Oosterdam - Questions

[PoolSlider]

Ok so I’ve sailed on HAL 3 times but all 3 times have been on the Zuiderdam. For me, HAL is the Zuiderdam. 3 very different itineraries in different parts of the world and no complaints. We are very low key and hate fake luxury. Anyway we might cheat on Zuidy and sail on Oosty. I know the ships are carbon copies (good) just different color schemes (whatever). We will have the lovely full promenade deck and covered pool bar in inclement weather. Before the shutdown, was the Oosterdam largely smoke-free? I liked Zuidy’s smoke-free interior. I know Oosterdam hasn’t restarted yet but is there any guidance yet on how smoking will be handled? Can anyone refer me to the relevant HAL guidance on smoking post-restart?

[CruiserBruce]

There is no indication there is any difference 8n the smoking policy. 

 

The most recent info is covered in the Sticky at the top of the Holland America forum, where all smoking questions are supposed to go. I would expect Oosterdam to be essentially the same as Zuiderdam. 

 

 

 

[PoolSlider]

I honestly tried to read that thread but it seems to be about bickering. As near as I can figure since the restart; Rotterdam allows interior smoking. Eurodam does not. The message from HAL is therefore mixed. I haven't checked on the NA or Konigsdam as their itineraries didn't appeal to me but it might be of interest to others. 

[CruiserBruce]

1 minute ago, PoolSlider said:

I honestly tried to read that thread but it seems to be about bickering. As near as I can figure since the restart; Rotterdam allows interior smoking. Eurodam does not. The message from HAL is therefore mixed. I haven't checked on the NA or Konigsdam as their itineraries didn't appeal to me but it might be of interest to others. 

The valid info is still in the Sticky, that is why it is there, and the requirement to post there only.

 

The "indoor smoking" is only in the Casino. Oosterdam doesn't allow smoking in the Casino. From the HAL website:

 

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah.

Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas only on all ships.

 

Designated Smoking Areas

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam

• Sea View Bar area
• Oak Room (Noordam only, including cigar and pipe smoking)

[PoolSlider]

Thank you. I promise to never come back. You have found my failings and blistered me with your burning knowledge. I run to hang my head in shame. Adieu Great One.

[OlsSalt]

Shortly after the Vista compass rose-named sisters came on line now many years ago, I remember looking at their interior photos and deciding I would never want to sail on the Zuiderdam because it was dark purple, red and ugly. We had then sailed several times  on the Oosterdam and were quite happy with it, even though our real loves were the smaller R and S class HAL ships.

 

One particularly excellent Oosterdam cruise - South Pacific - New Zealand and chasing a solar eclipse all in one great HAL cruise back in 2012.

 

Then an Alaska cruise was only offered on the Zuiderdam, so we bit the bullet and signed up for this "ugly" ship.  However, we came back fans and even found the dark burgundy and dark paneling to look "elegant". What a surprise that was.  Even the Zuiderdam iteration of the grotesque Blue Boy benches on the Oosterdam were more benign and tasteful.

 

And the Zuiderdam carpet was far less bilious than the Oosterdam.. All of which has gone through refurbishments since our early voyages on the Vista ships - so these are now outdated memories.

 

But Vista ships in those days still had their generous libraries which now have been taken a way and the mixed use Crow's Nest substitution is a real negative for longer voyages.

 

Bottomline - Vista ship are all perfectly okay and the addition of  the generously sized  SS class cabins on Vista are best of all possible worlds -almost  Neptune level cabin comfort but without the higher prices. 

 

Enjoy your cruise. 

 

 

 

x

Edited November 27, 2021 by OlsSalt

[kazu]

7 hours ago, PoolSlider said:

Thank you. I promise to never come back. You have found my failings and blistered me with your burning knowledge. I run to hang my head in shame. Adieu Great One.

 

Don’t let one poster you off.  There is no smoking in the casino on any Vista class ship (of which the Oosterdam is).  Only spot is the a small section at the sea view pool.

 

Pretty similar to the Zuiderdam 😉 

 

Enjoy your cruise 🙂