Live Voyage Report: Welcome aboard Holland America Line m/s Oosterdam

Under clear skies and scorching heat (for Seattle standards), I embarked Holland America Line’s m/s Oosterdam.

My stateroom

Sporting the signature Holland America Line stateroom amenities (upgraded mattress, flat screen tv, dvd player) my verandah stateroom on the aft of the ship is comfortable. I especially like the bed, which is long enough so my feet don’t hang off the end. The bathtub and Elemis products in the bathroom are a nice touch.

Happy Feet: Public art in all the right places

On Holland America Line, there is extensive art in the form of sculptures, paintings, artifacts, and furnishings found throughout the ship.

 

Ship Shape: Greenhouse Spa and Gym

After settling into my stateroom, I pointed my feet towards the Greenhouse Spa. After getting a complimentary bamboo massage sampler, I signed up for a single pass to the thermal suite and hydropool. At $129 for a single pass, I plan on spending a lot of time in the Turkish-like bath’s grottos and chambers as well as soaking in the mineralized bubbling water.

 

Club HAL

Although on this cruise I am not sailing with my children, I did want to stop by and say hi to the friendly faces at Club HAL before they were busy taking care of the over 200 kids we have on this voyage.

Promenade

Even though there are just a little less than 2000 people onboard, I have found little pockets of space without a soul in sight.