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All the kids were well-behaved, and none seemed obnoxious. The aft cabins have oversized balconies and overlook the ship’s wake. I honestly could have sat out on the balcony the entire cruise staring at the seas, and been extremely happy.
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Other rooms made to sleep more than two people might have bunks that pull down from the ceiling. The sheer breadth of destinations Holland America covers is impressive for such a small fleet. Currently, the line has ships scheduled to call on six continents (plus a sail past the seventh, Antarctica) with stops in more than 50 countries. Of the "Big Eight" cruise lines, Holland America Line is the one that prides itself most heavily on legacy. The only times things felt a bit busy to me were at the Lido Market at lunchtime and in the Crow’s Nest when we were cruising Glacier Bay. I ended up really feeling that our veranda was the best place to view it all from, and I can’t imagine taking a scenic cruise without one.
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Passengers can upgrade from Surf to Premium or add additional devices at any time. Introduced between 2002 and 2006, the four ships — Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam — in Holland America's Vista Class are large enough for slightly more than 1,900 passengers at double occupancy. Like their smaller R Class fleetmates, they offer only two alternative restaurants (a steakhouse and an Italian eatery) in addition to complimentary buffet and main dining room venues. Ships in the Holland America fleet — formerly the Nederlandsche-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (Dutch-American Steamship Company) — carried immigrants from Europe to North America at regular intervals. And veterans who found themselves on Holland America ships used as military transport during World War II often sail on the line's modern vessels as a way to reminisce.
Most evenings, “smart casual” wear is expected—shorts, pool wear, distressed jeans and tank tops are not allowed at night. Typically, two Gala Nights are designated for every seven days at sea, and cruisers are encouraged to dress to impress. Jacket and tie are not required for men (some tradition bound guests will be wearing them), but otherwise, collared shirts and slacks for gents, and elegant dresses, skirts or slacks for women are fine.
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Some have extra-deep balconies, making them 405 square feet in size (though the interior is the same size). Most are 228 square feet in size (including the private verandah or balcony). You can stroll along Deck 2 from stern to bow, and listen to all kinds of different live music in the course of an evening. In this review, we’ll also point out where the Rotterdam differs from other HAL ships. Much of what we cover in this Holland America Line review applies to all Holland America ships.
Holland America’s Rotterdam suites
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Suites offer more space and luxury extras than the balcony cabins. But Holland America’s Music Walk is a coordinated experience centered on one deck, and the Pinnacle Class ships were built with this purpose in mind. Some itineraries have additional requirements, including all Canada, Alaska and Australia cruises. Besides traditional Bingo, casino, dance lessons and swimming pools, Westerdam offered Windows technology and group cooking classes which Rob and I attended. Along with customary evening stage shows, musicians and comedians, the B.
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Our Rotterdam traveling companions (who’ve cruised on NCL, Princess, Celebrity and other lines) also remarked many times how really good the food was – especially in the ship’s specialty restaurants. The seductive Greenhouse Spa is located on Deck 9 forward and a wide variety of treatments are available, at prices comparable to most quality resorts. Treatments are often discounted on port days, and other specials become available as the cruise goes on, particularly for those booking multiple appointments. Prices range from $149 for the 50-minute Swedish or Reflexology Massage to $299 for a 100-minute AromaSpa Seaweed Massage or Aroma Stone Therapy. Facials are $149 to $199, and the salon offers hair styling, waxing, and manicure and pedicure services. I am a bit shy of being a five star Mariner, having taken 11 cruises this year.With that being said, the call center is probably the most undertrained combative group of folks I have ever in my life embarked upon.
Least expensive options are Interior cabins, which are found throughout the ship and do not have a window—these can be as small as 143 square feet. There are a variety of Ocean-view cabins, along with slightly larger Family Ocean-view units which have two bathrooms—one with shower and sink, the other with a bathtub. Twelve single Ocean-view cabins are located on Deck 1, near the bow, and can offer good value for solo travelers. The BBKING & Rolling Stones lounge was way too loud and not the type of music for the majority of the passengers that travel on Holland America. To maximize the return on your investment, carefully consider the type of card you're using to make the purchase.
Our first couple of nights, we cooled our heels for 30 minutes each time. Fixed seating means you always dine at the particular fixed time and at the same table. The two-story main dining room is where you’ll eat most of your dinners on the Rotterdam. We often judge a resto by something as simple as the bread. If it’s not yummy, we don’t expect much from the rest of the food. The 104 Vista Suites are between 260 and 356 square feet, and have a bedroom with separate seating area.
Holland America Line has various activities available every day on-board for guests to enjoy. They offer a wide range of recreational activities which includes Spa and Salon, Culinary Classes, Digital Workshops, Art Galleries, and Shopping Boutiques. There was definitely a time in my life when I was all about taking small ships, cargo ferries, and local buses, and avoiding experiences like cruises. However, now with a young child, it ended up being such an easy, beautiful way to take a vacation. We didn’t have to worry about logistics, food, cleaning up after meals (which can be messy with a one-year-old), or having things to do while he napped.
From pier fishing to deep-sea adventures, this post has all you need. I researched the activities made available through HAL and then through independent operators. The routines and procedures to keep a healthy ship were evident throughout the cruise. After our first day on board, I commented to my husband that I didn’t think the word, no, was in the staff’s vocabulary. Even if everything else on board was terrible, and it wasn’t, the staff alone would make the experience memorable. The food, the atmosphere, and the service are all equally outstanding.
There's also the aft open air SeaView Pool and Bar, where smoking is permitted. Overall, the flow here is good but can be a little challenging when crossing from one side to the other with access blocked on the right side of Deck 11 for crew. When added to the introductory cruise price, the Have-it-All package includes an onboard credit, an excursion, a dinner at a specialty restaurant, WiFi, and the Signature drink package. Unless you prepay gratuities or purchase a cruise fare that has them included in the price, you will be charged $16 per person during each day of your cruise ($17.50 if you're booked in a suite). You can adjust the amount up or down or remove it completely (which we don't recommend doing) by visiting the guest services desk.
The Holland America fleet is made up of mid-sized ships, which allows for a more intimate and personalized experience than many of the larger cruise ships on the market. Although the line doesn't offer a truly all-inclusive cruise experience, it does allow you to purchase a Have It All premium package, rather than simply paying the base cruise fare. The package includes shore excursions, specialty dining, Wi-Fi and a beverage package. Gratuities are extra, but the line sometimes runs promotions that roll them into the cruise fare.
Like its sisters in the Pinnacle Class fleet, Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, the elegant Rotterdam is a solid match for those seeking the entertainment and dining variety of a big ship cruise, but without the crowds. Activities are robust, the Southeast Asian crew is full of smiles and accommodation, and that “new ship” smell is lovely to experience. A festive ambiance greeted us during our Friday evening port call. After sunset, 3,300 lights lit up Parliament buildings, sidewalk musicians played lively tunes and attractions stayed open late. We toured the Royal BC Museum and strolled flower bedecked Inner Harbor walkways. On a previous port call, we toured Butchart Gardens, rode one of the cute ferries and did a CVS hop on/hop off tour.
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