Better Than I Expected

Item: Rotterdam Retired
Rating: 4
Author: CynthiaF

Rotterdam Retired Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

CynthiaF

Contributor Level: Deck Hand

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 23

Overall rating:

4 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night Panama Canal Eastbound (San Diego To Ft. Lauderdale)

Sail date: April 03, 2011

Ship: Rotterdam Retired

Cabin type: Balcony

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 13 years ago

Review summary

Lovely decor. Perfect size. Easy to get around. The right amount of amenities.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

For cruise fare, the food was better than any cruise lines in this category.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

I loved the Lanai cabin!

Ports of call

Cartagena, Colombia

3 out of 5

"Average" only because there was NOT ENOUGH TIME at port. We were there from 11AM to 5PM. Therefore, the city tour was too rushed. Too many sights to see in too little time.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

5 out of 5

Visited the town of Antigua--during a Lenten processional. VERY CROWDED that Sunday, but also a rare sight to see.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Chiapas (Tapachula), Mexico

5 out of 5

Visited the Ixapa (sp?) ruins--bought a Mayan calendar, so I'll know when the world ends! :)

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5

Did the off-road excursion--it could have stayed on the road for most of the time. (Literally could see the road from our "off-road" position!)

Thumbs Up 0

Fuerte Amador, Panama

3 out of 5

Tender problems meant a two-hour delay for those leaving on excursions and for those just wanting to go ashore. Plus, this was a NIGHTTIME port-of-call, arrived at 6PM, lett at 4AM. I wished they had dropped Puerto Vallarta, and let us have the day in Panama City instead.

Thumbs Up 0

Huatulco, Mexico

3 out of 5

Did the bird-watching tour. Surprisingly, took us to a golf course! But, there were many varieties of birds there! The guide was an excellent spotter.

Thumbs Up 0

Pros: Transiting the Panama Canal

Cons: Too many "formal" nights