Holland America Line’s 2021 Rotterdam Ship Assessment

Holland America Line, one of the storied names in cruising, has come a good distance since 1873, when it was based in Rotterdam. The road’s first vessel, a steam and sail ship that always crossed the North Atlantic, was named after the town. As the corporate grew, it might carry greater than 850,000 immigrants to the U.S. between 1880 and 1920. And through World Conflict II, Holland America ships transported practically 400,000 Allied troops.

So when a brand new Rotterdam ship arrived in 2021 — the seventh to hold the title — it debuted with practically 150 years of heritage. And but, it was additionally a leap ahead for the model.

Carrying 2,668 passengers and a crew of 1,048, the most recent Rotterdam is a big ship, primarily based on Journey + Leisure’s classes, however I discovered it to be right-sized on my latest journey aboard. I by no means felt as if I used to be caught within the midst of a teeming metropolis, nor did I discover it too small to supply an enormous array of facilities and leisure. With a gleaming library, a high-tech theater with seating wrapped round its stage, and the Grand Dutch Café bringing a little bit of that Netherlands really feel, Rotterdam is refined with out being pretentious.

Throughout my journey, across the fjords of Norway, I used to be notably keen on the hall of dwell live performance venues referred to as Music Stroll, which got here alive nightly with classical, blues, and even dueling piano performances.

Maybe because of its heritage, Holland America Line has a repute for drawing a loyal viewers of older company. So, shortly earlier than I boarded Rotterdam, I caught up with Holland America Line’s president, Gus Antorcha, to ask if this new-ish ship was turning any heads amongst regulars.

“I’m completely not anxious about making the model youthful,” Antorcha mentioned. “If we add enrichment and attention-grabbing itineraries, the age will probably be what the age will probably be.”

Throughout my journey, the ship was dominated by an brisk contingent of colorfully primped Netherlanders, most of whom gave the impression to be of their 50s and 60s. (The vibe was so Dutch, the truth is, that ship bulletins have been made each in that language and English.) There have been additionally many Danish company on board, who’d come aboard particularly for the attention-grabbing Northern European itinerary.

Right here’s a better take a look at the vibe on board Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, and my overview of the ship’s many options and facilities.

The Staterooms

Cabin decor is up to date and purposeful, with espresso and cream tones dominating. Recent fruit was obtainable on request, together with complimentary shoe shine service, and room service was obtainable 24 hours. I liked my cabin, quantity 5053, a roomy verandah stateroom that was about 30 sq. toes bigger than most different rooms, with a big balcony.

In any other case, Rotterdam has 1,340 staterooms, with choices starting from inside cabins with out home windows as much as 4 completely different suite classes. The inside cabins may be as small as 143 sq. toes, which is comfortable, even for a cruise ship. Different staterooms begin at 175 sq. toes, and Vista Suites have a relatively massive 260-square-foot plan, with areas in prime spots across the ship. On the prime finish are the Signature and Neptune suites, in addition to the one Pinnacle Suite, which is greater than 5 occasions the dimensions of ordinary cabins.

Solo vacationers are properly taken care of on Rotterdam, with the selection of a dozen single-occupancy, ocean-view cabins.

Bars and Eating places

Over years of cruise journey, I’ve discovered Holland America Line serves extra constantly dependable meals in its important eating room than may be discovered on different mainstream cruise strains. The entry level is the Eating Room, a two-deck affair that may seat 1,170 company, which is situated on the rear of decks 2 and three. Topped by a ceiling of gold and blue baubles, the higher ranges have swish curves. Regardless of the size of the operation, dishes listed below are superbly offered, whether or not a colourful tomato salad drizzled in fig balsamic vinegar and orange oil, coconut crusted shrimp on a beet and inexperienced bean salad, or a rack of lamb served with cannellini beans. Holland America’s seafood is sustainably sourced — the road has partnered with chef Masaharu Morimoto and has quite a few endorsements from organizations such because the Marine Stewardship Council — and vegetarian and gluten-free gadgets are at all times obtainable.

Along with the informal Lido Market, because the ship’s buffet is thought, Rotterdam has 4 extra-fee eating areas. Amongst them are Canaletto, the ship’s Italian venue, and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the standout French brasserie with dishes together with Dover sole meunière, oysters on the half shell, steak frites, and duck cassoulet. Pinnacle Grill is the steakhouse, and Tamarind serves pan-Asian delicacies. Different no-fee decisions embody the Grand Dutch Café, the place sandwiches and light-weight meals are served, the requisite pizza counter, and a poolside burger bar known as Dive-In. Visitors staying in Neptune and Pinnacle suites can dine in Membership Orange, a extra intimate eating room with a menu that largely matches what’s served in the principle eating room.

Along with the eating places, Holland America’s trademark bars, Ocean Bar and Lido Bar, invite imbibing until late, whereas the Crow’s Nest, situated above the bridge, is in style when cruising the fjords and different scenic passages. I loved the Half Moon Bar just a few occasions, with cocktails themed across the line’s historical past of linking Holland and New York Metropolis, whereas the Tamarind Bar has a roster of martinis.

The place Rotterdam Sails

In winter months, Rotterdam home-ports in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and provides alternating nine- and 12-day Caribbean itineraries that attain as far south because the “ABC Islands” within the Dutch Antilles; some longer voyages make partial transits of the Panama Canal. In summer time, Rotterdam is predicated in its namesake metropolis, with seven-, 14-, and 21-day itineraries calling on ports all through Northern Europe, together with within the British Isles, Iceland, Norway, and the Baltic nations.

Shore Excursions

An excellent number of shore excursions have been provided on my cruise via the fjords of Norway: scenic coach excursions previous waterfalls, farm visits with cider tasting, kayak paddles alongside hovering cliffs, hikes from Mount Floyen to Skomakerdiket Lake.

Within the Caribbean, Holland America’s non-public island Half Moon Cay has a stunning seaside. Elsewhere, company can prepare to discover the UNESCO World Heritage metropolis of Willemstad, Curaçao, or go snorkeling in, say, the caves of Norman Island.

Facilities and Leisure

On Holland America’s ships, it’s all concerning the dwell music — and Rotterdam isn’t any exception. Sure, different ships of this dimension supply loads of dwell music, however the best way it’s laid out on this ship works completely for me, concentrated alongside a hall known as Music Stroll. This consists of the Rolling Stone Lounge, the place a seven-piece home band rolls out High 40 classics. Subsequent door, Billboard Onboard is a singalong piano bar, and simply down the corridor is B.B. King’s Blues Membership, which pumps blistering soul, rock, and blues, with the addition of a classical string quartet on longer European sailings.

Simply past Music Stroll, within the ship’s bow, is World Stage, a theater-almost-in-the-round for a wide range of performances together with dance and vocal opinions backed by two-story LED screens that encircle the viewers. Every of those function most evenings, with a schedule that means that you can enterprise from one to the subsequent for a complete evening. Stay music can be on in different areas on the ship, together with a dance band within the Ocean Bar.

Rotterdam has two superb swimming pools, a good-sized one situated at midship in a two-story house topped with a retractable roof (useful throughout dodgy climate), and one other discovered aft, dealing with the wake. The Sports activities Courtroom options pickleball and ping pong, whereas Bingo, wine-tastings, and trivia contests are highlighted within the every day e-newsletter. The Greenhouse Spa has a full roster of therapies, and may also do hair and nails. The gymnasium is accessed via the spa and is stocked with well-maintained cardio tools and weights. Some health courses are free, whereas yoga and spinning courses come at an upcharge.

In contrast to some bigger cruise ships, Rotterdam doesn’t supply a self-service laundry facility, although companies, together with dry cleansing, may be organized.

Household-Pleasant Choices

In contrast to some large-ship manufacturers, Holland America Line doesn’t notably cater to households with younger kids. That being mentioned, there are areas put aside for junior cruisers, and itineraries throughout summer time or vacation durations might have fairly just a few households. Rotterdam’s Youngsters’ Membership is designed for kids and teenagers ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally educated employees. Actions embody a variety of arts and crafts, sports activities, online game competitions, scavenger hunts, and themed events.

Accessibility

As somebody who has thought of his mom’s mobility points when planning a cruise, Holland America ranks excessive on my checklist of accessible cruise choices. Rotterdam has elevators and accessible restrooms on all public decks. Transfers to shore may be accommodated at most ports, and tender boats have a raise system permitting company to roll on and off tenders. To arrange for the arrival of a visitor with disabilities, the road asks for a Particular Necessities Data Type to be submitted 45 days previous to embarkation. (Word that Holland America doesn’t lease wheelchairs or present help for any function aside from embarkation, disembarkation, and emergency conditions.)

On Rotterdam there are 40 staterooms with accessible options, and so they’re labeled in two methods. Totally Accessible cabins are designed for company with very restricted or no mobility who require use of a wheelchair, scooter, or different assistive gadget. Ramps permit entry to verandas; loos have a roll-in bathe with seize bars, a bathe seat, accessible bathe controls, and a hand-held bathe head. Ambulatory Accessible cabins are for company who don’t require use of a wheelchair or scooter however want some accessible options.

Visitors who’re deaf or onerous of listening to can request kits that embody visible or tactile alerts for telephone ringing or door knocks, telephones are outfitted for amplified sound, and cabin TVs have closed captioning options. Assistive listening units can be found for exhibits. For company who’re blind or have low imaginative and prescient, Rotterdam can present a downloadable every day e-newsletter and menus for company with display screen reader applications; these may be downloaded to a screen-reader enabled pc within the Explorations Café. Braille menus for the eating places can be found with advance discover.