Rotterdam

Rotterdam has the standard array of cabins and suites, all featuring subdued, modern décor.  Standard throughout: bathroom with shower, bathrobes, hair dryer, interactive LED television offering movies on demand, minibar, mini-safe, data port, telephone, queen-size bed (convertible to two single beds).  Some cabins are equipped to sleep three or four, with a pull-down berth and/or sofa bed. There are 40 accessible cabins in all categories.

Least expensive options are Interior cabins, which are found throughout the ship and do not have a window—these can be as small as 143 square feet.  There are a variety of Ocean-view cabins, along with slightly larger Family Ocean-view units which have two bathrooms—one with shower and sink, the other with a bathtub.  Twelve single Ocean-view cabins are located on Deck 1, near the bow, and can offer good value for solo travelers.

More than half of the ship’s accommodations are Verandah cabins, which start at 228 square feet, including balcony, and located on decks 4 through 8.  Several different sizes of suites are available, ranging up to the Pinnacle Suite, measuring 1,290 square feet.

Rotterdam has a total of 40 cabins offering accessible features in all accommodation categories, and classified in two types.  Fully Accessible cabins are designed for guests with highly limited or no mobility who require use of a wheelchair, scooter or other assistive device. Bathrooms are equipped with either roll-in shower, transfer shower (providing maneuvering clearance and a shower bench), or an accessible bathtub. Ambulatory Accessible cabins are for guests who do not require use of a wheelchair or scooter but offer some accessible features. Elevators and accessible restrooms are available for all public (non-cabin) decks. Transfers to shore can be accommodated at most ports, and tender boats have a lift system allowing guests to roll on and off tenders.

Guests who are deaf or hard of hearing can request kits that include visual or tactile alerts for phone ringing or door knocks, and cabin TVs have closed captioning features. Assistive listening devices are available for shows. For guests who are blind or have low vision, HAL can provide a downloadable daily newsletter and menus for guests with screen reader programs; Braille menus are available with advance notice.

The Dining Room is Rotterdam’s main restaurant venue.  Seating up to 1,170 on two levels, at dinnertime passengers have a choice of an early or late seating on Deck 3, at 5:45 and 8:00 p.m., or “anytime” seating on Deck 2.  It is possible to make reservations in advance for the lower level, otherwise there may be a short wait for a table, especially for those desiring a two-top (which are mostly clustered in the center of the room, away from the view).

Breakfast is served daily on the lower level and includes a full range of egg dishes and omelets, cereals, pancakes and French toast, Asian congee and the traditional English breakfast.  Lunch is typically offered on embarkation and sea days only, but features a pleasing selection, from Mexican street tacos to Dutch pannenkoek, a tasty apple and bacon pancake.  Dinners highlight international fare from HAL’s Culinary Council of celebrity chefs, and gluten-free and vegetarian options are always available.  While meals in the Dining Room are covered with the cruise fare, there is an up-charge for select items, such as steak or lobster at dinner, or crab Louie salad at lunch.

Lido Market, Rotterdam’s buffet venue, offers a wide variety of food options.  It can be quite crowded in the morning, but arrive early or late and empty tables are plentiful; lunch is also busy on sea days, but dinner is lightly attended. No self-service is allowed — crewmembers dish out as much as you like — and drinks can be ordered from waiters. Other options covered in the cruise fare include the New York Deli and Pizza overlooking the main pool on Deck 10; Dive In, which has a roster of tasty burgers; and the Grand Dutch Café, which has a limited menu of small bites (including HAL’s famous pea soup) along with coffee beverages.

Four specialty dining options are available, with an up charge, and reservations are advised.  Least expensive is Canaletto ($19 per person), which inhabits an underutilized corner of the Lido Market for Italian comfort food: appetizers, pastas and entrées such as chicken, veal, lamb, and branzino. Rotterdam’s Pan Asian option is Tamarind ($25), which features an eclectic menu and a terrific perch for sunset overlooking the aft pool. Pinnacle Grill ($39) is HAL’s time-honored steakhouse offering a selection of steaks, chops and seafood, reliably prepared, served in a plush dining room. Lastly, Rudi’s Sel de Mer ($49) is a standalone venue on Rotterdam where French classics such as Dover sole meuniere, oysters on the half shell, steak frites, and duck cassoulet are delivered with aplomb.

Room service is also available 24 hours, and afternoon tea is served in the Dining Room daily at 3 p.m.

In addition to bar service available in each dining venue, Rotterdam has seven standalone bars spread around the ship.  The more unique options include the Half Moon Bar, which offers twists on classic cocktails with links to the HAL story and culture.  Crow’s Nest is located above the bridge, a popular spot when scenic cruising is underway. Tamarind Bar has a roster of martinis on offer—watch for happy hour specials.

Mixed drinks average $10-12, with beer and most wines by the glass priced somewhat less.  HAL charges a $20 corkage fee for each bottle of wine and Champagne brought aboard, whether opened by crew or by guests in their cabin. 

One of Rotterdam’s standout features is World Stage, found on decks 2 and 3 forward, a near theatre-in-the-round for a variety of performances including dance reviews and shows using LED screens that encircle the audience. The Music Walk on Deck 2 is where live rock, blues and jazz, and singalong piano favorites start up nightly around 7:30 p.m. Live music is found in other places, such as the dance band that plays in the Ocean Bar some evenings, and a classical quartet that uses the Lincoln Center Stage for afternoon performances.

Movies are offered by the Lido Pool nightly. The ship also has a lending library with a solid collection of books, and leather lounge chairs facing the sea view. Throughout the day the schedule of activities stays busy, especially on sea days—ping pong and basketball tournaments, bingo, dance lessons, trivia contests, mahjong and bridge are typically on the roster.

The seductive Greenhouse Spa is located on Deck 9 forward and a wide variety of treatments are available, at prices comparable to most quality resorts. Treatments are often discounted on port days, and other specials become available as the cruise goes on, particularly for those booking multiple appointments. Prices range from $149 for the 50-minute Swedish or Reflexology Massage to $299 for a 100-minute AromaSpa Seaweed Massage or Aroma Stone Therapy.  Facials are $149 to $199, and the salon offers hair styling, waxing, and manicure and pedicure services. 

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. Per-week and per-day pricing varies, probably based, in part, on demand. The gym is accessed through the spa entrance and the overall facility is stocked with well-maintained cardio equipment and weights. The gym can be crowded in the early morning. Some fitness classes are free, such as Tai Chi and abs conditioning, (announced in the ship’s daily newsletter), while yoga and spinning classes have an added fee.