JUST BACK FROM THE ROTTERDAM NOVEMBER 21-DECEMBER 1, 2021 10 NIGHT SAILING.

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Last day is always a sad day!  And what’s with the weight scale?  What are you guys trying to say?!!  Some sort of sadistic Holland America humor?! haha

No way am I getting on that thing.  Ignorance is bliss!  

 

 

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Yes, knowing the cruise is ending is sad, but retired life at home on a beautiful day writing a cruise review is a very good thing too!

 

the tile is being used as a coaster and working marvelously

[Seasick Sailor]

24 minutes ago, Rick-n-MeMe said:

Last day is always a sad day!  And what’s with the weight scale?  What are you guys trying to say?!!  Some sort of sadistic Holland America humor?! haha

No way am I getting on that thing.  Ignorance is bliss!  

 

 

 

Honestly that's what I thought about the scale! Until I saw someone weighing their suitcase..

[trystran72]

Thanks so much for the review! Can't wait to go on in March!

[projecthandbag]

On 12/4/2021 at 12:50 PM, Rick-n-MeMe said:

We do really enjoy the Music Walk and on this particular cruise, our favorite was the Rolling Stones Rock Room due to the wonderful band.  They varied their music so much that even if you went to the early show each evening they played, it wasn’t the same set.  The BB King Blues Club also had a very good band but we were not too impressed with the female singer. 

We were on the cruise just before yours.  I loved, loved, loved the Rolling Stones Rock Room!  The band was awesome and I was in there almost every evening.  I agree with your assessment of Billboard Online and found it painful waiting for them to end so the Rock Room could start.  I know others feel just the opposite so I guess it's what you enjoy for music . . . I say the louder the better and the band made me feel younger.  :]

[Roz]

The oatmeal in post #25 looks like it has fleas in it. 🤣

[luvn2cruzzz]

Thanks for sharing your cruise!  We were  on the inaugural and after seeing your fabulous pictures, I can't wait to sail on her again!

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Roz, ouch.

my photo must not do it justice. here is the description on the breakfast menu: 

Culinary Council Member Kristen Kish
PASSION FRUIT YOGURT
mango, granola, chia seeds, mint

 

It actually was surprisingly good.  You might know Kristen Kish from Top Chef fame.  

Edited December 5, 2021 by Rick-n-MeMe

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Project hand bag——yes yes yes.  we loved the band in the rock room and loved watching the old folk dance.  so fun to see.  these guys played all different kinds of music…something for everyone.  

 

we were pleasantly surprised at the older age group and we are in our mid to late 60s and many were older than us and can they cut a rug, or what?!

 

The music here made it fun to go out after dinner and have a drink or two while enjoying the dancing. 

[sevenseasnomad]

On 12/4/2021 at 1:55 PM, Rick-n-MeMe said:

Hi Seven Seas Nomad, I don’t want to call out the waiter we had by name but once we switched to Sony’s section, we were much happier.  So ask for Sony’s section. His wife, Barbara, known simply as Ara, works in Tamarind and is lovely.  Tamarind was great and we loved her service.

You will love your cruise. The ship is very nice!  Ask anything else you can think of and we will try our best to be fair in any answer we are able to give.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review and fabulous pictures, especially of the cuisine.  You've made me hungry!  Will ask for Sony's section.  Appreciate the recommendation.  

[oakridger]

I am really enjoying your review.

 

Thank you!

~Nancy

[Roz]

@Rick-n-MeMe, nothing wrong with your photo, I assumed the "fleas" were chia seeds. 

 

And thank you for the wonderful review and photolog.  My sister and I sailing on the Rotterdam in March, and are booked in the same category of cabin.

[Rick-n-MeMe]

Roz, I knew you were joking. Have a great trip in March!

[510picker]

Great review! Thank you!

[saltshell]

Just returned from 21 days on the Rotterdam. Beg to differ on a couple of opinions.  Lido lunch was very repetitive, fish and chips, baked salmon daily. The salad bar was good. No special icecream in the daily selection. In 21 days there were only 3 movies, none of them first run. Did have pro football by the pool. Heard others complain about lack of dedicated sports bar. Club Orange dining room was great. Quiet and great service. Loved the crows nest for reading, and the library is beautiful although there is no space dedicated to reading there. Did a turnaround covid test easy and efficient. Ship was in great shape.

[davidmaveng]

How many passengers on your cruise, we booked January 2 Rotterdam.  

[Rick-n-MeMe]

We have no idea how many passengers were onboard.  It surely didn’t seem crowded and elevators were quick and usually empty.  Sea days always seem busier though.

[MisterBill99]

8 hours ago, saltshell said:

Heard others complain about lack of dedicated sports bar. Club Orange dining room was great.

 

They've never had a sports bar, so I'm not sure why people would be complaining about the lack of one or why it's worth mentioning.  Celebrity doesn't have one, either.

 

They did a very nice job on the Club Orange dining room compared to Koningsdam. Moved the entrance to the middle of the room and put in lots of wood on the outside, so you aren't staring right at people as they are eating. I'm not in CO, but I can't easily look at what people are eating anymore.

 

We are on Rotterdam now, and for anyone who may care or have wondered, Christmas Trees made their appearance today. 

Edited December 7, 2021 by MisterBill99

[Laminator]

6 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

They've never had a sports bar, so I'm not sure why people would be complaining about the lack of one or why it's worth mentioning.  Celebrity doesn't have one, either.

 

They did a very nice job on the Club Orange dining room compared to Koningsdam. Moved the entrance to the middle of the room and put in lots of wood on the outside, so you aren't staring right at people as they are eating. I'm not in CO, but I can't easily look at what people are eating anymore.

 

We are on Rotterdam now, and for anyone who may care or have wondered, Christmas Trees made their appearance today. 

They used to have a bar right off the casino on the older ships that had sports on constantly. It was right across from the Northern Lights. 

[MisterBill99]

4 minutes ago, Laminator said:

They used to have a bar right off the casino on the older ships that had sports on constantly. It was right across from the Northern Lights. 

 

OK, I did not know that. But do they currently have it on any ships? Clearly, none of the latest Pinnacle Class ships have it. They do show big sports games on the big screen in the covered pool area.

[Laminator]

2 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

OK, I did not know that. But do they currently have it on any ships? Clearly, none of the latest Pinnacle Class ships have it. They do show big sports games on the big screen in the covered pool area.

I haven't been on the older ships in a while so I don't know. The bar had video poker machines for all of the seats at the bar. You had very little chance of getting a seat in there on Saturday or Sunday. They also showed a lot of soccer games in there as most of the crew and officers are big soccer fans. 

[bluesplayer]

Thank you for your review!!   Glad you enjoyed your cruise. May I ask if the flowers were purchased on line before sailing?   or onboard?   Lovely arrangement!   Your deck area was great!!!

[Florida_gal_50]

On 12/5/2021 at 3:40 PM, Rick-n-MeMe said:

Roz, ouch.

my photo must not do it justice. here is the description on the breakfast menu: 

Culinary Council Member Kristen Kish
PASSION FRUIT YOGURT
mango, granola, chia seeds, mint

 

It actually was surprisingly good.  You might know Kristen Kish from Top Chef fame.  

It was very good.  I had it almost every day on my cruise.  I did eat around the chia seeds because can have problems with seeds and nuts.  They couldn’t make it without the chia so I assume they are made well in advance.

[Rick-n-MeMe]

33 minutes ago, bluesplayer said:

Thank you for your review!!   Glad you enjoyed your cruise. May I ask if the flowers were purchased on line before sailing?   or onboard?   Lovely arrangement!   Your deck area was great!!!

 Hi Blues Player, My DH purchased the flower arrangement for me on the HAL website prior to the cruise.  This arrangement was one of my favorites.

Yes, we loved our balcony….another one of our all time favorites.

[Rick-n-MeMe]

8 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

They've never had a sports bar, so I'm not sure why people would be complaining about the lack of one or why it's worth mentioning.  Celebrity doesn't have one, either.

 

They did a very nice job on the Club Orange dining room compared to Koningsdam. Moved the entrance to the middle of the room and put in lots of wood on the outside, so you aren't staring right at people as they are eating. I'm not in CO, but I can't easily look at what people are eating anymore.

 

We are on Rotterdam now, and for anyone who may care or have wondered, Christmas Trees made their appearance today. 

Hi Mister Bill 99, We were hoping that the decorations would show up the day after Thanksgiving.  Pretty odd that they took this long to get decorations up.  It must be pretty to finally see the tree and decorations. I do love that on the cruises. 

 

yes, Club Orange is a much nicer venue than it was on the Koningsdam.  I still wish they would enclose it more.  All those wood decorative walls have open slats that bring in the noise from Half Moon Bar and the hallway.  Maybe they will get it right with the next ship!