Outstanding trip

Rotterdam Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 16

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5
Verified Review
Rotterdam

12 Night Panama Canal Sunfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: January 14, 2024

Ship: Rotterdam

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: 7170

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 4 months ago

Review summary

The Rotterdam was fabulous with outstanding service and delicious, well prepared meals. The Panama Canal was the highlight of the cruise.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
Simple and fast with no waiting.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
We had very good dinners in the .ain dining room and excellent meals at the Pinnacle Grill and thr Tamarind specialty restaurants. The Lido Buffet was also exceptional, a trademark of all Holland America Line ships.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5
BB Kings was fabulous. Rolling Stone was also very good, but the band tended to go into their own very loud high pitched guitar rifts in the middle of many songs that was irritating after a short while. We loved the piano player, Alisha, at the Billboard venue, although there shoul have been two piano players for their two pianos. One suggestion is to decrease or stop entirely, all the many requests by the musicians for audience participation with singing the songs.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
All were terrific, friendly, engaging and good at their particular jobs. Our room steward on Schubert deck, Nessan, was the best we ever had among the 26 cruises we've been on. He provided immediate and perfect care for our cabin that was amazing.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Wonderful ship with immaculate cleanliness. We especially enjoyed the many choices for lounging outside. No problems ever finding a lounger or place to relax.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
We knew the interior cabin would be small, but opted for it to save money and for the darkness that you can't get with a veranda room in the morning. Our room steward, Nessan was beyond excellent!

Ship tip

Don't hesitate, fabulous ship with an outstanding crew. You'll love the entertainment and the food is exceptional.

Ports of call

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)

5 out of 5
Would have liked to stay longer!

Falmouth, Jamaica

3 out of 5

Cartagena, Colombia

2 out of 5
Just a large urban city. Boat docks at a container ship terminal.

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5
Very interesting and learned about the history and operation of a remarkable and successful undertaking by the United States to help international trade. We went on the Best of Panama excursion and would highly recommend it.

Colon, Panama Did not visit port

Our Panama Canal excursion just dropped us at the boat dock as planned.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

3 out of 5
Did not go on an excursion. Walked around the town and nothing special.

George Town, Grand Cayman

3 out of 5
Grand Cayman is Grand Cayman. We would have much preferred to go to Key West, which was previously planned.

Disembarkation

5 out of 5
Walked right off the boat and through immigration without any delays
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