Embarkation on the HAL Oosterdam
South America Cruise Diary (November 14, 2024)
About a month before our cruise, Holland America Line (HAL) assigned us an embarkation time of 12:30 PM on November 14, 2024. This means passengers cannot board at their preferred time; instead, they must follow the assigned schedule. This system helps prevent congestion at check-in counters and allows housekeeping to prepare cabins efficiently based on guests' arrival times.
The Uber ride from our hotel to Port Everglades took about 10 minutes. As one of the busiest cruise ports in the world, it handles nearly 4 million passengers annually. We were set to embark on a 31-day South America cruise with HAL, the Oosterdam. It’s important to confirm your ship’s terminal, as Port Everglades has eight cruise terminals, each equipped with comfortable seating areas, snack and beverage machines, air conditioning, and free Wi-Fi.
The embarkation process was smooth and well-organized, albeit a bit tedious. Unlike Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), which completes check-in at a single counter, HAL requires passengers to go through three checkpoints: security screening, identity verification, and group number assignment for boarding. The entire process took just over an hour, which wasn’t too bad.
This was our third time cruising with HAL. We’re not loyal to any specific cruise line; our primary considerations are the itinerary and service. HAL operates a fleet of 11 ships, offering over 500 cruises to more than 470 ports in 98 countries, territories, or dependencies worldwide. Our ship, the Oosterdam, is HAL’s second Vista-class vessel. Although it's an older ship, I appreciate its classic style and vintage decor.
As budget-conscious travellers, cost is another key factor in our decisions. Beyond the price of a 31-night cruise, additional expenses include gratuities of $17 per person per day and shore excursions, which can cost up to $1,000 per person per excursion. To manage costs, we chose an inside cabin this time. While there are pros and cons to an inside cabin, the main advantage is the budget-friendly price. It also offers excellent sleep quality, as the absence of natural light prevents early wake-ups, and it feels more stable during rough seas. Given our busy itinerary and the expected weather, we wouldn’t spend much time in the room or sit on a balcony. At booking, we selected a Category J inside cabin, which offers more space along with a sectional sofa and table in the corner. This would be our home for a whole month—time to get used to it!
After settling into the Oosterdam, we headed to the Lido Deck, where a buffet lunch was served. The first meal on board always tastes great, and we hoped we wouldn’t be tired of the food throughout our cruise journey.
Personal Cruise Experiences and Tips
Choosing the Right Cruise Line
I’ve sailed with Princess, Celebrity, Holland America (HAL), Norwegian, and Azamara, selecting each based on itinerary and discounted pricing. While I’m not loyal to any particular cruise line for their loyalty programs, tiers, or perks, I prefer to stick with HAL for my future cruises. I appreciate its moderate-sized ships, superb service, adult-oriented amenities and activities, classic atmosphere, and consistently excellent food.
When it comes to itineraries, HAL offers unique, longer voyages to destinations like South America, Alaska, and Asia, which adds to its appeal.
With 51 ocean cruise lines and 27 river cruise lines worldwide, and around 323 cruise ships currently in operation, the choices can be overwhelming. On average, a cruise ship hosts about 3,000 passengers. Ultimately, choosing the right cruise line is a personal decision—what suits me might not suit you, and that’s part of the adventure.
How to Select a Cabin That Suits Your Needs
Cruise ships typically offer four main types of cabins: suites, balconies, ocean views, and inside cabins, each with various categories. Selecting the right cabin can significantly enhance your cruise experience. Here are some key factors to consider:
Budget: Determine how much you’re willing to spend.
View: Decide if having an ocean view or a balcony is a priority.
Space: Suites offer more room, but even within standard cabins, layouts can vary.
Accessibility: Consider proximity to elevators or accessible features if needed.
Identify which factors are must-haves and which you’re flexible on. Be mindful that some ocean view and balcony cabins have partially or fully obstructed views, which you might want to avoid. It’s essential to review the ship’s layout before booking—these can easily be found online.
For greater stability and less motion, mid-ship cabins are ideal. Cabins on higher decks tend to experience more movement. Additionally, try to avoid cabins near noisy areas such as nightclubs, restaurants (especially those above or below your room), elevators, or near the engines.
Finally, booking early often provides more options, giving you the best chance to secure your ideal cabin.