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Rotterdam 1 Day Vancouver to Seattle Quick Review

Atomica

By Atomica,
in Holland America Line

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Atomica

Atomica

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Just back from a quick jaunt on the Rotterdam from Vancouver to Seattle.

 

I plan to do a full review and a complete photo-tour of the Rotterdam on my blog in the next day or so, but for now, I just wanted to say that the 1-day cruise far exceeded my expectations. Just about all the amenities were open, including the casino and onboard shops until well past 11pm.

 

I also can't say enough positive things about the Rotterdam's refit. Mix, and the entire new bar concept, are amazing. The drink menu is fantastic, and even includes a $100 Martini featuring two dollops of caviar for those who are exceptionally daring.

 

The Showroom at Sea is another concept that is well executed, but the biggest praise I can give is for The Retreat, the new pool area aft. Not only did Rotterdam's exterior come off better during the refit than, say, the Veendam, but the Retreat is simply amazing and was a major focal point for passengers. The loungers and shallow pool are a huge hit, and if there's a downside to this, it's that the area felt a little understaffed for the amount of passengers using the pool and deck chairs. Pizza at Slice is also vastly improved over the former product on offer.

 

The entire area is tremendous, and its a concept that you really have to experience before making a decision on whether or not you like it. I was prepared to not like it - yet it became my favorite feature of the ship.

 

In short, Rotterdam is in great form, and those who are about to sail on her to Alaska can do so knowing they're truly on a fantastic ship. I'd also gladly do another 1 day cruise again, and hope that HAL continues to offer this fantastic 'taster' weekend getaway for those of us in the Pacific Northwest.

 

If anyone has any questions about the ship or the cruise I'd be happy to answer. In the meantime, I'll post a link to the photo-tour and detailed review on my blog when they become available!

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realent

realent

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Aaron !!! Thank you so much! I am sitting here debating booking it for June 19th or a sister product....

 

This pretty much seals the deal as the pool area sounds fantastic! I am interested in the lanai cabins and am interested on what your feeling is about the best location for a lanai cabin and my husband and I enjoy the thermal suites/spa area as well and will be looking forward to your review and photos of that area!

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Atomica

Atomica

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I added a teaser photo of the Retreat at night to my blog for today; I hope to have the first part of the review with photos up by Monday morning.

 

http://fromthedeckchair.blogspot.com/

 

I took over 200 photos of the ship, and I plan to put the best ones online. Hopefully anything you wanted to know about the Rotterdam will be answered soon!

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Atomica

Atomica

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Hi , I have been on a few Holland America ships and some of them had a 2X1 Happy Hour in one of the bars each day, did the Rotterdam have one ? Thanks

 

Because it was just a 1-day cruise, I honestly didn't see a 2-for-1 special. A week-long sailing may be different.

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Atomica

Atomica

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Aaron !!! Thank you so much! I am sitting here debating booking it for June 19th or a sister product....

 

This pretty much seals the deal as the pool area sounds fantastic! I am interested in the lanai cabins and am interested on what your feeling is about the best location for a lanai cabin and my husband and I enjoy the thermal suites/spa area as well and will be looking forward to your review and photos of that area!

 

You're welcome!

 

I honestly was floored by how much I enjoyed the Rotterdam - I'd even go out of my way to sail on her again.

 

The Lanai staterooms are all located along Promenade Deck 3. Most of the cabins are located amidships, and I don't really know that there's a better or worse location - they all seemed to be in prime locations to me. Each Lanai cabin also has two teak loungers outside that say "Reserved for Lanai Guests Only", which I thought was a nice perk.

 

The spa and thermal suites are the one area I didn't get a look at! I was able to snap a couple shots of the gym and spa waiting area, but the treatment rooms were already in use in the afternoon, and the hydro pool/thermal suite remained closed for some time with the lights off and pools drained - I think it may have been the only amenity on the ship that wasn't opened.

 

I have some photos of the spa/hydro area onboard Statendam; you'll find the area is identical onboard Rotterdam.

 

Image-4F4A317D1DAC11DC.jpg

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SwissMyst

SwissMyst

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HAL ships are so handsome. I love seeing their signature blue hulls. I was so happy when we were on another small ship in Port Luis, Mauritius way off in the Indian Ocean to see the big blue hull of the Amsterdam pull in one day last February. it felt like seeing an old friend in a totally unexpected place.

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realent

realent

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Absolutely fabulous !! Looks like the spa is in the bow of the ship facing forward ? I see some stairs heading up behind the ceramic loungers. Does that lead to the thelassotherapy pool? or the steam rooms? hmmmm... I need to hear good reviews that the area is up and running.... they probably did have it shut down for the one nighter...

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Atomica

Atomica

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Absolutely fabulous !! Looks like the spa is in the bow of the ship facing forward ? I see some stairs heading up behind the ceramic loungers. Does that lead to the thelassotherapy pool? or the steam rooms? hmmmm... I need to hear good reviews that the area is up and running.... they probably did have it shut down for the one nighter...

 

Those stairs indeed lead to the hydro pool - here's a better shot of the one onboard Statendam.

 

Image-4F4A49491DAC11DC.jpg

 

To be honest, I wasn't surprised that the hydro pool & thermal loungers were closed. They may have used that time to do maintenance or cleaning on them. I'm certain they were up and running when Rotterdam sailed for Alaska yesterday.

 

I should have all my photos up tomorrow morning, along with the first part of the blog.

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Atomica

Atomica

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I am glad to hear your positive words about the ROTTERDAM

 

I was honestly very impressed, to the point I'd almost take Rotterdam over a Vista-class ship, which have been my favorite HAL ships up to this point.

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Atomica

Atomica

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The first part of my Rotterdam Photo Tour is now up on my blog!

 

http://fromthedeckchair.blogspot.com/

 

I've decided to split it into three parts - today will cover The Retreat and some of the new stateroom enhancements. Tomorrow will be all about the new Mix Bar concept, as well as the Digital Workshop and the Showroom at Sea. Wednesday will focus on all of the things that have made Rotterdam a great ship since her launch.

 

I've also included links there to the full photo-tour galleries. There's one for Public Rooms and another for Outdoor Decks and Pools.

 

Let me know if you have any questions, and please enjoy!

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leeh

leeh

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Thanks, Aaron, for the great tour and description of the Rotterdam ! We're taking our first cruise with HAL next March, so have been very interested to see how it compares to the other lines we've been on. It looks gorgeous..can't wait to get aboard.

 

You take super photos and with the accompanying narrative, makes one feel that they've been along with you. Looking forward to the next two installments !

 

Lee

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Atomica

Atomica

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Thanks, Aaron, for the great tour and description of the Rotterdam ! We're taking our first cruise with HAL next March, so have been very interested to see how it compares to the other lines we've been on. It looks gorgeous..can't wait to get aboard.

 

You take super photos and with the accompanying narrative, makes one feel that they've been along with you. Looking forward to the next two installments !

 

Lee

 

You're very welcome, and thank you for the kind words! HAL really does have a lot of good things going for it, and the Rotterdam really highlights their committment to maintaining and enhancing their fleet.

 

I hope you enjoy the next two installments! I'm sure having a good time writing them.

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