|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Itineraries and Ports of Call: South America & Antarctica
|
|
|
|
Oosterdam Review
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 The Java Bar, with its complimentary espresso and cappuccino, has been replaced by the "Windstar Cafe" -- and now specialty coffees are an extra charge (espresso and cappuccino are still complimentary in the dining room).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.
 Read Complete Oosterdam Review
|
|
|
|
|
|
Holland America Ships: Amsterdam • Eurodam • Maasdam • Nieuw Amsterdam • Noordam • Oosterdam • Prinsendam • Rotterdam • Ryndam • Statendam • Veendam • Volendam • Westerdam • Zaandam • Zuiderdam
|
|
|
|
)
)
)
)
