ms Rotterdam vs ms Amsterdam

[vjw1218]

Greetings!

My family and I just booked the March 16th sailing of the ms Rotterdam to the Caribbean. We'd been looking for Caribbean cruises, but no itineraries or ships "clicked" until this offering appeared this week. What sold it for us was the ship. Our first cruise was to Alaska in May of 2004 on the ms Amsterdam, which we absolutely loved. Since the Rotterdam and Amsterdam are "sister" ships, we decided we couldn't go wrong. (The itinerary was exceptional as well, but that's another topic.)

I realize these two ships are similar, but I haven't found much feedback - positive or negative - on these boards concerning the Rotterdam. Any insight or observations would be appreciated. Thanks very much!

[RuthC]

I've had three cruises---totaling 77 days---on the Rotterdam. Guess you could say I like the ship. I've also sailed the Amsterdam, so I'm in a position to compare.
The two ships are similar in atmosphere, and that's what matters the most to me. The only real physical difference is the aft pool is one deck down from the Lido on the Rotterdam.

My friend (and your neighbor in York!) just disembarked yesterday. She said that things were not up to the same level they were when we left last July, but she also said she had a wonderful time!

If there are any specific questions please post and I will be happy to try and answer them. What I don't know I'll just make up. :D

[JohnSax]

These two flagships of the fleet are my two very favorite HAL ships. You really can't go wrong with either one. Rotterdam carries slightly fewer passengers so I guess you could say she is slightly more spacious, but only by a very small margin. Other than the above-mentioned aft pool location, they are virtually the same layout. It is the decor that differs somewhat, with Rotterdam using somewhat lighter tones while the Amsterdam has a darker, richer colored hue. If I had to pick, I would say the Amsterdam, but only by a nose.

[vjw1218]

Just curious, per your neighbor, as to what things were not up to par in comparison to last year's sailing? Thanks.

[jhannah]

Overall, the Rotterdam remains my favorite ship. She's a beauty! Since you enjoyed the Amsterdam, you can hardly go wrong.

[RuthC]

Just curious, per your neighbor, as to what things were not up to par in comparison to last year's sailing? Thanks.Not my neighbor. Your's! She lives in York.

She just disembarked the Rotterdam Christmas cruise yesterday and had a very long day getting home. What with all the details of getting back she hasn't specified what's gone downhill in six months. I, too, am interested in what she has to say.

Stay tuned to this station.

[doone]

I have sailed on both the Rotterdam and Amsterdam. While the Amsterdam still remains my favorite ship, the Rotterdam is a wonderful ship and you will enjoy it as well.

Ruthc, I am also interested in why your friend said the Rotterdam didn't measure up. I will stay tuned!!!

[longtimecruiser]

I live in York, Pa and am your neighbor. I have 524 days on Hal. The Rotterdam is and always will be my favorite ship. It was NOT the ship, but Hal that has gone down. The ship itself is beautiful but is in desperate need of some repairs. I understand that she will go into drydock for 18 days on March 23 in the Bahamas. I am sure that all Hal is concerned with is the SOE. The ship had broken mirrors, washers and dryers that did not work the whole time (14 days), iced tea dispenser on Lido deck was working in July, but not now. They are grossly understaffed, the tables by the pool did NOT get cleared after someone left at lunch . As a result, you went by table after table that had dirty dishes on them. The food in the dining room was NOT the selection that it had been. This was my first cruise ever on Hal that Cavair NEVER appeared on the menu, no flaming desserts. The food just did not seem as good as it had been on my 34 day cruise. Perhaps it was the chef. I had the same waiter and assistant that I had on my 34 day cruise and he even admitted that they had fewer choices and not as good choices. My waiters were fantastic. I had a wonderful cabin steward. The ship is very clean and the service is as good as it always has been. The Captain was fantastic and really kept us advised as to what was going on, which was a lot for 14 days. This has nothing to do with the ship or Hal but we had two people die, one man suffered a stroke, which caused us to speed up and get into Key West early, and a 12 year old boy was jailed on New Years's Eve and finally thrown off the ship by the Captain. That is a lot to happen in 14 days. I have gotten off the subject now but all in all the cruise was great, I just noticed some obvious cutbacks. I heard NO complaints about the ship, just Hal. This was also the first cruise that I heard so many people say they would NOT sail on Hal again. I personally feel that they should take care of their present fleet and not worry about building new ships.

[RuthC]

O.K. folks. Please don't misquote me. I never said I heard things "weren't up to par" or "didn't measure up".

What I said was that the report was that things were not up to the same level they were, but that she did have a good time. I don't know the nature or the degree of slippage yet. Perhaps it was a significant change, but also perhaps it was a bit of a warning signal that HAL will address.

Please let's not start any unfounded rumors. :eek: Pleeeezzze.

[localady]

into Key West early, and a 12 year old boy was jailed on New Years's Eve and finally thrown off the ship by the Captain.
Holy cow!!! I am afraid to even ask!!:eek:

I love both of the ships! We loved our cruise on the Amsterdam last Dec. We enjoyed our cruise in early Dec. on the Rotterdam, but yes I agree that there are things that need repairing. We saw some cracked and missing windows which I passed off to damage from the severe storm she road out in the North Atlantic. The coffee machines were problematic also. Hopefully these things will be taken care of during drydock.:cool:

[KAKcruiser]

We have sailed on the Rotterdam a couple of years ago and then this past December. I think the storm in the Atlantic in September caused them a lot of problems. There were a number of broken doors and I wonder how much internal damage was sustained. It still was a wonderful cruise and I thought the food and service was excellent. I am sure the drydock will fix all the problems. In the meantime, I am trying to decide between the Rotterdam cruise on March 16 or the Volendam on April 9. It sure is a tough choice.