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As soon as I stepped onboard the Holland America Oosterdam I realised that all cruise ships are not the same. Oosterdam’s tasteful decor caught me by surprise. I have cruised eight times in the past on five different lines (all 3 or 4-star ratings).  The Oosterdam is impressive, an understated beauty, a refined elegance that I hadn’t seen on a ship before.

Too bad we are not cruising at this time. Today was a tour and a decadent lunch. It was a prize that I had won, yet it has impacted my future cruise travel. I didn’t miss the ostentatious and loud decor of other ships we have been on in the past. Take a look at the Oosterdam:

Auckland skyline seen from the ferry into the city. The HAL Oosterdam is in port.
The HAL Oosterdam sits prominently in front of the Auckland skyline, seen as we arrived in the city on the ferry.

Onboard the ms Oosterdam

This globe sits over the atrium of the Holland America Oosterdam cruise ship.
Our first view on-board the ship, this globe sits over the atrium.
Lounge at the front of the HAL Oosterdam.
The ship we sailed on in Alaska had a similar window lounge at the front. It is great for watching while keeping warm.
Artwork onboard the Holland America Oosterdam
There is interesting artwork all over the ship.
Elevator doors onboard the Holland America Oosterdam
Even the elevator doors were intricate.
The formal dining room of the Holland America Oosterdam cruise ship.
While meals are included in the price of a cruise, there are options, like this formal dining room, where passengers can choose to pay a bit extra to eat here.
Hallway on the MS Oosterdam
Long hallways for the sleeping cabins.
A suite on the HAL Oosterdam.
We saw two different cabins, this was the larger suite. Attention is paid to every detail.
One of the suite balconies on the Holland America Oosterdam with a spa
Looking out from the balcony of the suite in the photo just above, we can see a spa tub on the balcony of one of the larger suites. I can only imagine how magical it would be to sit in that tub whilst cruising on a moonlit evening.
One of many pool on the cruise ship
This pool has a retractable roof, so you can swim regardless of the weather.
Pool on the MS Oosterdam
I think this would be where I would like to sit if I were sailing on the Oosterdam.
Dessert following our cruise ship lunch
Dessert followed a fabulous meal, with a perfect combination of flavours.

And then it was over. I could easily enjoy a few weeks aboard this ship. A few hours was not long enough.

Practical Information:

  • Nearly every summer day a cruise ship arrives in Auckland New Zealand (about 120 per year).
  • I could only show a portion of my photos here. The ship has several entertainment areas, bars, a casino, restaurants, pools and a spa. It seems to have everything one could want.
  • Holland America’s ms Oosterdam is a five-star ship carrying up to 1,916 passengers and 817 crew.
  • The ship was christened in July 2003, by her royal highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands.
  • Special thanks to You Travel Manly, as it was at their travel event that I won this tour and lunch.

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Where did you have lunch today? Would you cruise on the Oosterdam if you had an opportunity?

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Comments

  3. The Oosterdam looks like a luxurious ship! I would love to lunch there, but of course. 😉 Otherwise, I had lunch in my car after work. Glamorous, I know! lol

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  4. Oh wow that looks ultra fancy! What a great win for you. I hope you got to swim, and relax in their hot tub. During the week I have lunch here at work. Exciting I know. 😉

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  5. What a beautiful ship! I loved the pool with the retractable roof for cool days. I agree that the spa balcony should’ve been more private. Congrats on winning the wonderful lunch and tour, Rhonda!

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  6. Congratulations! It’s always fun to win a free lunch. Thank you for the tour and for your comparison with other cruise ships that you’ve seen. I’m not sure we’ll ever go on a cruise, but it’s good to know what we might expect if we decide to do that.

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  10. I’m with you about the “private” spa. I just love the way the cruise ship blends in with the city skyline. That is so impressive. Always love your pictures and commentary!

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    • You know it was the angle that I took that photo that made it appear to blend into the city. From other angles it was clearly A huge ship docked at Queens wharf. This one was just the most fun.

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  11. Would I cruise on the Oosterdam – too right I would! Have been on her sister ship Zuiderdam twice as well. As well others in the HAL fleet so it would be no lie if I said ‘ too right I would’ lol
    Lucky you to have lunch on her – me, well today, I lunched on cheese, crackers and some fruit the back deck.
    Cathy

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    • How exciting to have traveled so many times on Holland America line. So much luxury. I will add her sister ship to my WishList as well, and I hope you get sail on the Oosterdam sometime soon.

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  13. Cruises are so much fun. I’d love to go on another one. I ate a sack lunch in my classroom by myself while I worked. Aren’t you glad you asked?

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  18. Way to go on the win. It’s morning here so lunch hasn’t happened yet. Neither has breakfast.

    I’ve cruised before, but the last cruise was awful. We’ll never get on a cruise ship again. Ever.

    Have a fabulous day. 🙂

    Reply

    • Honestly, this really surprises me. You are such a boatie, for some reason I thought you loved cruising and did it quite often. But now that I think about it I haven’t seen increasing posts from you quite a while.

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  22. Hi Rhonda .. I’ve never been keen to cruise … but I do hear things that perhaps make me think I should change my mind. What a great advertising ploy … and pity you didn’t take any photos of the food – I had salad – my usual … I’m not the best lunchtime eater …

    Cheers and perhaps another cruise for you both coming up? Hilary

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    • Cruising probably isn’t for everybody, But we enjoy it. And, I agree it is a great advertising ploy but also quite a fun adventure. It certainly got me to consider Holland America for my next cruise.

      Reply

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