What would you do....? [Rotterdam]

[kit125]

I'm sailing on the Rotterdam for the first time in January to celebrate my birthday (9 day southern caribbean). 🙂  I've splurged and booked an aft Neptune Suite with the wraparound balcony (thank you, casino rate!).  Now I'm debating....do I reserve a cabana in The Retreat (I've enjoyed this in the past on the Oosterdam, but some other guests were extremely rude on my last trip - very loud and obnoxious, which has me second guessing)?  Or do I get the Private Oasis at HMC (I've never been there before, so I really don't know what to expect)?  Or is there a compelling reason for both?  I'd love to hear others' experiences with these amenities on this ship and any other tidbits on this ship and/or itinerary.  TIA and happy cruising to all! 

[CruiserBruce]

Have had the Retreat Cabanas several times and love them.

 

You realize the Oasis for for large groups...like 10 to 12?

[kit125]

4 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Have had the Retreat Cabanas several times and love them.

 

You realize the Oasis for for large groups...like 10 to 12?

No, I didn't realize that.  I would like the butler experience, but just for 2.  What's the best way to accomplish that?

[CruiserBruce]

1 minute ago, kit125 said:

No, I didn't realize that.  I would like the butler experience, but just for 2.  What's the best way to accomplish that?

Regular cabana at HMC.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Do it have fun. 

[bennybear]

With the aft wrap, you have the best real estate on the ship.  I’d just enjoy that! 

[MissiCruzs]

Probably won't matter in January but as of this month all the air conditioning units have been removed and they will be "open air" from now on.

[CruiserBruce]

15 minutes ago, MissiCruzs said:

Probably won't matter in January but as of this month all the air conditioning units have been removed and they will be "open air" from now on.

This is referring to the cabanas on HMC. The Retreat Cabanas on board don't have A/C.

[MissiCruzs]

2 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

This is referring to the cabanas on HMC. The Retreat Cabanas on board don't have A/C.

Yup...sorry didn't clarify...

[OlsSalt]

See if you can pick a Neptune cabin deck closer to the Neptune Lounge, so you probably do not need the extra retreat cabana on board also - you can get goodies faster at the Neptune Lounge than waiting for them to be delivered to the Retreat Cabana - more interesting choices too.

 

We too had difficult retreat cabana experience and will never reserve one again. Certainly not necessary,  if you have an aft Neptune.  

 

We just love walking the beach at Half Moon Cay, so no opinion about also booking a cabana there.  The earlier in the season, the warmer the water - we hit it once in November and the water was just delicious. We did not want to get out.  Hope it still feels that way in January. 

[FlyingCruiser2]

20 hours ago, kit125 said:

No, I didn't realize that.  I would like the butler experience, but just for 2.  What's the best way to accomplish that?

 

If it is splurge time, I'd suggest the Beach Villas at HMC.  These are the two-story ones that have a hot tub, private bathroom, etc.  The butler service is a great add-on.  They meet you at your cabin to carry your stuff and escort you the "back way" to the tender boat, and avoid all lines.  You also get to pick from a menu provided by Pinnacle Grill to pick lunch entree.  With the butler package, it includes drinks on the island too.  The butler stays at your villa for the day (except for a lunch break) and will get drinks and food etc.  At leaving time, they'll also get you around the lines for security leaving the island.

 

Not a cheap day - plan on around $1400 for the day (but you can have up to 8 people total).

[Cuttersmom]

Have you checked if any retreat cabanas are even available. We’re on the 9 day at the end of January and they are fully booked at last check. As for HMC cabana- the price that they’re charging now, plus the cost of the butler service, will run you almost $1k. For my dollar, it’s absolutely not worth it. Used to be, but not anymore. On the flip side, if you can find 12 people willing to go in on the Private Oasis then that is 1000% worth it. 

[DaveOKC]

22 hours ago, bennybear said:

With the aft wrap, you have the best real estate on the ship.  I’d just enjoy that! 

I agree 100%.  PLUS, its a long walk from the Retreat to your aft-wrap.

[Banditswife]

HMC is usually such a short port day, I never saw the benefit of a cabana.  But everyone has their own opinion of what to splurge on.  Enjoy your suite on the ship with the wrap around- now there is a splurge I wish we could afford.

[OlsSalt]

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

I agree 100%.  PLUS, its a long walk from the Retreat to your aft-wrap.

 

Excellent point.

 

Our one major problem on the larger Pinnacle class ships was feeling it was endless walk to get anywhere. We even took the elevator to get to a main public floor, and then walk the exact same distance instead of walking through the endless cabin passages to get from one end of the ship to the other. 

[crystalspin]

15 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

We even took the elevator to get to a main public floor, and then walk the exact same distance instead of walking through the endless cabin passages to get from one end of the ship to the other. 

Haha, we did the opposite! Walk to the appropriate elevator bank from our cabin mid-ship on Deck 4 instead of some deck with all the people and stimuli.

[ottahand7]

One drawback of the retreat cabanas have is the wind when the ship in underway.   We have decided it wasn't worth the money because if we wanted to eat up there it had to be in the cabana with the flapping canvas.  An aft Neptune Suite will be out of the wind and a full sized dining table.    Being aft you will be closer to the galley and the chances of getting hot food is better too.    

[Don Kehote]

Mark me down for a very negative retreat experience.  It was bad enough that we were refunded the cost, allowed to go for free (and still wouldn't), and still insisted in running it up the chain to *try* and fix the problem.

 

To be clear:  We were not looking for any sort of "Compensation".  There was a massive problem with the package, and nobody should have to go through the trash experience we did.  Our goal was to make it clear to senior staff JUST HOW BAD IT WAS.