AMSTERDAM vs. ROTTERDAM - Something Fun!

[InTheWASide]

Let's try a little quiz and see what people think... :cool:

1) Which is the GREATER flagship? (If you haven't been on either, find some photos from the HAL website and answer based on your opinions)

2) Based on your answer to #1, do you think that ship currently receives the proper itineraries for it's status as, in your opinion, "The Greatest HAL Flagship" or should there be a "swap?" (Amsterdam does Grand World Voyage, Grand Asia/Pacific, Alaska, and various sporadic Caribbean sailings. Rotterdam does South America/Antarctic, European and Trans-Atlantic sailings.)

3) Which seems more suited for the Grand World Voyage? Amsterdam, with 1380 guests capacity and a deck that is almost SOLELY suites and 2 Penthouse suites from bow to stern? Or Rotterdam, with 1316 guests, 4 total Penthouse suites, a few less suites but the aft pool around the corner on the same deck, and the intimacy of the Lido Terrace one deck higher?

4) Which ship would YOU rather be on for a Grand World Voyage? (100+ days?)

5) Down the road when yet another "Rotterdam" and "Amsterdam" are inaugurated, do you think these should be along the lines of current size/amenity laden Amsterdam and Rotterdam, or should it be "The largest and grandest of all HAL ships (but without any/all "problems/issues" currently associated with deckplans or any other negatives" of the Vista/Signature Class ships? Essentially, if the LARGE ship idea could be designed in a way for HAL that was "perfect," would you pick that? Or still prefer smaller/intimate and approximately 1400-1500?)

6) Please state if you have ever been on either of these ships.





I'll answer when I get home tonight, just want to see what you all think?

[hammybee]

This is work.

1) The Rotterdam is the flagship because of its name.

2) Could you repeat the question, please.

3) I think Prinsendam is better suited to the World Voyage.

4) Prinsendam

5) I would hope that the reinvention of this class would remain similar in size.

6) I have sailed both.

[jhannah]

I'd vote for the Rotterdam. (I've sailed on her, but not the Amsterdam.) She's just the right balance of size and amenities, IMO, and is certainly fit to be the chief standard bearer for Holland America.

I seriously doubt we'll ever see HAL build another R-Class ship. Economically speaking, vessels must hold more people to keep the per-passenger cost in an affordable range. Sad, but inevitable.

I would not go on a grand world voyage, but I agree with hammybee that the Prinsendam is an excellent choice for these journeys. She can fit into ports worthy of a grand voyage where other ships cannot.

I can't really answer the other questions.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Have sailed on both. If I am to choose, I would vote for the Amsterdam as the flag ship and if I were to go on a World Cruise I would rather do it on the Amsterdam.

[Ine]

Almost sounds like the on-going battle between those cities in The netherlands....

[gizmo]

No contest, the Rotterdam.

I sailed on the Amerstdam once. It is on the bottom of my list for cruises. It had the worst crew ever ! :mad:

[serendipity1499]

Never sailed on the Rotterdam, but have sailed on both the Amsterdam & the Prinsendam & loved them both..:) ..

Amsterdam was my favorite ship until I cruised on the Prinsendam..Now Amsterdam takes second place..

However, my vote for a GWV would be on the Prinsendam..

Don't believe we will ever see them build the smaller ships again, but I'll be very sad when there are no more smaller ships to cruise on..

Happy cruising all..:) Betty

[bepsf]

No contest, the Rotterdam.

I sailed on the Amerstdam once. It is on the bottom of my list for cruises. It had the worst crew ever ! :mad:

Gizmo--

When did you go and what was so awful about the crew?

I have to say that when I was aboard her a couple years back that I felt she had one of the best crews - all of whom made me feel welcome and several of whom remembered me months & years later on other ships...

[bobpatj]

We've sailed two times on Amsterdam, both longer itineraries - S. America/Antarctica, and the second half of the 2005 Asia/Pacific cruise (we are sailing the first half, in September). On Rotterdam, we've sailed three Transatlantics and one Med. cruise. It's hard to pick a favorite "Flagship," as both ships are wonderful! Rotterdam has taken one World Cruise. HAL ships seem to be sent to different locations in different years.

[2bout2c]

I been on both ships several times each. The staff of each of these trips were different. I was on the Amsterdam B2B. The Capt, HM, & CD was different on the 2nd leg. Even though the ports and the ship was the same, it was a different trip. My vote for the Amsterdam is for the space at the bow of the ship. The sides of the ship are not as high as on the Rotterdam. This make taking pictures much better.

[ore-ee-gun]

I'd vote for Amsterdam, simply because this was my very first cruise and I'll always remember how I felt when I caught my first glimpse of her from I-5 as we approached the freeway exit to the terminal. It was truly love at first sight!