Holland America’s Oosterdam Mediterranean Cruise

First impressions

Holland America is an exceptionally well-managed cruise line. When we arrived at the dock in Athens, we were promptly greeted by stewards who answered our questions, took our luggage, and directed us to the check-in area. The check-in process was swift, and we were on board within 30 minutes. Our cabin was ready upon arrival, allowing us to begin our vacation immediately.

The ship: elegant & roomy

The Oosterdam is not a brand-new ship, but it is well-maintained and beautiful. With a capacity of around 2,000 passengers, it never feels overcrowded. It caters primarily to a more mature clientele, with most guests being in the mid-to-upper age ranges. During our 11-day Mediterranean cruise, we encountered only a few children. One criticism of this ship is that the nightly entertainment is somewhat limited. If you are seeking big Broadway shows or ice skating, HAL might not be the right choice for you.

Staterooms: just right

I stayed in a Standard Verandah stateroom on Deck 8, located towards the very front of the ship. The room was spacious enough for the two of us, and the balcony was delightful. One of the highlights of this trip was the room steward; he was fantastic and always had a smile on his face. HAL also offers complimentary room service, which we utilized before early morning excursions and after long days on shore.

Happy hour on our balcony

Mediterranean, up close

Holland America is the cruise line to choose if you desire an expansive itinerary. The Mediterranean cruise commenced in Athens and visited Olympia, Albania, Malta, Sicily, Naples, Rome, Corsica, Monte Carlo/Nice, and concluded in Barcelona. Each stop was remarkable in its own right, but the combination of all these destinations truly had the WOW factor.

Itinerary

Sunset over Sicily

Pompeii: one of our favorite HAL tours

Pulling into the Malta port

View from our pre-cruise hotel balcony in Athens

Our group participated in a mix of HAL excursions and private excursions. The HAL excursions were well-organized and made efficient use of our time. Although there is always a risk when using private tour guides, we employed a private driver in Rome and found the experience fantastic. Our private driver took us into the heart of Rome before most of the tour buses arrived and returned us to our ship with several hours to spare.

Service & atmosphere

The crew is the highlight of this ship. We found our favorite servers and bartenders; in fact, our server, Walter, in the Explorer Lounge, knew our favorite drinks by the second day of our trip. I believe the food is above-average for cruise lines, and the specialty dining offers a truly exceptional night out.

Walter and the crew taking care of our group

Enjoying some live music at BB Kings

Pro tip: Get the “Have It All” package.

Our package included an early booking bonus that provided free gratuities, a beverage package, Wi-Fi, shore excursion credits, and two free specialty dining vouchers. This allowed us to enjoy our trip without worrying about being charged for every little thing. We added the HIA package when we initially booked our trip, and HAL was offering a 60 percent discount off the standard rate.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our cruises page.