Oosterdam - Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2017 (Berlitz Cruise Guide) (2016)

Oosterdam

★★★★

Berlitz’s Ratings

Ship: 390 out of 500

Accommodation: 149 out of 200

Food: 261 out of 400

Service: 268 out of 400

Entertainment: 71 out of 100

Cruise: 286 out of 400

Overall Score: 1425 out of 2000

Oosterdam Statistics

Size: Mid-sized Ship

Tonnage: 82,305

Lifestyle: Premium

Cruise Line: Holland America Line

Former Names: none

IMO Number: 9221281

Builder: Fincantieri (Italy)

Original Cost: $400 million

Entered Service: Aug 2003

Registry: The Netherlands

Length (ft/m): 935.0/285.0

Beam (ft/m): 105.6/32.25

Draft (ft/m): 25.5/7.8

Propulsion/Propellers: diesel-electric (35,240kW)/2 azimuthing pods

Passenger Decks: 11

Total Crew: 800

Passengers (lower beds): 1,918

Passenger Space Ratio (lower beds): 42.9

Passenger/Crew Ratio (lower beds): 2.3

Cabins (total): 924

Size Range (sq ft/m): 185.0-1,318.6/17.1-122.5

Cabins (for one person): 0

Cabins (with private balcony): 623

Cabins (wheelchair accessible): 28

Wheelchair accessibility: Good

Cabin Current: 110 volts

Elevators: 14

Casino (gaming tables): Yes

Slot Machines: Yes

Swimming Pools: 2 (1 w/sliding glass door)

Hot Tubs (on deck): 5

Self-Service Launderette: No

Dedicated Cinema/Seats: Yes/170

Library: Yes

Onboard currency: US$

Oosterdam_BerlitzCruiseGuide_EC

This is a contemporary, family-friendly ship with Dutch decor

Overview. Oosterdam offers a range of public rooms with an intimate atmosphere. In keeping with the traditions of Holland America Line, there’s a large collection of Dutch artwork and artifacts.

The Ship. Oosterdam (sister ships: Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam) is one of a series Vista-class ships, designed for a younger, vibrant, multi-generational, family-oriented holidaymakers.

Twin working funnels are the result of the slightly unusual machinery configuration; the ship has, 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 located around the mast and the forward third of the ship. Exterior glass elevators, mounted midships on both port and starboard sides, provide ocean views. There are two centrally located swimming pools outdoors, and one can be used in poor weather thanks to its retractable sliding glass roof. Two whirlpool tubs, adjacent to the swimming pools, are abridged by a bar. Another smaller pool is available for children.

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 being 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 there’s an Internet center, library, card room, an art gallery, photo gallery, and several small meetings rooms. The casino 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 a selection of warm hors d’oeuvres is provided in all bars.

On other decks, you’ll find a Queen’s Lounge, which acts as a lecture room and a Culinary Arts Center. There are also a number of other bars and lounges, including an Explorer’s Lounge. The ship also has a small movie screening room.

The information desk in the lobby is small and somewhat 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 families with children might miss, although special laundry packages are available.

Families. Children have KidZone, an indoor/outdoor facility, and Cub Hal for ages 5-12, with a number of dedicated youth counsellors (a ratio of one for every 30 children). Teenagers get to use WaveRunner, which includes a dance floor, special lighting effects, and a booming sound system. There’s also a video game room, and big-screen television for movies.

Accommodation. There are many price categories. Lifeboats obstruct the view from some cabins on Main Deck. Some cabins that can accommodate a third and fourth person have very little closet space, and only one personal safe. Suite occupants get exclusive use of the Neptune Lounge and concierge service, 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.

Penthouse Verandah Suites (2). These measure 1,318 sq ft (123 sq m), including balcony. Each has a separate bedroom with a king-size bed; there’s also a walk-in closet, dressing room, living room, dining room, butler’s pantry, mini-bar and refrigerator, and private balcony. The main bathroom has a large whirlpool tub, two washbasins, toilet, and plenty of storage space for toiletries. Personalized stationery and free dry cleaning are included, as are hot hors d’oeuvres and other goodies daily.

Deluxe Verandah Suites (60). These measure 563 sq ft (53 sq m). They have twin beds that convert to a king-size bed, vanity desk, lounge area, walk-in closet, minibar and refrigerator, and bathroom with full-size tub, washbasin, and toilet. Personalized stationery and complimentary dry cleaning are included, as are hot hors d’oeuvres and other goodies.

Verandah Suites (100). Actually, they are cabins, not suites, and measure 284 sq ft (26 sq m). Twin beds can convert to a queen-size bed; there is also a lounge area, minibar, and refrigerator, while the bathroom has a tub, washbasin, and toilet. Floor-to-ceiling windows open onto a private balcony.

Outside-view cabins. Standard outside cabins measure 197 sq ft (18 sq m) and have twin beds that convert to a queen-size bed. There’s a small sitting area, while the bathroom has a tub/shower combination. The interior 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.

Dining. The 1,045-seat Vista Dining Room is located aft. It spans two decks, and is quite a stunning room, with seating on both levels. Both open seating, and fixed seating are available for dinner, while breakfast and lunch are an open-seating arrangement (restaurant staff will seat you when you enter). There are tables for two, four, six, or eight. The waiter stations can be noisy for anyone seated adjacent to them. Live music is provided for dinner each evening. Once each cruise, there’s a Dutch Dinner (hats are provided), and an Indonesian Lunch. ‘Lighter option’ meals are always available for the nutrition-conscious and the weight-conscious. Kosher meals are available; these are prepared ashore, frozen, and brought to your table sealed in their original containers.

Other dining options. The 130-seat Pinnacle Grill is more upscale, with higher-quality ingredients and better presentation than in the main dining room. It is on Lower Promenade Deck and fronts onto the second level of the atrium lobby. Pacific Northwest cuisine is featured, with items such as sesame-crusted halibut with ginger-miso, Peking duck breast with blackberry sauce, and an array of premium-quality steaks. There are fine table settings, china and silverware, and leather-bound menus. The wine bar offers mostly American wines. Reservations are needed and there’s a cover charge.

For casual eating, there’s an extensive Lido Café, a self-serve eatery that wraps around the funnel housing and extends aft; there are also some fine views over the ship’s central multi-deck atrium. Movement through the buffet area can be very slow, particularly at peak times. In the evenings, one side of this venue 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 special Dive-In sauce), hot dogs, and fries, and, on certain days, barbecues and other culinary treats may be featured.

An extra-cost Windsurf Café in the atrium lobby (open 20 hours a day) serves coffee, pastries, snack foods, deli sandwiches, and, in the evenings, liqueur coffees.

Entertainment. The 867-seat Vista Lounge is the venue for Las Vegas-style revues and major 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, from where the sight lines are quite good.

Spa/Fitness. The Greenhouse Spa is a large, two-deck-high health spa, located directly above the navigation bridge. Facilities include a solarium, hydrotherapy pool, unisex thermal suite - a unisex area incorporating a Laconium, Hammam, and Chamomile Grotto. There is also a salon, 11 private massage/body treatment rooms including one for couples, and a large gym with floor-to-ceiling windows, and the latest equipment. Sports enthusiasts can enjoy a basketball court, volleyball court, and golf simulator.