Oosterdam - Looking for comments

Paul Rernfree

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Oct 5, 2003, 2:06:46 PM10/5/03

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My wife and I are travelling aboard Holland America Oosterdam in January in
the western Caribbean. Never been on a cruise before so don't know which
cruise line to pick. Any positive or negative comments about life on the
Oosterdam.

Paul Renfree
Grande Prairie Alberta
Canada

Eileen Garland

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Oct 5, 2003, 3:17:29 PM10/5/03

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You don't need advice on which cruise line to pick because you've
already picked one!

And you won't get a whole lot of feedback about the Oosterdam because
it's a brand-new ship and hasn't sailed from America yet.

Here's what I CAN tell you: cruising is a wonderful delightful vacation.
There may be some things you don't like about the ship, the iterinary,
the food, the people, or any one of a number of things. But don't sweat
it: focus on what you DO like - and I assure you you will have little
trouble finding things to like - and you will have a wonderful time.

If you don't have a brochure that includes the Oosterdam, look up the
ship on the web (www.hollandamerica.com is a good place to start), and
allow yourself the pleasure of imagining what the ship and life on board
is like. The anticipation is part of the fun of a cruise.

Report back to us after your cruise - most likely, you will become as
firmly addicted to cruising as the rest of us on rec.travel.cruises!

Eileen

Paul Rernfree

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Oct 5, 2003, 5:28:58 PM10/5/03

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Thanks Eileen

Holland America isn't final yet. We may still use Royal Caribbean. Is one
better that the other?

Paul

"Eileen Garland" <emga...@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:Lv6dnSe0-qf...@comcast.com...

Eileen Garland

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Oct 5, 2003, 5:44:56 PM10/5/03

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That's a BIG question, Paul. Better, no, different, yes. In a
nutshell, I'd say HAL is a bit more elegant, RCI livelier. That's just
my opinion, of course. You might want to read some reviews to help you
make a choice. Try http://www.seacruisereviews.com/

Eileen

Howard Garland

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Oct 5, 2003, 5:58:48 PM10/5/03

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Paul Rernfree wrote:

> Thanks Eileen
>
> Holland America isn't final yet. We may still use Royal Caribbean. Is one
> better that the other?

Depends on what you are into. What do you like, Paul? What are the
primary things that you are looking for on a cruise? How old are you
and what age group do you prefer to mix with? IMO, there is no such
thing as better or worse, in absolute terms, whan it comes to cruising.

Howard

Mason Barge

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Oct 5, 2003, 6:41:14 PM10/5/03

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On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:28:58 GMT, "Paul Rernfree"
<pren...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Thanks Eileen
>
>Holland America isn't final yet. We may still use Royal Caribbean. Is one
>better that the other?
>
>Paul
>
>

HAL is more refined, more personalized, has generally somewhat better
food and outstanding service. RCL has more activities -- especially
physical ones -- and better shows. They are both very good for the
right kind of person. In general I would say RCL is more "fun" and
HAL is more "first class". HAL is considered a "premium" line and RCL
isn't.

If you want to hit a disco after about 11.30 at night, you want RCL.

Mason Barge

"If this is coffee, please bring me some tea. If this is tea, please bring me some coffee."
-- Abraham Lincoln

Paul Rernfree

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Oct 5, 2003, 7:35:02 PM10/5/03

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Howard

We are in our eary 60's and generally spend a couple of weeks of winter on
the beaches of Mexico. We live in northern Alberta Canada, (-40 on some days
in the winter) and look forward each year to a mid winter break We thought
we would try something different this year. We won't likely dance or play
the slots but we would enjoy sitting by the pool, meeting new friends, and
enjoying the dining experiences availible. We are also looking forward to
taking in the shows and touring on shore. We don't like crowds or highly
organized activities.

I don't know if that information is enough to help make judgements in
chosing a cruise line.

I read Eileen's comments on sea cruise reviews.com and appreciate the good
description of your trip with RCL.

Hopefully We will be adequadely prepared for the cruise which takes place
in January.

Thanks for your wise advice.

Paul Renfree

"Howard Garland" <garl...@udel.eduremove> wrote in message
news:jRCdnfzjku4...@comcast.com...

Paul Rernfree

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Oct 5, 2003, 7:36:38 PM10/5/03

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Thanks Mason for the comments. They all help in the decision.

Paul

"Mason Barge" <mason...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:n471ovg93ol64n4q1...@4ax.com...

Bare Nookey

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Oct 5, 2003, 7:37:53 PM10/5/03

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>"Paul Rernfree" pren...@hotmail.com
wrote on: Date: 10/5/2003 2:06 PM Eastern Daylight Time:

Oosterdam - Looking for comments

>My wife and I are travelling aboard Holland America Oosterdam in January in
>the western Caribbean. Never been on a cruise before so don't know which
>cruise line to pick. Any positive or negative comments about life on the
>Oosterdam.

I have a comment. Oosterdam is a very odd name.....waiting to see the new
threads now..."Best and Worst Names for Ships"....

Bookey Near ;-)

emmettjcat

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Oct 5, 2003, 8:00:12 PM10/5/03

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did you ever think about why the names are what they are?
think about the name of the company
HOLLAND america
it is dutch
therefore, they have dutch names for their ships
westerdam
oosterdam
nordam
zuiderdam
west, east, north, south
i don't know dutch ... but this does make sense to me

| I have a comment. Oosterdam is a very odd name.....waiting to see the new
| threads now..."Best and Worst Names for Ships"....
|
| Bookey Near

Bare Nookey

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Oct 5, 2003, 8:14:43 PM10/5/03

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> emmettjcat emmet...@hotmail.com
wrote: >Date: 10/5/2003 8:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time

>why the names are what they are?
>think about the name of the company
>HOLLAND america
>it is dutch
>therefore, they have dutch names for their ships
>westerdam
>oosterdam
>nordam
>zuiderdam
>west, east, north, south
>i don't know dutch ... but this does make sense to me

Ya think so?

Nook Nook, who's there?
North. North who? Nord. Or is that pronounced Nerd? I will now go enjoy a drink
blended in my Oosterizer!

peaches

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Oct 5, 2003, 9:12:39 PM10/5/03

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"Paul Rernfree" <pren...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:GU1gb.22454$da3.39@edtnps84...

> Howard
>
> We are in our eary 60's and generally spend a couple of weeks of winter on
> the beaches of Mexico. We live in northern Alberta Canada, (-40 on some
days
> in the winter) and look forward each year to a mid winter break We thought
> we would try something different this year. We won't likely dance or play
> the slots but we would enjoy sitting by the pool, meeting new friends, and
> enjoying the dining experiences availible. We are also looking forward to
> taking in the shows and touring on shore. We don't like crowds or highly
> organized activities.
>

We also are early 60's and have sailed on both lines. I definetely think
from what you say that you would enjoy Holland America- good food, great
service, quieter, less organized activities than RCI, more fellow passengers
our age, beautiful artwork and flowers, teak promenade deck with those
wonderful deck chairs like in the 20's when ship were ocean liners. We are
booked for 2 weeks on the Oosterdam in December and on the Maasdam in March.

Bare Nookey

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Oct 5, 2003, 9:28:16 PM10/5/03

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Watch your tongue Karen, I am Dutch on my Late Father's side (he was born in
Oberwesel). If I were to poke fun at anything you think I would do it about
something which is a part of me? Lighten up and see the sarcasm in my post.
Calling someone you have known for just days by means of usenet postings an
"idiot" is a very harsh and hateful act. Hate can often be construed as a
jealousy emotion and vice-versa. I, of course have certain opinions of you too
Karen, but choose to keep them to myself.

NB

Bare Nookey

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Oct 5, 2003, 9:52:49 PM10/5/03

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>You, Nookey,
>on the other hand, are an idiot.

Feeksachtig vannacht?

Naar buiten brengen

Bare Nookey

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Oct 5, 2003, 10:23:53 PM10/5/03

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Karen, with all her kindness and insight wrote:

>This is the Internet, idiot.
>

One would have never guessed, my dear.

Brushing up?

emmettjcat

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Oct 6, 2003, 1:44:44 AM10/6/03

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thanks for the 'ditto', cupcaked
i guess it takes a westerdam lover
to understand HAL

aloha ... tanis

| emmettjcat was right on with the Dutch interpretation.  You, Nookey,
| on the other hand, are an idiot.  Do some research on the fascinating
| histories and illustrious backgrounds of the ships and shipping lines
| you're making such glib, juvenile fun of.
| 
| Karen, whose grandparents emigrated on HAL ships and whose DH did
| decades later, as well.
| 
| 
|             __ /7__/7__/7__
|  \::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...
| ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
| 
|       http://www.cupcaked.com/reviews
| (...and leave off the "potatoes" to e-mail)

Howard Garland

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Oct 6, 2003, 9:05:02 AM10/6/03

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Paul Rernfree wrote:

> Howard
>
> We are in our eary 60's and generally spend a couple of weeks of winter on
> the beaches of Mexico. We live in northern Alberta Canada, (-40 on some days
> in the winter) and look forward each year to a mid winter break We thought
> we would try something different this year. We won't likely dance or play
> the slots but we would enjoy sitting by the pool, meeting new friends, and
> enjoying the dining experiences availible. We are also looking forward to
> taking in the shows and touring on shore. We don't like crowds or highly
> organized activities.

Hey Paul,

For what it's worth, I'd go with HAL if I were you.

Howard

haco

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Oct 6, 2003, 9:37:47 AM10/6/03

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Mayby I can give a little help concerning the "odd" names of the Holland-America Line. As already mentioned the HAL is from origin a Dutch comp.Stronger, it is the oldest under their own name operated comp. founded in 1873. In 1988 Carnival Corp. bought the HAL, however clever as they are, the tradition and history of this well known comp. still preserved. Traditionally, all passengerships of the HAL carry a Dutch name with the "- dam" suffix.Mostly of Dutch towns-rivers or in case of the Vista-class to the directions of the compass. North (in Dutch Noord) East (Oost) South (Zuid) West (West). So the Oosterdam is named to the direction East. For most of the ships HAL used names of ships of the past. Rotterdam fe. is the 6th ship using this name. However the Oosterdam is the first with this name.

If you are interested in a brief summary of the HAL history please visit my website www.nedcruise.info page- Which cruiseline and type of ship- click on hyperlink "Nederlandse - Amerikaanse Stoomvaart Mij."

I do hope that you can understand my "odd" English.

Haco from a windy and rainy Holland.

"emmettjcat" <emmet...@hotmail.com> schreef in bericht news:3F80B08C...@hotmail.com...

Bare Nookey

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Oct 6, 2003, 3:30:09 PM10/6/03

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>"haco" h.br...@chello.nl
authored several strings of text and this was one of them:

>Haco from a windy and rainy Holland.

The rain should be a welcome sight :-)

Best wishes,
-Heather (who's Dad was Dutch and is going to back to visit relatives this year
in Koblenz)

Joe Bagodonuts

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Oct 6, 2003, 3:42:25 PM10/6/03

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Your post is very informative and correct. However, most readers of
this NG do not want "informative" OR "correct." They want rumor, spite,
innuendo and character assasination. Please refrain from posting until
you can provide the requisite malice.

haco wrote:
> Mayby I can give a little help concerning the "odd" names of the
> Holland-America Line. As already mentioned the HAL is from origin a
> Dutch comp.Stronger, it is the oldest under their own name operated
> comp. founded in 1873. In 1988 Carnival Corp. bought the HAL, however
> clever as they are, the tradition and history of this well known comp.
> still preserved. Traditionally, all passengerships of the HAL carry a
> Dutch name with the "- dam" suffix.Mostly of Dutch towns-rivers or in
> case of the Vista-class to the directions of the compass. North (in
> Dutch Noord) East (Oost) South (Zuid) West (West). So the Oosterdam is
> named to the direction East. For most of the ships HAL used names of
> ships of the past. Rotterdam fe. is the 6th ship using this name.
> However the Oosterdam is the first with this name.
> If you are interested in a brief summary of the HAL history please visit

> my website www.nedcruise.info <http://www.nedcruise.info> page- Which

Mason Barge

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Oct 6, 2003, 5:20:34 PM10/6/03

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On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 23:35:02 GMT, "Paul Rernfree"
<pren...@hotmail.com> wrote:

>Howard
>
>We are in our eary 60's and generally spend a couple of weeks of winter on
>the beaches of Mexico. We live in northern Alberta Canada, (-40 on some days
>in the winter) and look forward each year to a mid winter break We thought
>we would try something different this year. We won't likely dance or play
>the slots but we would enjoy sitting by the pool, meeting new friends, and
>enjoying the dining experiences availible. We are also looking forward to
>taking in the shows and touring on shore. We don't like crowds or highly
>organized activities.

HAL would be great!