rickid

Third cruise on HA but not as great as the others.  It started & ended at the same port so 80% of passengers were Dutch, older, rude.  The Atlantic was rough.  The Rotterdam itself is older.  AC didn't work for 2 days and the toilet was a problem 4 times.  If you persist they do fix the problems but make you feel like it was your fault.  Service by the steward & in room dining staff was impeccable and always on time.  Furnishings are old, worn, scratched & cloth chair covers in the main dining room are torn.  Food is ok at buffet not spectacular and catered to European tastes (weird salads such as mint pasta???).  Extra cost for Italian restaurant not worth it, food is good but the same thing was offered on the buffet the next day!!!   The Slice (pizza) grill was bad (like cardboard and cold).  However their Med BBQ and desert extravaganza were great.

Excursions on this trip were 30/70 (30% worth it).  The HA line seems to attract a really old crowd. We are 60 but everyone else seemed 75-80. Lots of wheelchairs/walkers/canes that help up excursions everywhere.  Buses had faulty or no AC and windows wouldn't open.

Other cruises on the Med & Baltic were much better (Noordam) however I did love the availability of the laundry.  There were also 2 days of just cruise in the beginning & end of the itinerary which could have been better if another port was added - just too much sea time in the choppy Atlantic