Rotterdam 10 Days Panama Canal

[maril]

Just got off the Rotterdam after ten days touring San Salvador, Aruba, Panama Canal, Curacao and Costa Rica.
The ship wasn't full as there is a cap. of 1260. There were less than a dozen children on board, and about 150 pass. were in their 50s or less. The remaining 1,000 passengers were in their 60,s 70s, 80,s and 90,s. I'm not complaining as we enjoyed the company of the "ole folk" tremendously even though at times it was a supermarket line in Florida trying to get around a dozen or so wheel chairs, walkers and cains. I'm glad we went and there were lots of ?'s I had to the older generation that I never got to ask my parents. Most people were in bed by 10 and at the latest, 11 pm. The shows and games at 11:15 pm had less than a dozen attend. HAL should take note that when the first show is over at 930 pm, something should start 15 minutes later instead of waiting till 1115 pm for the line dances or sock hops. I am in my 50s and even I didn't stay up for those!
Ship was impeccable cleanliness-wise and the captain announced on board that when going thru the greeting line, don't be offended but NO ONE SHAKES HANDS ANY LONGER ON THE ROTTERDAM. That suits us just fine with all of the diseases going around cruise ships. We were told to wash our hands as often as we can which we do anyway. Don't want those germs.

Our stops in the above forementions ports were easy enough. The prices HAL charges for the port trips though keep going up. In C.R. we rented an a/c Van for 4 hours for the four of us for $20 each with a tip. We got a 1 and 1/2 hour jungle cruise and a city tour for the price.

When docking at Costa Rica, right off the ship there is a little building with bathrooms. They also have internet access (in Spanish) for 100 minutes for $3 u.s. dollars. Not a typo. The chip charges $250 for 100 minutes, again, not a typo.
I could go on and on but thought if anyone is going to the Panama Canal on board the Rotterdam that you will have a good time. If you are a complainer, you won't have a good time.
thats about it. If you want more info, leave me your email address.
Maril

[doone]

Glad you had a good time on the Rotterdam. I did this cruise last March and thought it was spectacular.

[dakrewser]

...if anyone is going to the Panama Canal on board the Rotterdam that you will have a good time. If you are a complainer, you won't have a good time.
thats about it.
Excellent summary, and applicable to so many cruises (and other life experiences!) Thank

[Orcrone]

The ship charges $250 for 100 minutes, again, not a typo.Actually, I think it is a type. Don't you mean $100 for 250 minutes?

[maril]

sorry, it is a typo. You are correct, $100 for 250m minutes. Still higher than a kite.
maril

[RuthC]

maril, thank you for the brief report. Would you mind commenting on the entertainment that you did see, please? Who was performing in the show lounge and the various public lounges? Did you hear any comments from your fellow passengers?
When I was aboard last summer the I thought Rosario Strings were an especially good group.

[clopaw]

We are leaving on the next voyage this coming Sunday. Could you please comment on the dining room staff and how the service was?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks for your review.

Loved that ship - did a 16 day Orinoco Cruise on her which included many of the ports that you visited.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise.

[NoCruiseBlues]

My wife & I took this cruise last January, it was FANTASTIC. It was our first time on HAL & isn't our last. The lecturer we had prior to reaching the Canal was EXCELLENT, and one could tell by his inflections that he loved talking about it. The only cruise I have enjoyed more & would do over again on any cruise line is ALASKA, it is truly the LAST FRONTIER. Knowing HAL has such highly qualified lecturers, next time I go to Alaska it will be on a HAL ship. BTW, we were so satisfied with HAL that we will be cruising to the Mexican Riviera aboard the Oosterdam next month, can hardly wait.

[jazzsea]

We're doing this ship and itinerary on January 5, 2005. Thanks for the update on this grand ship.

[nansi]

Thanks for the review, Maril; we're doing this same ship/route on March 6th. We're researching our shore options right now and so far we've decided to do the Ziplining in Costa Rica. What did you do on shore (if anything) at the other ports?
And did you tender ashore at any of the ports, and if so, which ones?
Hope you can find time to give some brief answers on this board, as I'm sure others are interested as well.
Nancy

[maril]

No Cruise
We did the HAL Zaandam in June of last year. Again, HAL fooled us and there was impeccable service on board. You are right, Alaska IS the last horizon and we would do it again BUT next time, add a few more days and do the Denali Forest train ride to go deeper into the tundra.
Good luck
Maril

[maril]

Clopaw
Glad to hear you are taking the same voyage. The dining room staff as always was great. Gawd, I sound like a commercial. We had table 48 which was one table away from the window over the water. We skipped three meals out of ten because we wer so full and ate at the Lido Bar for dinner. They really didn't bug you about wine but did come around the table nightly.
Beware cuase HAL now adds $10 pp per day to your bill for tips. We cut some of that and tipped our own staffers even though they say they have to turn it in to split it among everyone. I should have bought $20 phone cards and give them to the staffers we liked. They don't have to turn those in.
Maril

[maril]

Clopaw
Enjoy your cruise this sunday

Marty Brill, comedian was great
Martin Lass, violin, didnt go but heard he was super
Showstoppers, Rotterdam staff
Kenneth Havard, magician, really good and from Las Vegas
Jazzmatazz, staffers
Pamela Blake actress
Gary Wick, ventriloquist
Hats off to Broadway, shipboard cast
Throughout the week:
B3 Crow's Nest, 9
Basul Quartet, Ocean Bar 5
Rosario Strings, Explorer's Lounge 5
Attilio, piano Ambassador Lounge 5
DIsco DJ Crow's Nest 9
Hope this entertainment sked. works for you.,
Maril

[clopaw]

Maril, thanks for your comments. This is our first HAL cruise, ninth overall. We are really excited to try HAL. We have heard nothing but good about the Rotterdam. These will be all new ports for us and that's fun, too. Mostly, though, as I am running around trying to get all my work done and everything for Christmas done, I am just looking forward to 10 relaxing days sitting on our balcony.

[maril]

Clopaw
NOW when you return, YOU will have to give me a trip report. See how we compare when the Rotterdam brings you home.
maril

[maril]

Nancy
You asked what we did in Costa Rica. Well, the ship's tours were way too expensive even tho we could afford them. Once off the ship, there is a small building you have to enter to get from the dock to the downtown area. There will be a few people hawking their tours, one guy wanted $45 for three hour tour. We remained steadfast and told each person we encountered we wanted a tour of the city and a jungle cruise for $20 pp, for four hours in an air conditioned van. We finally got what we wanted from the people in the office to the right side as soon as you enter the little building. Even tho the trip lasted 3 hours we felt we got our money's worth. The jungle was incredible and we saw a crocodile, three toed sloths, howler monkeys, many many exotic birds, iguanas from 6 inches to three feet long, etc. This was the best of costa rica as far as we were concerned.
Coffee: The ship offers 20 bags of Britt costa rican coffee for $99. This was better than we could do locally. When we arrived home 4 days later, DHL had left us a note on the door that they were trying to deliver us our coffee. It came nice and fresh. We did get some $5 bags of coffee in the straw market right before that little building I was telling you about. The town is full of policemen and there were four of us walking around.
Hope this helps you make a decision on what to do in c.r.
maril

[maril]

I agree with Localady that this cruise to the Panama Canal on the Rotterdam was more laid back. The ship consisted of about 80 percent over 60 but they are delightful cruisers. Lots of wheel chairs, walkers, etc. We were on the Zaandam last year to Alaska and the deck layout is nearly the same. In fact, our cabin this year was right above last years cabin. I heard the elevator warning but a bunch of us got on anyway but didn't get stuck like some did according to localady. we enjoyed the cruise
maril

[doone]

Maril, that coffee is fantastic. I bought the 20 bags while onboard the ship and it was delivered to my home. I continue to purchase this coffee from Cafe Brit through their web site, www.cafebrit.com its fantastic coffee.

[maril]

Doone
it IS so good. I plan to order off their web site after we finish our 20 bags too. We did give some out for christmas presents but I am hoarding the rest, hehehe
maril

[doone]

I have given alot away also, and what great stocking stuffers these are. Enjoy your coffee.