Reporting from on the Rotterdam January 14 through February 25

[Denali2003]

26 minutes ago, ksmaxey said:

We counted 6 ambulances/ squads leaving the different ships on Saturday morning with passengers.  Rotterdam was first.  Harmony had 2.

As part of the covid crew we were picked up in our rooms and taken to A deck in an out of service elevator.  We were met by the public health officer who noted our cabin (she was not wearing a mask) and escorted off and out of the fence.  Honestly it was easier and faster than going through the cruise terminal.  No customs or immigration and within 20 minutes we were in an uber.

Interestingly all the Covid passengers were sent through the groups lined up for airport transfers.  Once off the ship who you come in contact with isn't a problem!

 

Did they wait until the ship was back in the US to disembark the Covid passengers?

[Sir PMP]

33 minutes ago, Denali2003 said:

Hello.  My husband & I are considering cruising on the Rotterdam in 2024.  This would be our first time on HAL.  We have done 17 cruises on Princess. We have become disappointed in their food & service.  What is your opinion of the food & service on HAL Rotterdam?  I like that there are Vegetarian options on the dining room menu.  Do you know if they have a specific menu for Vegans?  I noticed the Rustic Lasagna is on the menu each night.  Does it have meat?

 

Princess has been filling their ships 90-100% passenger capacity, but with only 50-60% crew.  Is HAL the same way?

 

Does anyone have any photos of the food?

 

Thank you 🙂

The food is excellent, both in the dining room and in the other venues. No special vegan menu, but they always have a vegan option. Lasagna has meat. There were 950 crew members, ship was pretty much full.

[Ipeeinthepools]

10 minutes ago, Denali2003 said:

 

Did they wait until the ship was back in the US to disembark the Covid passengers?

Yes, those are the Covid passengers leaving the ship in Fort Lauderdale in post #194

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, Denali2003 said:

Hello.  My husband & I are considering cruising on the Rotterdam in 2024.  This would be our first time on HAL.  We have done 17 cruises on Princess. We have become disappointed in their food & service.  What is your opinion of the food & service on HAL Rotterdam?  I like that there are Vegetarian options on the dining room menu.  Do you know if they have a specific menu for Vegans?  I noticed the Rustic Lasagna is on the menu each night.  Does it have meat?

 

Princess has been filling their ships 90-100% passenger capacity, but with only 50-60% crew.  Is HAL the same way?

 

Does anyone have any photos of the food?

 

Thank you 🙂

They do have a vegetarian menu.  As a vegan I’m not sure how much of this you could eat.  See the link

 

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MDR-Vegetarian-Menu-2022-EN.pdf

[Denali2003]

5 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

They do have a vegetarian menu.  As a vegan I’m not sure how much of this you could eat.  See the link

 

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/MDR-Vegetarian-Menu-2022-EN.pdf

 

OMG!!!!!  Thank you!!!!  I like everything.  I am SO excited that they have Beyond Meat!!!  😀 😀 and they have Whole Wheat pizza!!!!  

[VMax1700]

3 hours ago, 0106 said:

I find it interesting that tonight’s CO menu is in French

and English and Dutch!

[iflyrc5]

Today on the Rotterdam was a sea day heading south.  

 

Tonight was Dressy and we had a new "Silver menu" with slightly different selections from the old "Silver menu"

 

Here is the new menu and daily program for 6 Feb

[leerathje]

47 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

Today on the Rotterdam was a sea day heading south.  

 

Tonight was Dressy and we had a new "Silver menu" with slightly different selections from the old "Silver menu"

 

Here is the new menu and daily program for 6 Feb

The seas are rocking and rolling so much still! However, it's great to be able to meet CC friends like @0106 on board.

 

L 

[0106]

6 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Tonight was Dressy and we had a new "Silver menu" with slightly different selections from the old "Silver menu"

Did you notice that the entrees were listed in French (and explained underneath in English)?  He said it was because it was a special 150 anniversary menu.  My DH loved his lamb chops and flourless chocolate cake with ice cream.

 

I enjoyed the coffee chat with the executive chef.  He boarded with us on the 4th.  He has 141 chefs working on the ship with him.  I mentioned how much I missed America’s test kitchen, and the CD said that something to do with “cooking” was coming soon, maybe similar to port to table.

 

The Captain’s toast by the Lido pool was nice, champagne and wine were freely passed and many officers were available to chat and mingle.

[Seasick Sailor]

@iflyrc5 When you walk by Canaletto,  please let manager Ceppy and the crew know we miss them all from Joy and Allen. Lovely crew.

 

[iflyrc5]

Today on the Rotterdam they had a "Coffee Chat" with the Executive House Keeper.  He confirmed that they have 176 people in his department with about 96 being cabin stewards and 3 tailors.  I ask about the water temperatures and he said that guest clothes are washed in either hot or cold water depending on the fabrics and that if you want it washed in cold to write that on the laundry slip.

 

Tonight was the 3/4/5 Star Mariner reception in the lido pool area.  We are getting a new musical singing group on board for the next cruise starting Feb 15 but the Contare' group is not on until some time in March.

 

Rocking and roll was not so bad today so they reopened the outer deck for walking.

 

Here is the daily program for Tuesday Feb 7 - Sint Maarten.

[triiip42]

On 1/26/2023 at 7:26 PM, westcoastcruiser said:

She has moved a bit but we still see her on occasion.  She is kind, efficient and beautiful.  Will let her know of your hello.

she is currently hostess in Club Orange for 2 cruises and then goes home.

[iflyrc5]

Today we were in Sint Maarten along with 3 other cruise ships and a French Frigate, the Ventose.  The Dutch Royal Family was also in Sint Maarten yesterday and today.  Lots of folks on the beach at Philipsburg.

 

Here is the daily program for Wednesday 8 Feb and a photos of the Ventose

[KroozNut]

Love the daily programs... thank you for posting!

[QuattroRomeo]

Enjoying your posts, thank you!

Can you tell me where the gangway is when leaving the ship at the various ports? (Deck #, fwd, aft, mid etc?). Just trying to arrange a meeting point in proximity. Thanks and keep enjoying your cruise!

[Ipeeinthepools]

22 minutes ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Enjoying your posts, thank you!

Can you tell me where the gangway is when leaving the ship at the various ports? (Deck #, fwd, aft, mid etc?). Just trying to arrange a meeting point in proximity. Thanks and keep enjoying your cruise!

I believe every port has been forward and midship Deck A

[RMLincoln]

@iflyrc5 thanks for all your posts!  Boarding Feb 25. Haven’t heard Cantare yet, was hoping. More especially hoping Lincoln Center Stage quartet is still doing almost-daily concerts. But if that has changed we’ll be ok hanging out with family!  
 

I think when the entertainment shifts Lincoln Center quartet to a main stage show, it won’t be worth it to us to make the extended trip to Florida for a HAL cruise…. we’ll likely cruise out of closer ports for pleasant getaway trips. Too bad, I like HAL but without the music it’s just not so different or better…. I can enjoy a balcony on a different line instead. 
But very excited to be cruising with the family this time!  There’ll be 8 of us!  Probably never happen again so it’ll be grand!  
m—

[KroozNut]

On 1/14/2023 at 6:44 PM, RMLincoln said:

Also interested in MDR noise - haven’t been on Rotterdam but K’dam was pretty difficult in 2018.

 

Can you elaborate a little on this.. What was the source of the noise, engine vibration, hustle and bustle of service in a busy dining room.. something else?

[highscar]

Was on sister ship Koninsdam circle Hawaii.   Very disappointed to see for a larger ship than others how small both pools are.  

[Sir PMP]

18 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

Today we were in Sint Maarten along with 3 other cruise ships and a French Frigate, the Ventose.  The Dutch Royal Family was also in Sint Maarten yesterday and today.  Lots of folks on the beach at Philipsburg.

 

Here is the daily program for Wednesday 8 Feb and a photos of the Ventose

3 cruise ships, that's 12000 people.

[Sir PMP]

2 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Enjoying your posts, thank you!

Can you tell me where the gangway is when leaving the ship at the various ports? (Deck #, fwd, aft, mid etc?). Just trying to arrange a meeting point in proximity. Thanks and keep enjoying your cruise!

Mid and forward

[Sir PMP]

53 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Can you elaborate a little on this.. What was the source of the noise, engine vibration, hustle and bustle of service in a busy dining room.. something else?

No noise

[iflyrc5]

3 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Enjoying your posts, thank you!

Can you tell me where the gangway is when leaving the ship at the various ports? (Deck #, fwd, aft, mid etc?). Just trying to arrange a meeting point in proximity. Thanks and keep enjoying your cruise!

It is always midship A deck and often  forward A deck too.  Sometime the forward has only been in the morning when leaving the ship.  The Dutch Cafe' is midships on deck 3 and would be a good location to meet a group prior to getting off.

[iflyrc5]

1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

 

Can you elaborate a little on this.. What was the source of the noise, engine vibration, hustle and bustle of service in a busy dining room.. something else?

The noise level is from guests talking and laughing and such.  It is loudest in the center on deck 2 where it is open.  The tables and are under deck 3 has a lower noise level.  This could also be because the larger tables for 8, 10 or 12 are in the middle.  I have not been on deck 3 for dining to can not comment on the noise level up there.

[iflyrc5]

1 hour ago, highscar said:

Was on sister ship Koninsdam circle Hawaii.   Very disappointed to see for a larger ship than others how small both pools are.  

This is true.  One advantage the Pinnacle class pools is that they have steps into the pool.  Some of the ships only have a ladder which can be difficult for some people.