LIVE from the MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE ROTTERDAM VII - TRANSATLANTIC

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, wdw1972 said:

Not true.  Koningsdam has a silly green bunny rabbit in the Retreat, but when they made Nieuw Statendam the bunny was replaced by a hot tub.  It's small, but it's there - my travel buddy used it quite often.

 

Sue/WDW1972

I was just thinking this is not true but the more I think about it, I believe there is one.  I don't like communal hot tubs so I don't use it.

[sfocruiser]

These may not upload but tried to crop to reduce the size

 

 

 

[RynoWally]

I'm not on the cruise, but this is what popped up in my navigator App. We will be on Rotterdam for 3 weeks, curious to know if I can follow along with menus via the App?

[RynoWally]

We did take a Pacific Coast cruise 10\10-10\17 with HAL Koningsdam, and I didn't see anything resembling filet mignon on the menu other than gala night and then it was $35. We will will be on Rotterdam in the beginning of Dec for 3 weeks, and probably won't visit MDR unless we see something like this, (although my wife who is Indian, extremely enjoyed the separate Indian food menu, as spicy as it was) I thought the Lido had great food and there was such an eclectic variety there.

[Al Aboard]

4 hours ago, RynoWally said:

I'm not on the cruise, but this is what popped up in my navigator App. We will be on Rotterdam for 3 weeks, curious to know if I can follow along with menus via the App?

I see this on my Navigator also.  On a prior day, the menu shown was different.  I wonder if they are displaying the MDR menu for the Rotterdam so we can follow along.  We are on for 2 weeks in February.  If this matches the current menu, I can pre-plan specialty restaurant days more easily.  It was mentioned that tonight is one of their Gala nights.  Is this a Gala night menu?

[sfocruiser]

That was the menu for tonight’s Gala!  Seems to be tracking

 

but I don’t know If I would use this as a guide for a Feb cruise many things can change 

Edited October 29, 2021 by sfocruiser

[MisterBill99]

3 minutes ago, sfocruiser said:

That was the menu for tonight’s Gala!  Seems to be tracking

 

but I don’t know If I would use this as a guide for a Feb cruise many things can change 

 

I think we'll need to see it for a few cruises before being able to use it as a guideline for advance reservations.

[MisterBill99]

I assume questions about who's on the ship are OK here. I'm curious to know who the performers are at Billboard Onboard. Thanks in advance for the info, we'll be on board in a few weeks!

[sansterre]

5 hours ago, RynoWally said:

I'm not on the cruise, but this is what popped up in my navigator App. We will be on Rotterdam for 3 weeks, curious to know if I can follow along with menus via the App?

Indeed this is the dinner menu for the Gala Dinner this evening.  I had the Pineapple Shrimp Cocktail (disappointing small shrimp with one large shrimp with small pieces of pineapple), and the market fresh seafood (excellent dover sole), and double chocolate cheesecake.  DH had the filet and liked it a lot.

We are very happy with the MDR menu and service has improved greatly since the first day or two.  Our wine is always at our table now (we purchased 8 bottles of Package 2) when we arrive at 5:00 or soon after.

 

[MisterBill99]

Just now, sansterre said:

Indeed this is the dinner menu for the Gala Dinner this evening.  I had the Pineapple Shrimp Cocktail (disappointing small shrimp with one large shrimp with small pieces of pineapple), and the market fresh seafood (excellent dover sole), and double chocolate cheesecake.  DH had the filet and liked it a lot.

We are very happy with the MDR menu and service has improved greatly since the first day or two.  Our wine is always at our table now (we purchased 8 bottles of Package 2) when we arrive at 5:00 or soon after.

 

I noticed no extra-charge items (including the $8.50 shrimp cocktail) on tonight's menu. Too bad they couldn't give you decent sized shrimp with the "free" menu item tonight.

[sansterre]

Going back to Portland, and a few port port photos that got lost in the postings a few days ago.

This photo is in the bay between Portland and Weymouth.  Obviously it is a popular place for wind surfing.

Edited October 29, 2021 by sansterre

[sansterre]

a British ship docked near us in Portland, England

[sansterre]

We did not get off the ship at Brest as it was a rainy day until mid-afternoon. This ship which appeared to be Russian was docked beside us   Brest was about 20 minute ride away and the city supplied a free bus with three drop off points.

If anyone on our cruise has photos to share of Brest, or nearby places, I would like to see them.  Please share.

Edited October 29, 2021 by sansterre

[sansterre]

This is the what was on the other side of us in Brest.  The rain had just stopped.  

Photo is taken next to the Pizza restaurant where we had lunch.

[sansterre]

Something new to us......two of these were in our room when we arrived last week - a free drink.  Nearly everyone on the ship has sailed Holland America previously so it may have gone to most everyone, not just five star passengers.

It seems that most have the drink package on this cruise;  we do not.  So we look forward to a nice Rum Punch when we hit warmer waters.  

(Sorry the photo is sideways.)

 

Edited October 29, 2021 by sansterre

[sansterre]

43 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

I assume questions about who's on the ship are OK here. I'm curious to know who the performers are at Billboard Onboard. Thanks in advance for the info, we'll be on board in a few weeks!

Entertainment -

Billboard Onboard has the duel piano players, thought the sound is a bit loud for our taste so we hear them from afar or while walking to the Main Stage.  I will try to find out their names as I assume that is what you want to know.  There is a small dance floor in the Billboard Onboard.

Across from that is Rock and Roll, also a very loud venue with a band.  It also has a dance floor!

And just down from that is B B King and the Lincoln Center.

All of the above is between the mid-ship elevators and forward elevators.

One negative in my opinion is the Casino location on Deck 3 above an open stairway to Billboard Onboard and Rock and Roll.  Cigarette smoke seems to linger there.  Also, on deck 3 when leaving the Main Showroom, one must walk through the Casino.  We usually enter the Shows on Deck 2.  It requires walking a bit further, but better seats IMO and easier exit. 

 

 

[sansterre]

The Main Showroom - the photo below was taken last night with a comedian.performing,  

We have two comedians, a soprano singer, a saxophonist, a pianist , and the Jersey Tenors on board.  I will provide their names as they appear again on stage.  All entertainers will give second appearances and maybe a third. (wondering if some entertainers were supposed to embark or disembark in the Azores, the  port we missed). All the above mentioned have done interesting Coffee Chats with the CD, Rebekah.

The Showroom is very different from other HAL ships (at least the ones we have been on.  Three entertainers said they really enjoyed performing "in the round".

To being our cruise there was a company of 8 singers and dancers who were going to do a show.  However two of them were from Canada and had to disembark in one of our last ports because they would not be able to get off in the United States.  They are expected to join the ship in Ft. Lauderdale but probably not until after Nov. 8 so the would be the Nov. 10 sailing.

[MisterBill99]

2 minutes ago, sansterre said:

 I will try to find out their names as I assume that is what you want to know.  There is a small dance floor in the Billboard Onboard.

 

Thanks, that's what I am interested in. As for the dance floor you describe, I've never seen anyone dancing there. Yes, Rolling Stone Rock Room is very loud, as is BB Kings. I never found BB Onboard to be very loud, but to each their own. I've also read complaints about smoke coming down from the casino on Koningsdam but have never noticed that myself.

 

I like to sit in the seats near the poles on the front sides where you enter from deck 2. Makes an easier exit if the show is bad.

[MisterBill99]

2 minutes ago, sansterre said:

The Showroom is very different from other HAL ships (at least the ones we have been on.  Three entertainers said they really enjoyed performing "in the round".

 

You've obviously never been on Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam, since it's the same as on those (with some modifications from the original design on Kdam, seats along the walls removed I believe, and more screens added). It's an interesting setup, and it's too bad that they ended their production shows and casts at the same time that they started rolling out the new venues.

[nimiq]

2 hours ago, sansterre said:

Something new to us......two of these were in our room when we arrived last week - a free drink.  Nearly everyone on the ship has sailed Holland America previously so it may have gone to most everyone, not just five star passengers.

It seems that most have the drink package on this cruise;  we do not.  So we look forward to a nice Rum Punch when we hit warmer waters.  

(Sorry the photo is sideways.)

 

Speaking of drink package have you seen if they offer a rebate if you don’t have one prior to cruising ? 
 

thanks 

sea ya 

Eric

[zgscl]

2 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

You've obviously never been on Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam, since it's the same as on those (with some modifications from the original design on Kdam, seats along the walls removed I believe, and more screens added). It's an interesting setup, and it's too bad that they ended their production shows and casts at the same time that they started rolling out the new venues.

I will never understand why they keep adding more features like this to the theater when it will only be used as another background for the Step One Dance Company to paint or pretend is an elevator 😞. At least the whale movie can show more whales. 

[Vict0riann]

4 hours ago, sansterre said:

Something new to us......two of these were in our room when we arrived last week - a free drink.  Nearly everyone on the ship has sailed Holland America previously so it may have gone to most everyone, not just five star passengers.

It seems that most have the drink package on this cruise;  we do not.  So we look forward to a nice Rum Punch when we hit warmer waters.  

(Sorry the photo is sideways.)

 

If the Rotterdam is anything like the Eurodam, you will only be able to use this card for a “dam cocktail” or trade it in for a soft drink.  The dam cocktail is very nice, Prosecco with St. Germaine liqueur and a little soda.  

[sansterre]

3 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

If the Rotterdam is anything like the Eurodam, you will only be able to use this card for a “dam cocktail” or trade it in for a soft drink.  The dam cocktail is very nice, Prosecco with St. Germaine liqueur and a little soda.  

Arghhhhh, you are probably right!  After we missed the Azores, it was free drinks from 3:00 to 4:00.

When we tried to order our rum punch, we found it was only soft drink, beer, or their house wine.  I had a Coke.

After missing Brugg, nothing was offer in the way of liquid refreshment.  We remember when everyone got a glass of champagne if a port was missed.

[sansterre]

We watched the final episode of Downton Abbey on our television last night in preparation for the Special tea toady.  Laurel on our Roll Call suggested it and about 60 of us thought it was a great way to get together again and celebrate having been in England.

Off to breakfast now as we sail easily through some small waves WSW.

[Caribbean Chris]

7 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

You've obviously never been on Koningsdam or Nieuw Statendam, since it's the same as on those (with some modifications from the original design on Kdam, seats along the walls removed I believe, and more screens added). It's an interesting setup, and it's too bad that they ended their production shows and casts at the same time that they started rolling out the new venues.

HAL had introduced One Step dance shows in the main showroom the year before Covid began. (Sounds like the dance company Sansterre refers to.) Perhaps it’s not everyone’s style of show (you can’t please everybody no matter what you offer), but I loved their performance of “Humanity” onboard Nieuw Statendam which really demonstrated the showroom’s capabilities. The dancers were terrific. 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-activities/cruise-entertainment/step-one-dance-company.html