Any insights regarding the Rotterdam?

[Emmie]

I would love to hear from former cruisers about the Rotterdam. Does anyone have any tips or memories to share?

Thanks,
Emmie

[Gsel]

We were on the Rotterdam last March. She is a lovely ship, we did find the dining room service a bit slow, but that really wasn't a problem. Crow's Nest is a great place for a before dinner glass of wine! Our cabin (Cat.A) was always kept spotless and breakfast delivered to our cabin every morning was hot a tasty. Enjoy!

[doone]

I sailed with Gsel on the March Rotterdam sailing. The Rotterdam is a beautiful ship, you will enjoy her. I agree with Gsel about the Rotterdam.

[mountainmare]

We were on the Rotterdam last Feb. There is a reason that she is the flagship!!! She is elegant beyond description. We just returned from the Oosterdam, a nice ship with a super crew, but nothing can compare to the Rotterdam.

[jhannah]

The ms Rotterdam remains my favorite HAL ship. She's elegant and refined, and is easy to get around in.

[KAKcruiser]

The Rotterdam has always been my favorite ship. However, I did notice on our cruise in December that the furniture on the balcony was not in good shape. I assume this was because of all the salt during their trouble in the North Atlantic in September. Also there was still shattered glass in various doors and windows around the ship -- again from the violent wave action they encountered in September. I assume all these things will be fixed during dry dock next month. Service and food were excellent. I would sail on the Rotterdam again without question.

[localady]

Emmie-

You will love the Rotterdam, I am sure! We were on her in December and I posted my review of the trip and ship in the "Reviews" section here on CC.
I find many of the reviews there to be a weatlh of knowledge!:cool:

[localady]

The Rotterdam has always been my favorite ship. However, I did notice on our cruise in December that the furniture on the balcony was not in good shape. I assume this was because of all the salt during their trouble in the North Atlantic in September. Also there was still shattered glass in various doors and windows around the ship -- again from the violent wave action they encountered in September. I assume all these things will be fixed during dry dock next month. Service and food were excellent. I would sail on the Rotterdam again without question.

KAKcruiser-
I am not sure if we sailed at the same time, but we noticed the same thing! Such a lovely suite to have the paint on the outdoor furniture to be falling off in chunks if you brushed by it.....disappointing. But I really try to overlook those kinds of items, believing that they are in the process of rectifying it. I did mention it to my steward and to the concierge.

[CruiserBruce]

Emmie:

I was also on Rotterdam in Dec (in between localady and KaKruiser, I think- Dec 12 sailing) and agree on most of the comments- a few areas of broken glass and the veranda furniture looking a little beat up. But otherwise a great ship, in superb condition. A little more elegant that the other HAL ships we have been on (Ryndam and Statendam). We have also toured the Big Oo(sterdam) which we thought was very nice as well. But the Rotterdam was nicer, IMHO.

If you need specific info, I would be happy to answer your questions.

Bruce

[Emmie]

Thanks you, everybody! So what else did you like about the ship? Where is the best place, do you think, to watch from as you come into port? Where do you sneak off to for a quiet moment alone? What's the most romantic spot? ;)

Bruce, to answer your question, I'm not looking for anything specific, I am kind of interested in "The Insider's Guide to the Rotterdam" out of curiosity, and cause I thought it would be fun to talk about :)

Take care,
Emmie

[mp17706]

We were on the Rotterdam VI at the end of it's first world cruise and did a trans-atlantic on her, Very lovely ship, especially the artwork. Have't been on the Amsterdam to compare, but ithe Rotterdam certainly puts the new Westerdam to shame.
I remember seeing the Rotterdam V in Alaska during the 60's- we were on the old Maasdam and it looked so majestic. We saw her again docked in Gibralter this past Nov, but just at a distance. She looked very sad and neglected.:(

[CruiserBruce]

to getting back to you Emmie. The time just sort of shot by.

We found one of the quieter, more romantic places was the stern of the ship after first seating dinners. Few people there, not always windy, most people either getting ready for dinner, finishing dinner, or getting ready for the nights entertainment. We went there almost every night. Some of the ship's staff sort of expected us there for some cuddling time..

As far as arriving and departing ports, there is a deck immediately above the bridge that is an excellant place to be. It has a wing like the bridge, and you can see the officer controlling the ship at work sometimes. If you have a balconey that is a good choice as well. As I am always around when we sail and dock, I have been all over the ship. The top wrap around deck also gives a good view.

Bruce

I just discovered it is over 2 years to our next cruise- Med 2007!!

[Cracker Ken]

To date, this is my favorite HAL ship. The regular S class ships are all nice, but Rotterdam still stands out. We were on her back in May of '03 for our first cruise. We had nothing we could have complained about, even if we had been picky. It's quite impressive. In my photo albums (see links below in my signature block), I have several photos of Rotterdam, both inside and out.

As for favorite places, I like the area all the way up top, above the Crow's Nest. It's a perfect place to see the world go by. There is a tinted wind screen all the way around it, but they have some steps to a little platform if you want to take a picture. Usually, there's not many people up there. The forward observation deck above the bridge (mention by the other poster) is a nice place to be too. As I recall, you can get to that area above the bridge by going all the way forward on the Lido Deck. It's out in front of the gym. I used to spend time at the stern of the ship watching the wake. For some reason, watching the wake in the late afternoon while the early seating passengers are dining (or getting ready to do so) does something for me. I find it relaxing. The areas on each side, just aft of the basketball/tennis courts usually provides a little more solitude than around the pools. I like peace and quiet, along with great views of the many sights God has put there for us.

Ken