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:
Onboard the ms Oosterdam
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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Claudya Martinez
What a wonderful experience to win.
Claire
Oh wow, amazing… I want to go on here 🙂
kristi
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
Alissa Apel
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. 😉
Rhonda Albom
LOL – no swimming for us, it was just an afternoon tour and lunch. (I shouldn’t say “just” as it was much cooler than that.)
Julie Kemp Pick
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!
Jolanta aka Casual Traveler
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.
Feed Me Dearly
Sounds like a lunch to remember – I’m so happy for you!
Rhonda Albom
It was like to remember, and we got to take the ferry to and from the city another one of my favorite things to do.
posh
Wow. That sounds like an amazing trip!
LD Masterson
Ah, I love cruising. Now you’ve given me the bug to go on another.
Susan
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!
Rhonda Albom
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.
Cathy
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
Rhonda Albom
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.
Ai Sakura
wow what a wonderful prize! I’ve never been on a cruise before.. this looks very impressive.
Joyce
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?
Emma and Buster
Wow, what a good fortune.
Leovi
Great photos, wonderful shots with beautiful details of this beautiful hotel!
Rhonda Albom
I never really thought about who should that way, But I guess they are floating hotels.
April - My Bizarre Family
Looks like a wonderful time!
Rhonda Albom
Yes we got a good flavor for the shipping just a couple hours. It would be even better if we could spend week.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Very cool! Agree about the spa. I’d want the balcony more private than that.
Comedy Plus
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. 🙂
Rhonda Albom
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.
stevebethere
Wow! that is some cruise ship what a lovely experience it looks so posh and grand doesn’t it 🙂
Have a shiptastic week 🙂
Dominique Goh
That’s a really grand cruise ship. Great Win.. you must have enjoyed yourself on the cruise.
Rhonda Albom
Grand is a nice word for it. It was so much more refined than some of the other ships we have been on.
Merlinda Little
What an amazing experience! Love the interior as well! If i have a chance to have lunch in a cruise ship I would of course to savor the food and interiors like this =)
Rhonda Albom
Thanks Merlinda, it was pretty cool. I think the hardest part was choosing which photos to share.
Hilary
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
Rhonda Albom
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.