doone

Both are wonderful ships for different reasons. I would chose the Nieuw Statendam becauseI love the music walk and how its set up. The Grand Dutch Cafe is another favorite spot for espresso martini’s and specialty coffees along with some nice treats. I also love the showers in the cabins as they have glass doors vs. the dreaded shower curtain. You can’t go wrong with either ship, depends upon what your looking for.

I would also worry about the folks who have your table for the 8 pm dining time. If your late, you may cause their table not to be ready for them. I would also suggest you eat at the Lido for any evenings your running late.

I have done it in the past and it had no affect on the reservation other than now I deal with my travel agent and not HAL.

We were there last month and it was beautiful, nice sand. I will assume it was some of the strong winds folks were talking about here. Not the norm for sure.

You may be looking at the Rotterdam VI deck plan that they sold, Rotterdam VII has cabins on deck 5.

I just sailed the Rotterdam last month. I took a group of family, friends and co-workers with me, some had sailed HAL, some had not and some this was their first cruise. I know everyone's experiences can be different, but not sailing since 2019 I was a tad bit nervous how cruising was going to be after covid, my concerns were totally unfounded. I was pleasantly surprised at the food, service and the entertainment was all fantastic. I have asked the others in my group how they enjoyed everything, they all thought it was a fantastic cruise, loved it all. I am sure not everything was perfect, but we all felt so fortunate to be able to sail again. I have several in the group who booked another HAL cruise while they were onboard. I had opening dining and while I only ate in the dining room for dinner once the entire cruise, we were seated within 5 minutes and we were a group of 9. We were seated towards the front of the dining room and could see the entrance, no long lines, everyone was seated within a few minutes. My experience was fantastic, I am looking forward to my Alaska cruise on the Koningsdam in 2024. I hope this helps.

This looks like a great itinerary....

Thanks for posting, it all looks so delicious.

Thank you for your review, we disembarked the day you embarked and we sure enjoyed our cruise as well.

Thank you for posting, you brought back so many wonderful memories from my March 8th sailing…….we had a great cruise!!!!

Call your TA or HAL and make sure the 3 staterooms reservations are linked together, this helps when making specialty dining reservations.

Have a wonderful trip…..

I sailed last month and I got my email survey about a week after. Hope you enjoyed the Rotterdam, I know we sure did.

Unfortunately everything has gone up……

In March I sailed the Rotterdam and I will say I had the smoothest, easiest embarkation and disembarkation in Port Everglades I have ever experienced...............it was so easy I kept thinking I was missing something......

Been on Koningsdam and Rotterdam and found I love the Pinnacle class ships. As far as feeling crowded, at times it did, but never took away from my experience, love them…..

How tragic, prayers to the family🙏

I too vote Rotterdam, I just sailed her 10-day ABC island itinerary and had a great cruise. The service, food and entertainment were all top notch and I loved all the bells and whistles of a new ship. I, too, was not going on any larger ship than the Vista, but did sail the Koningsdam and I also fell in love with the Pinnacle class of ship….not to say the other class of ships I wouldn’t sail again if itinerary was right.

Gees, I thought they always served cold water lobsters on HAL? I did not get lobster on the Rotterdam when I sailed her a few weeks ago, kind of glad I didn't. I am from New England and you can't beat a cold water lobster. Thanks for the photo's, looks like a great cruise......

Just noticed today that winter 2025 Caribbean cruises are posted on the HAL website for anyone interested…

Ditto for me as well, I like the HIA.

Please add me with the following information: August 3, 2024 Koningsdam Alaska - 7-Day round trip Vancouver Doone family and friends Can't wait!!!

I just got off the Rotterdam last Saturday and did not notice the ship rocking that much, as a matter of fact I thought it was a very smooth cruise with he exception of our stop in Turks and Caicos which was overcast and windy. We were on deck 6 aft and thought it was a smooth ride. Sorry you didn’t enjoy your cruise on the Rotterdam, there are a lot of different cruise lines you can sail, I hope you find one that you enjoy!

Hey Gsel, hope all is well.

Had a blast, now onto the Koningsdam Aug 3-10, 2024!!