Sitting on my balcony with a glass of wine in the port of Barcelona seemed like an ideal place to write about the ship on which I had been sailing for the past several days.  The fresh sea breeze was refreshing, the noise of the busy port distracting and the glare from the bright sun reflecting off the incredibly blue vastness of the Mediterranean obscured my laptop screen. So much suffering!!!!!!

Holland America Line's Vista Class ship, the Oosterdam (pronounced OH-ster-dam),  is the company's newest vessel to sail the seas. Her attractive, mostly black exterior hints at the sleek interior of this floating hotel. I always think of my ship as exactly that - a hotel that follows me to different ports of call. I don't have to pack everyday and my room is always a refuge from the public areas of the ship if I should desire to escape. However, the public areas of the Oosterdam range from intimate, elegant and private to large, fun and active. So, no matter what mood the moment finds me in, I can retreat to a variety of spots to suit my whims. The piano bar is great for a pre-dinner drink, while the lido deck is the place to go to enjoy the pool or engage in a rollicking game of ping-pong. I won second place in the women's tourney. The Crow's Nest offers(picture to right), as its name implies, a bird's eye view from the ship and the Explorer's Lounge is a serene spot with calming music. There are more spots to enjoy the cruise.

I find that trying them all out during the duration of the cruise is a good way to learn the layout of the ship, which by the last day I seem to know very well, just in time for departure.   Isn't that always the case? Oh, the public areas of the ship are interesting to check out for their furnishings, art works and décor.

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Dining happens in two seatings in the nicely appointed main dining room. However, for those not wanting to follow the dress code or the timing, there are several other options for mealtimes, including a casual Lido restaurant (pictures to the right are the Vista Dining Room).  Additional pictures can be found at: http://www.cruisediva.com/oosterdam_preview_4.htm. The Pinnacle Grill which charges a minimal amount for its Pacific Northwest fare, and 24-hour room service. The quality of the food rates above average and the service is outstanding. Holland America hires Indonesian and Phillipino staff. The Indonesians make up the dining room staff and they are a friendly and humorous bunch. Coming from a place where service is an honor, they make each guest feel extra special during the dining hour. Somehow, they learned my name, which at first made me paranoid, as I didn't recall ever telling them that information.  But, just after a few meals, they knew what I liked to drink with my meal and what my preferences were for cooking style. Meals and interaction with the dining room steward were always a bright side to the day. Food for those with dietary restrictions can be ordered through your travel agent in advance. The kitchen does everything in its power to accommodate your dietary needs. And of course they provide other treats that you probably don't need for your diet, but it is your vacation after all.

Rooms are more spacious than on many ships. Most of the outer cabins have balconies and even the inside rooms can be rather spacious. Check with your travel agent to get a large inside room. There are rooms designed to meet the needs of those with disabilities.

Entertainment is a highlight for many during a cruise and the Oosterdam provides plenty of that. There are the traditional shows, some corresponding to the port of call. For example, the show tonight focuses on flamenco and other traditional Spanish dances. The regular show cast has won awards for their performances, a fact that HAL prides itself on. Movies are shown daily, both in Queen's Lounge (picture to left) and on TV. The Casino operates while at sea and there are always a variety of activities like bridge, cards, games, bingo, and exercise classes happening throughout the cruise.

The Greenhouse Spa is the place to go for a bit of pampering and relaxation and it seems that cruises are the place for massages and special body treatments. Two unusual options on the Oosterdam are the thermal suite, which has heated tile beds and aromatherapy showers and saunas and a hydrotherapy pool, which contains seawater that enhances your feeling of well-being and soothes your muscles with high-powered water jets.

Shore excursions on this European trip were mostly of the cultural variety with several options at each port that made choosing a difficult process. Speaking of which, there is always the option of doing your own thing in town and that's where I am heading to right now. I wandered the streets of Barcelona this morning and I am catching the shuttle to do some more exploration before the ship departs for Mallorca .  Happy Traveling.

This ship is new and has not yet been reviewed by Berlitz.

VISTA-CLASS FEATURES:

Premium cruise ships offering the ambience and greater intimacy not found on megaships.

Space ratio of 46, even greater than spacious existing ships of the fleet.

Exterior elevators, vertically transversing 10 decks and providing panoramic views from either side of the ship.

Spacious staterooms, nearly 85% of which will feature an ocean view.

67% of all staterooms have verandahs.

Wide variety of accommodation categories, with more categories featuring verandahs.

A new "cabaret-style" show lounge, complementing a three-level main show lounge.

Expanded spa facilities.

Internet café and coffee corner.

Internet/e-mail dataports in all staterooms.

Extensive Club HAL children's facility, with indoor and outdoor areas.

Concierge lounge for the exclusive use of suite guests.

Dining options, including a two-level main dining room, a casual "round-the-clock" cafe, and an alternative restaurant.

Two interior promenade decks.

A covered exterior promenade deck encircling the ship.

Large Lido swimming pool beneath a retractable magradome.

A zipod propulsion system.

A new disco and the signature "Crow's Nest" observation lounge/nightclub.

Extensive multi-million-dollar art collection.

New facilities for the physically challenged:

-- A total of 28 wheelchair-accessible staterooms in various categories.

-- Dedicated elevator for wheelchair users, to assist with tender embarkation.

-- 2 tenders equipped with wheelchair-accessible platforms

-- Accessible areas at the bar counter and other public desks, wherever possible.

-- All public rooms accessible.

 Credits:  Photos © CruiseDiva.com and *Michel Verdure, Courtesy of Holland America Line

If you have questions, you may e-mail me at:

Theresa@photoandTravel.com