Zuiderdam and Oosterdam the same?

[jetfixer03]

I'm assuming from the stats that Zuiderdam and Oosterdam are sister ships and are essentially the same. Is this correct? Are there any differences of note?

Thanks,

Chris J.

[jhannah]

You are correct. They are sisters. The only substantial difference is in the decor. The Oosterdam is more muted in its design/color scheme than the Zuiderdam. Oh, and the Waterford crystal in the atrium is different.

[peaches from georgia]

Yes, they are sister ships with different decors. The Oosterdam is more muted and less glitzy than the Zuiderdam. Whether that also reflects on the ambience and pax complex of each ship is a matter of opinion.

You can go to this site and take a virtual tour of both the Zuiderdam and the Oosterdam:

www.virtualtoursusa.com/galleryships.htm

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have been on the Oosterdam and found the colors very lovely compared to the pictures we have seen of the Zuiderdam - sent to us by friends.

[LAFFNVEGAS]

The first Day we were on the Oosterdam I felt that she was exactly the same as her sister Zuirderdam and did not immediately see the big color scheme difference (there are a few wild colors on the Oosterdam too) But after a few days on the Oosterdam I started to "feel" the difference but that could be because we were in Alaska not the Caribbean. I do really like both ships but prefer the Oosterdam.

[DFD1]

The Oosterdam is a tad more elegant. Both ships are beautifully designed and laid out.
Only significant complaint I've heard is that there are lots of curved hallways in the public rooms of the Oosterdam and you often can't see where you are going until you get 'round the curve and "then you are there". That has been confusing to some, especially older passengers. The passageways on the public decks are not very straightforward. The public rooms themselves are spacious and beautiful.

The new Westerdam is also a sistership and the new Noordam, coming in a year or so, is the fourth and (I think) final ship in the VISTA CLASS for HAL.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes, the new Noordam is to be the last of the Vista class ships.

[jetfixer03]

Thanks for your replies everyone!

Chris J.

[Himself]

I have been on the Zuiderdam and have hopes of going on the Oosterdam next spring. A TA I know has travelled on both. She admitted she had been on the Zuiderdam but raved about the OOsterdam. She said that the Oosterdam is much classier. Both of the cruises were in the Caribbean.

Himself