A first look at Holland America's new ship, the latest Rotterdam: Travel Weekly
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It is an exceedingly attractive space, with wood-veneer walls, curved ceiling elements and brass touches that subtly evoke images of a classic ocean liner. There are just four bar stools, and tables for two line the corridor adjacent to oversize windows looking out at the sea. They're just one part of the $4.1-million art collection onboard, including the ship's $620,000, 7.5-ton stainless steel atrium sculpture known as "Harps" that spans three decks and acts as the anchor point of the ship. In my first few days aboard Rotterdam, this ship continues all of those important traditions -- while still modernizing the cruise experience and advancing the brand forward. Spacious sundecks spread over 3 floors (decks 9-10 midship and aft, deck 11 aft) and are fitted with 2 swimming pools and 5 outdoor Jacuzzies (deck 9).
Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks
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Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information. Service is great across the board; cabins are well-appointed, elegant and comfortable; and the food in just about every eatery is simply excellent. All are found in a cluster at the front of Deck 12 (the Main Deck) and are fairly small. All are elegantly appointed and offer a bit more space than standard cabins. Here's how the newest Rotterdam handles dining, cabins, entertainment and more.
Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport
It’s also covered and shaded, so even at noon in the Caribbean, we could comfortably walk around the deck when at sea, without getting sunburned. Holland America’s Greenhouse Spa & Salon is found on all HAL ships. Whether you want to get your hair or nails done or treat yourself to a massage, you can do so here. Here, you can loll about like a Roman on cool cocoon-like couches and chairs, which are separated by breezy white curtains. Some other HAL ships also have a Tamarind, which serves Asian-influenced dishes. Sometimes, we just wanted something simple, like fresh-cut strawberries and tea, or whole apples and a pitcher of iced water.
The evolution of heritage: A first look at Holland America's new Rotterdam cruise ship
The boat's official christening ceremony was on May 30, 2022, held in Rotterdam City. The event was part of the "Rotterdam Naming Celebration Cruise" (7-day roundtrip itinerary from Amsterdam to Norway's Oslo, Kristiansand, Stavanger, Flam, Sognefjord). Tamarind, the added-fee Asian restaurant that shares real estate with Nami Sushi, is located at the very aft of the ship.
Passengers enjoy the redesigned headboards with electrical and USB outlets on both sides of the bed, as well as stone tops on nightstands and decks, improved lighting and more storage. HAL adds a $15.50 per day, per passenger surcharge to the checkout bill, to cover gratuities for cabin and dining staff ($17 for suites). A service charge of 18% is automatically added to beverages, drinks, specialty dining, and spa charges. The spa includes the Greenhouse Retreat, a spa within the spa with a very appealing indoor hydropool bubbling away, a thermal suite (akin to a Turkish bath) with dry heat, steam and aromatherapy chambers, and heated ceramic loungers.
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On our previous Nieuw Statendam cruise, we tried to reserve a cabana for our second sea day; sadly, they were all gone. For a pocket of tranquility, The Retreat is a separate sanctuary with pool- and ocean-view cabanas, a separate hot tub and dedicated staff to serve you drinks. Read a book with your feet up on a window footstool, play a boardgame, put together a jigsaw puzzle, browse one of the international newspapers – this is an inviting quiet spot to do just this. With comfy navy blue leather armchairs and wide bay windows that allow the light to shine through, it’s the perfect spot for a coffee and cake.
And in response to Covid protocols, in the Lido Restaurant the staff now serves guests in lieu of self-service. "Tradition matters, and we wanted to keep the Rotterdam name in the fleet," said Holland America Line president Gus Antorcha prior to the ship's Nov. 5 departure from Port Everglades. Our stop in Bimini Saturday was beset by high winds that cancelled all shore excursions and resulted in a valiant (and ultimately successful) 60-minute struggle to tie the vessel alongside. The signature cocktail -- and certainly the one with the most Insta-flourish -- is the Rotterdam VII. Served only aboard this ship, made with gin, angostura bitters and maraschino liqueur, poured into a decanter and then smoked in an elaborate presentation, it's as eye-catching as this cocktail is tasty. Libraries aren't new to Holland America, but the past few years saw the line start to do away with dedicated, book-filled spaces in favor of more multipurpose areas.
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As other Holland America Line reviews also indicate, the Pinnacle Class ships, especially, are perfect for multi-generational families cruising together. The star port-of-call on Holland America’s Caribbean cruises is Half Moon Cay – included on most itineraries. All HAL ships now feature pickleball courts on the top sports deck. We found we could pretty well order anything we wanted from room service anytime during the day – and they delivered. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this Lido buffet restaurant has something for everyone.
An additional plus is that room service is complimentary (unless ordering specific a la carte priced items), with courses delivered punctually and, when applicable, piping hot. Cabins to avoid would be at the very top and forward part of the ship for those with motion sickness issues and cabins in the forward to midships portion of Deck 1 to avoid noise from late night performances in the Music Walk, which is directly above. Also, as noted on the deck plan, VH Category Verandah Staterooms on Deck 4 have views that are obstructed by the lifeboats. If you’re a music lover, in particular, you’ll enjoy all the different entertainment venues and options onboard.
Part of the Tamarind is the Japanese food bar Nami Sushi (capacity 7 seats only, also serving popular Asian spirits). Nami Sushi is open for lunch and dinner but both are at surcharge PP. Tamarind's sushi menu is created by chef Andy Matsuda and additionally includes 4 of his signature rolls. The MDR is a 2-deck high restaurant featuring floor-ceiling windows, curved architectural pillars (accentuating the high ceiling), modern glass lighting, custom-made furnishings. The restaurant's centerpiece is a copper sheath surrounding the 2-story wine tower showcasing an impressive premium wine selection. Whether you're eating in an added-fee specialty restaurant, grabbing a meal in the included main dining room or snagging a snack from the cafe, the quality and presentation of the food on HAL's ships are consistently superb.
I'm hard-pressed to think of a cruise ship that doesn't offer good service, but Holland America seems to take things to a level you typically only get on a luxury line. Service is personalized and exacting, but friendly and conversational. Requests are met with aplomb, and crew seem to take a genuine interest in your happiness. Passing a crewmember without having them say, "Good Morning" or "Good Evening" is unthinkable. Onboard live musical entertainment is concentrated in the Music Walk area (forward-midship on Plaza Deck 2) housing the music-themed venues Lincoln Center Stage & B.B.
Our previous one-week Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam attracted a wide range of guests, from young families (with well-behaved children) to globe-trotting silver-haired couples. Our most recent Rotterdam voyage skewed toward the older set (perhaps because it was a longer cruise). Most have cruised before – and many are repeat HAL guests who are members of Holland America’s Mariner Society (loyalty program).
Inspire yourself with a Northern Europe cruise highlighted by Viking legends, grand, looming fjords, and a history of royalty. Spend some time in the sunshine and fill your nights with tropical delights in the Eastern Caribbean. The majority of HAL’s cheerful guest-facing crew is Indonesian (owing to that country’s historical relationship with Holland) and Philippine; officers hail from a variety of countries, but especially from Holland. English is a first or second language for all and all cruise announcements and scheduled are published in English.
King's Blues Club for blues and jazz -- think Tina Turner and Ray Charles -- as well as comedy performances. Another new addition found only on Rotterdam is the cozy -- and underrated -- Half Moon Bar. Running along the aft starboard side of Deck 2 adjacent to the private Club Orange restaurant for suite passengers, Half Moon Bar takes up the space formerly occupied by the Blend wine bar. Since 2023, all HAL ships have pickleball courts (installed on the top deck) operated via an exclusive partnership with PPA-Professional Pickleball Association.
It could be that HAL has seriously upped its culinary game across all ships. At the French restaurant (Rudi’s Sel de Mer), for example, you find crusty baguettes garnished with sprigs of fresh rosemary. We were never really impressed with the dining on Holland America before we cruised on the Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam. Then there are the Neptune Suites, which measure between 465 and 502 square feet. They have balconies twice as long as those in a typical Verandah stateroom.
Explore traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with cuisine praised by Condé Nast Traveler as rivaling the top restaurants on land. Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.
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