The Oosterdam, a Vista-class ship from Holland America Line, delivers a sophisticated holiday for up to 1,964 passengers. Launched in 2003 and refurbished in 2025, this mid-sized vessel blends Dutch-inspired decor with modern upgrades, creating a welcoming atmosphere for mature travellers and families.
Guests can anticipate a holiday blending relaxation and enrichment. Days offer cooking classes, spa treatments, or pickleball, while evenings feature live music, comedy, or fine dining. The ship’s mid-sized design feels uncrowded, except at peak buffet times, and the crew’s attentiveness creates a warm atmosphere. Family-friendly activities like Club HAL ensure kids are entertained, while adults enjoy refined spaces like the Crow’s Nest or Pinnacle Grill. The focus on music, cuisine, and art suits those seeking a sophisticated cruise with a classic feel.
Reception Areas: Stylish and Functional
The Atrium, a three-deck hub with a Waterford crystal globe sculpture, greets guests with a bright, elegant space on Deck 1. Guest services and shore excursion desks offer prompt assistance, while the nearby Explorations Café provides coffee, pastries, and a quiet library with sea views. The Crow’s Nest lounge on Deck 10 offers 270-degree views, ideal for relaxing with a drink or trivia games. The ship’s layout and clear signage ensure easy navigation, though some guests note crowded pathways during peak times.
Dining: Diverse and Flavourful
Oosterdam’s dining options cater to a range of tastes. The Vista Dining Room, spanning Decks 2 and 3 with wake views, serves daily-changing menus with open seating for breakfast and lunch, and fixed or flexible dinner via the Navigator app. The Lido Market buffet offers international dishes, though some guests report crowding at peak hours. Dive-In serves poolside burgers and hot dogs, while specialty dining includes Pinnacle Grill for steaks, Canaletto for Italian fare, and a Morimoto By Sea pop-up for sushi and lobster pad Thai. Complimentary 24-hour room service provides light meals, and afternoon tea is offered daily.
Entertainment: Engaging and Music-Centric
The ship’s entertainment focuses on live music and relaxed activities. The World Stage, with a two-story LED screen, hosts Broadway-style shows by the Step One Dance Company, BBC Earth concerts, and guest performers like comedians, though some guests note inconsistent quality. The Music Walk on Deck 2 includes Billboard Onboard for duelling pianos and Rolling Stone Lounge for rock hits, though the BB King’s Blues Club has shifted to karaoke on some nights. Families enjoy Club HAL for ages 3–17 with crafts and video games, while adults can try cooking classes at the Culinary Arts Centre or visit the casino. Pickleball courts and the Screening Room for films add variety.
Accommodation: Spacious and Comfortable
With 986 cabins across 11 decks, Oosterdam offers interior, ocean-view, verandah, and suite options. Standard cabins range from 151–233 square feet, with verandahs at 54–65 square feet. Pinnacle Suites, at 1,150 square feet, include whirlpool tubs, a living room, and Neptune Lounge access. All cabins feature Mariner’s Dream beds, flat-screen TVs with on-demand movies, and Elemis toiletries, though medication must be stored in the infirmary. Twenty-eight wheelchair-accessible cabins ensure inclusivity, but some guests note dated elements like worn carpets.
Hospitality: Courteous and Attentive
The crew, primarily Filipino and Indonesian, provides professional service, fostering a welcoming environment. Cabin stewards offer daily cleaning and towel animals, with complimentary 24-hour room service including sandwiches. The Greenhouse Spa, revamped in 2025, offers massages, a thermal suite with heated loungers, and complimentary sauna access, though daily passes cost $40. Staff at bars and dining venues maintain a friendly demeanour, though some guests report delays at guest services. Club HAL and The Loft keep kids and teens engaged, offering parents relaxation time, while suite guests enjoy priority perks via the Neptune Lounge.
Standout Features
The Music Walk’s live music venues, including Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge, offer nightly entertainment. The Lido Pool’s retractable roof ensures swimming in any weather, and the Culinary Arts Centre’s cooking classes, like sushi-making, add a hands-on experience. The Morimoto By Sea pop-up delivers unique seafood dishes, and the ship’s art collection, with 19th-century oils and modern sculptures, adds cultural depth. Enhanced Starlink Wi-Fi, updated in 2025, ensures connectivity, though some guests report slowdowns. The daily afternoon tea and onboard art gallery with guided tours provide a refined touch.
