"The Oasis" is missing on deck plans

Can anyone that has cruised recently on an "R" class (very specifically Zaandam) ship report whether or not the teen sky deck area "The Oasis" is still there? It is now missing from the deck plan(s). I also cannot find any mention of it now on their web site. Of course, now that I have been looking at their "new" web site, I find VERY little information about families and children. I have been reading a lot on this board complaints about changes to HAL. It seems this might fit in with that: why are they not catering to multi-generational cruising (like we are planning)?

Could it have been renamed? There is a Club HAL and "The Loft", aft on deck 9. I think these are for kids/teens (not sure).

Could it have been renamed? There is a Club HAL and "The Loft", aft on deck 9. I think these are for kids/teens (not sure).

https://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=za_2&deck=k&deep=0

It is missing from all four R class ships, but shown on the Veendam:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=ve_2&deck=k&deep=0

The only R-class ship I have sailed is the Amsterdam, and many years ago, so I have no idea of the fate of the Oasis.

Could it have been renamed? There is a Club HAL and "The Loft", aft on deck 9. I think these are for kids/teens (not sure).

You're absolutely right. The Loft is the teen area. It's just a name change.

Club HAL and The Loft are on deck 9. The Oasis is the Sky Deck (10)- a small area aft of the stacks/funnels. Very top of ship. It is accessible only from The Loft (I thought). Teen only. It had hammocks and a waterfall into a very small, very shallow pool. My teens were very much looking forward to it.

I found this post from about a year ago:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49600775&postcount=9

Can anyone that has cruised recently on an "R" class (very specifically Zaandam) ship report whether or not the teen sky deck area "The Oasis" is still there? It is now missing from the deck plan(s). I also cannot find any mention of it now on their web site. Of course, now that I have been looking at their "new" web site, I find VERY little information about families and children. I have been reading a lot on this board complaints about changes to HAL. It seems this might fit in with that: why are they not catering to multi-generational cruising (like we are planning)?

Just debarked the Veendam, where it shows on the diagrams, it is not there. Talked to an officer and he said there was a problem with leakage so it is gone.

I found this post from about a year ago:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=49600775&postcount=9

Thank you! Hmmm... seems like they closed them for whatever reasons. That is a huge bummer. Still: gonna call Services in the morning and get info from HAL. Will update with their answer.

R.I.P

Confirmed. It is gone.

I wonder what will replace it? The HAL gentleman just told me it was now a public space. Just another deck now? BORING!

We are on the Volendam after her drydock in December and I would very much welcome a regular deck that is open for everyone. Good news to me.

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Wondering if maybe the "R" ships will get a few Cabanas in its place

We are on the Volendam after her drydock in December and I would very much welcome a regular deck that is open for everyone. Good news to me.

I get that. My husband said the same thing!

I am only posting that maybe they could add something instead of just removing. I'm not suggesting a zip-line that runs to the bow or an 80' rock wall (:')) but *some* kind of activity would be nice. I think you can't go wrong with more activities. There are 2 pools, 2 ping-pong tables, and an over-sized chess board, right? Are there other things for my kids (12, 14, 16) and me to do? Not being snarky. I am REALLY looking forward to our first cruise and we are *very* pleased with our choice of HAL.

Wondering how many kids got caught trying to climb up onto the funnel.

Wondering how many kids got caught trying to climb up onto the funnel.

If it hadn't happened before, it was sure to happen on August 14, 2017.

That's our first day at sea.

In my experience, most of the time the Oasis was never used by its target group, teens. On the Grand Voyages, where there are typically very few young passengers, it was used as a sunbathing deck by adult passengers. On other cruises, Club HAL used it for the younger kids because of the splash pool. I think it would be excellent for it to be re-purposed as an open deck or cabana deck.

There is still the Loft, and there are still teen activities on HAL. They have access to everything everyone else does, with the exception of the casino ( you have to be 18 for that), and the ability to order booze. Yes, there are pools, ping pong tables, chess boards, and sports courts. Activity-wise, a port intensive cruise is the best way to travel with teens. Wear them out:D

In my experience, most of the time the Oasis was never used by its target group, teens. On the Grand Voyages, where there are typically very few young passengers, it was used as a sunbathing deck by adult passengers. On other cruises, Club HAL used it for the younger kids because of the splash pool. I think it would be excellent for it to be re-purposed as an open deck or cabana deck.

 

There is still the Loft, and there are still teen activities on HAL. They have access to everything everyone else does, with the exception of the casino ( you have to be 18 for that), and the ability to order booze. Yes, there are pools, ping pong tables, chess boards, and sports courts. Activity-wise, a port intensive cruise is the best way to travel with teens. Wear them out:D

Absolutely! I forgot about the sports courts! (open palm slap to forehead).

I went over the cruise itinerary last night for the 314th time with my husband. Trying to get him to decide on excursions. We are pretty active, and so is my dad (my mom is what you call "indoorsy"). Balancing free port activities and those that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. ;)

My kids plan on trying to sneak into the casino. I plan on trying to sneak into The Loft.

Absolutely! I forgot about the sports courts! (open palm slap to forehead).

 

I went over the cruise itinerary last night for the 314th time with my husband. Trying to get him to decide on excursions. We are pretty active, and so is my dad (my mom is what you call "indoorsy"). Balancing free port activities and those that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. ;)

 

My kids plan on trying to sneak into the casino. I plan on trying to sneak into The Loft.

LOL:D. Something tells me that your family knows how to make their own fun, and you all will have a great time:D

I actually want to thank you for bringing the Oasis situation to our attention, because I didn't know about it. The things you learn around here......;)

In my experience, most of the time the Oasis was never used by its target group, teens. On the Grand Voyages, where there are typically very few young passengers, it was used as a sunbathing deck by adult passengers. On other cruises, Club HAL used it for the younger kids because of the splash pool. I think it would be excellent for it to be re-purposed as an open deck or cabana deck.

 

There is still the Loft, and there are still teen activities on HAL. They have access to everything everyone else does, with the exception of the casino ( you have to be 18 for that), and the ability to order booze. Yes, there are pools, ping pong tables, chess boards, and sports courts. Activity-wise, a port intensive cruise is the best way to travel with teens. Wear them out:D

(bold is mine) The voice of experience? ;)

The first time I saw the Oasis was on Veendam 7 or so years ago. I saw the hammocks and the waterfall and was very disappointed that I was over the age limit.

In my experience, most of the time the Oasis was never used by its target group, teens. On the Grand Voyages, where there are typically very few young passengers, it was used as a sunbathing deck by adult passengers.

 

 

For the longer, amazing, can't-wait-till-I get to-try Grand Voyages, they totally should have made it a clothing-optional spot.

 

:cool:

Just broke the news to my 16 year old.

Quote:

NOOOOO!!!! I WAS TOTALLY PLANNING ON SPENDING AN ENTIRE DAY THERE!!!! NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!

Wondering if maybe the "R" ships will get a few Cabanas in its place

From your lips to God's ears!

We were on a long repositioning cruise many years ago on the Statendam or Ryndam -- can't remember which one -- and there were only 3 children on board -- all toddlers. No one was allowed to use the Oasis even those children could not even use Club HAL.

On Veendam in 2015, it was still there. DH climbed up there several times for the exercise, never saw anyone there. Would be a nice adult retreat, would not hold very many people.

Would be a nice adult retreat

You had me at "Adult Retreat"

Although my understanding is HAL ships are 99.99% adult. Except the shorter, summer and Xmas time cruises.

Should start a new thread: how would YOU redesign the Sky Deck? I hear rumblings for cabanas!

Absolutely! I forgot about the sports courts! (open palm slap to forehead).

 

I went over the cruise itinerary last night for the 314th time with my husband. Trying to get him to decide on excursions. We are pretty active, and so is my dad (my mom is what you call "indoorsy"). Balancing free port activities and those that cost hundreds and hundreds of dollars. ;)

 

My kids plan on trying to sneak into the casino. I plan on trying to sneak into The Loft.

I think you may be more successful in sneaking into The Loft than they will be "sneaking into the casino". The casino is an open area with people coming and going all the time but the supervisors are pretty much on-point in keeping the youngsters moving on. They will ask young people how old they are and if they feel the answer is "fudged", will not hesitate to ask to see their ship's card (which will give them away immediately). The kids will definitely get a good look at the casino but won't be spending any time there. That's okay -- there are plenty of places where they can have fun.