Does Oosterdam compare to X Millenium class ships?

[DavidLloyd]

Your advice please - we're committed Celebrity passangers but HAL is offering an itinerary aboard Oosterdam that has caught my eye. My instincts tell me we will find it very similar in size, service, and experience to Millinium, Infinity, etc. What say ye?

[TedC]

The Oosterdam is about the same size as the Celebrity ship you are considering but I think HAL puts 100 or so fewer people on the similar size ship.

 

We've been on three Celebrity cruises and enjoyed them, but currently favor HAL. Food was very good on X, but we also think HAL food generally is very good, with a wide range of choices.

 

The HAL ambience, the crew, and interesting itineraries have kept us coming back.

 

I think HAL and Celebrity are both at the top of the mass-marketed lines and both have their loyal fans.

 

We've been on the Oosterdam and its sisterships, Westerdam and Zuiderdam, and liked them all very much.

[HeatherInFlorida]

You will find a lot of differing opinions about this issue on this board. Personally I have sailed on the Millennium and the Oosterdam ... the Millie in 2003 and the "O" in 2004. They are similar in size and number of passengers, also a bit similar in layout. I liked the Millennium in terms of the layout and eye appeal, also for service and food (but you will find most on this board will probably disagree with me).

 

The experience in the main dining room on a Celebrity ship is unsurpassed (for me). However, for some unknown reason I have always met people on HAL ships who I had more fun with, got to know better, and built lasting relationships with. So the whole "experience" on HAL for me can be won by that alone.

The casino on the Vista class ships is smaller. The shops are horrendous and a waste of time. However, I truly loved the feel of the little bars such as the Ocean Bar on the Oosterdam. The cabins are comparable although the Oosterdam cabin was just a bit larger, it didn't seem so. If you book a Verandah cabin, it is a lot easier to step out from the Millennium because it is a sliding door. The Oosterdam door opens out so you have to move the chair aside unless you are in one of the larger cabins. We were in a BA category.

This is a silly point, but the "oceanview" elevators on the Millennium far surpass those on the Oosterdam.

I much prefer the food and dining experience in the Lido on the Oosterdam. On the other hand, the Millennium had a wonderful Spa luncheon that offered healthy and delicious choices. And, of course, the T-pool is not an added expense on the Millie as it is on the "O".

The Oosterdam also lacks my favorite place ... the Ocean Grill bar on the stern of the ship. We always had breakfast there. On the Oosterdam this deck also has a pool and is much larger and not so intimate.

Those are just some quick observations of my own and you always have to remember how subjective these opinions are. One man's fruit is another man's poison. Good luck with your research and I don't see how you really can go wrong on either line. They are both excellent.

[Sea Island Lady]

We have just decide to cancel a another cruise on the Millennium and book one on the Oosterdam, so this is an interesting thread for me. I hope we enjoy it as much as we did the Millie. :) We are hoping to book the SS category.

 

 

I have a question about the service in the casual dining cafe. Are there waiters that will help carry your trays and find a table for you during breakfast and lunch? Celebrity does this and we really enjoy that special touch.

[HeatherInFlorida]

We have just decide to cancel a another cruise on the Millennium and book one on the Oosterdam, so this is an interesting thread for me. I hope we enjoy it as much as we did the Millie. :) We are hoping to book the SS category.

 

I have a question about the service in the casual dining cafe. Are there waiters that will help carry your trays and find a table for you during breakfast and lunch? Celebrity does this and we really enjoy that special touch.

 

 

I'm going to put in another 2 cents just to say that the SS cat on the Oosterdam is a fantastic cabin ... all the difference in the world. It's a wonderful size with a large bathroom, 2 sinks, a jacuzzi and a separate shower plus a large verandah. Our friends had one and they loved it. I would book the SS in a heartbeat and there's nothing really comparable on the Millie.

There are people to help you with you tray. However, on our particular cruise I could never find them. It was a huge hassle because the Lido was always very crowded and it was all I could do to find a table, let alone someone to help me with my tray. You're right ... there was always someone to help you on the Millie.

[JDee]

I tend to agree with most of Heather's comments. However, I prefer HAL's Lido for quality food for breakfast and Lunch, but, Vista class Lido seems like a maze. Too hard to get around and not enough seatings on sea days with a full ship. Millie certainly would rate as excellent overall.

 

The Millie pro's: The Grand Foyer is very impressive and lots things to do on many decks. Cova-Cafe excellent for the alternate coffee, pastries, etc., plus usually have some type piano at times. Celebrity Theatre (main show lounge) has better seating, but the entertainment seems pretty equal--luck of the draw at times. Cinema & Conference Center good seating for movies, and much more superior than any Vista Class. Has Olympia alternate restaurant that should be in the same league as HAL's Pinnacle.

 

I think each ship has very good service overall, but would give the edge to HAL for dinning room service. Desserts have gone economy style on both lines. (I know there have been lots gripes about HAL's dinning room service, but I can only relate my own experiences which have always been very good.)

 

Either ship would be a good choice. If the itenarary and price is right, book it. Don't think you would regret it.....

 

Happy cruising.....

[Sea Island Lady]

Thanks so much for the help! :)

 

 

Is there another place to eat lunch beside the lido and the dining room?

[sail7seas]

Lunch is now offered in Pinnacle and the cost is $10 pp. Now that there is an additional cost, the menu is different than the dining room. When it was complimentary and open for Suite pax, it was the same menu as the dining room was serving.

[JDee]

Thanks so much for the help! :)

 

 

Is there another place to eat lunch beside the lido and the dining room?

 

There have been some recent postings about lunch now being served in the Pinnacle for Suite pax. Don't really know for sure. That said, do recall previous pax on Zuiderdam saying lunch no longer served there, and when it was, it wasn't worth the effort. There is always room service.

 

Would also agree with Heather's second post. One of the reasons it was hard to have tray assistance, is the multitude of all the various food cubby holes. You go round in circles & back again...The wait staff would be hard pressed to figure out if you are still looking for something to eat or if you are ready to be seated.....In parties 2, 3, 4, etc., many go their separate ways & not easy to meet at a particular table..

 

But still think Oo would be a good choice....all things considered.....

 

Happy cruising....

[tkwbear]

I've sailed the Zuiderdam and the Summit, and was not that crazy about either. The Summit is a much prettier ship, but the engines had bearing problems, and we could only go at about halfspeed on our Alaskan trip last summer. We missed 6 hours of Juneau and another 6 of Ketchikan, including the Misty Fjords trip I had booked. There was a sink hole at the entrance to the dining room that I was told had only appeared a few days earlier. For these delays we were offered one (1) hour of free drinks one (1) night. There were also holes in our bedsheets, the food was spotty but we did have excellent service from the crew. Summit went into an unscheduled 10 day dry dock after we left her. I believe it is the third major repair effort in her brief history.

 

The Zuiderdam experience was much better, but the atrium and main auditorium are badly designed. Beyond that, the food was good, service excellent, and crew friendly. The Z was the most overpowered ship I have ever been on, and was amazed at how quickly she could accelerate.

 

I still prefer the intimacy of the S-class HAL ships. and am looking forward to the Zaandam this month.

[nanheath]

My vote definitely goes to X! It is prettier, better food, service, and entertainment!

[Ine]

You will miss the Sushi bar at 6.00 pm.!!!

[Renorita]

Well I am excited to report that we will be doing two "Virgin" Cruises on both Cruise lines. First, a six night pacfic coastal Cruise on the "Infinity" the end of August, and a 7 night on the Oosterdam the end of October. So it will be interesting to compare the two! They are both close in length so that won't be much of a factor. We were on RCCI x 2 and Carnival X 3, so feel we are "moving up in the world of Crusing" :D