Another 5 star cruise with HAL

Item: Rotterdam Retired
Rating: 4.5
Author: ad5za

Rotterdam Retired Cruise Review to Transatlantic

ad5za

Contributor Level: Captain

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5

27 Night Azores Normandy & Baltic Jewels (Tampa To Rotterdam)

Sail date: April 15, 2018

Ship: Rotterdam Retired

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 6174

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Another wonderful cruise with HAL. Staff were great, friendly and helpful. Food in the MDR and Pinacle Grill superb. Everything you could ask for in a cruise and more.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Embarkation was a breeze. No waiting. HAL had more than enough persons to efficiently process all guests very quickly. Waiting area for VIP guests was comfortable and with refreshments.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

MDR and Lido Market buffet exceeded expectations with service and food quality. Pinnacle Grill was fantastic. King crab was delicious.

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5

Attended most of the shows in the main show room. All were enjoyable. Stage scenery and props for the song and dance shows were nonexistent. Canned music for shows leaves something to be desired. Live music for the BBC Frozen Planet presentation was wonderful.

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

4 out of 5

Ship is getting old and showing its age.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Couldn't ask for more. Quiet. Location was acceptable, near midship elevator. Refrigerator was stocked nicely. Binoculars and umbrella were appreciated. Wife loved the whirlpool bath.

Ports of call

Tampa, Florida

3 out of 5

Key West, Florida

5 out of 5

Love Key West. Been there many times and always find something new to do on my own.

Thumbs Up 9

King's Wharf, Bermuda

4 out of 5

Visited museum and fort. Interesting.

Thumbs Up 7

Ponta Delgada, Azores

5 out of 5

Beautiful and serene. Visited crater region.

Thumbs Up 4

Brest, France

3 out of 5

Cherbourg, France

4 out of 5

Went to Normandy and Omaha Beach. Also Overlord and D-Day museum. Fairly long bus ride but the countryside is fascinating with all the quaint houses and villages along the way.

Thumbs Up 3

Zeebrugge (Bruges), Belgium

4 out of 5

Visited Flanders Fields memorials and museum. Impressive

Thumbs Up 7

Rotterdam, Netherlands

4 out of 5

Went to Kinderdyke and saw all the windmills. Enjoyable bus ride through the Dutch countryside.

Thumbs Up 4