Enjoyable.

Rotterdam Retired Cruise Review to Alaska - Inside Passage

Cruises: 1 cruise (first)
Reviews: 0
Helpful Votes: 0

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Rotterdam Retired

7 Night Alaska Explorer (Seattle Roundtrip)

Sail date: July 03, 2010

Ship: Rotterdam Retired

Cabin type: Inside

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 14 years ago

Review summary

The ship is very comfortable and cute. While it is not big, there is enough to do (if you plan accordingly). The explorers lounge is very convenient, and the gym, albeit small, was never too crowded. The pools, however, are a joke, but they are just fine for the kids. Overall, the company tries to promote the signature of excellence in everything they do it really shows. Even their disembarkation procedures are well-planned and quick.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
The food was really good, and the restaurants were well-decorated and run. They could, however, improve their vegetable selection the way they are prepared.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Entertainment was pretty good; there could be just a bit more of it during the day.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Wonderful staff! Friendly, funny, always available and with a smile, despite having only 3-4 hours of sleep per day. The staff is the ships best asset.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Very clean one can see the crew polishing metal/brass all the time and in good condition. However, because of the small size, one can really feel the ship movement in rough seas.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
In terms of the size, dcor, condition, and amenities, the stateroom was good. However, their air-conditioning is too loud, disturbing sleep. I was glad I had my earplugs.

Ports of call

Ketchikan, Alaska

5 out of 5
A pretty town. Try to do a bus tour with a local, native driver. They know many interesting stories.

Victoria, British Columbia

5 out of 5
The area around the Empress hotel is beautiful, and it is worth to just walk around there. Staying in the city is a better idea than spending the entire time driving to and from the Butchard gardens.

Sitka, Alaska

5 out of 5
The location of the town is beautiful and it would be worth to do a boat tour around the bay. It is certainly worth to walk around, see the old Russian church (the priest had very interesting stories to tell) and the view from the castle hill.

Juneau, Alaska

3 out of 5
It was a good place to walk around, and 2 hours is more than enough for that. They have the funniest streets - just a set of stairs leading up a hill.

Pros: The staff on the Rotterdam is fantastic!

Cons: The stop in Victoria is way to short and too late.

Recommends Rotterdam Retired? Yes!

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1 Comment

glomarrone    7 years ago

pools are way too small on cruise ships.

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