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Holland
America's newest ship the Oosterdam started her winter Caribbean
cruise season this past week from Ft Lauderdale. If you have
cruised on the Zuiderdam you'll know the Oosterdam as they are
sister ships.
Actually
the Oosterdam has several other relatives as well. The Carnival
Legend, Pride and Spirit as well as Costa's Mediterranea and
Atlantica are using the same basic hull but with different
interiors. In the case of the Oosterdam the ship carries 1,848
passengers compared to 2,124 on the Carnival ships and 2,114 on
the Costa ship. Needless to say the Holland America passengers
enjoy more public space and cabin space.
The vast
majority of the cabins on this ship have a very generous size
balcony and are about 240 sq ft with full bath and shower among
the numerous amenities. If your group has the budget I would
recommend the Deluxe Veranda Suites that are 528 sq ft including
the huge veranda. These suites come with a long list of
complimentary amenities including: use of the exclusive Neptune
Lounge, personalize stationary, high tea served in your suite each
afternoon, hors d'oeuvres served before dinner in your suite upon
request, an exclusive luncheon hosted by the Captain and Hotel
Manager, complimentary corsages and boutonnieres for formal nights
and complimentary laundry and dry cleaning. VERY IMPRESSIVE!
The decor
is very pleasant to the eye and much more contemporary than some
of HAL ships. What particularly is nice are the abundant ocean
views from the public rooms located on the Promenade Deck and
Lower Promenade Deck. As with other Holland America ships there
is an extremely good collection of art as well as an abundance of
floral arrangements.
If you
have cruised with Holland America before you will find the
familiar Ocean Bar, Queens Lounge, Crows Nest and Piano Bar,
however the Oosterdam and the Zuiderdam feature several firsts
for the Holland America fleet; a pair of glass elevators located
mid ship on each side of the ship, an indoor hydrotherapy pool,
The Pinnacle Grill, and the Windstar Café, a gourmet coffee bar.
The
Pinnacle Grill is the alternative dining room that looks like a
slick, intimate shore side restaurant and the additional charge is
well worth the experience. The two level main dining room has
three walls of glass and the "Grand Dining Room" feeling with a
winding staircase and band stand. It is possible to take over one
of the levels or the entire dining room for groups. In the near
future the ship will go to 4 dining seating versus the current two
making it even easier to get a private venue for your groups.
The
Restaurant and Buffet has been expanded greatly with six different
themed food stations as well as the traditional steam tables. In
the near future the nightly service will be enhanced with table
clothes and candles as well as waiter a la carte menu service for
yet another dining option.
The
Oosterdam offers two pool areas each with a different feeling.
The Lido Pool has a retractable cover so weather is never a
problem along with a very comfortable poolside bar and grill.
The aft pool is unprotected and let's you feel closer to the sea
and the elements and is a quieter location.
Holland
America is under taking a fleet wide enhancement program. We were
able to see several prototype-remodeled cabins. The new cabins
will feature more contemporary drapery, fantastic new mattresses,
top quality linens, European Duvets and mini bars in all cabins.
Another feature already in place is starting boarding as early as
11:30 am versus the normal 1 pm or later. Passengers are allowed
to get on the ship and go to the Lido Deck, but not to their
cabins until 1 pm.
The
Oosterdam has several dedicated meeting rooms and numerous lounges
that can accommodate most any size group for private functions.
Holland America and the Oosterdam are very user friendly when it
comes to incentives and meetings.
The
Oosterdam is a classy ship that offers larger than normal cabins
and suites, first class service and fine food. An ideal ship for
incentives!
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