 Expert Review |  | | | | |
| | | | | Overview
Oosterdam (that's "oh" as opposed to "ooh") is a big, beautiful vessel where all the bells and whistles of a 21st century cruise ship meet this once oh-so-staid company's impressive 130-year maritime history -- and everyone wins. Highlights include the four elegant exterior glass elevators which look out over the sea, a newly formatted, easy-to-read ship newspaper and program, and the beautiful signature Crow's Nest placed forward on Deck 10. Other innovative features are rapidly catching on with repeat passengers and first-timers alike. Among these include a revamped Lido, the creation of a nightclub (so loud, late-night music doesn't scare away Crow's Nesters), and a slightly different pattern of public rooms. Some of the old HAL traditions are still around though veteran passengers may need to adjust to a different approach. Locating Ocean Bar or Explorer's Lounger requires a bit of extra navigation. The Java Bar, with its complimentary espresso and cappuccino, has been replaced by the "Windstar Cafe" -- and now specialty coffees are an extra charge (espresso and cappuccino are still complimentary in the dining room). Oosterdam, like the Zuiderdam before it, has gone against tradition with bright, bold, colors and designs, 360 degrees removed from the expected blues and whites (Delft-like) that have long symbolized Seattle-based HAL. Red is the primary color here, orange reds, pink-y reds and deep, wine hues find their way all over the vessel from Club HAL, the children's own Kid Zone play-room on Deck 10, to the Vista Dining Room on Decks Two and Three. Oosterdam is second in the Vista Class of ships (Zuiderdam was first and two others -- Westerdam and Noordam launched in April 2004 and summer 2006, respectively). Zuiderdam changed course design-wise from the design of ships brought on line in the 1990's. On those vessels, cabins, for instance, featured sitting areas between window and bathroom (though had far fewer balconies). Ultimately, Holland America's efforts to broaden its appeal with Oosterdam (and its predecessor) offer both a high comfort level and many of cruising's newer, more contemporary touches. On our trip it was clear that long-time Holland America travelers, famously loyal to the line, warmed to the "new" as long as they could count on enough of an homage to tradition. | | |  top | | | | Dining
Editor's Note: Holland America has long been one of the more traditional cruise lines when it comes to main-restaurant dining. On every ship but Prinsendam, HAL has offered four seatings: 5:45 p.m. (first upper); 6:15 p.m. (first lower); 8 p.m. (main upper); and 8:30 p.m. (main lower). But that's changing as the line begins to incorporate As You Wish dining onto its ships. Via As You Wish, passengers can opt for pre-set seating and dining time -- or take advantage of a new, flexible option at dinner (breakfast and lunch are already open seating). The program, tested on Noordam, enables passengers to request either option during the booking phase. One level of the ships' two-deck-high dining rooms will be dedicated to traditional "early or main seating" while the other will be open from 5:15 - 9 p.m. daily. Passengers opting for the flexible option can make reservations ahead of time -- or simply walk in. As You Wish will be phased in gradually. In fall/winter 2007, look for its introduction on Noordam, Ryndam and Volendam. Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, and Zaandam will introduce it in winter 2008. And Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Veendam, Maasdam, Amsterdam, and Prinsendam will incorporate As You Wish in spring and early summer. HAL's new Eurodam will debut in July with As You Wish in place. The Lido on the Oosterdam offers that proverbial something for everyone: Breakfast options include full breakfast, continental and omelet stations. Then at lunch, passengers can choose from salads, Asian specialties, pasta and pizza, deli fixings for sandwiches, a traditional buffet line, a grill and a Taco/Fajita bar. Of course it wouldn't be Holland America without the complimentary ice cream and yogurt bar. Casual dining is offered nightly in the Lido and seems to be very well attended. Passengers choose their salads and starters from a buffet and then order an entree, which is brought to the linen-covered table of your choice. The "food station" concept replaces the long buffet line with everything in a row. One of the prettiest Lido areas on any ship, the hot pinks, orange-y red, yellows, blues and turquoises, are tied together in plaid draperies and laminated table tops. Plenty of help is in evidence and if you request aid in carrying your tray, you will get it -- but know that help isn't offered automatically. Cloth napkins holding forks, knives and spoons, are found at each place setting, eliminating the need to juggle flatware along with a tray. The attractive two-level Vista dining room at the aft end of the ship offers two seatings at assigned tables, at 6 p.m. and 8:15 p.m., and standard cruise ship fare. A lovely Rosenthal flatware service makes for an attractive table. Notable menu items include a wonderful snapper dish, excellent sole, tasty and well prepared lamb chops. Service is good; food is brought in a timely manner and if your server observes you are not eating with gusto he quickly will offer an alternative. Iced tea and coffee are promptly refilled. A silver sculptured ceiling is graceful and exceptional -- and adds elegance to the dining room ambiance. Tables are nicely spaced and conversation is made easy by good acoustics. Wine selections range from moderate to pretty pricey and include whites and reds from "Captain's reserve" which are offered at discounted prices. Wine packages for the week are also available. The absolute pinnacle of food, service and presentation, is the Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey Restaurant. The menu includes an outstanding filet mignon, better than a Morton's or Palm, delicious cioppino, and dramatically presented Baked Alaska. It is a dining experience designed for the gourmet. The room features red jacquard banquets and blue leather seats while a collage of famed Dutch Masters look on approvingly from on high. A $20 per person surcharge applies. A HAL tradition, tea is served each afternoon, usually in the Explorer's Lounge (sometimes in the dining room). Once weekly there's a "Dutch High Tea" and live music accompanies this high caloric repast. And if you want pizza or ice cream at 1 a.m., the Lido offers both, plus the option of 24-hour coffee and tea. Twenty-four hour room service is timely and served hot, just make sure your room has the space for the experience (see accommodations, below). Room service breakfast menus offer both continental and hot entree choices; the 24-hour menu features burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with other basics like salmon and grilled chicken. Dining room menus are not available. Mini bars contain water, cold drinks and liquor for which there is a charge. If you have any specific dietary needs -- kosher, vegetarian, sugar-free -- let the line know when booking or speak with the dining room captain upon boarding. Every effort will be made to accommodate your needs. | | | | top | | | | Public Rooms
Holland America has created a great fusion of color and fine art throughout the vessel and the result is a wonderfully vibrant spirit throughout. The main lobby is on the first floor of a cozy three-story atrium, topped by a graceful Waterford crystal globe (miniature replicas are sold in the gift shop). Ship layout is relatively easy to follow. Most of the public rooms are on decks two and three. Of these, highlights include the Sports Bar; we love the leather couches, which make it a comfy place to watch games on TV. The Casino is airy and spacious with 11 table games and 130 slots. A staff of 25 dealers and technicians keep the pace going quickly. At sea, the casino's slots begin their singing at 9 a.m. and table games about 10 a.m. -- and there's no definitive closing hour (the casino shuts down when the last player leaves). The Vista Lounge, the ship's main show room, is a large room and features comfortable seating but beware of 10 poles, which provide terrible sight lines (the result is that everyone bunches together in the better-viewing areas, which leaves the pole areas vastly empty). We can't understand why HAL can come up with all the latest audio-video high-tech features -- which are terrific -- but still not provide better sight lines. Another favorite is the Ocean Bar, which has wonderfully cozy little nooks that look out over the sea. For night owls, the Northern Lights nightclub features intriguing lighting and black banquettes covered with what resembles diamond dust. Our favorite room of all is The Crow's Nest, a HAL classic. Located atop the ship, it's got a fabulous bank of 10 recliner chairs in front of floor to ceiling windows offers a real bird's eye view of the sea. The room is used once a week for a luncheon for suite guests, for dance classes and for bingo. It is also a great lounge for a pre-dinner drink. The ship has, of course, the obligatory shops. On Oosterdam, the merchandise moves around daily and it all gets a bit confusing, like an on-sea flea market. Everything from liquor to diamonds and Russian dolls are displayed at some time during the week (but the bottle of rum you spotted on Sunday night -- and decided to buy a few days later -- may never show up again). An Internet Cafe, with 18 stations keeps travelers connected to home and loved ones. Prices are competitive with other lines and package prices are offered. | | | | top | | | | Cabins
Anything dubbed category "B" or below is small, about 200 square feet (with a verandah add another 40 square feet). Possibly because of the proliferation of verandahs on Oosterdam and some new public areas, stateroom space has been eliminated. HAL ships of a decade ago featured much more cabin room. Compare this to Statendam-class cabins in a similar price range that are dubbed mini-suites at 284 square feet (including verandah). These are cramped, with no drawer space to speak of (two bedside tables barely count). If one guest is using the closet, the second passenger has to wait to pass by. A desk/vanity table is more than half taken up by a television set which should be wall-mounted (and management claims they will be doing so). Room service requires placing half the items on the couch or the floor to accommodate even a simple breakfast at the diminutive table. Closet space is adequate and the bathrooms in "B" category are larger than in similar staterooms on other lines, complete with tub, but floor space is extremely limited. Decor is, however, pleasant -- as it is throughout the ship -- with rusty red the primary color. All cabins offer hair dryers, television sets with CNN and a number of films, nice toiletries and good service. All also feature in-room computer data ports. On this ship, it pays to upgrade; deluxe verandah suites are fabulous and worth the splurge (highlights include a generously-sized living area and bedroom, high-tech toys like DVD players, bathrooms with twin sinks and a Jacuzzi, and a twice-the-standard-size balcony with oh-so-comfy chairs and footrests, not to mention a table large enough for dining). Suite guests have their own lounge, Neptune Lounge, where evening hors d'oeuvres and cocktails are served; the concierge can make spa and restaurant reservations and offer general port advice. Oosterdam is equipped with 28 wheelchair accessible staterooms and is sensitive to being maneuverable for the physically challenged traveler. | | | | top | | | | Entertainment
Oosterdam's entertainment is varied: from big production features two nights during the week to individual performers ranging from comics to illusionists. We loved an unusual act -- five a cappela singers from Canada, and also enjoyed the usual Crew Show, with its Indonesian performers. Disco night and country line dancing is offered in Northern Lights and movies -- complete with freshly made popcorn -- are shown each evening after dinner in the Queen's Lounge. A video arcade and intimate piano bar are additional entertainment venues. Daily programs list cooking and dance classes, the ever-present bingo and art auctions, ping pong, team trivia, volleyball and basketball, aerobics, and spa and salon demonstrations. Shore excursion and port-shopping talks are offered live and in-cabin. Wine tasting and cooking courses are popular. The ship has a state-of-the-art Internet facility. The rate is 75 cents per minute and various plans are available (such as 100 minutes for $55). There is a $3.95 start-up fee. Oosterdam even has a wireless program; Wi-Fi is $10 per day plus per minute charges. Laptops can be rented. New to Oosterdam in 2008 is the Microsoft Digital Workshops program, comprised of complimentary classes led by Microsoft-trained "techsperts." Passengers can learn to use computers to enhance photos (Windows Live Photo Gallery), produce and publish videos onto a DVD (Windows Movie Maker) and create personal webpages or blogs (Windows Live Services and Windows Live Writer). In addition, one-on-one coaching, called "Techspert Time,? is available for more than 20 hours each week. | | | | top | | | | Fitness and Recreation
Two pools and literally hundreds of deck chairs attract sun worshippers by the boatload and even on sea days there seems to be sufficient space. The main pool, with its retractable ceiling, features a sculpture of four frolicking penguins at one end and a trio of lighted plane trees at the other. The second pool, located aft, is quieter. The ship features a promenade deck, which is quite popular (three times around is a mile). The Greenhouse Spa and Salon offers a variety of hair and nail treatments as well as massages and facials. The Frangipani scalp massage is a favorite and the hydrotherapy pool (at $15 per person per day) a popular addition. This indoor pool (check out the gorgeous hand painted wall murals and the lovely tile work) is designed to reduce aches and pains and offer tranquility. There is a fee for sauna and steam. The Gymnasium offers a blood pressure station, scale, six television sets, free weights with a 50-pound maximum, lots of Indian balls for aerobics, four step machines, two cross-country ski machines, 17 exercyles of all types, 11 treadmills, 11 weight machines, attendants on duty, plenty of fresh water and towels and disinfectant wipes. A golf simulator is available, featuring well known courses, with fees starting at $30 per person for an hour of golf in a group of three or four. Private lessons are also available. | | | | top | | | | Family
Club HAL is for kids and the number of kids aged 5-17 on the manifest dictates the number of supervised programs for youngsters offered on any given cruise. On holiday cruises and during school vacations, the children's programs are very active. The program varies, depending on numbers of kids traveling; on school holiday season sailings, it divides kids into specific age categories (and aims its programming at age-appropriate levels). When there are few participants, they are all pretty much lumped together. The ship has a specially-dedicated teen area called Wave Runner, which features a dance floor and big-screen movie corner. | | | | top | | | | Fellow Passengers
These are folks who have traveled before -- often on HAL -- but they've all pretty much been around the block. While skewing younger than earlier ships in the fleet, Oosterdam will never overwhelm with young families, though it's clear there's an effort to create a variety of programming geared to attract passengers of all ages and keep them happy. Where once all you saw on HAL ships were retirees, a decidedly younger group appears to be choosing the venerable line and programming has risen to the occasion. Wine tasting and cooking courses are popular and increased Greenhouse Spa and fitness programs -- the hydrotherapy suites and pool, for example -- are geared to younger cruisers. Latte lovers enjoy the Windstar Cafe with its blue and light wood decor -- and the sometimes frantic Northern Lights club attracts a younger crowd. | | | | top | | | | Dress Code
A seven-day cruise involves two formal nights, three informal nights and four casual nights. Casual doesn't mean shorts or jeans; it means slacks and a shirt. Informal requires a jacket, but ties are optional. Formalwear, for both men and women, can be rented onboard. On formal nights, about a third of the men wear tuxedos. | | | | top | | | | Gratuity
For years and years, Holland America Line distinguished itself with its "no tipping required" policy, the objective of which was to prove that the cheerful and accommodating staff worked for the love of serving their guests, not for tips. Unfortunately, many passengers took this to mean "tips are included," or "tipping not allowed," so as Holland America hopes to attract a more diverse clientele and more first-time cruisers, the tipping policy has been specifically addressed. According to a statement from Holland America president Stein Kruse, the tipping policy -- fleetwide -- is as follows: "For your convenience, a gratuity of $10 per guest per day, for dining and stateroom service, will be automatically posted to your shipboard account. We are confident you will find the service on board exemplary and, should you wish to make adjustments, you may do so at the end of the cruise by visiting the Front Office. Also, a 15 percent service charge will be automatically added to your bar and beverage purchases." | | | | top | | | | | Expert reviews are provided by CruiseCritic.com, an award-winning cruise community. This objective information can help you choose just the right ship for your next cruise vacation. | |  | |
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