Oosterdam: new "Vista Class" vessel points Holland America line's 130-year tradition of excellence in a bold new direction

Cruise Travel, July-August, 2004 by Peter Knego

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).

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.