Oosterdam
It is a well known fact that I consider Holland America Line (HAL) to be one of the finest cruise companies in the business! This company has been in the passenger shipping industry since 1872 and the company continually set’s the standards and has received numerous awards and accolades for being one of the highest rated Cruise Line many years in a row, something few other cruise lines can boast!
These are some of the International awards, including the Australian AFTA Award.
“The
Highest Rated Cruise Line” – Conde Nast Travellers Readers; Choice
Travellers Awards; Travel & Leisure Word’s Best Awards.
“Best Cruise Operator”
(Internationally based) - AFTA award 2010 at the AFTA National
Travel Industry Awards.
“Gold 2010
“World’s
Leading Green Cruise Line Award” and the “
In 1989, Holland America Line became a wholly
owned subsidiary of Carnival Corp, however, HAL has thankfully 100% separate from Carnival
as all their ships are registered in Rotterdam The Netherlands, whereas
HAL is also famed for their superb and unique style of service and
their refined touches on board, something that no other cruise line in their
class offers, yet their fares are comparable and are most affordable! Thus for
Australian’s and New Zealanders who are thinking of undertaking a cruise
vacation, consider taking one on a HAL ship in the future, especially now the
fabulous and popular 61,214 ton MS Volendam continues to sail from our shores
as well as the larger and elegant 82,000-tom ms Oosterdam in the summer season
of 2012 and 2013.
Both ships will cruise to destinations around
Details and specifications regarding the ms Oosterdam
The Oosterdam is the second of four identical
sister ships, the first was the ms Zuiderdam in 2002, followed by the ms
Oosterdam in 2003, next came the ms Westerdam in 2004, with the last being the
ms Noordam. All of these ships were based externally on the Vista class of
ships and they were built by the famed Fincantieri
- Cantieri Navali Italiani S.p.A., at their
Fincantieri Ship Yards at Marghera near
The
Specifications: 82,000 GRT (Gross registered Tons). Length: 290m (950ft). Beam: 32.25m (105.8ft). Draught: 7.9m (26ft). Power and drive: Combined diesel and gas turbine electric power, propulsion is per 2 x 360° Azipod’s, producing 17.62 MW (23956.53 ps). Speed: 24 knots max (44 km/h), service speed, 22 knots. She has 11 passenger decks, accommodating 2,388 guests with a crew of 812. Call sign: PBKH. IMO number: 9221281.
Now we have that completed and all our ship lovers are satisfied, let continue for those who just love the comforts and luxury of cruising and that is just what Holland America is so famed for.
These are some of the ms Oosterdam
The Digital Workshop
powered by Microsoft Windows: Guests will be able to show and tell" their vacation memories,
learning how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and
social networking - so friends and family can see where they've been cruising
even before they return home. Free workshops taught by Microsoft-trained "techsperts"
make it easy and fun, even for novices
The
Greenhouse Spa &
Salon:
features heavenly beauty and wellness rituals. Enjoy a facial, hot stone
massage, steam in a thermal suite and have your hair and nails done for a
special evening.
Pinnacle Grill: This intimate reservations-only
venue offers an elegant, sophisticated dining experience. Featuring premium
Sterling Silver beef, inspired seafood dishes and many select wines rated
"Excellent" by Wine
Spectator - as well as distinctive Bvlgari® china, Riedel® stemware and
Frette® linens
Lido Restaurant: offers a relaxed ambiance for all
three meals and features a variety of fresh, cooked-to-order specialties
Explorations Café,
powered by The New York Times: a comfortable, coffee house
environment where you can browse through an extensive library, surf the
Internet and check email or simply read the morning paper.
Crow's Nest: offers sweeping 270° views during
the day, and a hip, fashionable nightclub each evening
Club HAL®: our dedicated youth facilities
and activities for kids ages 3 - 12; activities are supervised and age
appropriate
The Loft: designed exclusively for teens
(13 - 17) to have fun, socialize and hang out with people their own age
I am
sure that many Australian’s who have sailed on the Volendam look forward
to the arrival of the Oosterdam!
One thing I particularly like on board all HAL ships is the careful detail that is given to the hygiene on board their ships and how it is presented to every passenger on the ship. The company is not known for nothing for having “The Spotless Fleet.” But when you stem on this ship you will be amazed by the sheer delights of colour, the masses of flowers and all the art that is all over the ship! You can tour the ship and find something new and exciting every single day!
But what will be the most impressive of all is the attentive detail when it comes to service, the superb food that will satisfy the most discerning person, no matter how fussy you are, for if you wish something special, be assured it will be there! And the best entertainment I have ever found on any shipping company, it is top quality, with excellent staging and wonderful performances that leave you wanting for more, and best still, you do not feel like you have been to one of those cheap Las Vegas style shows, like on every other ship!
Now let us take a closer look at the ship
herself!
The
Bar on the lower level of the Atrium
Looking
towards the popular Ocean Bar
Northern
Lights Club
I have found that HAL staterooms are very spacious and even the most inexpensive inside room as can be seen below is a most pleasant room indeed and it has every possible facility that one could wish for for the perfect vacation, whilst going on a value for money vacation. In all staterooms, beds can either be made up in a twin bedded or as a double bed configuration, just let your travekl agent know when you make your booking your preference, but you must do this when you book!
Every Stateroom includes:
Luxurious beds
featuring Sealy® Premium Euro-Top mattresses and finely woven cotton linens.
Deluxe waffle
weave and terry cloth bathrobes for use during your voyage.
100% Egyptian
cotton towels.
Premium massage
showerheads.
5X magnifying
make-up mirrors and salon-quality hair dryers.
Fragrant soaps,
lotions, shampoo and other bath amenities from Elemis Aromapure.
Complimentary fresh
fruit on request.
Elegant ice
bucket and serving tray for in-stateroom beverages.
Flat-panel TV
and DVD player.
Ice service,
shoeshine service and nightly turndown service.
Whilst the
Deluxe and Penthouse have additional features including the use of the Neptune
Lounge and other facilities.
Please note that I have not included everything that is in the cabin, such all as the usual inlusions, like a phone and hairdryer, etc. HAL has thought of just about everything!
Twin
or double
This
is a standard outside twin or double
Verandah
staterooms have become more and more popular with many and Oosterdam has five
decks of them
Here
we see one of the superior Verandah staterooms – living with more space
But
why not opt for a Deluxe Verandah suite and do it in some real style and enjoy
the delights of the Neptune Lounge as well
Here
we see the Penthouse
In
2012 and 2013 the ms
These are my other
Page One: Holland America Line – Introduction Page
ms
Nieuw Amsterdam
And the ms Amsterdam Ship Review
The author visited ms Amsterdam in
For Information
In
Contact …
Email Corie: info@cruisespecialists.com.au
Or Phone
For a listing of recommended Australian,
***************************************************
Commenced in
the Passenger Shipping Industry in May 1960
Or go directly to the - Cruise-Australia.com - INDEX
However, if you are interested in a cruise, I am happy to refer you to
a dedicated cruise agent in
