ROTTERDAM DEC 22-JAN 05 Commentary

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Recently back from Rotterdam Holiday Sunfarer voyage FLL RT calling at HMC, Puerto Limon, Gatun/Colon, San Blas, Curacao, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Key West.
Great trip...nice break to be away for the holidays.
This is our 5th HAL cruise (85 days now with more to come)...we ar ein the 60-64 age group.

Here are some comments regarding changes, etc., from a Spring trip we took last year on Volendam. Also some commentasry related to other comments on these Boards over the past couple of months. Our Volendam trip was just before the tipping change. We want to point out that we saw no diminution of morale, service level, friendliness, helpfulness, etc. on the part of the crew this trip....in some ways it may have even been a more positive atmosphere.

Dining Experience:
The menus have changed....they now combine soups and salads in one category...it looks like they are cosmetically reducing the courses that the casual diner (NOT US), might select from...and, there is only one sald (vs. two previously) listed per night. Now, that does not mean you can't get more or extra dishes. We almost always ordered both a soup and salad, or two soups <burp>, or more than one appetizer (like two orders of escargot <burp...burp>. The entree portions continued a trend we saw in the spring with somewhat smaller portions....not a problem because you could always get extra....like tenderloin, or my wife's four lobster tails <belch>. Service with a smile and prompt! Only flambe dessert on one night (bananas Foster). We saw a menu set from the pervious cruise and it showed flambe every night but served in the Explorer's Lounge with coffeee after dinner. Oh yeah, a very scarce supply of those lovely chocolates (hand dipped?) in the Explorers Lounge after the main sitting, and they were not replenished. The beef was medium rare and tender as advertised, so was the lamb (no hockey puck meat). The fish was somewhat overdone on occasions and not done as nicely as in past cruises. NO DUTCH NIGHT, NO HATS, NO DOVER SOLE, NO CHOCOALTE TULIP!!!!!
Java Bar was open til 10 every night and ddi not close early like other ships. We were told they would start to charge in March 2005?
Pool Terrcae Grille closed up at 2pm daily with no tacos burgers dogs pizza available out there in the pm. The food shifted inside to the Lido buffet in a much reduced amount after 2pm. I saw no lemonade although I did not specifically look for it. Bread pudding <yum> had only vanilla sauce all trip....no waffle cones at the ice cream bar.
The popcorn wagon was stored in the pullman kitchen behind the Java Bar....you could still get popcorn but it wasn't as easily accessible. Some of these items may have resulted from the number of kids/youth on board....more about this in a later post.
Pinnacle had good/great food...European staff....as noted in other posts/threads I think they should go back to using the Indonesians....they are much warmer....evrything seems so "cold" without them.

I will add a another post after this.
Beau

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Second installment....
More on the food: The usual hot hors d'ouvres were around the ship at cocktail hours....the variety seemed much less....I neber saw so many bitterballen (served on at least seven nights).
The menus each evening have added a "Pasta-Pasta" course (let's face it, HAL is NOT Costa and shouldn't try to be). They also have a "Comfort Food". That's where the meatloaf came in....I tried it (how could I not after the commentary on thse Boards?) It was GREAT (beef and veal with a tasty sauce/gravy)...some of the best I've ever eaten. The plate presentations of all entrees were very well thought out with an attractive "artistic" flair...better than I've seen previously.
MECHANICAL:
Elevators all seemed to work....toilet flushing not a problem....plenty of hot water with no pressure difficulties.
ENTERTAINMENT:
The cast was superb...better than most and they have finally put "Copacabana" out to pasture. The lead singers could all sing! The dancers were among the best ensemble work we've ever seen on a ship. The individual nightly entertainers were varied....some were more appealing than others...."it's all a matter of taste said the old lady as she kissed the cow". If you didn't like something, the next night had something new. Good cruise director (Peter Daems) and staff.
Reiterating what another cruise critic stated in a recent Zuiderdam Review ("Ship of Fools"), this was the rudest, most ill-mannered crowd we've ever seen....we met some great people as usual, but the boors were out en masse. Is it the holidays???
More in my next installment
Beau

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Third installment;
Let's talk atmosphere. Christmas/Holiday decorations were lovely...a little pine branch/cone thingy on every cabin door....people decorated their own doors as well. Lots of pointsettias...holiday themed flower arrangements....garland around railings...lots of Christmas trees including a giant in the dining room.

Christmas day was a delight with the kids on board sitting on the stage with Santa and receiving gifts with good natured banter between Santa and the Cruise Director. The singing and the joy of the children made the day for us....hey, we like kids....WELL-BEHAVED kids!
There were quite a few children tweens and teens on this cruise. Club HAL put on three counselors for them. We perceived the problem to be with kids in the 10/11 to 14/15 year old range. They travelled around the ship in large groups; some were running in the corridors after midnight...or just running at any time....they would go in and out of the movie theater numerous times during films. Contrary to written guidelines in evry cabin....they were in the Jacuzzi's unsupervised in great numbers (Not supposed to be for under 14 years old), also tyey wewre using both pools. They gathered in a large group and took over the front rows of the Queens Lounge for the late show (that's a specifically written no-no)....there was popcorn everywhere on the ship....kids were in the Crow's Nest with no adults after hours (after late shows).
They were drinking! On Captains night they were grabbing champagne glasses. New Years Eve was nightmare in the Queens Lounge....at the stroke of midnight when the balloons dropped the 11-14 year olds went on a rampage climbing over the couches, running between tables, bumping older people, knocking (and smashing) glassware off the little tables. Many complaints were lodges...at least one couple asked for a private meeting with the Captain. The Captain addressed the situation over the PA after the fact. At least one family was put off the ship....I'll leave it to thers to supply the details.
I was told that many of the children were not enrolled in Club HAL (their choice) and that contributed to the probblem. The Captain indicated that the behavior of children was the resposibility of the parents/guardians (and that point is stressed in the cabin literature. In my opinion, that does not relieve HAL from enforcing their own rules and proper decorum for the thousand or so other guests who are paying good money for a carefree experience. They may not be able to discipline the children but they can enforce proper behavior in the public spaces.
I could go on about the lovely gracious lady who wagered over a thousand dollars a spin each night at the roulette tables, the lovely retirees from the West Coast we met, the retired doctor who made it a point (after a thousand days on HAL) to try to win every Daily Quiz with his file of answers from pervious cruises, the couple (lets call them Mr. & Mrs. Martini), who sauntered into the dining room every night with half full martinis, and ordered more during dinner, and then complained about the service...whatever...Great Experience...we love HAL!
Enjoy your next cruise!
Beau

[elmorejj]

Thank you Beau for a most informative review. We also sailed at Christmas...on the Zaandam, and even though we had 170 teens on board we didn`t have any problems with them. The staff had teen activities every night, with large trays of hot Hors d`oevres, chips and salsa and other snacks to keep them occupied. They had casino night, prom night, fancy dress night etc. and the teens seemed to enjoy that. I saw some of them trying to purchase drinks in the lounge, but the bartender asked for their card each time. I also think that HAL should enforce all of their rules or not have them. Again, thanks......jean :cool:

[RuthC]

Thanks for a fairly-complete report. I was glad to see that you made reference to the family put off the ship (it was mentioned in another thread.) I do wish you would provide the details; the other mention said the child involved was jailed for that night. :eek:

Something you can answer, please: would you comment on the lounge entertainment. Who was playing in the various lounges and did you consider them enjoyable? :confused:

Again, thank you for the review. :)

[GayleArc]

Beau, Thank you for your review. You seem to be right on. Spoke to friends
last night who were also on your cruise and she had exactly the same things
to say. The biggest problem seemed to be the teenagers. According to her
the 19 year old who was put off in Crand Cayman ( she did not know about
his family. Very glad to hear they were put off also) punched a lady in the face in the Crows Nest on News Years Eve and broke a tooth.

[ROZO'SBEAU]

RuthC,
Following were the lounge types:
AMBASSADOR Lounge - Attilio at the piano bar, very good
CROW's Nest - cocktail hour varied instrumentalists...guitar and piano
- at night The Picnic Quartet (also they were the outside "deck band"...a very creative keyboard player was with this group
OCEAN Bar - The Basul Quartet nice up tempo (and slow) dance music...well attended.
EXPLORER"S Lounge - a good Rosario Strings group (some groups are better than others, I've found.

Regarding the "trouble" on the ship...there were lots of rumors going around about what happened. I know someone was jailed because I saw the security guard in the morning retrieving his handcuffs. The Captain acknowledged over the PA that someone had been put in the brig. The most prevalent story I heard was that it involved some kind of alleged sexual assault. There is some conflict over whether or not that was a child or whether or not that is the incident that I am about to describe below:
A "child" was involved in "trouble" on New Years Eve for allegedly "slugging" an elderly woman and knocking out some of her teeth. I do not have the details and await comment from those more knowledgeable.

Hey, a bad day at sea is still better than any day at the office or sitting at home.
Beau

[dakrewser]

Alovely review. I especially liked your comparison of this cruise to your last HAL outing...

[RuthC]

Thanks for elaborating, Beau. I had heard that a woman had her teeth knocked out---unknown of they were false or (previously) firmly implanted. Gayle, your info makes sense, too. You know how rumors can take on a life of their own.
I do hope that HAL will take control of unruly kids when the parents don't.

I appreciate the info on the various lounge entertainers. I'm wondering if the Rosario Strings group playing now are the ones who were aboard last summer; they were especially good. Early in the cruise I requested Stardust; they played it. From that point on every time they saw me they played it again---even when they spotted me in the dining room!

[longtimecruiser]

I was also on the Christmas cruise of the Rotterdam My 23 year old daughterwas also traveling with me. What has been said so far is right on. I will try to explain what I know through my daughter in more detail. First of all, there was a HUGE group of Dutch people aboard this cruise. We met a large group of them the night before at Pier66. The ones I know about occupied the suites and penthouse. My daughter became friendly with one boy who was 21 and from Amsterdam. His name was Ralph. He seemed to know all the other Dutch people onboard. We learned about what went on in the Crow's Nest on New Year's Eve from Ralph, before the Captain even made the announcement. Here is the story. It was a 12 year old Dutch boy who had been given permission to drink on New Year's eve. Someone made a sexual advance on him, presumably a male and he was already drunk so he hauled off and hit the man who made a pass at him. A fight broke out and the woman some how got in the way. It is not clear whether she was trying to stop the fighting or entering into it. Security was called. At least three men were thrown into the brig that night. They were let out the next day. The Captain got into it and everyone got their punishment. The 12 year old boy was told he would have to disembark at the next port which was Cayman Islands. Since the boy was 12, his family got off with him. That is all I know and right in line with what the other poster has stated. The Captain told much of this over the paystem so it is not simply rumor. I will be glad to answer any more questions about this incident or anything else about this cruise. The previous poster did a fine job in his review IMO.

[dakrewser]

It was a 12 year old Dutch boy who had been given permission to drink on New Year's eve. Someone made a sexual advance on him, presumably a male and he was already drunk so he hauled off and hit the man who made a pass at him. A fight broke out and the woman some how got in the way.

Why would you assume it was a man making a pass at the boy? Why not the woman? Or vice-versa? A good reporter sticks to known facts and doesn't make assumptions.

-dave

[longtimecruiser]

I'm not making assumptions. IT WAS A MAN MAKING A PASS AT A BOY!!!!!!! Those are the facts given to me plain and simple.

[dakrewser]

I'm not making assumptions. IT WAS A MAN MAKING A PASS AT A BOY!!!!!!! Those are the facts given to me plain and simple.

If you know that as "fact", then why write "presumably a male" which means you didn't know, but were guessing?

-dave

[ROZO'SBEAU]

I don't see how this thread can be causing people to snipe at each other. What happened on the ship happened....it is not a made up story....the details may differ slightly; but I can unequivocally state that I witnessed underage kids drinking on New Year's Eve, a Bar waiter told me kids were trying to get Champagne from him in the Crow's Nest "for my mother on the other side of the room", at least one person spent the night in the brig, some people were expelled from the ship on Grand Cayman.
I'm sure there are others reading this forum who were on the ship and can verify what LONGTIMECRUISER and I have tried to explain here...except for some details. we are telling the same story.
My point in all of this was the attention that HAL (or any other cruise line) needs to bring to situations that arose on this voyage. I was encouraged to see the report that ZAANDAM apparently didn't have the problems we had. I should also point out that ours was the only ship cruise (14 days) to span both Christmas and New Years. I have heard some experienced cruisers say that 10 days is about the limit that kids and young teens can take on a trip before they go stir crazy...maybe that's what happened??
I was told that this week ROTTERDAM has only 2 or 3 kids on board...that's pretty typical for January on a HAL cruise over 7 days...so the problem (to them) seems self-correcting <NOT!>. What happens next Christmas (the target ship for both holidays in 2005/6 will be PRINSENDAM)..let's see if they let the kids run wild on that ship.
Beau

[AWOL]

We were on the Amsterdam and the cruise extended over the Christmas and New Years Holidays. It was also a 21 day cruise. There was quite a few young people aboard, in fact a lot more than I expected, and did not notice and did not hear of any problems with them drinking and/or causing trouble. In fact the only youngster I saw drinking was my 22 month old. She sure loved Champagne and we had to watch our glasses all the time or she had it tipped up.

Regards
Roger

[dakrewser]

I don't see how this thread can be causing people to snipe at each other. What happened on the ship happened....it is not a made up story.

I don't see that anyone claimed the story was "made up". In fact, a number of others backed up your account. I did question longtimecruiser's use of the word "presumably", but that's the only thing I questioned.

-dave

[ROZO'SBEAU]

I just thought of a couple of other "comparison" items from our cruise.

No caviar appeared on the Dining Room menu for the first time on any HAL cruise we've taken. I would have thought New Year's Eve was a natural for caviar.

I mentioned previously that there was a VERY high percentage of men in formal wear during this voyage (it really adds to the overall effect and ambience) There were four scheduled formal nights including Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Christmas Night (25th) was optional Formal/Informal (a fifth formal night as it were). Almost no men dressed formally that night (me either)...I considered it but then figured two nights in a row was too much for this cruise. I have crossed on QEII when every night in 1st Class was expected to be formal....that was different.

Also...there was a major change in the Daily Program format from what we saw in April 2004 on VOLENDAM. Now it is a different paper sheet configuration (folds differently), has a golden/orangey trim, and the list of daily activities is now perforated so that it may be easily removed to carry with you.

The Dining Room menus were also for sale at the end of the cruise at the front desk for $9.95....this was not advertised....you had to know enough to ask. We always like to save our menus and usually we ask for them every night or our dining steward offers to save them for us at the end of the cruise. This is only the second of five cruises where they have been collected and offered for sale in a lovely HAL packet. I don't mind the expense....it's easier for us than stowing them in the room during the trip.

If I think of more, I'll add it here.
Beau

[longtimecruiser]

We too noticed very definate cutbacks since we were on the Rotterdam in July. The no cavair really surprised me too. I have been sailing Hal since 1963 and this is the first cruise ever where there was no cavair offered. We still enjoy sailing on Hal but I feel they are headed in the wrong direction with such obvious cutbacks in just a few months.

[CynBen]

I think they were hoarding all the caviar for the Pinnacle, that is where we had it the first night!

I don't know what other things are different on HAL now, but I will tell you I have now been ruined for anything but a verandah cabin or suite! It was soooo hard to get up on Thursday morning knowing that I had no room service breakfast to take on the verandah. And why hasn't my bed been made? And where ARE my clean towels twice a day?

I even miss the Team Trivia and laughing at those awful jokes Peter Daems made daily. I don't miss those horrid children with the "dam Dutch" group. We were very tempted to put our clothesline out across the hall to catch them one night. I understand that group had some famous singer and soccer coach with them. I think that is why they felt they owned the place. I know the crew and staff were happy to say good riddance to them.

Adele, I can easily understand why your family has so many days on HAL. We are all ready to go again, even with no caviar!

Cynthia;)

[longtimecruiser]

Cynthia,
So glad you and your family made it home safely. The withdrawal pains after you are home from a cruise are terrible. No room service, no clean towels twice a day, no bed made, no meals prepared. You wonder how you will exsist and then you are suddenly thrown back into reality!!!!!! I have to do all that now. I know how much you and your family enjoyed this cruise. This was a great first cruise for you. Keep going and maybe, just maybe you will catch up to me someday, maybe even pass me by. I'll still sail again without cavair too. It is harder for me cause I remember how Hal used to be and is no more. But as I say" any cruise is better than no cruise".

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Longtimecruiser,
I mentioned that I was able to get a hold of a menu set from the ROTTERDAM cruise the week before ours. They did have caviar one night in the dining room on that cruise. I would be interested in hearing what others experienced on other HAL ships over the holidays. I have wondered if it wasn't just an aberration for our cruise. It seems strange that something like that would change before the "premium" holiday cruise. This week I could understand it but not last week.
I can live without the caviar (but not the Dutch chocolate tulip)
Beau

[longtimecruiser]

Beau,
Now that is interesting about the cruise before ours having cavair one night. I agree that it does not make sense to cut out cavair on their premium priced holiday cruises. Do hope we get feedback from other holiday cruisers. I do like cavair but oh those chocolate tulips. To think we didn't even have those. Oh RuthC, what will you do without your chocolate tulips???

[RuthC]

Oh RuthC, what will you do without your chocolate tulips???
Might have to sweet-talk the pastry chef. :D
(whatever it takes, Adele. whatever it takes.;) )

[grannynurse]

Adele,
Hi,
We had white chocolate swans at the last formal dinner on the Zaandam. I've been trying to post a review but my posts won't appear, I keep getting a yellow screen and a redirect message that won't redirect.
It was a great cruise and I have lots to tell but I can't seem to do it.
GN

[ROZO'SBEAU]

We had white chocolate swans as well on the last formal night on ROTTERDAM. Not a substitute by any means for the tulips.

And....we did have Bami Goreng one night on the dinner menu even though there was no Dutch Night.

Beau

[OCruisers]

Early in the cruise I requested Stardust; they played it. From that point on every time they saw me they played it again---even when they spotted me in the dining room!

:) What a nice thing! STARDUST is a favorite of mine too! Sometimes it's the little things like this that make a cruise extra special!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[longtimecruiser]

Welcome Back, Myra
Hope you had a great cruise. We are all anxious to hear. Any cavair appear on your Zaandam cruise?

[damcruiser]

Thanks for the wonderful and descriptive review

After reading all the problems reported on so many ships, whether Princess, HAL or Celebrity.. we should all be singing "I'll be home for Christmas."

Cruising is such a wonderful experience that it should not be spoiled by brats, their parents and company policy that prevents the crew from protecting the majority of long-time cruisers.

[Downwind]

We were on this cruise and had a great time. We have posted a Trip Report with some pictures to our website. It's at http://www.fortogden.com/rotterdam.html (http://www.fortogden.com/rotterdam.html) .

[LizB1]

Downwind...LOVED your report and pictures! The Rotterdam is still our favorite HAL ship and Peter Bos (and his wife) are two of our favorites, too.

Thanks for a nice report, but sorry there were so many problems with the kids on this cruise.

[localady]

Downwind-

Thanks sooooo much for the lovely pictures and commentary. We had just taken the cruise on the Rotterdam on Dec. 2nd and concur with you 100% that the Rotterdam is in tip-top shape. I was able to relive our trip and learn something new at your website. Thanks for sharing that with us!:cool:

[RuthC]

Downwind, thank you very much for the link to your review. I read---and enjoyed---every word.

[HalFan]

Rozo'sbeau,

Thanks so much for mentioning that Attilio is playing on the Rotterdam. He was the entertainment highlight of our Zaandam Fall Panama Canal cruise in 2003. We were in the Seaview Louge every night after dinner, listening and dancing to this very talented man. He's definitely a big cut above the usual entertainers you find on HAL. It makes me want to sail on the R VI even more now knowing he's aboard! If anyone is going to be sailing on my favorite ship, tell him Greg & Barbara & Bob from the Zaandam said hello!

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Downwind,
A very nice review. Penny was an absolute delight (engaged to be married soon) and we are old friends with Omar with whom we have travelled before. Good pictures...I wish more people would do like you did and publicize those who serve along with their pictures.
Thank you,
Beau

[damcruiser]

We were on this cruise and had a great time. We have posted a Trip Report with some pictures to our website.

OK ... I AM IMPRESSED.. when do the seminars begin and on what ship???

[obriendan]

Downwind

Thanks for the well written review. I was particularly impressed with the picture of the three-toed sloth!

[debsea]

Thanks Downwind for your review. My DM was on this sailing, so I enjoyed your commentary and pictures very much.

[Burnsey]

Downwind...Thank you for the wonderful review and pictures. We will be sailing on the Rotterdam Feb. 14th 2005 and we can't wait!!! I'm happy to see that the ship is in excellent shape as I know she was bulit in 1997. Happy Cruising....

[juliejoe]

Downwind - Thanks for the link to your website. I found your pics of Rome and they are fantastic! We'll be there in Sept. :D
Julie

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Downwind,
I noticed you said you thought there were fewer entrees available. I didn't notice that and actually we think there may have been more....i.e., they now have a "pasta-pasta", a "comfort food", a vegetarian (or meatless as it were). And then a much longer set of items each night "from the grille". and, you can always get steak, chicken, or fish (usually salmon), from the fine print at the bottom of the page.
One thing I did notice was that at the top of each menu, the date and day of the cruise was printed, so you knew that the menu had been customized for our trip. Of course they repeat and they always used to have a little alpha-numeric code at the lower corner of each menu sheet.
Oh, and we noticed some of the most flowery language we have ever seen on any menu in any restaurant to describe the food....we looked forward each night for a good laugh to see how they would characterize each dish.
Well, we are dedicated foodies and we enjoyed the meals immensely....you have to be amazed at what essentially an institutional banquet kitchen can turn out.
Beau

[grannynurse]

We also got a good laugh from the flowery menu descritions. Everything was dazzling, peak flavor, drizzled with and whatever.

We even conducted an afternoon group menu reading as our parchment souvenir menus were delivered to our suite at noon every day. It was a hoot.

We often wondered who was writing this stuff. It was an entertainment entry in itself. We enjoyed it.
New Year's on the zaandam
GN

[Downwind]

Rozo'sBeau,

I just checked a couple of menus I snagged. I was wrong about fewer entrees. It just seemed that way.

The flowery descriptions of the menu items was a gas. How about these?
For a Bouillabaisse, "..shrimps in intoxicatingly fragrant saffron fish broth.."
Or this Orange Roughy, "Squiggled with lime aioli and served with cilantro-flecked potato mash."
I never did find out if "potato mash" is the same as mashed potatos.