Classical Musicians and Blues Band Filled My Need for Live Music
Rotterdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 24
Review summary
I was very pleasantly surprised by the caliber of the musicians in Lincoln Center Stage, BB King Blues Club, and Rolling Stones Rock venues. Holland America has a reputation of being geared to an older crowd (65+) so I wasn’t expecting much. I am 70, but prefer blues, funk, soul, to mainstream pop and soft rock. I have been on over 50 cruises so the ports of call weren’t that important to my cruise experience. The ship itself, entertainment and good service matter more. I left a four page review of the entertainment for the cruise director, but no one has gotten back to me to thank me for the constructive criticism. I did give my home address for staff to react to my review post-cruise. I spent a lot of time to furnish that feedback and am very disappointed that my comments were seemingly dismissed. I will be sending a copy of those 4 pages to corporate address for reaction.Embarkation
My week-old boarding pass was no longer valid, but no problem with issuing me a new boarding pass
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Menu at Lido lunch buffet was repetitive. The narrow baguette was a good size for sandwich, so I had room for something else. Stir-fry station to personalize Asian entree. Pinnacle Grill (PG): need better guidance on how much to tip. 18% of $39 cover charge seemed inadequate. Excellent 10 oz filet mignon, delightful presentation of special bacon appetizer by David Burke, huge double pork chop. I was able to take leftover meat back to my cabin. Main Dining Room (MDR): different waiters for each dinner, but received good service from all. Cod on day 2 or 3 was perfectly cooked. Soups were poured at the table, keeping them hot. No lobster on either Gala night. Supplement for lobster in MDR and PG. Beef was of good quality in MDR and Lido buffet.
Onboard Activities
Thank you for allowing passengers to play Party Bridge on port days as well as sea days.
Entertainment
On embarkation night I heard the BB King Blues Band and decided to return for every set unless the ship had a better band. You did have a better band: the four classical musicians. Luckily, I could attend performances of both. However, 5 pm and 6pm were bad times for the classical musicians as my companions wanted to eat at 5 or 5:15 in order to attend events starting at 7:30. I had to eat separately to attend the 5 and 6 pm performances. My favorite stage show was Humanity by the dancers in the World Stage. Inventive lighting and special effects made it unique. Cantare should not have repeated their Timeless show for their second appearance, especially since their second set had to be cancelled. BBC Planet Earth with live music by the four classical musicians was much appreciated. Expected more magic, not so much comedy from the magician. Fred had good command of audience.
Children's Programs
No children traveling with us.
Service and Staff
Waiter in casino remembered my name the next evening after serving me two drinks at my machine the previous night. I appreciated hot coffee and water being available during Party Bridge Play. However, not enough paper napkins. My second glass of wine in MDR was not served until I was nearly finished with my meat course.
Ship Quality
Felt spacious, but we could not sail at capacity due to COVID. Did not feel like a typical Holland America ship, much more modern than I expected.
Cabin / Stateroom
Thank you for a bigger shower than other ships with similar sized staterooms provide. I prefer unscented bar soap to scented liquid hand soap. Luckily, I brought my own unscented bar soap. Thank you for bath robes that are large enough. Enough storage space.
Ship tip
Bring a smartphone to use Navigator app, which provides more info than printed materials in your cabin.
Thumbs up
0
Ports of call
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
Disembarkation
Waited over a half hour in bus before it left for airport. Driver asked for tips.