On a balmy December morning off the Florida coast, the 85,000-gross-register-ton Oosterdam altered her Bahamasbound course for her first "in-service" rendezvous with her Vista Class sister Zuiderdam. Passengers on both ships clambered to the upper decks to witness the two magnificent midnight-blue and white behemoths mirror each other in the open seas. Once gracefully raked bows terraced forward superstructures, and functioning twin tunnels were aligned, a symphony of maritime bravura began. In time-honored nautical tradition, the Zuiderdam saluted us with three long and one short blasts from her whistle, echoed by the Oosterdam and cheers over swirling seas from both sides. It continued for a few exhilarating minutes until the Oosterdam veered to port, allowing her slightly older sister to continue on her speedy run to Ft. Lauderdale. An exciting new era for the 130-year-old Holland America Line was well under way.
Sharing identical hull dimensions (but not layouts and exterior styling) with Carnival Cruise Lines' Spirit Class quartet, Costa Cruises' Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea, and P&O's newbuilding Arcadia, Holland America's Vista Class vessels are 22-knot technical marvels that blend megaship amenities with the line's traditionally elegant ambiance. Offering 45 percent more Space but only 25 percent more guests than the fine's Statendam Class, the increased size has actually enhanced the comfort and luxury level onboard Holland America's ships. An array of new features includes the expanded Greenhouse Spa & Gymnasium a full-size basketball and volleyball court, four glass elevators with panoramic sea views, dedicated coffee bar and care, expanded Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey, and ocean views for no less than 85 percent of staterooms while 65 percent boast private balconies.
The Vista ships are named for the four points on the compass: the Oosterdam (pronounced like "toaster") taking hers from the east and the 2002-built Zuiderdam (pronounced like "cider") from the south. A brand new Westerdam joined the fleet last spring, and the newbuilding Noordam (pronounced like "door") will complete the 'Dutch compass" in January 2006 (The Oosterdam is the first Holland America ship to bear the name, although there was a 1913-built cargo vessel named Oosterdyk.)
Some of the Oosterdam's advanced features are unseen to her passengers, but nonetheless enhance comfort and safety. For instance, the engine room is divided in!to two separate compartments that can operate independently of each other during an emergency. If one space is disabled, the other can still generate sufficient propulsion and electrical power to deliver the ship safety to port. An additional gas turbine provides further backup as welt as virtually emission-free operation when the Oosterdam is in environmentally sensitive areas, such as Alaskan waters.
The Vista Class vessels also have an extremely sophisticated recycling arid waste plant as well as a Rochem water system that allows reuse of all onboard water for technical purposes rather than discharging it into the sea. Further, sewage sludge can be used as additional fuel for various mechanical systems. Recycled waste, such as plastic and aluminum, is sold, with the proceeds put into a crew fund, creating an incentive for higher efficiency.
When the Zuiderdam debuted, her flashy color schemes and bold artwork dropped a fair shale of jaws with some of Holland America's more reserved clientele, so designer Frans Dingemans toned down the "pizzazz" with the remaining three Vista ships, Artwork onboard the Oosterdam ranges from pleasingly familiar (like Stephen Card's magnificently accurate and evocative midships stairwell paintings of the Oosterdam and past Holland America vessels) to tastefully dynamic (such as the revolving Waterford crystal globe in the ceiling of the Atrium), Among other highlights are photo murals of undersea reef life in the outside elevator banks by Mariani Vermeand (giving the impression of emerging from the sea as the elevators move skyward in a conceptual nod to the 1959-built SS Rotterdam's ascending stairtower panels). As with the other members of the fleet, antiques (both original and reproductions) play a large role in the ship's overall look and feel. A 17th century "Dutch East India" theme is reflected in some of the artifacts displayed, from the Atrium's magnificently ornate silver sailing ship model (that once served as a royal condiment container) to an ancient Rajastani necklace reproduction and a series of 17th century Japanese prints in the forward stairwell.
From top to bottom, loyal Holland America Line passengers will find themselves familiar with the ship's layout, even with the larger size and new amenities. Forward, Sports Deck features a glassed-in sunning and observation area surrounding the mast housing while a net-enclosed full volleyball/basketball court has been added on this level aft of the funnels. Observation Deck begins with a featured "HAL-mark" staple, the spectacular Crow's Nest lounge. Its angled, full-length windows provide unparalleled vistas to either side and over the Oosterdam's prow (the eight reclining leather swivel chairs forward/center are the best seats in the house). The room is divided into three distinct sections with a large circular bar and dance floor at its core.
On the aft starboard side of the Crow's Nest is the Oak Room, a new Vista exclusive, which can function as an alternate meeting room or a quiet hideaway with its large fireplace mantel and plush leather seats. Canopies shade the decks just aft, leading to open promenades along either side of the Lido Pool dome that continue to a terrace overlooking the stem. The golf simulator and Club HAL (teens/children area) are located in the housing just forward of the funnels.
Lido Deck begins with a small outdoor terrace forward of the expanded Greenhouse gym and spa facility. The midships Lido Pool is immediately familiar with its now traditional indoor/outdoor "all weather" sliding glass-domed roof, rattan furniture, and Susanna Holt's jubilant sculpture--this, time penguins atop a mound of ice. The expanded Lido Restaurant is followed by the large aft pool and at fresco Sea View Bar.
Navigation, Rotterdam, Upper Verandah, Verandah, and Upper Promenade decks contain the lion's share of accommodations. The Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suites are served by a private concierge facility, the Neptune Lounge, midships on Rotterdam Deck. Cabin accommodations run the gamut from two incredibly opulent Penthouse Suites to comfortable inside doubles. All rooms feature individual artwork, quality fixtures, and a mostly warm palette of colors in HAL's rich shades of orange, maroon, burgundy, gold, and turquoise.
Promenade and Lower Promenade decks are completely dedicated to public spaces. HAL's traditional leak walkway fully encircles a wide range of rooms on Promenade Deck, beginning with the upper level of the Vista Show Lounge. Along the interior passage heading aft, an expanded Internet Cafe is starboardside, across from the Half Moon, Hudson, and Stuyvesant meeting rooms. The Java Corner and Erasmus Library lead to the shopping arcade and its array of gift, sundry, jewelry, and fashion boutiques. Just beyond the midships lobby is the inviting Ocean Bar, which wraps itself around the uppermost level of the three-deck atrium. A gallery-style bar with full-length windows looks out onto the starboard promenade, while the portside features a dance floor and bandstand. A photo arcade continues the journey along the starboard side to the upper level of the Vista Dining Room while the portside houses the upper galley area.
On Lower Promenade Deck the Vista Lounge empties into the Casino. Adjoining the wide, curving passageway on the Casino's starboardside, an enlarged Piano Bar and Sports Bar offer sea views through full-length windows. On the portside, the Northern Lights disco is a new Vista Class fixture with its separate bar and dance floor. The semicircular Queen's Lounge is diagonally juxtaposed between the Northern Lights and the Casino, functioning as a movie theater, meeting room, and cabaret-style lounge with both fixed and moveable seating. Farther aft, portside, the Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey is divided into several intimate alcoves with views facing the atrium or over the sea. The starboard atrium terrace houses the new Windstar Cafe. The lower galley takes up the portside, as the starboard passage leads to an art gallery and the stately Explorer's Lounge. New to the Vista Class ships, there is a dedicated cigar smoking room in the aft portion of the Explorer's Lounge. The lower Vista Dining Room extends from here to the stem.
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HAL's Vista Class dining options are ever expanding to cater to a diverse clientele. The Vista Dining Room is the traditional sit-down restaurant with assigned main (6 p.m.) and late (8:15 p.m.) seating dinner. Rosenthal china, polished silver-plate cutlery, fresh flowers, and starched linen napkins (often folded into unique forms) make meals in the Vista an elegant affair. Lunch is open-seating, as is breakfast.
The Lido Restaurant offers casual buffetstyle dining with a wide variety of choices, from a dell sandwich bar to Asian stir-fry, an extensive salad bar, fresh pasta and pizza, seafood, desserts, and an ice cream and cookie bar. From 11 p.m. until 12:15 a.m., a dessert extravaganza features freshly baked pastries and handmade chocolates. The dinning room itself is attractively furnished with wooden chairs, laminate tables with varying plaid color schemes, and fantastic sea views through full-length windows. Additional seating is available by the midships pool or out on the less sheltered aft pool deck.
The Terrace Grill, adjacent to the midships pool, offers tacos, hot dogs, and hamburgers, usually from 11:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.. The Windstar Cafe (open 5 a.m. to 1 a.m.) sells an assortment of Seattle's Best coffees and teas, hot chocolate, fruit smoothies, biscotti, fine cakes, and fresh pastries (complimentary coffee and tea are available round the clock in the Lido). Chocolates are offered in the Explorer's Lounge in the late evening for those who cannot resist further indulgence.
The Oosterdam's extra-tariff ($20) reservations-only Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey is Holland America's ultimate shipboard dining experience. The restaurant is the visual equivalent of a chic, trendy metropolitan grill featuring backlit panels of famous Renaissance portraits, fiber-optic ceiling fixtures that resemble deep-sea jellyfish, and spindly, slightly obtuse, yet extremely comfortable cast-aluminum chairs. Although it seats 130, the room is broken into intimate sections with a bar and a gallery of seating with ocean views. The courses are presented on oversized and colorfully patterned Bulgari china, accompanied with ever-so-tall and elegant Reidel stemware and Frette linens. The revolving menu features such popular Pacific Rim courses as Alaskan King Salmon, Dungeness crab cakes with spiral shaved cucumber and sweet chili sauce, and an array of "sterling silver" cuts of beef. The desserts are no less decadent, with the Grand Marnier chocolate volcano cake taking the award for richest and sweetest on the seven seas.
An evening on the Oosterdam is certainly not without a vast choice of entertainment options. The Vista Lounge is where large nightly production numbers are staged at 8:30 and 10:30 p.m.. During our time onboard, the shows included "'Escape," a lavish tropical tribute, and "Rockin' Road," which featured favorite rock music from the '50s, '60s, and '70s. The Vista Lounge also features guest magicians and name singers on alternate nights. The Queen's Lounge offers up a feature film with free, freshly popped popcorn, a late-night comedian, or cabaret-style performance. Along with the Northern Lights disco (open to 2:30 a.m.) and Crow's Nest (which features live musical stylings or programmed "uptempo favorites" until 1 a.m.), there are the subdued and elegant tones of the Champagne Strings in the Explorer's Lounge or the jazzy vocal stylings of the Jerry Moors Trio in the Ocean Bar.
Daytime activities include enjoyment of the vast ship's facilities in addition to bingo, art auctions, exercise and stretching classes, wine and liquor tasting, enrichment lectures, movies (in the Queen's Lounge or on cabin TV), port lectures, shuffleboard, various tournaments, or just reclining in a deck chair.
With three Vista Class ships in service and a fourth on the horizon, Holland America Line has adroitly fashioned its fleet to accommodate a new generation of cruisers who require all of today's seagoing options while at the same time satisfying a loyal following who covet the company's polished service and traditional atmosphere. All four directions of Holland America's new Vista compass point to the best of both seagoing worlds.
MS OOSTERDAM FACTS & FIGURES
Company: Holland America Line.
Built: 2003, Fincantieri shipyard (hull number 6076), Marghera (Venice), Italy.
Country Of Registry: Netherlands.
Gross Registered Tonnage: 85,000.
Length: 951 ft. Beam: 105.8 ft.
Draft: 25.74 ft. Speed: 22 knots (24 max).
Propulsion: Three 16,cylinder Sulzer diesels (11,520 kW each), two 12-cylinder Sulzer diesels (8.646 kW each) for a total of 51,840 kW combined with one GE Aero Energy gas turbine (14 mW) to drive twin 17.5 mW Azipods (23,467.88 bhp each).
Passenger Capacity: 1.648 (double occupancy), 2,388 (total berths).
Passenger Space Ratio: 46.
Normal Craw Size: 800
Nationality Of Crew: Officers are British and Dutch; crew, international (mainly Indonesian and Filipino); cruise staff, international; hotel staff, European (mainly Dutch).
Cabins: 924 staterooms on six decks--of which 788 are oceanview and 623 have private balconies--in 24 categories, including: 2 Penthouse Verandah Suites with private balconies (1,343 square feet including balcony), 60 Deluxe Verandah Suites with private balconies (528 sq. ft. including balcony), 100 Superior Verandah Suites with balcony (392 sq. ft. including balcony), 461 Deluxe Verandah Outsides with balcony (241 to 262 sq. ft. including balcony), 165 Large Outside cabins (183 to 194 sq. ft.), and 136 Inside cabins (154 to 185 sq. ft.) There are 26 shower-only wheelchair accessible cabins equipped with modified doorways and bathroom facilities, 24 of which are outside. All staterooms feature private facilities with showers or bathtubs, individually controlled air-conditioning, 2 lower beds convertible to a queen-size bed. spacious closets, mini-bars, data ports for laptop computers, double closets with full-length mirrors, safes, extra-deep chests of drawers, direct-dial telephones with voicemail and computerized wake-up service. multi-channel music system, remote controlled multichannel color television, free 24-hour room service, and turndown service with pillow chocolates. All verandas have privacy screens, tables, and deck chairs. Penthouse, Deluxe Verandah, and Superior Verandah Suites have all the standard features plus whirlpool baths. Penthouse and Deluxe Verandah Suites have exclusive use of the Neptune (concierge) Lounge.
Public Rooms: Crow's Nest (observation lounge, seats 270), Oak Room (26), Golf Simulator Room (8), Club HAL Wave Runner and Kid Zone (teen center end children's play room holds 61), The Greenhouse Spa & Salon (see facilities, holds 39), Lido Restaurant (446), Neptune Lounge (25), Vista Lounge (867), Internet Cafe (24), meeting rooms (Hudson seats 40-50: Half Moon 15-25: Stuyvesant, 20-30), Java Corner (28), Erasmus Library (26), Ocean Bar (175), Vista Dining Room (dual level, seats 1,045), Casino (199), Piano Bar (70), Sports Bar (42), Northern Lights Disco (80), Queen's Lounge (170), Pinnacle Grill at the Odyssey (130), Windstar Cafe (62), Explorer's Lounge (63).
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Facilitise/Features; Fully air-conditioned. stabilized. 11 passenger decks. 14 passenger elevators, video arcade. Club HAL's adjoining Kid Zone (children's center with computers: one counselor per 30 children) and Wave Runner (teen center with soda bar dance floor, and large-screen movie comer), three pools 4 Jacuzzis, basketball/mini-tennis/volleyball court, shuffleboard, golf simulator. Greenhouse Fitness Center (with panoramic ocean views, Cybex weight-training machines and treadmills, stair-step machines, and free weights with exercise area offering aerobics, Pilates, yoga, and stretching classes), Greenhouse Spa & Salon (beauty salon: separate men's and women's changing areas; 11 massage and therapy rooms providing facials. deep-tissue massage, aromathorapy, detoxilying wraps, warm-stone massages, etc.; 11-by-22-foot Hydro Pool with heated seawater and high-powered jets; Thermal Suite), threestory atrium, art auctions and dedicated art gallery, fully encircling teak promenade deck with cushioned wooden deck chairs, three-deck Vista Lounge showroom (featuring high-definition video screens, unobstructed sightlines, large circular stage with moveable sections and fly loft for scenery, enhanced state-of-the-art sound system), Ubrery with a wide variety of books and board games, Casino (5 three-card poker tables. 4 blackjack tables. 1 roulette table. 1 dice table. 4 poker slots. 4 $5 slots. 12 $1 slots. 69 quarter slots, 22 nickel slots). Daytime dress is resort casual; three categories of evening dress apply--casual, informal, formal (average two nights per week). Designated smoking and nonsmoking areas in most lounges. Smoking is not permitted at anytime in dining areas or in show rooms during performances. There are no "non-smoking" staterooms.
Handicap Access: The Oosterdam and her Vista Class sisters have elevator access to all passenger levels but the uppermost Sports Deck. Public rooms and promenades are all wheelchair accessible and, where possible. bar counters are designed to accommodate wheelchair patrons. Two tenders have wheelchair platforms and a dedicated elevator is used to assist tender embarkation. 28 cabins in various categories have handicap facilities.
Money Matters: U.S. currency only is used onboard. Holland America ships operate "cashless"--purchases are made by showing a guest identification card and signing a receipt. On embarkation day passengers register a major credit card to activate their shipboard account. If a cash settlement is desired, a deposit in U.S. currency is required in advance. U.S. Traveler's checks may be cashed at the front desk, but personal checks are not accepted. A gratuity of $10 per-guest/per-day for dining and stateroom services is automatically added; adjustments can be made at cruise end by contacting the front desk. A 15 percent service charge is automatically added to bar charges and dining-room wine accounts.
Itineraries/Fares: The Oosterdam makes seven-day roundtrip "Alaskan Explorer" cruises from Seattle through September 18 with scenic cruising through the Queen Charlotte Islands visiting Juneau. cruising past Hubbard Glacier/Yakutat Bay, visiting Sitka and Ketchikan scenic cruising past Vancouver Island visiting Victoria. On September 25, she departs Seattle on a 22-day Panama Canal cruise, repositioning to Ft. Lauderdale. On October 16 she begins alternating sevenday Eastern (St. Maarten. Tortola. Half Moon Cay) and Western (Half Moon Cay, Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman. Cozumel) Caribbean roundtrips from Ft. Lauderdale. Per-diems/ per-person run between $100 (7-day Caribbean Inside) and $1,055 (7-day Alaska Penthouse/peak season), lout many discounts and/or upgrades are available. Single rates of 190 percent apply to categories PS through SS and 150 percent is charged for categories A through NN. Third and fourth person rates for the seven-day sailings are $599.
For More Information: Contact your travel agent or Holland America Line (Cruise Travel Magazine), 300 Elliott Ave. W., Seattle WA 98119: or log on to www.hollandamerica.com.
COPYRIGHT 2004 World Publishing, Co. (Illinois)
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
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