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Tell me about the Oosterdam

BSeaBob

By BSeaBob,
in Holland America Line

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EbayCruiser

EbayCruiser

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We just travelled on her and had a wonderful time! Alaska 8/28-9/04. We had room 8115 - A room with Balcony. Booked a BC but was upgraded (I guess??) to an A. Loved the location - really close and convenient to the Lido. :)

 

Beds were very very comfortable. Staff and service was great. We only ate in the main dining room on two of the seven nights (both formal nights). We actually preferred the food in the Lido - don't ask - I guess we're just not used to the formal type food. Loved the food in the Lido - still missing those wonderful breakfasts!!

 

The Oosterdam is a beautiful ship but it was only my second cruise and my husbands first. I cruised on Royal Carribean back in the 90's. Can't wait to book another cruise, we might try Hawaii next.

 

We packed WAY too many clothes. Especially the formal clothes, most people were in jeans and shorts except on formal nights.

 

Let me know if you have any specific questions!!

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DFD1

DFD1

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Spent a week on board the Oosterdam earlier this year. She is a sparkling and beautiful new ship. Larger than most other HAL ships, she carries a magnificent collection of fine artwork displayed along with dozens of arrangements of fresh flowers throughout the ship. The dining room is two floors high with a dramatic stairwell and balcony between the two levels. The lounges and public rooms are spacious and easy to navigate.

 

Food and service were fine. Entertainment was a bit sedate, but still enjoyable. HAL is not a lively on board as Carnival. Leans more to the elegant side, but not stuffy....at least not to us.

 

Hope this helps....and hope it does not sound like a sales brochure. We had a good time and would go back again with no doubts.

 

Have fun.

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EbayCruiser

EbayCruiser

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There are lots of things to do onboard the ship. Bingo, Trivia, Tours of the Ship, Ping Pong Tournaments, Spa Seminars, Bridge, Volleyball, Yoga Class (norminal fee), Various Trournaments in the Casino, Step Class (nominal fee), Movies, Art Auction, Digital Photography Seminar, Aerobics, Cranium Challenge, Pilates (nominal fee), Hole in One Golf, Step Class (nominal fee), Basketball, Shuffleboard Tournament, Line Dance Class, Yoga (nominal fee), church services, cooking class.

 

Each night paperwork is left on your bed by the cabin steward for the following days schedule. They have various things all throughout the day. The above are some of the items I listed that were on the daily schedules. :)

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BSeaBob

BSeaBob

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"QUOTE"We actually preferred the food in the Lido - don't ask - I guess we're just not used to the formal type food. Loved the food in the Lido - still missing those wonderful breakfasts!!

 

EbayCruiser.........

Sorry I must !!

What hours can you eat there and what type of meal is dinner. thks for the great info.

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DrivesLikeMario

DrivesLikeMario

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Good question about the Lido food. What are the hours and how does the food compare to other cruise lines?

 

I'm surprised EbayCruiser felt comfortable eating in the Lido most nights. On our last Princess cruise, we kinda felt uncomfortable going that casual. We seemed to be some of the only ones eating in the buffet for dinner one night. ??? Were there many people doing this on the Oosterdam? I'm also surprised about jeans being worn most nights, isn't that taboo? ??

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Orcrone

Orcrone

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1) We are looking at May 2005 for an Oosterdam cruise from Seattle. What are the Deluxe Veranda Outside rooms like and which are the best to choose from? What about three to one of these rooms?

 

2) How do we obtain the best price? We are using a TA. Any secrets?

Hopetocruise, welcome to the boards.

 

I haven't sailed three to a room, but many do it. It's probably a little tight, but I've seen many with four to a room.

 

As far as TAs. To get the best price I did a google search on the ship and got quotes from any and all online TAs. My TA generally gets as good or better pricing than any other's for HAL. If you're interested in their website drop me an e-mail at morlick1 at cox dot net.

 

Orcrone

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EbayCruiser

EbayCruiser

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Sorry it took me so long to get back with you. Actually the Lido was pretty crowded most times. The first time we ate in the dining room was the first Formal night and it seemed pretty full in the dining room but we didn't care for the food. Good thing they had plenty of GOOD food in the Lido! HaHa Anyway, we do not care for seafood (only fish) so several of the menu options were out for us in the dining room and the salads were kinda weird (weird lettuce ???) the salad bar at the Lido was wonderful!! The second night that we ate in the dining room there were alot of empty chairs (course we had late dining).

 

I was a little shocked at the dress in the Lido - some people even ventured in from the spa or pool with their stateroom bathrobes on :eek: . I thought that was pretty funny!! I packed tons of NEW clothes bought especially to wear on the casual nights at dinner and never even wore half of them. Very casual in the Lido!!

 

Hours for the Lido are very flexible:

 

Continental Breakfast 6:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. (wonderful Croissants)

Buffet Breakfast 6:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (seems like one morning they opened at 7:00 a.m.

Buffer Lunch 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. (different meals each day - very good)

Deli & Salad Bar 11:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

The Wok Stir-fry 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 (my favorite for lunch)

Pizza & Pasta Bar 11:30 a.m. - midnight (wonderful pizza - my husband lived at this bar haha)

Ice Cream Parlor 11:30 a.m. - midnight

Buffet Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. (food comparable to main dining room i.e. on prime rib night they had prime rib at the buffet dinner in Lido)

 

Terrace Grill

Taco Bar, Hamburgers & Hotdogs 11:30 a.m. 5:00 p.m.

 

As you can see, we ate well. My husband and I both came home 5 lbs. heavier. Now I'm back to low carb to lose the extra weight.

 

Our stateroom was on the Navigation Deck - room 8115. We booked a BC room but was upgraded to an A. We loved the location of our room (just right below the Lido). We just went down a short hall up one set of stairs and was in the Lido - how convenient is that??? Hence the 5 extra pounds :rolleyes: !

 

Please let me know if you have anymore questions. I am itching to book another cruise - I've got the cruise blues (really BAD!!). We would like to cruise to Hawaii in the fall of 2005 but finances may not be right for it. If not, then I am surely going to book a cruise to the Carribean.

 

We loved the Oosterdam and would not hesitate to cruise again on her for sure! I don't have any negative comments about our cruise to Alaska!

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DrivesLikeMario

DrivesLikeMario

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I hope BSeaBob sees this too. I know he was wondering about the food too. I'll print out the info. you gave above and save it. Thanks!

 

Sounds like we won't be starving - that's for sure! I had planned on renting tuxes for my DH and sons, but now I'm wondering if we should or not. I would buy them, but the boys would grow out of them in a couple months and DH is so incredibly picky about clothes that we'd probably have to spend $3000 before he'd be satisfied with a purchased tux. :(

 

Were there many ladies in very formal dresses on formal nights?

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EbayCruiser

EbayCruiser

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I did see a few tux's on formal nights but no gowns on the women. Most just wore a sequined/beaded type blouse with skirt/slacks or a dressy dress. On the first night, I wore a long dress that comes down to the ankles (velvet on the top with long sleeves and the bottom is a crinkled/pleated type chiffon. The second formal night I wore a beaded red short sleeve top with a right below the knees black silk skirt. I felt very comfortable. You will see a little of everything - some people dress up and some just look like they are going to church (not even dressy church).

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BSeaBob

BSeaBob

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Finally got back to check in. thks for the info. everyone.

 

LovetheSea. we will get on when you get off. Might see u :)

 

LadyJAG. it does rhyme with Toaster so I have been told

 

Ebaycruiser. thks again. My brotherinlaw will like that :)

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