This cruise liner from Holland America entered service in mid-2003. Measuring 85,920 tons, she is a sister to the 2002-built Zuiderdam and the second ship in the Vista class series. While the Oosterdam (pronounced Oh-ster-dam and signifying the east compass direction) is somewhat toned down from the colorful Zuiderdam, she too is designed to attract younger passengers, families and repeat passengers who desire a more sedate experience than the partying megaships provide. This sleek 951-ft-long vessel, registered in the Netherlands, carries a maximum of 1,848 passengers. Most of her officers are Dutch, and the attentive crew is mainly Indonesian and Philippino. Holland America's biggest asset is its staff, which believes that providing excellent service is an honor. However, the rapid expansion of the line has stretched its ability to be entirely consistent in providing professional service.
Holland America Line dates back to the 1870s and for one hundred years was a major carrier on the North Atlantic route between Germany, the Netherlands, Britain, France, Ireland and across to New York and Montreal. By the early 1970s, she dropped regular transatlantic service and turned entirely to cruising. Since becoming part of the Carnival Corporation family in 1989, the line has grown by leaps and bounds until the fleet numbered 14 ships, all but the Prinsendam (a former Royal Viking ship) very similar in design, though ever larger in tonnage and numbers of passengers. Still, Holland America has avoided building mega ships.
HAL has historically attracted an older passenger though in recent years, the age has come down for some of the more popular vacation-style itineraries where the outdoor activities take sway over cultural experiences ashore. Some families now come too, but not usually in very large numbers as would be found on the mass market ships.
Spring and fall transatlantic positioning voyages operate between Fort Lauderdale and the Mediterranean. In winter, the ship makes Panama Canal cruises between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego and 7-day Mexican Riviera and Baja California cruises from San Diego. From April to October 2099 the ship will have an extended European season. The majority of these cruises will be 12 days in length and sail between Barcelona and Venice or be Venice round-trips that cruise through the Adriatic to the Greek Islands and Turkey.
The atmosphere onboard is casual, although passengers take formal nights seriously on most itineraries. With a high passenger-space ratio of 46, the ship never feels crowded. Two exterior glass elevators afford horizon views. As on all HAL ships, art is a point of pride, and there is abundant museum-quality art here to delight the eye, including a sculpture of penguins cavorting on an iceberg. Public areas provide options for varied tastes. The two-level Main Dining Room now has a choice of pre-set sittings with assigned tables for dinner or open seating during a wide window of hours. The alternative Pinnacle Grill with an adjacent Pinnacle Grill Bar (from April 2009) offers a Pacific Northwest menu and serves wines from that region. A third option, the Lido Restaurant, provides bistro-style dining with themed food stations including a deli, a buffet, a pizza bar and an Asian stir-fry grill. Complimentary 24-hour room service is available.
Big-time entertainment takes place forward in the three-level Vista Lounge. Constitutional walkers delight in the wraparound promenade deck and when they have had enough, they can flop down on teak oceanliner-style deck chairs. The elegant Explorer's Lounge is the venue for classical music and after-dinner drinks and dessert, while the more casual Ocean Bar is a traditional company venue off the central atrium. The Crow's Nest, a HAL favorite, is situated on the highest public room deck well away from the traffic flow with terrific views in an 180-degree arc. The Internet Center on Promenade Deck forward will become the Explorations Cafe adjacent to the Crow's Nest in spring 2009. A well-equipped and often busy fitness center one deck below keeps guests active. They can relax later at the Greenhouse Spa, the most luxurious in HAL's fleet, with its thermal room, hydrotherapy pool, aromatherapy showers and heated, tiled lounges.
Fully 67% of all staterooms include a veranda and 85% boast ocean views. The cabins are roomier than on most ships, and even inside cabins measure a full 185 sq ft. Some cabins interconnect for families. Deluxe veranda suites, at 516 sq ft, include a large sitting area and full-size whirlpool baths. Guests in suites frequent the Neptune Lounge, which has its own concierge, snacks and library and get priority embarkation and disembarkation priviledges. Those in wheelchairs have a choice of 28 cabins.
Although the current passenger list is composed of mainly mature travelers, a higher percentage of younger people are beginning to come aboard, according to Holland America. The cruise line has incorporated the amenities of a premium grade ship on the Oosterdam to attract them. Holland America competes with other premium lines such as Oceania and Celebrity.
