Rotterdam Drydock Deckplan question

[iamaqt2]

Does anyone have a link to the new deckplan for the Rotterdam after she comes out of drydock next month? I'm looking at changing our cabin, and I can't seem to find any plans. I was actually looking at moving into a HH category, and was given the option of booking a cabin number that isn't shown on the deck plans, so I'm guessing it's going to be part of the new aft end.

Thanks for any help you can provide.

Actually, just found it!!! Thanks anyway!!

[midgecruiser]

Just go to HAL's website and you will find the deck plan for before and after dry dock. Just look for after Dec. 16th.

Wendy

[iamaqt2]

Thanks Wendy,

I actually found it after I posted, but appreciate the help!!

[greenboi]

Does anyone know the details of the renovations?

[RuthC]

Originally Posted by greenboi

Does anyone know the details of the renovations?

I just disembarked from a 32 day cruise on the Rotterdam. While aboard I had the opportunity to chat with the Hotel Manager about the upcoming changes.
He assured me that HAL had learned from the changes to the Veendam, and the Rotterdam will look better when she is finished.

Specifically, the changes will include adding cabins to the aft Navigation Deck, and extending the Lido Deck. There will be the expected wading pool, movie screen, bar, and pizza stand. The interior will see the elimination of the Ambassador Lounge, Tropic Bar, and Casino Lounge when the area is opened up as The Mix. That area will include a champagne bar, martini bar, and a bar for specialty beers.
Some cabins on Lower Promenade will have doors directly to the outside, with reserved deck chairs. The offices and public restrooms on Lower Promenade will be eliminated (the current offices will become cabins, and the current restrooms will become offices ).

[Atomica]

Originally Posted by RuthC

The offices and public restrooms on Lower Promenade will be eliminated (the current offices will become cabins, and the current restrooms will become offices ).

That's right. So if you need the Purser, he'll be working from Stall #2 in the gentleman's washroom.

In all seriousness, RuthC is right - HAL learned much from the Veendam renovations, and are fine-tuning that product for the Rotterdam. I'm not a fan of the extended aft end personally, but I like the interior renovations very much.

[RevNeal]

Originally Posted by Atomica

In all seriousness, RuthC is right - HAL learned much from the Veendam renovations, and are fine-tuning that product for the Rotterdam. I'm not a fan of the extended aft end personally, but I like the interior renovations very much.

Correct.
And I'm not a fan of the aft-end extension aboard the Veendam either. It would appear, from the refit plans they showed me when I was aboard last week, that they've learned not to make the aft end look awful, too. When I get home from the church this afternoon I'll post the photo I snapped of the new profile view as it was presented in the construction plans. I've downloaded it from the camera and am ready to post. I'll post it here this afternoon.

[Aim1]

My boyfriend is working on the refit, they are doing so much work the contractors cannot stay on the ship as yet and they are all in a hotel, which a shuttle bus taking them too and from the ship each day.

He was part of the team which were putting in some kind of massive LED ceiling, which was then cancelled, so he has spent a couple of days working in the show lounge, then the crowst nest, then they decided the LED ceiling WOULD go ahead so now he's got to do that work with three days less to do it!

[RevNeal]

Originally Posted by Aim1

My boyfriend is working on the refit, they are doing so much work the contractors cannot stay on the ship as yet and they are all in a hotel, which a shuttle bus taking them too and from the ship each day.

He was part of the team which were putting in some kind of massive LED ceiling, which was then cancelled, so he has spent a couple of days working in the show lounge, then the crowst nest, then they decided the LED ceiling WOULD go ahead so now he's got to do that work with three days less to do it!

Yikes!

Yes, every single cabin aboard ship is being completely re-done ... down to bare walls. It's a much-needed update and refit in that respect.

[Tamaracboy]

Originally Posted by RuthC

I just disembarked from a 32 day cruise on the Rotterdam. While aboard I had the opportunity to chat with the Hotel Manager about the upcoming changes.
He assured me that HAL had learned from the changes to the Veendam, and the Rotterdam will look better when she is finished.

[font=Comic Sans MS][size=3][color=#4169e1]Specifically, the changes will include adding cabins to the aft Navigation Deck, and extending the Lido Deck. There will be the expected wading pool, movie screen, bar, and pizza stand. The interior will see the elimination of the Ambassador Lounge, Tropic Bar, and Casino Lounge when the area is opened up as The Mix. That area will include a champagne bar, martini bar, and a bar for specialty beers.
Some cabins on Lower Promenade will have doors directly to the outside, with reserved deck chairs. The offices and public restrooms on Lower Promenade will be eliminated (the current offices will become cabins, and the current restrooms will become offices ).

And who is the lucky occupant of the "Former Facilities" office

And what of the Piano Bar ?

No more Tropics Bar, I guess we'll just have "fond memories" ? ?

[bepsf]

Looking forward to seeing those pix Greg!

[RuthC]

Originally Posted by Tamaracboy

And what of the Piano Bar ?

No more Tropics Bar, I guess we'll just have "fond memories" ? ?

The Piano Lounge was a combination of the Ambassador and Tropic Bars. The Piano Lounge was given two names, for the two different areas, in memory of, and to honor, two beloved lounges on the previous Rotterdam. The bar area was the Tropic Bar, and the open, dance floor area was the Ambassador.
Both will now be gone forever when the Piano Lounge area is opened up and included in The Mix.

Gone, but not forgotten. A little piece of them will live forever with me.

[RevNeal]

Originally Posted by RuthC

Gone, but not forgotten. A little piece of them will live forever with me.

Or not so little ... ... eh?

[St. Louis Sal]

Thanks so much RuthC and RevNeal for comments and info and Aim1 for an update. I really appreciate all this because my family and I are scheduled for the first cruise after drydock.

I admit to being a bit concerned about whether all this work will actually be finished. After reading the reviews of the first Veendam cruise after its drydock I'm not sure what to expect. After I made the reservation I had some second thoughts about whether doing a first cruise after all that work was a good idea. But the plans are made and we'll just go with the flow.

Thanks again,
St. Louis Sal

p.s. RevNeal I wish you were going to be the chaplain on board this Christmas cruise-I would have loved hearing the message from you.

[RevNeal]

Originally Posted by St. Louis Sal

p.s. RevNeal I wish you were going to be the chaplain on board this Christmas cruise-I would have loved hearing the message from you.

Thank you, I'm honored. Someday, after I retire, perhaps I'll be able to do such a cruise.

If you would like to listen to my sermons, you can do so on my website: www.RevNeal.org. Just click on "Sermons" then "Audio Sermons." My messages are in podcast (.mp4) format, are categorized by Scripture, topic, date, and title, and go back to 1999.

[RevNeal]

As promised, here's a photo of the Rotterdam's refit plan showing the profile view for the stern of the ship.



In my opinion, that looks MUCH better than the Veendam's monstrosity.

[bepsf]

Originally Posted by RevNeal

As promised, here's a photo of the Rotterdam's refit plan showing the profile view for the stern of the ship.



In my opinion, that looks MUCH better than the Veendam's monstrosity.

Greg--

I'm absolutely stunned....
...and in complete agreement with you - This is far, far better than what I'd imagined. Not an overhang or a ducktail to be seen!

If this is truly representative of the work that they'll be completing on Rotterdam, I don't think we'll have a thing to be concerned about on the other 3 S-Class ships.
(Well, except for the lack of an aft-pool...)
I'm actually anxious to see the result now!

I hope that that HAL will revise Veendam for it's next drydock to bring that poor vessel up to this standard.

Thanks for posting this for us!

[RedmondCruiser]

Originally Posted by RevNeal

As promised, here's a photo of the Rotterdam's refit plan showing the profile view for the stern of the ship.



In my opinion, that looks MUCH better than the Veendam's monstrosity.

Thanks for the updated drawing. Looks far better than the Veendam. But alas they are still committed to the Wading Pool concept. I'd hoped that they would reconsider after the problems with the Veendam. On a just completed Oosterdam cruise I had the opportunity to talk to several seasoned HAL cruises and NONE were aware that the sea view pool was being eliminated. All said that it would be a consideration as to cruising on a ship with only one real pool. Several said that they not sail on the converted ships. We were looking at a 30 cruise on the Rotterdam and have scrapped the idea considering the lack of a Sea View Pool. I only hope that they don't go ahead with this disaster on the remaining S class ships. I don't think that HAL realizes the depth of this mistake.

[RevNeal]

Originally Posted by RedmondCruiser

Thanks for the updated drawing. Looks far better than the Veendam. But alas they are still committed to the Wading Pool concept. I'd hoped that they would reconsider after the problems with the Veendam. On a just completed Oosterdam cruise I had the opportunity to talk to several seasoned HAL cruises and NONE were aware that the sea view pool was being eliminated. All said that it would be a consideration as to cruising on a ship with only one real pool. Several said that they not sail on the converted ships. We were looking at a 30 cruise on the Rotterdam and have scrapped the idea considering the lack of a Sea View Pool. I only hope that they don't go ahead with this disaster on the remaining S class ships. I don't think that HAL realizes the depth of this mistake.

I understand the concern and the impact that the wading pool has on some people's enjoyment of a cruise. However, for me -- and for many others -- it's an irrelevant change. I have never used the aft pool, have only rarely used the midships pool, and usually cruise on itineraries where there aren't going to be swarms of children monopolizing the midships pool.

Is this change a major mistake on HAL's part? It certainly might be, however I suspect that HAL is counting on there being more people who like the change than there will be those who don't like it. At least, that's the usual response we hear when we bring up that a lot of people don't like the change.

[Ya Ya Cruiser]

With regard to the drawing, RevNeal - we are booked in a new aft balcony on Deck 6 - it looks to me like it will be completely covered - is that an accurate conclusion?

Also, I had emailed HAL a while ago about concerns regarding the dry dock changes and specifically the "Retreat" concept. Here is the reply I received: "Projects that we undertake are generally met iwth positive reaction and praise. Our goal is to constantly upate and improve our ships to meet the demands of our passengers. However, we are aware that any changes or alteratiosn made on board our ships will leave some gues unhappy with change. The changes made on the ms Veendam have been met overall with positive reaction. However, some of the original configuration did allow for some water to escape in and around the deck area. This is now being rectified and altered to prevent this problem, and when the same project is completed during the ms Rotterdam drydock, it will prevent a reocurrence of this issue."

The writer then went on to discuss smoking - don't worry - all current smoking areas are being maintained and cigars will be allowed in the evening in the retreat area.

They chose not to specifically address the pool issue.

Just thought I'd let everyone know how HAL responded - it was a very nice and gracious letter - just didn't give me the answer I wanted .

Cheers,
YaYa