The Good & Disappointing of HAL Rotterdam Transatlantic

Rudi's Sel de Mer

Aside from the wonderful hostess Genesis, this was really really really disappointing. Lobster tail had no flavor, bread they just laid on the table cloth - same table where the Steward had just set up his laptop, laid out papers, had a meeting before we were seated. Staff continued to meet & bs with each other 12 inches from our table, w their backs to us. No music. The table was ridiculous - seated us in the back by the kitchen, in a fully empty restaurant. This was beyond disappointing. The worst dining experience we have had on any ship. Then I had to untangle a full charge for what was included in our package. We would have had a far better experience at the buffet, or MDR.

The Dining Room

Great team! From the Steward to our team:. Moko & Tito, they made EVERYTHING wonderful. Phenomenal. Food, eh. Except for last night - NY Strip was tremendous. Calamari when offered was good, fresh. Wonderful salad - we asked for double size, and no bread. We were non MDR people, converted to pro MDR by the dining team. This was a daily highlight. Lovely room as well. Recommend to do the defined time, upstairs. Again, this was new for us, as we were My Time or Buffet people.

Dive-In

Great food. Good team. The fries were tops.

Explorations Cafe

Lovely spot. Quiet. Calm. Espresso not worth it. Team didn't know how to make a good one.

Pinnacle Grill

Arrogant waiter, dirty glass, dirty chair, really mediocre at best food. Not worth our time.

Lido Bar

The 5 stars are for one wait staff Perez. Superb.

Grand Dutch Cafe

Absolutely wonderful espresso.

New York Deli & Pizza

Great team, decent pizza(ask them to crisp it up a little), good breakfast option, particularly on disembarkation morning. Really great little spot. Espresso here not too bad.

Lido Market

Decent breakfast, great salads, the only free ice cream onboard. Crepes with ice cream made to order - excellent. The pods all seemed pretty redundant. Ate lunch on embarkation & were uninspired to return. Great wait staff, look for Min, in particular.

Greenhouse Spa & Salon

Needed to cancel appointment & got pretty serious pushback. They wanted to charge me half when I had tried to cancel night bf, and it was still 8 hours bf.

Guest Services

Superb. Diane, Christine, the Purser (Kevin), etc. Literally the best service on any ship. Usually not super long lines. Real problem solvers. Superb!

Sea View Pool

Smoker's pool. Too bad the entire aft was off limits really for nonsmokers.

Lido Pool & whirlpools

It would be better if deck team opened retractable roof when the sun was out, and closed it when it was cold than what seemed like whenever they got around to it. Whirlpools were tepid. The Lido deck is wonderful however! We enjoyed it immensely.

Fitness Center

Fitness Center small. Director ran a raffle at embarkation that seemed predetermined. Was really turned off. Not a positive.

Lincoln Center Stage

Awesome concert night bf disembarkation. The trio channelled Freddie Mercury. It was wonderful! Standing room only.

Merabella

Seemed like another predetermined drawing winner.

Rolling Stone Rock Room

Good trivia. Limited performance times.

The Shops

Strange hours. Nice sale last night.

World Stage Theater

Nice facility. Comfortable. Doesn't feel crowded, but it does fill up.