Oosterdam, April 14th, Anyone else?

[FLLP]

I will be traveling to San Diego to hop on the Oosterdam for a 7 day cruise of the Mexican Riviera. Anyone else going? Hope so, it could be a very lonely cruise.

[chipandjohn]

It's a big ship, just think of all the officers in white I'll have to myself.
John

now who else wants to go?

[JessWright]

I just received my package today from HAL for the April 14th cruise on the Oosterdam. This is my 5th cruise with HAL, and 3rd for that route.

[chipandjohn]

Welcome JessWright, looks like I'll be sharing the men in white.
This is our, chip and myself first HAL cruise. We've done the canal before so have visited a couple of these ports before. Chip and I will be arriving on Thursday for an allday trip to the zoo on Friday.
I am also posting on another website and we are planning a meeting with other cruisers. If you are interested let me know, we'd love to have you met with our little group of cruisers.
Will you, or do you attend FOD meetings on board? Just another meeting spot. It should be post on the daily news.
Again WELCOME hope to see you on ship.
John

[JessWright]

Hi Guys: I plan to arrive in the city from Wash.DC on Thursday afternoon. I plan to stay in SD about 2 days before the cruise and 2 days after the cruise. I hope to stay at the Hillcrest hotel, since I have several friends in the area. Thanks for your invite to the zoo, but I will spend Fri. catching up with friends. I have made dinner resv. on the ship at 8pm for at a table for singles. Hope to see you at FOD socials.

[FLLP]

If you guys have any questions about the Oosterdam, this is my second cruise on the ship. This will also be my 16th cruise with Holland America. If I can help let me know. You have to request the FOD meetings through the cruise director, so do that asap.

[JessWright]

To: FLLP - Your 16th cruise with HAL? I hope I can say that someday. My trips have been fun so far. I took a few short trips with Carnival before becoming addicted to HAL. (I do have my blue pin for 25+ days with HAL) You must have some fun stories to tell. Hopefully, we will get chance to meet and talk. I love sailing from my days as a Navy man.

[FLLP]

I have my blue pin, red pin and copper medallion. After this cruise I will have 140 days on HAL. I am major addicted. I have done all these cruises in just 4 short years. I have also been on Princess, which I did not like, and Celebrity which was great. I will be in San Diego the day before the cruise staying at a hotel in the harbor. The next morning I get up, I will walk out on my balcony and there will be the Oosterdam. Right in my backyard. Awesome. I am taking a helicopter tour of San Diego at 10 that morning, so John and Chip look up between 10 and 11 and I will wave at you. We are flying over the zoo. Ha! Looking forward to meeting all of you. C'ya there!!!

[chipandjohn]

Hey Helicopter Girl! Long time no posting, I made a quick trip to Texas. Had to have a roof put on my house there. Something always has to happen when I want to go on a cruise.
Are you also doing another flight in Puerto Vallarta? Did you get your cabin assignment? Damn what’s with all the questions, sorry.
Hope we can see you flying from our hotel. We are staying at a Courtyard in Old Town, I think I told you that, already, getting old here. I’ll see if they’ll let me get on top of the building. Maybe we’ll come down to the port early. I know people will think I’m crazy for looking into the sky. Maybe I’ll wear my chicken little shirt. Either way, I’ll be the one holding my class of Mimosa to the sky.
John

[FLLP]

YOU ARE A HOOT!!!!! I thought you were going to be at the zoo at that time. My flight is Saturday morning between 10 and 11 am. Either way take a pic of me waving at you. Yes, I got my cabin assignment. Do you need to give that to the person setting up the meeting? I'll send it via email if you need it. Later

[chipandjohn]

I hope to be awake and alive at 10am on Saturday. I understand we have a dinner engagement on Friday night I think it’s at Anthony’s across from your hotel. You know I’m going to be like puppy on a leash. Humm, that would be ok in San Francisco but not sure about San Diego.
You may know this about HAL, I booked my excursions online and I got my Amex bill today and they were already charged. I’m using my Amex on board but I’ve never been charged for anything until we at least left the port. Other cruise line always added to on board account, afterwards, not before. Is this normal for HAL? And what’s with no refrigerators in the cabin but you can have one delivered for $2 a day?
SURE, email me your cabin number and I’ll forward it to Terry so you’ll have an invitation to the party on Sunday morning, on the 15th, in the Oak Room at 11:00am.
Hey, I may sound busy but Chip’s working and on his own for this one, I still there to have a good time and not having to pay for it.

[FLLP]

Yes, that is normal for HAL to bill you before you even get on the ship for shore excursions. I like that because it's already paid for when you get on the ship. No surprises. As for the fridge thing, I have never heard of that. Do you have a verandah cabin? If so, there is a mini bar and I use that for a fridge. You could also bring a small collapsable cooler with you. I always have my cabin steward keep it full of ice. That works really well. Also, I bring my own canned Cokes. They are pretty pricey on the ship and you are allowed to bring your own. You can also purchase a Coke card for $18. It's good for 20 fountain cokes. I also have "ways" of sneaking liquor onboard. If you need to know a trick or two, let me know. I have never been caught. 8)

[chipandjohn]

Someone on the other board called about the fridge and we should have one. Yes we have a verandah cabin. I'm sure we don't need a fridge just as long as the ice is kept full. We've got the liquor thing mastered. I'm too embarrased to say how much mine and Chip's first cruise bar tab was. After that I told him he was bringing his own. It helps a lot but on these big ship I can't always get him to go back to the cabin just to mix another drink. I'll most likely bring a six pack of my diet beverages. Chip's on a corporate account for this cruise. I'm not paying for anything.

[FLLP]

Must be nice. Can I be your sister? If you want plenty of ice at all times do the ice chest thing. The cabin steward does not mind filling it as much as you like. I can show you where the ice machine is too. I am located at the back of the ship probably pretty close to you. Stay in touch. L

[chipandjohn]

Ok dust off those Ball gowns and come sail with us. You only have two weeks to have it alter. At least send that unworn tux to the cleaners and come sail with the fun. See you on board.
John

[FLLP]

I'll wash my best tennis shoes and wash my finest Tshirt.

[chipandjohn]

You’ll look marvelous darling.

john

[FLLP]