Vista Class Sisters........

[sail7seas]

Anyone here sailed all four of the Vista ships? And Eurodam (Signature Class)? [You must have KK, right?]

We've sailed Zuiderdam, Westerdam and Noordam but have not yet sailed Oosterdam.
Of those who have sailed all four, how do you rate them from your experience?
Which do you think the most beautiful? Art that is more to your taste? Color schemes etc?

We've sailed Eurodam four cruises and we consider her an extension of the Vistas but with added (fabulous) Tamarind and Silk Den.

For us, Noordam comes first as most beautiful, then Eurodam because of added excellent venues, Westerdam and then Zuiderdam. We had great cruises on all.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Yes we have sailed all the present ships except the Prinsendam. We have sailed the Old Noordam and the Old Nieuw Ansterdam.

That's 15 different HAL ships.

 

[sail7seas]

Our first HAL cruise ever was Noordam III (the 'old' Noordam). We have 70 cruises with HAL and have sailed 14 HAL ships. Won't be long before we 'finish out the fleet'. That'll be fun.

 

[ShipMaven]

I prefer the classic R- and S-class ships. I sailed Zuiderdam early on and did not care for her - have avoided Vista ships ever since. I inspected Oosterdam several years ago and am scheduled to sail her next month. Perhaps I'll change my mind with Oosterdam.

I might see what Nieuw Amsterdam is scheduled to do in August 2012 - that would mark the 60th anniversary of my first HAL (at that time known as Nederlandsch-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij) voyage on the fabled 1938 Nieuw Amsterdam. I've cruised on all the S-class ships and 3 of the 4 R-class ships - haven't been on Amsterdam.

 

[Lurline63]

I'm happy to comment on Prinsendam (pre-2010 modifications). Just ask away! We were onboard for 14 nights in 2009 and I did not want to get off. We've also been on Ryndam and Maasdam, so I can give some comparisons between Prinsendam and the S-class (again, pre-SOE modifications). I've also toured Amsterdam and believe I would enjoy her and her sisters. As for Vista and larger -- I'm not one to "never say never," yet the time and itinerary would have to be right to get me on a larger ship.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

We were scheduled to do the Amazon in 2007 on the Prinsendam -- but it was cancelled due to going in for an emergency dry dock. HAL automatically moved our reservation over to December 2008. But unfortauntely we had to cancel that cruise as our yellow fever shots expired in January 2008. And DH because of multiple health problems can not ever get another yellow fever shot. So with 5 stops along the Amazon -- we had no desire to stay on the ship. We know that we can always take a letter along with us from our doctor explaining the situation, but even that doesn't guarantee that we would be allowed on the cruise let alone be able to get off the ship in those ports.

And flying to Europe to cruise on her -- just not an option DH can do either.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

Our first HAL cruise ever was Noordam III (the 'old' Noordam). We have 70 cruises with HAL and have sailed 14 HAL ships. Won't be long before we 'finish out the fleet'. That'll be fun.

So which Prinsendam cruise will you be taking?

 

[sail7seas]

Mary Ann.......... Before you 'write off' Vista ships, you really must see Noordam. HAL got it so right with her. Whatever mistakes they may have made in the first three Vista ships, they got wonderful on Noordam. With no bias (well, okay..... a little ), Noordam is a fabulous ship I hope you see and sail someday soon.

Congratulations on your many years and so many voyages.
May you have a great many more in the best of good health.

 

[sail7seas]

I'm happy to comment on Prinsendam (pre-2010 modifications). Just ask away! We were onboard for 14 nights in 2009 and I did not want to get off. We've also been on Ryndam and Maasdam, so I can give some comparisons between Prinsendam and the S-class (again, pre-SOE modifications). <snip>

Thanks for offering to help, Lisa.
Our two favorite ships are Maasdam and Noordam. We love them both though have sailed almost all the rest.

I have studied deck plans for Prinsendam and am trying to familiarize myself with the differences.

The dining room configuration confuses me a little.
We are always a table for just the two of us, Traditional Dining at 8 P.M. Can you recommend a table or point out to me where Traditional Dining is located on Prinsendam. All the other ships, it is the Upper level but, of course, the rooms are configured differently.

If you enjoy a drink before (or after) dinner, which lounge is your choice?
I've been advised on another Board to think about having a cabin on Lido Deck but to go starboard whereas we almost always are port side. Can you comment?

Thanks for any help.

 

[sail7seas]

KK........ We are looking at several sailings.

DH cannot be gone beyond 17 days max so choices are limited if there is a lot of travel to and from the ship involved. We would never arrive at embarkation port less than 2 days in advance and we always stay at least one post cruise.

 

[sail7seas]

Yes we have sailed all the present ships except the Prinsendam. We have sailed the Old Noordam and the Old Nieuw Ansterdam.

That's 15 different HAL ships.

You didn't answer my question.

Would you, please?

In what order do you like the Vista Class ships?

 

[ShipMaven]

Mary Ann.......... Before you 'write off' Vista ships, you really must see Noordam. HAL got it so right with her. Whatever mistakes they may have made in the first three Vista ships, they got wonderful on Noordam. With no bias (well, okay..... a little ), Noordam is a fabulous ship I hope you see and sail someday soon.

Congratulations on your many years and so many voyages.
May you have a great many more in the best of good health.

Sail - thank you for your good wishes, which I reciprocate to you and DH.

No, I haven't written off Vista ships, I personally aim first for the R- and S-class ships. All the feedback I've received about Noordam, without exception, has been most positive, and I look forward to sailing on her one of these days. I'll test the Vista waters again next month on Oosterdam.

BTW, I'm hoping our mutual HM friend will be aboard my Volendam cruise in June.

 

[earl_m]

I have cruise on the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and the Westerdam. I prefer the Ryndam and the Maasdam class ships to be better. They are the perfect size ships

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

You didn't answer my question.

Would you, please?

In what order do you like the Vista Class ships?

Sorry -- I missed that.

Westerdam -- have the most days on her.

Noordam

Oosterdam

Zuiderdam

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

KK........ We are looking at several sailings.

DH cannot be gone beyond 17 days max so choices are limited if there is a lot of travel to and from the ship involved. We would never arrive at embarkation port less than 2 days in advance and we always stay at least one post cruise.

We just can't find a cruise on the Prinsendam that sails just here in the Caribbean that isn't over the Christmas holidays.

I know that she has only one level to her dining room.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

I looked at HAL's site -- there is a 14 day cruise that leaves on Dec 22 -- just don't like to be gone for Christmas and New year's.

There is a cruise before that -- does the Amazon -- can't get yellow fever shots anymore.

 

[sail7seas]

<snip>
BTW, I'm hoping our mutual friend will be aboard my Volendam cruise in June.

You know, of course, he is no longer on the ship he sailed for years?
It is possible he could be on Volendam. Isn't firm yet but might happen. If you wish, I'll let you know as soon as we find out.

 

[sail7seas]

I have cruise on the Zuiderdam, Oosterdam and the Westerdam. I prefer the Ryndam and the Maasdam class ships to be better. They are the perfect size ships

We love the "S" and "R" ships and have sailed them many, many times. Maasdam and Noordam are our two favorite ships. HAL's (almost) smallest and Noordam is (almost) HAL's largest. They both have their benefits and attractions.

I looked at HAL's site -- there is a 14 day cruise that leaves on Dec 22 -- just don't like to be gone for Christmas and New year's.

I have seen that cruise and it looks interesting to us. We have sailed the holidays a few times. I wouldn't necessarily choose to do so but if we like the cruise well enough, we might consider it.

If that cruise were a different date, we would be more interested in it.

There is a cruise before that -- does the Amazon -- can't get yellow fever shots anymore.

I won't be sailing the Amazon...... not to my taste or interest but I most assuredly understand the appeal it holds for many.

 

[sail7seas]

Sorry -- I missed that.

Westerdam -- have the most days on her.

Noordam

Oosterdam

Zuiderdam

We actually like Westerdam more than we expected. She is prettier than my image of her from reading others' comments made her out to be.

For that matter, we like Eurodam a lot better than we expected especially considering her size.

Tamarind and Silk Den (as well as Explorers Lounge) definitely factor into that.
If you thought Tamarind was good last year, you can't believe how much even better it is this year. Truly outstanding.

 

[Krazy Kruizers]

On the Eurodam we ate at the Tamarind at least 6 times over 14 days -- always had the same table -- servers changed -- but those ladies are all great. We never had a bad "anything" there.

Three of the ladies that we had on the Eurodam were on our Zuiderdam cruises working in the Pinnacle.