The Rotterdam is exceptional
Rotterdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern
Contributor Level:
Purser
Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 26
Review summary
This was the best cruise we have ever taken. The ship was beautiful and very maintained. The food was good and the entertainment was exceptional in some venues.Embarkation
Embarkation was quick and easy.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
The food was delicious in the main dining room, and buffets. The Pinnacle Grill was good but not great, like I was expecting.
The desserts throughout the ship were less than great, in our opinion.
Onboard Activities
We didn’t participate in most of the activities but there were plenty offered.
Entertainment
The dance shows in the World Stage were entertaining. The interactive screens made them come alive. The comedian was funny one night, but not the second night.
The musicians and singers in BB King Blues Club were exceptional. I would choose Holland America over other cruise lines because of this venue.
The musicians in the Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Lounge were just okay.
Children's Programs
We didn’t have children on board with us.
Service and Staff
ALL of the service members on the Rotterdam were phenomenal. We had the best service we have ever gotten on this ship.
Ship Quality
The ship was beautifully decorated. The art work was unique and pleasing to the eye. My husband and I are not an art people and we thoroughly enjoyed all of it.
Every area of the ship was clean and well maintained. Better than any ship we have ever sailed.
Cabin / Stateroom
It was the first inside cabin we have stayed in, so it was smaller than the others. It was still very comfortable. We still felt like we had enough room for the two of us. It was very clean and maintained well.
Ports of call
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Port Everglades was easy to get in and out of. Embarkation and debarkation was easy and painless.
Thumbs Up
0
I felt safe in most areas of this port. Easy to walk. Lots of shopping.
We took a bus tour of the city and spent a couple of hours at Mambo Beach, a Holland America excursion. It was informative and enjoyable.
Our experience in Aruba has nothing to do with Holland America but I feel like I should explain what happened, so it doesn’t happen to anyone else.
Aruba is beautiful but do your homework before you go. We paid a taxi to take us to Eagle Beach. He didn’t take us to Eagle Beach but to a beach that was part of an all inclusive resort. We didn’t know any difference when he dropped us off. Next time we will do more research before we go.
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)
Half Moon Cay is the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. This trip to it was not the best though. There were two Holland America ships in port and by the time we got off the ship at 10, there were no chairs on the beach to sit in. We put our towels on the ground and floated in the water for about an hour and went back to the ship. We didn’t visit the buffet because the lines were incredibly long.
Disembarkation
Disembarkment was quick and easy. It only took 15 minutes to get on the road from the time we started embarking.