Fortunately the Oosterdam is one of the older HAL ships (from before the Pinnacle class). That means: bigger staterooms, more space around the pool, less noise in the pool area and more space (in hight) in the main dining room. We are no fans of the new Pinnacle class ships although those ships (Koningsdam, New Statendam, Rotterdam 7) also have a lot to offer.

It was therefore a great pleasure to sail with the Oosterdam. Almost everything was all right, although you can see that the ship has a certain age. The drydock update of this year did not solve some minor issues in our stateroom like the air-conditioning which was not functioning properly and a panel with a lamp next to the bed which fell out of the wall. But these are minor issues and they were solved quickly and the rest of the ship and the crew were perfect. The food is always good and the service of the Indonesian waiters is excellent. In fact all personnel was very friendly and cooperative. And the ports of call were all very good: much culture, lots of things to see and to do.

A few remarks about the food. We did not like the menus in the Canaletto restaurant. This restaurant is supposed to be Italian but the food is adapted to the American taste. Too much pasta. The menus lack typical Italian secondi piatti. And the service was slow and not always up to standard. Our wine came in glasses which are normally used for water. Dinner in the Pinnacle restaurant takes too long for us. But the main dining room is all right: good service, capable sommeliers, enough variety in food. Read more