Oosterdam vs Star

[wyplum]

Which would you choose?

[Tatka]

Which Star are you talkin about? Norwegian or Princess?;)

[wyplum]

Star Princess

[avalon1025]

Ritz Carlton vs Hyatt. The Oosterdam is beautiful, classy, the Star a bit Mall like and a bit bland as far as decor. I would say having been on both HAL has the edge (an not b/c we are on the HAL boards). The Star is also huge!

[dougnewmanatsea]

I would prefer OOSTERDAM, having been on GRAND PRINCESS (sister to STAR) and ZUIDERDAM (sister to OOSTERDAM)... But I think comparing HAL to a Ritz-Carlton is being far, far too generous to HAL. Yes, HAL is very nice, but a floating Ritz it is not. Maybe more of a floating Westin to Princess' Sheraton or something like that.

[olderpilot]

Good comparison Doug (Oosterdam - Westin; Star - Sheraton). We have have been on both during the last year - both on extended cruises. For us, the Oosterdam was just a classier ship. The Star was OK, but it would take something pretty unique to book it again. The one thing the Star did have (since it has 1000 more people on board) is a greater diversity of night life. However, the popular events were often so overcrowded you couldn't get in.

I will say we had excellent service from the dining room staff and cabin stewards on both ships.

The Lido restaurant on Oosterdam beats the one on Star hands down - no comparison, at least in my opinion.

If itineraries and cost were roughly equal - I would take the Oosterdam in a minute!

Jerry

[wyplum]

Thank you all so much.
So far I'm leaning towards Oosterdam having never sailed Holland America and since they have a much better rate for a single friend going with us.

[TedC]

I think you'll like the Oosterdam. We have sailed on all three Vista ships and liked them all. They are all beautiful, comfortable ships and vary mostly in decor.

Many lines would cram 200 or 300 more people on a ship the size of the Vistas.

We have sailed on several lines, but not Princess. The ambience on HAL has kept us coming back. We have three more HAL cruises booked and are counting the days (102) until we leave for our next one.

[Southwest]

We've been on the Star and several other Princess ships and always had a great time. The Star is a huge ship with lots of passengers, but it is designed in such a way that you don't really feel crowded. Our first HAL cruise is later this year on the Oosterdam so I can't compare the 2 yet. We decided to go Oosterdam this year to have a different experience and we're looking forward to it. I did want to comment on one detail that I really enjoy on Princess. Their afternoon tea is just terrific. It is in an area of the dining room, usually they have a trio or pianist playing, the servers wear white gloves and bring the tea and sandwiches and sweets to you. The scones with cream and jam are my favorite thing to eat at afternoon tea. If you should decide on the Star, be sure to go to afternoon tea. It is a very nice daily ritual. Whatever you choose, have fun!

[Charliesmom]

We have had over a dozen cruises on Princess ships, only once on the same class as the Star Princess. In general, we have been on the Sun Class ships which are closer in size to the Oosterdam. In my opinion, the Grand Class ships are too big for us.

Our next cruise will be on the Westerdam. After reading about great service on HAL, I am really looking forward to it. Also, this will be our first time in a suite. We have booked an aft suite with a wrap around balcony. I just hope I don't get seasick because of the extra motion.

One nice thing the Sun Class ships have are mini-suites that are two separate rooms. The Grand Class ships do not have the two separate rooms in the mini-suites and most of the balconies for them are uncovered.

Roberta