Welcome to Michelle W. Samaras's review of the Holland America Lines, Rotterdam. ReviewThatCruise.com is first for Rotterdam Reviews & Rotterdam ship reviews.
I have always loved HAL and this was our 21st cruise. The Rottedam is a beautiful smaller ship and we chose to revisit it for our Alaska trip. Overall the cruise was nice though there are definite changes in the care for the passengers and the food services.
The Mariner lunch was nice but I enjoyed the cocktail party before with the Captain and the presentation of the pins etc... but it was still pleasant and the food was nice - not the same menu so it was a nice change.
Positives
The service in the lido and in the rooms was good as usual. This was our first inside room and it was very nice, plenty of space for our belongings, not as much special things for the passengers in the eveining when you return to your room... though you still get chocolates and sometimes a cute towel animal. The kids liked that they used their stuffed animals to decorate the room... They were very pleasant and always said hello and asked if we needed anything...
The dining staff in the main dining room were still good as well as the wine steward, though again it felt more rushed this time, but it was our shortest cruise with HAL so that may be part of that... You definitely feel more welcomed and pampered on the 12 and up days. Our longest with them was 17 days and both girls cried and had to have hugs from the staff before we left so I would suspect had it been longer they might have been more saddened but they had even made friends with staff throughout the ship, this time the staff just seemed to busy to stop and say hello... with the exception of the room stewards though they were busy all the time. Two very nice young gentlemen!
There is a piano player/singer in the lounge that was great! The other musicians and comedian that were wonderful. The shows were well done as well.
The kids enjoyed the teens center and the pool of course. One of the great things about this ship is the covered pool...
The cruise through Alaska was really great, lots to see, saw whales, seals, etc... and the glacier was wonderful! The Captain and his crew did keep us appraised of what we might or would see etc... which I appreciated.
The new deal where they pick up your luggage and deliver it directly and give you tickets was very nice. The only thing to keep in mind - our tickets had no seats assigned so go to the counter when you get in as they are usually overbooked and you won\'t get on if the seats are given to others. We were not able to sit together but they did arrange for the girls to sit together for me at Alaska Air... But still a plus to not have to locate your luggage and find a porter to transport them to your vehicle...
Negatives
Casino - did not meet one person that had won anything
I did not find them to be exceptionally friendly either.
Pinnacle Grill - still a gorgeous restaurant but you feel rushed and DO NOT buy the wine tasting samples that used to be served with each dish and actually great wines which were served and a little discussion as to there special unique qualities...- they now set them right in front of you (all at one time) and don\'t remove the glasses unless you call them over to ask. You look like a drunk with five glasses sitting there... even though there is very little booze in them. We tried to laugh about it but my elderly mother was mortified. She loves this ship and felt that the food was not of the same quality and did not enjoy being rushed or having you second plate put down just as the fist was removed...
The quality and portions are much smaller and not as good. For those of you that always enjoyed their wonderful souffle (spinach) - don\'t, it had some spice in it that was so overpowering you could not taste the spinach and not at all pleasant. The desserts were nice but the souffle is smaller and just not the same quality. The creme brulee is very nice... The rest is almost the same as those in the dining room...
My daughter has enjoyed this experience since she was four and looks forward to it but the second resevation which we had prepaid was coming up and she said she wished we hadn\'t as it was really the same as the dining room and they had to eat more quickly so that we could get out for the next group and wished we could just go to the dining room and that the food was no better or much different there and you could take your time....
The photos were nice (on the computer) if you could get in... but the printer was not working and though there is no cropping etc... you can buy the photo on disc for the same price but you do not get the nice folder with the ships picture like you used to unless you pay extra. I found the young lady to be rude and she had an attitude that we should be happy to get the photo on a disc rather than buying the photo already printed up and ready for the mantel. same prices, but horribly slow and very unpleasant experience. I went ahead and did the whole purchase paying $199 for all even though we only saw a few but I had had enough of standing in lines and did not want to miss out on more plans we had made... but still took hours to get through the line and get the pictures put on the disk, though one of the men was very helpful and found them for me and said he would get them all on the one spot after the formal evening so that they could be put on a disc and then I could return to pick them up, but again took another hour for them to be copied when I returned at the time I had been told to come back as I had to wait for the young woman to copy them but she was so busy with the poor people who were doing what I did the morning and afternoon before - trying to see our photos. Many people gave up and left with no pics on the disk. In the morning on the day of departure there were people still standing there! we left on the latest time to go and there they were still trying to see their photos! I felt so sorry for some of the people in the 70\'s and up standing for hours, they were miserable and many just had to leave and skip the photos completely!
The front desk personnel were not very helpful and I found them to be rude (with one exception)...
I still enjoyed the cruise but we all felt that there were definite changes and that the quality was down a bit. I still love the ship, love HAL but not feel pampered as before, though the size of the ship is perfect to get to know people, relax and enjoy.
