Great experience. Minimal activities.

Rotterdam Retired Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

djtatham

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 34

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

14 Night Southern Caribbean (Tampa Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 03, 2017

Ship: Rotterdam Retired

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 3389

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

Nice relaxing experience. Don't expect a busy ship with lots of things to do. If you are looking for a relaxing cruise with excellent service and good food you won't be disappointed. Excursions are much better and cheaper from individual companies at the ports.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very smooth. Cabin was ready when we boarded.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

We enjoyed dinner in the main dining room every night. Service was excellent and food was very good.

Lido Restaurant

5 out of 5

Food was good during lunch and late night. Service excellent.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Very minimal onboard activities. No crafts or daily activities except trivia. Pool was never too busy but was so cold not many swimmers. Always enjoy the microsoft classes.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Holland singers and dancers were great! Would like to see more of them and less violin, pianist and Brazilian singers. Magician/comedian was enjoyable. Some nights there was no show offered. One night a BBC program that we had seen on a previous cruise. Disappointed in the entertainment.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The crew and service staff were the friendliest and most accommodating of any I have encountered on any previous cruise.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Ship shows it's age. Just out of dry dock but still lacking. We were disappointed and unprepared for the fact that they removed the self serve laundry during dry dock. We had checked to be sure that would be available for this 14 day cruise. We had to use the valet laundry which was very good for the price of $20. for a bag crammed full. Still no outdoor movie screen which we enjoy on other cruises. The Oasis was a disaster and closed to passengers. Ventured there only to find several crew using it for a smoking area.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

We had an obstructed view on the lower promenade. Standard, no frills. Beds comfortable, clean with good service. Under kitchen. Noisy at times.

Ship tip

Don't expect a busy ship with lots of things to do. If you are looking for a relaxing cruise with excellent service and good food you won't be disappointed. One good thing about Holland is they still offer complimentary room service. We enjoyed a full relaxing breakfast in our cabin each morning. If you don't see what you want on the room service menu write in what you want and they will do their best to provide it.

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