Holland America LIne
This is a contemporary, family-friendly ship with trendy Dutch decor
The Ship. Oosterdam is one of a series of ships, designed for younger, vibrant, multi-generational, family-oriented cruisers.
Twin working funnels are the result of the slightly unusual machinery configuration with, in effect, two engine rooms – one with three diesels, and one with two diesels and a gas turbine.
There’s a complete walk-around exterior teak promenade deck, with teak steamer-style sunloungers. An outdoor jogging track is laid around the mast and forward third of the ship. Exterior midships glass elevators on both port and starboard sides, provide ocean views. There are two centrally located swimming pools outdoors; one can be used in poor weather thanks to its retractable sliding glass roof. Two whirlpool tubs, adjacent, are abridged by a bar. A small pool is available for children.
The ship offers a range of public rooms with a comfortable, intimate atmosphere. In keeping with Holland America Line traditions, there’s a collection of Dutch artworks and artifacts.
The intimate lobby spans just three decks, but it is topped by a beautiful, rotating Waterford crystal globe of the world. The interior decor is bright, yet comfortable. The ceilings are particularly noticeable in the public rooms. The cast-aluminum elevator doors are interesting – the design inspired by the Art Deco designs from New York’s Chrysler Building.
There are two decks of entertainment/public rooms. A winding shopping street has several boutiques, and includes an Internet center, library, card room, art gallery, photo gallery, and several small meetings rooms. A casino (with gaming tables and slot machines) is large, but you have to walk through it to get from the restaurant to the showlounge. Ice cream is free at certain hours, and warm hors d’oeuvres are provided in all bars.
On other decks, you’ll find the Queen’s Lounge lecture room and the Culinary Arts Center, as well as bars and lounges including an Explorer’s Lounge (lifestyle/coffee lounge), and a small movie-screening room.
The lobby reception area is small and removed from the main passenger flow on the two decks above it. Many pillars obstruct passenger flow and lines of sight throughout the ship. There are no self-service launderettes – something that families with children will miss, although special laundry packages are available.
Accommodation. There are many price categories. Lifeboats obstruct the view from some cabins on Main Deck. Some cabins can accommodate a third and fourth person but have little closet space, and only one personal safe. Suite occupants get exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge and concierge, priority embarkation and disembarkation, and other benefits. In many of the suites/cabins with private balconies the balconies are not so private and can be overlooked from various public locations.
Outside-view cabins. Standard outside cabins measure 197 sq ft (18 sq m). Interior (no-view) cabins are slightly smaller (183 sq ft/17 sq m).
Niggles include noisy air conditioning – the flow in cabins and bathrooms can’t be turned off, and the only regulation is for temperature control.
Other grades include Penthouse Verandah Suites, which measure 1,318 sq ft (122 sq m). Deluxe Verandah Suites measure 563 sq ft (52 sq m). Verandah Suites are actually cabins, not suites, and measure 284 sq ft (26 sq m).
Dining. The 1,045-seat Vista Dining Room is aft. It spans two decks and is a stunning room, with seating on both levels. Both open seating, and fixed seating are available for dinner, while breakfast and lunch are open-seating (restaurant staff seat you when you enter). There are tables for two to eight. The waiter stations can be noisy for anyone seated adjacent to them.
With a few exceptions, the cuisine is rather unmemorable, because it’s all about batch cooking for large numbers. There’s a distinct lack of variety of green vegetables, too much use of rice, canned fruit, and already sliced and diced cheese. Still, you get friendly service from smiling Indonesian and Filipino stewards, and the plates are nice.
‘Lighter option’ meals are always available for the nutrition- and weight-conscious. Kosher meals are also available; these are prepared ashore, frozen, and brought to your table sealed in their original containers.
The 130-seat Pinnacle Grill has higher-quality ingredients and better presentation than in the main dining room. Pacific Northwest cuisine is featured, including premium-quality steaks. There are fine table settings, china, and silverware, and leather-bound menus. A wine bar offers mostly American wines. Reservations are needed, and there’s a cover charge.
For casual eating, Lido Café is a self-serve buffet-style eatery that wraps around the funnel housing and extends aft, with fine views over the multi-deck atrium. Movement through the buffet area can be slow at peak times. Each evening, one side is turned into an extra-cost, 72-seat Canaletto Restaurant – a quasi-Italian informal eatery with waiter service.
Also, a poolside ‘Dive-In at the Terrace Grill’ features multi-choice signature burgers (with Dive-In sauce), hot dogs, and fries, and, on certain days, barbeques may be featured.
An extra-cost Windsurf Café in the atrium lobby (open most of the day) has coffee, pastries, snack foods, deli sandwiches, and, in the evenings, liqueur coffees.
Entertainment. The 867-seat Vista Lounge is the venue for Vegas-style revues and cabaret shows. The main-floor level has a bar in its starboard aft section. Spiral stairways at the back of the lounge connect all levels. Stage shows are best seen from the upper levels, which have good sight lines.
Spa/Fitness. The Greenhouse Spa is a two-deck-high facility, located directly above the navigation bridge. It includes a solarium, a hydrotherapy pool, and a unisex thermal suite, incorporating a laconium, hammam, and chamomile grotto. There is also a salon, several private massage/body-treatment rooms including one for couples, and a fitness room with floor-to-ceiling windows. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a basketball court, volleyball court, and golf simulator.