Our Review of the Holland American Lines Cruise Ship Oosterdam By William Lund

In 1871, Holland America Lines began its history as the Nederlandsche - Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatwsschappij. Based in Rotterdam in Holland, and service to America, he became known as Holland America Line.

In 1895, the company offered its first vacation cruise from New York and in 1910, its leisure cruise from New York to the Holy Land. In the 1970s, Holland America Line suspended its transatlantic service and sold its shipping division. Vacation time has become his full focus. In 1989, Holland America Line is a subsidiary division of Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise company in the world.

Boarding was simple and easy. Place the bags in the trash outside, walk in, show ID and boarding pass, fill out the health questionnaire, obtained in a short line to check in, show them the credit card you use, the smile for the camera, the image of another snap and you are on board. Probably 20 minutes of arrival at the first mojito on the beach deck. I never had a better pass.

The last time we were on the Oosterdam was in 2003 when it was brand spanking new and I think someone took care of this beautiful boat. It is as beautiful today as it was then. Our balcony cabin was very nice and has more than enough room for us to move, store all clothing, etc. and relax with a glass of wine that the ocean rolled by.

Ok here we run into the problem of the entire cruise so far. We confirmed at the end of a table and seating for 8. We arrived at a top 4 with an old man who was also sailing on his first cruise, Air America, and was assured of a large table, as individuals.

It was ok, but not the most comfortable evening. A quick trip to the maitre d'hotel the next day we fixed with a table for 6 with two other couples who were also disenchanted the night before. We had a lot of table companions for the rest of the cruise.

The excursions that we chose to rank up there with some of the best trips we have experienced anywhere in the world. Cabo San Lucas, we went to Todos Santos for lunch at the Hotel California. This is very interesting to cross the desert of Baja California from the Bay of Cabo on the Sea of Cortez to the Pacific Ocean, where the driver stopped at a place not because there were lots of whales to see.

The city is charming and some works of art, the most notable Rueben Gutierrez is spectacular. By the way the pottery is very reasonable price Gutierrez. Then it was lunch at the Hotel California has wonderful food.

In Mazatlan, we signed for the Feast of the shrimp. We went to a beautiful private residence on a hill overlooking the entire city, with beautiful gardens and beautiful terraces set up for the crowd. They served Margaritas and beer and soft drinks all day and a buffet of all the shrimp you can eat in three different styles with rice and beans and guacamole and salsa and chips and, of course, tortillas.

A small gallery of artisans on the grounds and my wife bought the most amazing, citrine and pearl necklace freshwater and then met the designer of the necklace, which proposed to put his clip on earrings for go with it and e-mail when she designed them.

In Puerto Vallarta, we did "Rhythms of the Night" and you do not want to miss this tour! It starts with an hour's catamaran ride to a private beach with tiki torches lit and absolutely beautiful. The catamaran of the team put on a show that was very good.

The dinner was truly memorable, as each party has a table for the number of people they designate. It was a buffet, but there was a lot of buffet tables set up, there were no lines. Beverage servers brought you and all that you wanted, and then there's a show in an amphitheater. I will admit that I was not looking forward to the show because some of the events are boring, but it was spectacular. Then we took the catamaran at the stern of the vessel with all the stars, the lights of Puerto Vallarta and, finally, the superb Oosterdam lit for the evening. It was great!

The landing was as easy as boarding. Remember way back when I said the rooms were not ready at 1:30? When you arrive, you May your stay in the cabin until they call your luggage tag color. This is great! Then you go to the plate 2, a short line, show your passport and customs declaration to an official. Then quickly pick up your luggage and in our case, take the first taxi in line and it is out of the airport. Could not have been smooth!

We both work for ourselves and build a website cruising while traveling. The Internet is a crucial part of the cruise for us and the Oosterdam, we had wireless access in our cabin. You can buy packages from $ 100 for 250 minutes (40 cents per minute) on the spot. You can also add more minutes as you need them and if you're on a package and you have more minutes if you are online, they are charged, regardless of your rate plan for calls.

This was our 11th cruise in 9 years and I must say that even if we had been to these ports before, this was one of the best campaigns we've ever made!

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