guests at every available moment on NCL. In fact here we often have to clear our own tables and go and find someone to wipe a table before you can sit down.

The show was OK, but nothing special, although the band was excellent. The dancers were an absolute joke. Seen better at an infant’s school during drama class.

The piano bar was outstanding, up-tempo and fun, but the piece de resistance was the blues band in the B.B Kings Blues Club. They were truly magnificent. Lively, talented and crowd pleasing.

So all in all a mixed bag on our first day on board the H&A ship.

Unbeknown to us there was worst is to come. We put our head down at 11pm. The noise and vibration in our room fluctuated, but never stopped all night. It was horrendous, the vibration went all the way up through the bed an into the ear, making it sound like you were in an engineering workshop. Neither of us slept a wink.

Saturday 28^th November

At 7am l went to the desk to complain and asked to be moved. He typed into the machine and said he would get something organised.

At 11am l went to the desk to see what was happening, only to be told that the person had only registered that there was a noise in our room. Great communication!

The girl didn’t really take me seriously, she said she would get someone to come down to check out the noise. At this point I did get rather annoyed. So l reiterated it was only when the ship was making headway, not whilst it was at anchor. She didn’t understand that we would not want to stay 21 nights in a room where we could not sleep.

That was until l told her that if nothing was sorted we would leave at the end of the 9 days and expect a refund for the second half of the cruise. I made it quite clear that l wasn’t wanting an upgrade, happy to have an inside cabin as long as it was quiet and didn’t suffer from this incessant machinery noise. We were only asking for our basic rudimentary needs to be fulfilled, that of being able to have a good night’s sleep.

She said nothing could be done as the ship was full, although l did overhear a women bring back a cabin key after a room change.

Nevertheless the supervisor said she would personally come and check out the noise later that night, and she also advised me that they had already contacted the head office in Florida to see if a room change could be made for the second half of the cruise. Then she handed over a packet containing two earplugs. Not a great confidence builder.

We had to wait and see what materialises.

We waited aNd we waited. nothing happened!

Bleary eyed from lack of sleep we got on the tender and headed onto a spit of land called Half Moon Cay, a man made resort just for the cruise lines. We had a walk about, but both of us were totally shattered after having no sleep the night before, and it wasn’t long before we headed back to the ship.

Sunday 29^th

Up and totally refreshed. Breakfast was excellent on all fronts, food, variety and service including supervision. Could it be that the lack of sleep coloured our view of what was on offer?

People were clearing tables, running around for people, topping up coffee, getting juices. In fact being very attentive to people’s needs. Staff behind the counter making omelettes were singing and bantering with the guests in a pleasant manner.

Boys were polishing the handrails and cleaning carpets. The staff and supervisors had suddenly come to life with more enthusiasm and vigour in their work. The carpet which we had notice was fraying was being uplifted and replaced with new. Although in the back of my head l was still worrying about having to get out of the cabin we were using for sleep.

The buffet had amazing dishes available, and it was noticeable how much of what was on offer was actually cooked to order. Once again we went upstairs to the restaurant and a table for two. We were not disappointed with the food, escargot to start and best end of lamb. Beautiful, tender and full of flavour. Then into the show before heading back to the room to catch up on our sleep.

Had dinner in the upmarket restaurant on the second floor, just a table for two. It was excellent, both service and attention to detail, a definite improvement on the night before.

At 10pm we were flaking out, so we got into bed. The thumping was still there, even though the ship was only just crawling and not running at full speed at this time. So out of bed, dressed and headed for the front desk. Found a receptionist and got her to come and listen to the noise. She wouldn’t get onto the bed, possibly thought l may molest her, but she agreed it was vibrating, she could feel it through her shoes.

She left promising to try and sort something out. Within 15 minutes she was back with a room key for a room we could sleep in, but only until we got to Bonaire, when it was needed for oncoming guests.

Headed over and found peace, quiet and a really good night’s sleep. Just like babies in a mother’s arms, but we didn’t require any rocking.

Sunday 29^th

Up and totally refreshed. Breakfast was excellent on all fronts, food, variety and service including supervision. Could it be that the lack of sleep coloured our view of what was on offer?

Sunday 29^th Nov and we land at GRAND TURKS.

No tendering today, it was a leisurely stroll off onto the island. Rather overcast, but the sun soon shone through. The sandy beach was lined with loungers, hammocks and colourful little huts to keep you out the heat, but at a price that made you hot under the collar. As you ventured further away from the pier the air of the place became distinctly more rural and unkempt and slightly threatening. Although the crew had headed this way for cheap beer and the use of free internet. I wanted a photo of a rusty hulk that had sunk at the far end, but unfortunately the view was obscured by a concrete pier laden with barbed wire to keep people out. But not the local children who were playing on the rusting hulk.

Once back in the small commercial centre, Judith checked out the jewellery shops before heading over to the open air space centre museum, commemorating the first manned space journey by the astronaut John Glenn. He had come back to earth near Grand Turks and parachuted into the Atlantic sea. Prior to the advent of communication satellites, the USA used Grand Turks as a tracking station.

Back on board, we relaxed, walked a little, went to a couple of computer lectures, one of which was how to make a movie of your photos in a programme called Movie Maker. Great fun. Once l have down loaded the free programme will definitely give it a try. Although Judith thinks it’s a little too Kitsch. We will see.

Then before we know it, its Happy Hour. More dirty martini’s and wine for Judith, few canapés whilst looking at the varied seabirds diving in to collect their supper.

We have sussed how to manage the system in the restaurant. Starter portions are miniscule, although exceedingly tasty. So we order two, followed by a main course, but without the rice, pearl barley or pasta, substituting a gloriously crispy Caesar salad under the chosen main dish of fish or meat along with a baked potato smothered in sour cream.

From here, we go up to the buffet for a strong coffee and a small meringue or a little cheese, or perhaps a little cookie. Depending on our wants and desires.

We stroll around to the theatre and fall off our seats laughing with the comedian/ impressionist, who was tremendously, stomach achingly funny.

Monday 30th November sailing into SAMANA Dominican Republic.

It’s a fast day, so up early for our bowl of fruit and muesli, plus a large coffee. Then its two miles round the deck, watching the small islands go by.

Back to our cabin to shower and change in preparation of getting off the ship. But the phone goes. Great news, we can move into the other cabin that we are using to sleep in for the remainder of this first leg of the cruise. Then we are to move to another room, further along the ship. An upgrade they say. The morning is therefore rescheduled and adjusted to enable us to move everything into the new cabin. The mind can now totally relax.

We walked along the front of SAMANA, definitely a third world country, or at least this part of the Dominican Republic. It was what l would call edgy and intimidating. Streets were dirty, people pushy, traffic chaotic. Most of the cruise trips where to the luxury resorts. A place of the haves and the have nots. The latter being resentful, understandingly.

Home on board the tranquillity of the ship. But on this occasion it wasn’t more food and drink as it was a fast day.

At six we eat our salad and freshly grilled salmon washed down with our second coffee of the day.

Then it’s more relaxing before heading for the show. A saxophonist. He was a great musician, but rather to bible belt and sugary for me.

Then it’s off to bed to read.

Tuesday 1^st December A Sea

Gets boring, the same old thing, but it isn’t. There is always something different to do and see. Finished another book, brought my blog up to date, ate plenty of food. Indonesian buffet lunch followed by a tour of the kitchens. Interesting, and the facts and figure would astound.

Into the cinema, large loungers with popcorn on hand and an excellent movie Mr Holmes with Ian Mc Kellan playing the aging Sherlock Holmes. Brilliant story.

Before we know it, its happy hour again. Not really an alcoholic, but these dirty martin’s are excellent. Especially with a backdrop of sea birds diving and the waves lapping against the islands as we cruise by. Dinner of prosciutto with melon, must be back in the Charente, followed by brie cooked in filo pastry and then Judith opted for giant shrimp cooked in garlic on a Caesar salad and l, boringly had the roast turkey. But it was moist, tasty and tender. In fact, perhaps the best Turkey l have ever tasted.

Another two miles round the deck before changing and going into see the show. Juggler, comedian and singer. Surprisingly good.

Drink and bedtime. Such a busy life we have.

Wednesday 2^nd December BONAIRE

Thursday 3^rd December 2015 WILLEMSTEAD, CURACAO.

Up at 7am for breakfast. Just fruit. It’s a fast day, so we are down to 500 calories for the day with a 12 hour gap in-between meals.

After a strong cup of coffee, we head down to the promenade deck and walk two miles, after which we head down to the cabin for a shower.

Then it’s off into Curacao, a real Dutch enclave, with brightly coloured houses, ancient fortifications and the oldest synagogue in the Americas.

Judith managed to find some good deals in the jewellery shops

Next visit is Aruba

Shower and head out to town, and its hot, yet rather overcast. Not that it matters. Helps keep the burning sun off the body. We lurch from air-conditioned jewellery shop to another. Not that we need anything, but it’s good to look and check the prices out. Judith has a penchant for H Stern, John Hardy, Amur, Effy and Charles Albert so we are always on the lookout for a good deal. The other reason is that we are seeking out Wifi. This place is definitely bereft of a connection, unlike Curacao that provided it foc around the port. We eventually found internet at Little Switzerland, when Judith purchased a small commemorative bracelet. The little stewards had also found the connection at Starbucks , up by the marina. We had been near it but seemed to miss it somehow. Possibly because l was so busy talking to the sport fisherman who had just arrived with their catch of Mahi Mahi. They charge between 400 and 450 dollars per four hour trip, but that is for 5 and 6 people respectively. The only down side is that they leave at 7am, and the cruise ship is often not docked by then.

Get back for a late lunch, and as usual the selection is amazing. Sushi, oriental dishes, four of them, salads galore, roast sirloin, brisket, spicy chicken, fish and chips, Italian pasta, freshly cooked, vegetable burgers along with chicken and traditional burgers. The list goes on and on. So much to choose from.