Sheets/Bedding on Holland

[like2cruise]

We sailed on the Zaandam this past July to Alaska and we liked the new bedding especially the sheets on Holland. My hubby wants us to get similar sheets for home. Does anyone know what thread count those are? Brand?Any information is appreciated!

[sail7seas]

I think the thread count is in the 400 range. Are they Egyptian cotton?

[dakrewser]

We sailed on the Zaandam this past July to Alaska and we liked the new bedding especially the sheets on Holland. My hubby wants us to get similar sheets for home. Does anyone know what thread count those are? Brand?Any information is appreciated!
According to the press release, they are "...high quality 250-thread-count cotton bed linens..."

[FlorenceItaly]

They are wonderful, aren't they??!! :).

Marie

[bepsf]

Hmph...

Oceania uses 350
W Hotels - 350

Hmph...

[jhannah]

What?? No satin????? :eek:

[sail7seas]

;) Brian.....


The new sheets are very soft and I noticed a huge difference from what they had been using in recent years. I think the duvets delicious also.

In recent years, I had noticed the bedding was not soft like it used to be and am delighted they are now using these nice sheets.

[xpcdoojk]

Hmph...

Oceania uses 350
W Hotels - 350

Hmph...

Well compared to the burlap sacks they were using, it is an improvement! :D ;)

jc

[RevNeal]

The following comes from Christopher, who is a professional clothing/pattern designer with a major US firm. He works with many different kidns of fabrics and knows the field with a professionalism that is beyond my comprehension (he can read a pattern the way I read a manuscript):

It is true that thread count is important, but there are many urban myths about high-thread counts always being of a "higher quality." Thread count in sheets can range from as low as 80 [about the consistency of sandpaper] to as high as 700 [so soft you slide out of bed with the slightest twitch]. Most stores sell sheets that range from 175 to 350. In general, the rule of thumb states that "the higher the thread count, the softer the fabric feels" ... but that's not always or necessarily true. All other considerations aside, thread counts above 300 are "over-kill" and, essentially, a marketing "sham" designed to boost sales and profit margin. Sheet manufacturers will often twist two threads in a way that lets them claim double the sheet's thread count without actually improving the actual quality or feel of the sheet. They, then, can sell such fake higher-thread-count sheets for more money, when in truth they're not really any better than 200-count sheets.

While the thread count is important to consider when one is choosing sheets, one must also pay very close attention to the nature and quality of the fibers and the over-all finish and dyes used; indeed, I would say that these factors are at least as important as thread-count to a sheet's comfort and durability. For instance, sheets made of linen, flannel, or jersey (i.e., those trendy "T-shirt" sheets that one sees in stores all over the place these days) have VERY low thread counts (about 100) and, yet, due to the nature of the fabric of which they are made they are exceedingly comfortable. A high thread count would eliminate part of the appeal of these sheets by elevating the price without doing anything to improve the quality or the feel.

Consumer Reports rates sheets by thread-count, material, dyes, and other features, and their latest ratings show that "pure" cotton sheets with a thread count of 200 to 250 stand up to the wear and tear of heavy use and, yet, will provide equal or superior comfort to much higher (300-380) thread-count "high quality cotton-blend sheets" or sheet with patterns and harsh dyes.

Christopher can sometimes be as long-winded as I when it's a topic of great interest to him. Anything to do with fabrics will capture his attention like a good theological topic will occupy mine. However, I think his points are good: quality is not all in the thread-count, it's also in the material used and how the sheets are put together. I would assume that these new sheets have a 250 thread count so-as to be durable, while also being made of a high-quality material so as to be very soft.

[DFD1]

Revneal: What a knowledgable Guy! Thanks for posting. Now, (and I say this laughingly) I know more about sheets that I ever needed to know.

On another subject, I have been hanging 'round here for a month or so and have really enjoyed your contributions to this forum. Thanks.

[cactuslady]

I'm going to assume the "high quality" means they used Pima cotton, but then I live in Pima County, so cannot possibly be biased in any way . . . :rolleyes:

By the way, for you trivia lovers (I know you're out there), the cotton and the county were both named for the Native Americans formerly known as the Pima Indians. According to the internet, the tribe has changed its name to Akimel O'odam. No, I don't know how to pronounce it, but sure am glad the cotton and county have not changed to follow suit.

[jhannah]

Tomorrow, boys and girls, we'll discuss the various types of lacquer used to finish the fine furniture in the various rooms of the ships. Hi-gloss does not equate to quality lacquer! :D

Very interesting thread, if you get my drift.

[RevNeal]

Revneal: What a knowledgable Guy! Thanks for posting. Now, (and I say this laughingly) I know more about sheets that I ever needed to know.

Not I ... Christopher. The only thing I know about sheets is that I like 'em soft and clean. :D

On another subject, I have been hanging 'round here for a month or so and have really enjoyed your contributions to this forum. Thanks.

Thank you! I appreciate that! :D

[RevNeal]

I just IMed Christopher to ask what kind of cotton these sheets would be. According to him the cotton in these new sheets will be one of three forms: Pima, Supima, or Egyptian. Given the thread count and the nature of these sheets as being for commercial ship-based use, we're probably looking at Supima, although he said that they could also be Egyptian. He says he'll know more once he gets a chance to see them when we board the Zaandam.

Just for information purposes, on the Volendam last year the sheets were "Percale" cotton of a 50/50 polycotton blend with a 180 thread count..

[RevNeal]

Very interesting thread, if you get my drift.


OOOOooooooh ... I KNEW someone was going to say that! Yes ... we had to IRON out these details before we FOLD this up. :)

[Orcrone]

This thread (no pun intended, it's already been used) has been great. I can't wait for the next time DW shops for sheets. Is she going to be surprised at my knowledge.:D

[Cruising Jake]

Thanks everyone for the hilarity. It is nice of you to SPREAD good cheer by WEAVING your humor into your responses.

[RevNeal]

Hey ... we so often make our beds on this board, at least we sometimes get to lay in them. ;)

[Minybear]

I'm going to assume the "high quality" means they used Pima cotton, but then I live in Pima County, so cannot possibly be biased in any way . . . :rolleyes:

By the way, for you trivia lovers (I know you're out there), the cotton and the county were both named for the Native Americans formerly known as the Pima Indians. According to the internet, the tribe has changed its name to Akimel O'odam. No, I don't know how to pronounce it, but sure am glad the cotton and county have not changed to follow suit.

Cactuslady

Are you sure its not Tohono O'odham here in Tucson AZ. I have never heard of Akimel O'odham????

Its great to know more in detail about the thread count of sheets. I work at a resort here in Tucson and they have the duvets sheets and I think they are about 400 thread count. Its nice to know my 200-250 thread count sheets at home stand up to the wear and tear of heavy use and, yet, will provide equal or superior comfort to much higher (300-380) thread-count.

We just got back from a great trip on HAL to Alaska.

Minybear

[jhannah]

It's great to have a topic that doesn't leave you flat, where no one gets all taught over and in a flap about. It seems to be well fitted to our collective personalities. Next!:)

[sail7seas]

So....after all the analysis :) have we decided the new HAL sheets will provide a well made/comfy bed?

[Esme]

Minnybear and Cactus Lady - check this out

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_piman.html

Very interesting.

[bepsf]

So....after all the analysis :) have we decided the new HAL sheets will provide a well made/comfy bed?

Considering what Rev said about the pre-existing sheets (I agree, it was like sleeping on sandpaper) this is bound to be a major improvement. I'll let you know the final verdict in a couple weeks when I get back from the Amsterdam...
;-)

[Minybear]

Minnybear and Cactus Lady - check this out

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_piman.html

Very interesting.

Thanks Esme for the info. I live on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation (I am not indian) but didn't know anything about the Akimel O'odham. I nice to learn something new everyday;).

Minybear

[cactuslady]

Minnybear and Cactus Lady - check this out

http://www.desertusa.com/ind1/du_peo_piman.html

Very interesting.
That's exactly the website where I learned to spell Akimel O'odam. I never heard of them before either, just the local Tohono O'odam, who apparently used to be called the Papagos. I've lived in Tucson for five years and still have a lot to learn.

[RevNeal]

So....after all the analysis have we decided the new HAL sheets will provide a well made/comfy bed?

Yes ... and most especially with that chocolate on the pillow!!!!!! Hey ... any bed at sea is better than a bed on land! :D

[dakrewser]

So....after all the analysis :) have we decided the new HAL sheets will provide a well made/comfy bed?
Bedding your pardon, but I do believe weave cotton all the mileage we can out of this thread. To continue would be crewel. :rolleyes:

[sail7seas]

Daaaaaave!!!! :D

[marybeach]

You guys are a stitch! :o

Now can you give me insight into the fluffiness of the new pillows....

And, what about the space between the beds when they are pushed together? Does the new bedding make that more comfy???

Volendam 11/26/04
Zaandam 12/03
Westerdam 99
SS Rotterdam 92

[RevNeal]

And, what about the space between the beds when they are pushed together? Does the new bedding make that more comfy???

I sure hope so. I'm hoping that the new euro-tops will including something to help in that department.

[Jacqueline]

All I can say is that the new bedding is THE BEST. My teen said the biggest problem is that you never want to get up.
The only bedding i have had that was better was the Peninsula Hotel in Beverly HIlls, but there it was also the mattress that was unbelievable.

[cruznon]

OK. I have spent a VERY long, tiring day with 7th / 8th graders topped by a long Back-to-School Night.
Reading through this thread, I have laughed so much....
Thank you all...I needed it! :)

[jhannah]

And, what about the space between the beds when they are pushed together? Does the new bedding make that more comfy???I'll take a crack at addressing the space between the beds. It would seem that a pillow top on each matress would assist greatly in filling in this gap. We've been lucky, I guess, in that we've never had our beds come apart so that the gap was noticeable. I'm looking forward to having the new matresses on our upcoming cruise to test them out.

[cactuslady]

My teen said the biggest problem is that you never want to get up.
Sheeeets! What's new and different about that? To me, what mattress most is that the darn alarm doesn't ruffle my nap too soon. That goes against my grain.

I loft to knit up the raveled sleeve of care in fleece and quiet, and comfort.

However, comforter is bedder.
:rolleyes:

[suzieque]

I was on the Westerdam this summer, and I actually LOOKED at the tag on the sheets, (Because they were sooo soft and comfortable!!). Thread count is 250.
I wish all the cruiselines would switch to wonderful mattresses and soft sheets like these!!
Suzie

[peaches from georgia]

I was on the Westerdam this summer, and I actually LOOKED at the tag on the sheets, (Because they were sooo soft and comfortable!!). Thread count is 250.
I wish all the cruiselines would switch to wonderful mattresses and soft sheets like these!!
Suzie
Thank you Suzie for looking at the sheets. Now I want to know the brand. :D We did look at the label on the mattress (with the help of our cabin steward). I wrote it down and will look it up in my cruise file, but believe it was Sealy Posturepedic Euro-Top....

The duvets were wonderful, but they are suite amenity only according to HAL's website.

[scopewest]

Okay, this is sorta off the bed <g> but in terms of finding who made the sheets so you can buy them, when we cruised on the Carnival Spirit we were in a suite (so I don't know if this holds true for all cabins) but our bedside lamp was fabulous, a two bulb configuration that let me read in bed and not have the light intrude on my husband's sleeping space. I copied down the name on it and found out it was made by a firm in Italy. I e-mailed them and begged to buy one and they told me "this lamp was made exclusively for Carnival." So maybe HAL's sheets are made for them and not for sale to the public. Just thought I'd throw that in.

[RevNeal]

Tell you what ... I'll be boarding the Zaandam in about 16 days (yippie!)! When I board I'll check the tag on the sheets on my bed to see if it says who makes them. :) I hope that won't be too long for you to wait ... quite frankly, it is for me!!!!!!! :D

[peaches from georgia]

I did forget to mention in my other post that on the mattress label it also said 'MADE FOR HOLLAND-AMERICA'. So you might not be able to order the same mattress without going through HAL.

I know the Westin Hotel's famous Heavenly Bed mattress, duvet, and linens (rated as the most comfortable bedding in most recent surveys) can be ordered directly from the hotel chain and also on their internet website. So maybe HAL will do the same someday? ;)

[Lisa63]

I did forget to mention in my other post that on the mattress label it also said 'MADE FOR HOLLAND-AMERICA'. So you might not be able to order the same mattress without going through HAL. Hmmmm... a cover-up in our midst?

[tooalto]

We were lucky enough to be on the 8/28 "extended" sailing of the Zuiderdam in a suite and we fell in love with the bedding as well. While waiting to disembark in our cabin, Rik came in to change the linens and I took a peek at the pillows. Some were from Pacific Coast Feather Co. and others were another brand. I assumed the Pacific Coast ones were feather and emailed the company when we (finally) got home. They were super to email right back. They said they provided both feather and synthetic pillows to HAL, the synthetic ones being sold under the brand National Sleep Products but the gal wouldn't be able to track down exactly which pillows HAL was shipped. Anyway, it's a start. According to the Pacific Coast website, many national stores carry their products so we'll go from there.
Hope this helps

[elmorejj]

As long as they don`t start selling them in the shops....unless of course they were on the $10 table!!! :cool: