Condition of the Rotterdam?

[seatrial]

I know that the Rotterdam is due for a major refit in November. For anyone who has been on the Rotterdam lately, what is her condition as of now; how is she holding up? I may book a cruise with her in June. I was on the Rotterdam in 2002. She was OK then. I am nervous that her condition in June 2009 may not meet our expectations. We were just on Eurodam and have sailed on mostly newish ships for the last couple of years. I understand that the Rotterdam will not be in the same condition as the Eurodam.

[candbgirl]

The world cruise is starting and this year it is on the Rotterdam. If you read the threads about the cruise you'll probably get a good idea of the ship's condition.

[RevNeal]

I was aboard her a year ago for a South American/Antarctica cruise and she was in spectacular shape then. Remember, she has had at least two dry docks and two Wet Docks since you were last aboard her in 2002, and is VERY well loved and maintained. I will be aboard in October 31 - November 18 for the TA crossing from Rome and am looking forward to being aboard her.

[newfarmers]

I know that the Rotterdam is due for a major refit in November. For anyone who has been on the Rotterdam lately, what is her condition as of now; how is she holding up? I may book a cruise with her in June. I was on the Rotterdam in 2002. She was OK then. I am nervous that her condition in June 2009 may not meet our expectations. We were just on Eurodam and have sailed on mostly newish ships for the last couple of years. I understand that the Rotterdam will not be in the same condition as the Eurodam.

we were on Rotterdam a year ago October/November. Rotterdam was in wonderful condition. Had actually had a week out prior to our cruise so the smell of brand new carpet was in a few public areas.

valance on our bed was frayed and worn (sad in a verandah suite), bit of mould in the silicon around the bath but so does ours;). apart from those couple of things and some problem with wet carpet outside entrance to Pinnacle she was in top shape. not sure she really needs the changes to the pool area but more cabins means more money for HAL

Some blinds in the dining room on the angled windows were missing but were replaced/fixed/refitted during the second segment of our cruise. would jump back on board at a moments notice:D

[skypilot9]

We sailed on the Rotterdam on 11-20-08 for seventeen days and were booked in a balcony cabin in the aft section of the ship. Overall the ship was in good condition and the staff was excellent, the food was good. No stained, torn furniture and the rugs looked good too. There were some minor things but that is to be expected.
BUT, we had NO air-conditioning, no air blowing out of the vent in our balcony cabin. Many cabins in the aft section of the ship had air conditioning problems. Some guests said to us in the elevator, "the is the cruise in hell" due to the heat and humidity in the cabins. The sailing was from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego so we had warm, humid weather. Needless to say, it really ruined my trip because we could not sleep well and were just a couple of "wet noodles" since we had no air conditioning. Our air conditioning was not repaired as the head maintenance engineer told us "this is it, we can't fix it." So if you sail on the beautiful Rotterdam, call HAL was be sure your cabin does have working air conditioning.

[sofi]

On same cruise as skypilot9 we also had an airconditioning problem in an outside cabin aft main deck, but it wasn't quite as bad. They did try to fix it twice with minimal success. Other than that, the ship was in excellent condition.

[RuthC]

BUT, we had NO air-conditioning, no air blowing out of the vent in our balcony cabin. Many cabins in the aft section of the ship had air conditioning problems. Some guests said to us in the elevator, "the is the cruise in hell" due to the heat and humidity in the cabins.

On same cruise as skypilot9 we also had an airconditioning problem in an outside cabin aft main deck, but it wasn't quite as bad. They did try to fix it twice with minimal success. Other than that, the ship was in excellent condition.
Makes one wonder if someone with a balcony door open was enjoying a fresh sea breeze while they slept. :rolleyes:
That would do it.

[RevNeal]

Makes one wonder if someone with a balcony door open was enjoying a fresh sea breeze while they slept. :rolleyes:
That would do it.

Now now, Ruth ... how DARE you suggest that doing such would have that effect!!!!! ;)

[RuthC]

Now now, Ruth ... how DARE you suggest that doing such would have that effect!!!!! ;)
Maybe I should be spanked for suggesting the obvious? :confused: Fine.

(Just don't send me to bed without my pillow chocolate. ;))

[RevNeal]

Maybe I should be spanked for suggesting the obvious? :confused: Fine.

:D RuthC, your penance shall be 50 thousand lashes with a chocolate noodle! ;)
http://www.revneal.org/Resources/emoticons/spank.gif

[ekerr19]

We just disembarked yesterday. The ship was in good condition, and we loved the decor.

I heard about the A/C problems from some of the guests as well. We were on Deck 7 and all was well - but several we met on Deck 6, midships and aft had problems thoroughout the 12-day cruise.

Even during nice weather we definitely felt the ship moving in what we call the oval pattern - not side to side or front to back, but a combination of the two - like a long rolling oval. Quite a few folks were bothered by the motion.

Another thing I noticed which I'm not sure related to only our cruise or the ship in general - it was the smokiest cruise I've EVER been on! The smell of cigarettes dominated the public areas and passages on Deck 5. I could not even sit anywhere in the Ocean Bar area.

I will be posting a review shortly.

[whogo]

Like ekerr19 (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/member.php?u=61472), we just disembarked yesterday. I thought the ship was in beautiful shape. My son and I got our deck one outside cabin chilled to 66 degrees. Sorry if it took the chill out of anyone's cabin.

A few rolls of carpet were loaded at Ft. Lauderdale. I do not know where or when it will be installed.

Agree with ekerr that the Ocean Bar area is nasty with cigarette smoke, spreading as far as the Queen's Lounge showroom. I have smelled worse near cruise ship casinos. The Rotterdam's casino is smoke free until 10:30 or something. It was nice to pass by without the smoke assault.

[Taxguy77]

Was on her 11-4-08 for 15 days. Our OV room was always made=up, even when we took showers after lunch one day, it was made up again by 4PM.:) Beds were very comfortable and had very good linens. A/C worked fine and heard no complaints from other pax.
Ship shows wear and tear, but I saw them reapolstering some seats in public places that hadn't been too bad. A very comfortable ship with good ride.:)
The not-so-good: Only one cofffeepot before 6AM, and one day it was emply with no milk or cream available,:( don't go on a small ship for shows!