Oosterdam vs. Diamond Princess

[bleuseas]

I keep going back and forth between which ship to choose.

We've been on several cruises (RCCL, Pricess, NCL and yes "the deaded" Carnival several times.) We have never tried HAL, but would like to.

 

We're shying away from Carnival because the outta-control party atrmosphere is just getting to be too much for us old folks (39-ish with two boys 6 & 9) who don't drink and don't apprreicate the excess public drunkenness we found on Carnival.

Not sure about Princess, because of the size of the ship and the time of the year we want to go (spring break). We're not into crowds.

We don't mind an older group. As a matter of fact we live in an area that is highly dominated by a population of retirees.

1. First consideration is things for the kids to do. Does anyone know any details about HAL kids program on this ship?

2. Second consideration is proper attire. Do you have to be "dripping in diamonds" at dinner or is a dressy dress/skirt for women and a jacket and slacks for men ok? What about daytime attire? Can you walk around in bathing suits and cover-ups on deck and wear shorts in publc areas?

3. What are the dining options? Is it like other ships where you have a choice of dressing up for meals in the dining room eating out the grill if you're not in the mood.

 

I'm not sure what I'm picturing (OK, maybe like the Titanic or something without the iceberg)....

 

Please advise..quickly....Thanks!

[TedC]

We've sailed on the Oosterdam and thoroughly enjoyed this beautiful and comfortable ship. With two people per cabin it holds 1848 passengers. The Vista ships, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Zuiderdam, are the largest in the HAL fleet, but not what I consider "megaships." Most lines would cram more people in similar sized ships.

 

HAL has recently announced enhancing its children's programs but we have no experience with this. Half Moon Cay, HAL's private island, is one of the best beaches we've been on. They now have a children's water park, along with other activities.

 

During the day shorts, bathing suits are widely seen. Each evening has a suggested dress code - formal, informal or casual. Formal night a tux or dark suit are suggested for men. On informal evenings men are asked to wear a sport coat, tie optional. Polo shirts and slacks are often seen on casual nights.

 

Women always seem to know what to wear each evening. It's us men who seem to need more direction.

 

 

But if you don't want to dress up you can always eat at the Lido, which I undertand has substantially the same menu as the main dining room. Or you can have free room service in your cabin.

 

We've cruised on many lines, but never on Princess, and currently HAL is our favorite. Give it a try, I think you might like it.

[dakrewser]

We're just off the O'dam a week ago. The passengers are about the same mix you'd see on Princess or Celebrity. No one was "dripping with diamonds," not even the couple in the penthouse suite who we spent quite a bit of time with.

 

While the ship wasn't overrun with children, there were a number aboard and, from what I could see, all had a great time. We've never used the Club Hal facilities (our "baby" is in her 20's!) but the seem (from wht we could see when we were exploring the ship) to be suitable and adequate. You might search this board using the phrase "Club Hal" for more first-hand information.

 

We found the O'Dam to be a big ship that felt small. The public spaces were designed to be intimate rather than the shopping mall inspiration that Carnival uses. It is a much longer ship than we're used to, but our cabin (mid ship, deck 6) was really "halfway to everywhere" so it never semed that big.

 

I'd gone expecting a less than wonderful experience and was very pleasantly surprised to find I really, really enjoyed it.

[DNCButler]

Dakrewsr-

You were kind enough to answer a question for me about the kids areas and I wonder if you could comment please on the entertainment on the O'dam.

[jjones]

I sailed on the O'dam maiden voyage August '03 and the Diamond Princess November '04.

 

The O'dam may be large, but feels cozy. I don't know about children's programs but I do know that many of the crew miss their own children and are delighted to see child passengers. One toddler was passed around and fussed over so much it's a wonder she tried to walk at all. The O'dam is elegant and the fresh flowers everywhere add greatly to the ambiance. It was a delightful cruise.

 

The Diamond Princess is BIG! I felt I needed roller skates to go from one end to another. It doesn't have the two-story dining room, so the ceiling seems low, but there are four optional restaurants for personal choice dining. The aft bars and pool are nice for sea days.

 

Both ships had excellent service as expected and either choice should be a lovely cruise experience.:)

[DNCButler]

We are booked on the O'dam for 3/26/05 and here are the reasons we booked HAL instead of Princess.

 

1. Time in Cabo is longer on the Oosterdam-a full day instead of a 2pm departure. This was important for us.

2. Size of the ships-We sailed Caribbean Princess in October and hated how large the ship was and the lines to get back on the ship. We also sailed on Westerdam in December and loved everything about the ship.

3. The beds on Caribbean Princess were bricks and the service was not up to past experiences. HAL's new pillow top mattresses are WONDERFUL!

 

Just something to consider though, if you are looking at sailing on 3/26 you would have to do 2 cabins for 4 people as they have closed the sailing to 3rd and 4th's in one cabin. If you do reserve on this sailing, we have a roll call already so please stop by and say hi!

[bleuseas]

I think I've made up my mind to give HAL a try. Now if I could just find a decent cabin for the week we want to go! All that I'm finding are insides (which is OK but difficult to go back to after having had a balcony!) I suppose it's better than not going at all! I guess the day of the last-minute cruise is gone.

Has anyone ever stayed in a cabin under the casino? How loud does it get? I've stayed over the showroom in the past and that was a nightmare. We'd go to the show and then go back to our cabin and hear it all over again!

Thanks again!

[tiffnco]

We are booked on the O'dam for 3/26/05 and here are the reasons we booked HAL instead of Princess.

 

1. Time in Cabo is longer on the Oosterdam-a full day instead of a 2pm departure. This was important for us.

2. Size of the ships-We sailed Caribbean Princess in October and hated how large the ship was and the lines to get back on the ship. We also sailed on Westerdam in December and loved everything about the ship.

3. The beds on Caribbean Princess were bricks and the service was not up to past experiences. HAL's new pillow top mattresses are WONDERFUL!

 

#1 and 3 are EXACTLY why we chose Oosterdam over Sapphire Princess for our Nov. trip. Not only is time in port longer in Cabo...but in Puerto Vallarta too...until 10pm I believe!

 

Can't Wait!

[DNCButler]

I think I've made up my mind to give HAL a try. Now if I could just find a decent cabin for the week we want to go! All that I'm finding are insides (which is OK but difficult to go back to after having had a balcony!) I suppose it's better than not going at all! I guess the day of the last-minute cruise is gone.

Has anyone ever stayed in a cabin under the casino? How loud does it get? I've stayed over the showroom in the past and that was a nightmare. We'd go to the show and then go back to our cabin and hear it all over again!

Thanks again!

Glad you decided on HAL. Our group is leaving 3/26 and everyone is so excited already! As for insides, what date are you looking at? Our spring break is 3/26 and I can still get oceanviews and some balconies for that sailing. Just not 4 in one cabin as they've closed it to 3rd and 4ths. You may want to try again if that's the date you're looking for.