MS Oosterdam - what a disapointment (dirty, worn out, noro virus)

[taxmantoo]

I see from previous posts you also encountered problems on Seabourn. As HAL Group in Seattle is over both lines you should definitely definitely send your frustrations on to the Seattle office.

Funny, isn't it, how trouble always seems to follow some people from ship to ship. ;p

[kazu]

Unfortunately, yes. I spotted a SA occupant puffing away while we were docked in Stockholm last month.

 

And hopefully, you reported it ;)

[boze9999]

Wondering why you put up with that for a full week? Every room steward/asst. steward has a supervisor. On the Vista-class, they are called stateroom inspectors. When you find your cabin in that kind of unsatisfactory and nasty condition upon boarding, make a phone call (Neptune lounge concierge and/or Guest Services) and request that supervisor to pay you a visit in your cabin, see that crappy condition with their own eyes, and have it taken care of immediately with an apology to you and a very negative entry on that particular room steward's rating card

 

I agree. Daily we see the Stateroom Inspectors and they always ask if we are satisfied or have any concerns. Every time we have had concerns, they have been addressed and re-addressed with us personally to ensure we are satisfied with the resolution. However, if you don't address your concerns with the appropriate individuals, how can you expect the concern to be addressed and corrected.

[Copper10-8]

I agree. Daily we see the Stateroom Inspectors and they always ask if we are satisfied or have any concerns. Every time we have had concerns, they have been addressed and re-addressed with us personally to ensure we are satisfied with the resolution. However, if you don't address your concerns with the appropriate individuals, how can you expect the concern to be addressed and corrected.

 

Check out post #18; OP did, on Day No. 3; his cabin received a deep cleaning and he got a different room steward

[easyboy]

Sorry about your experience. Thanks for your feedback.

[albingirl]

I think I would ask to see pictures of his kids!

I learned, many years ago, to stay away from discussions about the employee's families. It's usually utterly depressing and amounts to me feeling so badly for them. We are very fortunate to be in a world far away from the 3rd world situations that they inhabit. Think about their jobs. 12 hours a day, minimum, changing sheets, scrubbing bathrooms, day in and day out. Many of them do it so they have employment, since there are very few opportunities where they live.

[dartnut]

We are sailing on the Amsterdam to Alaska on Sept 16 is this one of the same ship?

 

 

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[frankc98376]

We are sailing on the Amsterdam to Alaska on Sept 16 is this one of the same ship?

 

 

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OP is referring to the Oosterdam. Amsterdam is co-flagship for Holland America and is in my Opinion the epitome of an "Ocean Liner" experience. Great ship and great crew!

 

Amsterdam is the ship HAL uses for the World Cruises

[dartnut]

Thanks, first time with HAL, we are traveling on to Hawaii on the Princess Star when we disembark.

 

 

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[Aquahound]

I loved my cruise on Oosterdam but I have to agree with the OP. I was disappointed with the upkeep. This was the ceiling in my room above the balcony door. Water actually dripped from this when it rained.

 

[Gryphonette]

Mercy Maud! I am so sorry you had such a dismal experience on the Oosterdam. I was on its June 11-18 cruise to Alaska and loved my cabin, and generally the whole ship. Mind, I ignore the casino and music venues, barring the Lincoln Stage thingummy.

 

Hope the Oosterdam pulls its socks up. It can be a terrific ship!

 

 

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[Johaz]

I learned, many years ago, to stay away from discussions about the employee's families. It's usually utterly depressing and amounts to me feeling so badly for them. We are very fortunate to be in a world far away from the 3rd world situations that they inhabit. Think about their jobs. 12 hours a day, minimum, changing sheets, scrubbing bathrooms, day in and day out. Many of them do it so they have employment, since there are very few opportunities where they live.

 

 

 

If you're on a long cruise you develop a relationship with your cabin stewards, and I've discovered that they often want to talk about their families back home.

 

 

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[aaaaa]

These photos are eye-opening. Is the ship due for another refurbishment?

[frankc98376]

These photos are eye-opening. Is the ship due for another refurbishment?

 

I'm sure if you looked closely you could find similar pictures on any ship more than a few years old. I have had friends that have sailed on Oosterdam recently on different dates that have said everything looks great. I bet I could find a rusty spot if I really looked on Koningsdam- It lives on salt water. Those of us that live near salt water know the perils to our homes and cars.

 

I've only see a handful of pictures of bad stuff and a lot of bad stuff. We are sailing on Oosterdam September 25 and will see first hand. I have no hesitation on sailing on Oosterdam or any dam ship.

[janmcn]

We were on the Osterdam in January in a Signature Suite and had no problems with it (they had been refurbished along with the Neptunes) or seeing the kind of disrepair the OP saw. I, like Tampa girl, didn't care for some of the upgrades, but that's my opinion. i would not hesitate to book a cruise on her again if the itinerary met my needs. One has only to own a boat to understand how fast things happen!

 

 

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[RuthC]

I bet I could find a rusty spot if I really looked on Koningsdam- It lives on salt water.

Tell me about it! My Prinsendam balcony was rusty. Regular maintenance came through and cleaned it, then again to prime, and the next day to paint. It was a very thorough job, and I was impressed with how good it looked---so much better.

By the next week I could see several fresh rust spots in the areas just worked on. I could not believe how fast they came back.

 

I'm fairly certain now that the painting team goes down one side of the ship, then the other---and then just starts all over again. The rust happens that fast.

[taxmantoo]

Be very careful. People who always look up to find these things often step into something much worse. ;p

[aaaaa]

To me, those photos show neglect rather than acceptable wear and tear.

[debdiva]

I was a big fan (though not a cheerleader) of HAL until a few years ago. I wrote to HAL about my not so pleasant dining room experience and received a credit to Pinnacle Grill which will go unused because there are many other choices for cruising.

 

I agree with blizzardboy that you should inform HAL and definitely include the photos, but don't ask for any "adjustments." Vote with your feet and take your business elsewhere. I learned a long time ago that it isn't a problem until it's a problem for management. When sales and profits fall it becomes a problem and only then will the problems be addressed.

I was going to vote with my feet after I couldn't get vegetarian food served with that for the rest of the table despite ordering 24 hours in advance. Then I saw a dream itinerary in the Mediterranean on Zuiderdam. Perfect experience. Could not imagine a better cruise.

 

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[Tinknock50]

Mercy Maud! I am so sorry you had such a dismal experience on the Oosterdam. I was on its June 11-18 cruise to Alaska and loved my cabin, and generally the whole ship. Mind, I ignore the casino and music venues, barring the Lincoln Stage thingummy.

 

Hope the Oosterdam pulls its socks up. It can be a terrific ship!

 

 

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Hi Anne.......I was on the same cruise with you. I guess I must have noticed some things around the ship that showed wear. It was not an impression that stuck with me, because I forgot all about it.

 

Oh there was a dirty dish out on the balcony when we boarded. And the steward forgot to put flowers in our suite, but I enjoyed the cabin so much that I didn't think of it until I was ready to disembark at the end of the cruise.

[GlennG]

The Vista Class Ships, including the Oosterdam, are getting old, and maintenance costs are likely becoming more costly. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've seen the best and the worst of the Oosterdam on two different cruises. Here's my concern, however. With the Oosterdam showing its age, it becomes more challenging and costly to keep this ship in A-1 condition. We've seen similar scenarios with HAL's smaller and older vessels. As time marches by, HAL will want to continue to build newer, modern, and larger vessels. Eventually the Oosterdam and her sister ships will be sold and taken from the current inventory of ships. Before that happens, however, we are likely to experience more problems with maintenance, renovation, and modernization.

[idiebabe]

We were on the Osterdam in January in a Signature Suite and had no problems with it (they had been refurbished along with the Neptunes) or seeing the kind of disrepair the OP saw. I, like Tampa girl, didn't care for some of the upgrades, but that's my opinion. i would not hesitate to book a cruise on her again if the itinerary met my needs. One has only to own a boat to understand how fast things happen!

 

 

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We were on her October, 2016 in Europe and agree with you and Tampa Girl. We, also didn't see any of the disrepair that the OP described. We had an SS and our room was in excellent condition and enjoyed the new room upgrades.

 

We're not a fan of some of Ashford's changes either but enjoyed the Ship (and had a great Cruise) and are looking forward to sailing her again through the Canal in October!

[debdiva]

The Vista Class Ships, including the Oosterdam, are getting old, and maintenance costs are likely becoming more costly. As I mentioned in a previous post, I've seen the best and the worst of the Oosterdam on two different cruises. Here's my concern, however. With the Oosterdam showing its age, it becomes more challenging and costly to keep this ship in A-1 condition. We've seen similar scenarios with HAL's smaller and older vessels. As time marches by, HAL will want to continue to build newer, modern, and larger vessels. Eventually the Oosterdam and her sister ships will be sold and taken from the current inventory of ships. Before that happens, however, we are likely to experience more problems with maintenance, renovation, and modernization.

Actually, the next HAL ship will be, according to the announcement, about the size of the Konigsdam, about 2600, not at all a large ship in the behemoth 4-6000 passenger range like other cruiselines.

 

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[dogo88]

We were on Oosterdam last March and observed none of these issues. BTW, complimentary dining isn't a suites perk on HAL.

 

We were on it in March too. Agree with you.

 

Dan

[Krobertson6687]

You are going to get s survey from Holland shorty. I complained about their lack of info on the land portion and some disability issues. I did get a personal response. We were on the Noordam in June this year in Neptune. Any little thing that was wrong they immediately fixed. We were given free dinner for all 9 of us at specialty restaurant. All your complaints on the food lines were the same on Noordam. We got around it by having a lot of room service on the balcony. Even evening meals from formal dining room was available. Neptune has its own Concierge that makes everything you want happen. Plus they have great snacks and food free everyday. No lines. I know that ship is older and it was mid season maybe service tried. I did overhear personal talking about how low on staff the Alaska cruises were this season.

 

 

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