LIVE from the MAIDEN VOYAGE OF THE ROTTERDAM VII - TRANSATLANTIC

[sansterre]

5 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

 

I've seen other pictures that make it look like both spaces are occupied with slot machines.  So there are some right across from Sel de Mer, too...

Yes, that is right.  The only vacant space right now is the small dance floor and the adjacent slightly raised space where the band played.  I imagine that will soon be filled with more slot machines.

The bar still remains at the far end....it is a long row of seats near the entrance to Rudi's.

[luvn2cruzzz]

On 11/7/2021 at 5:55 AM, vitagirl said:

the Ocean Bar 

This is obscene.  What a lovely space this was with a band and dancing on the crossing.  No more.

[aliaschief]

Get to know your Sommelier, pre  order your wine choice and ask for it to be at your dinner table if fixed dining and enjoy! Worked for us.

[sansterre]

5 hours ago, YXU AC*SE said:

 

So, is this only in the 'second part' of the Ocean Bar?   On Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam there is a bulkhead / wall that really bifurcates the space --  on the other side of the wall there was more seating, the bar itself, and service bar area.   That still remains ? 

 

Admittedly, from a service standpoint, that part of the lounge was often forgotten -- so I can see how revenue yield w/ slots might be more attractive?     I'm sure cocktail piano and adjacent dance floor space will be a wonderful contrast.    Scott.  

 

On the other side of the wall where the band used to play is the Half Moon Bar.  Again there is bar stool seating at the bar.  The only seating is along the windows outside the Cafe Orange for Club Orange passengers.  The main walkaway to the MDR is between those seating areas and Cafe Orange so not very conducive to chats, especially if there are more than two people.  Will look to see if I have a photo of the area to post.

[YXU AC*SE]

34 minutes ago, sansterre said:

On the other side of the wall where the band used to play is the Half Moon Bar.

 

So is this the layout?     Scott. 

 

 

 

 

 

[rkacruiser]

13 hours ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Yesterday (Sunday 11/07) Mass was celebrated at I a.m. in B.B. King’s on deck 2, followed by a congregation-led Interdenominational service at 9 a.m.

 

With all due respects to those lay people who have tried to do this type of service, I will never attend such again.  None--I repeat--none have been of any worth for me.  I am able to have a more meaningful for me service, at night, on an open deck when the ship is at sea.  

 

When HAL "dared" to spend a few more dollars for  competent Protestant Ministers to conduct services or even allowed the Priest on board to do so, those services were almost always worth attending.  

[esimon]

i would much rather sit on a quiet deck alone- read my bible and spend time alone with God.

[sansterre]

13 hours ago, YXU AC*SE said:

 

So is this the layout?     Scott. 

 

 

 

 

 

Pretty sure there is no bulkhead or tables.  There might be one - I'll look today. 

I should look at "my" deck plan!

I found this photo of the Half Moon Bar taken from outside Club Orange.

[sansterre]

Looks like another beautiful day on Half Moon Cay.

We will enjoy the mostly empty ship, take a nap, and then try to stay up for the 9:00 show tonight called CANTARE.

The Origin Story will be presented again at 4:30 today.  Apparently others missed it when it was the entertainment at 9:00 embarkation day.  It was much more interesting to watch our sailaway that evening from our veranda.

[sansterre]

Someone asked if there were windows and seating in the Library.

 

[Caribbean Chris]

14 hours ago, YXU AC*SE said:

 

So is this the layout?     Scott. 

 

 

 

 

 

The gaming area is on BOTH sides of the Ocean Bar. I hope it proves true that, as someone posted in Cruise Critic, it is temporary. Will look forward to later reports this season. 
 

I miss going to the Ocean Bar in the evening. We have sat in the Half Moon bar area twice but those window tables are few, limited to two people only, and we often travel with friends.

[YXU AC*SE]

8 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

The gaming area is on BOTH sides of the Ocean Bar.

Hmm. That's, umm, disappointing.  Scott. 

[fusion927]

18 hours ago, OC PAT said:

Trying to find out if there is pickleball on the Rotterdam VII.  Have really enjoyed your reports.  Thank you for sharing.

 

 

There is a movable pickleball net on the sports court.  Never saw anyone playing so I can't say for sure they have the appropriate equipment though...

 

[Dismomx5]

There is a post on Facebook by James Hills from November 7 that reads as follows:

 

Great news for some of you folks that have asked over the past few weeks about wine stewards in MDR. It is NOT a permanent cutback. They tried running the ships earlier at 100% staff and it was unsuccessful due to not enough tips and such to justify that level vs a 40-60% pax load.

However, the target going forward is 70% capacity, double occupancy. As the pandemic and cdc regulations allow them to scale up, so will staffing. The leadership team on Rotterdam is aware of the concerns and can't wait to have a full ship of staff and guests again soon.

BTW as people have shared earlier, we're running at about 700ish guests ... 30-40% capacity depending if you count double or full capacity numbers.

Also the casino machines in Ocean Bar are temporary, installed as partnership with various casino promos as well as testing non smoking casino interest. Will be removed for holiday cruises coming up.

Cooking demonstrations will return and be held in world stage based on region.

BBC Earth will be returning to Rotterdam "soon".

Origin Story will be (tentatively) held a second time on this cruise on the last day after we depart HMC.

Hotel director confirmed that HAL merch is on Rotterdam and they are working diligently to update pricing. Hope is to open the shop on the last day.

Live updates from Rotterdam press conference ...
(I am a guest of HAL and a member of the media on this cruise.. so I like to share what I see directly rather than make you guys wait a week till I write my articles:)

 

Fingers crossed that some of these things really are temporary.

[tompeter]

Thanks for posting the update!

 

[aliaschief]

45 minutes ago, Dismomx5 said:

There is a post on Facebook by James Hills from November 7 that reads as follows:

 

Great news for some of you folks that have asked over the past few weeks about wine stewards in MDR. It is NOT a permanent cutback. They tried running the ships earlier at 100% staff and it was unsuccessful due to not enough tips and such to justify that level vs a 40-60% pax load.

However, the target going forward is 70% capacity, double occupancy. As the pandemic and cdc regulations allow them to scale up, so will staffing. The leadership team on Rotterdam is aware of the concerns and can't wait to have a full ship of staff and guests again soon.

BTW as people have shared earlier, we're running at about 700ish guests ... 30-40% capacity depending if you count double or full capacity numbers.

Also the casino machines in Ocean Bar are temporary, installed as partnership with various casino promos as well as testing non smoking casino interest. Will be removed for holiday cruises coming up.

Cooking demonstrations will return and be held in world stage based on region.

BBC Earth will be returning to Rotterdam "soon".

Origin Story will be (tentatively) held a second time on this cruise on the last day after we depart HMC.

Hotel director confirmed that HAL merch is on Rotterdam and they are working diligently to update pricing. Hope is to open the shop on the last day.

Live updates from Rotterdam press conference ...
(I am a guest of HAL and a member of the media on this cruise.. so I like to share what I see directly rather than make you guys wait a week till I write my articles:)

 

Fingers crossed that some of these things really are temporary.

Thanks!

[sansterre]

Well then, I'm going shopping!

Thanks Dismom and James Hill for the shopping information and all other info, especially that the Casino is not permanent.  Still it is disturbing for 27 continuing  passengers to see the Ocean Bar on one cruise, get off for two days, and return to a Casino in its place!

Some excursions were cancelled (snorkling from boats and glass bottom boat) on Half Moon Cay today due to rough water conditions.  However, it the beach looks lovely and water is nearly calm.  Wind is around 15 mph from the NNE so it must create a difficult current for small craft.

3:00 Tea is back in the Dining Room.  We were hoping afternoon tea would return to the BB King room with the piano music today.  Apparently BB King room is only used for tea on some sea days.  

Edited November 9, 2021 by sansterre

[sansterre]

Near the Dive-In is the Gelato Stand.  $2 or $4 for nice large/larger portions.  You can select two types.  I had the small size ($2) of chocolate with a just a little peach. Both flavors were wonderfully rich. The Lido still serves ho-num ice cream at no charge but IMO the Gelato is much better.

By the way, the  MDR and Pinnacle Grill have a better grade of regular ice cream as compared to the Lido.

Later, I was pleasantly surprised to see a five star discount so final price on invoice is less than $1.50.

Edited November 9, 2021 by sansterre

[Caribbean Chris]

Great photos of the gelato, Sansterre!  We had delicious chocolate milkshakes from Gelato on Saturday. May have to have one more this afternoon.

[sansterre]

During the TA and 5 day cruises, the MDR2 has been our happy place for nearly every breakfast and dinner (except for three dinners in specialty restaurants).  I love the lights in the Dining Room!

We had a lovely window table excellently serviced by the two fine young men (pictured below) from Bali.  Assistant waiter Andhika (left) and head waiter Kerta (right).  

Adding to our good times were Maitre d Suganda, and the chef Stanley from India.

[Reagan0712]

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Great photos of the gelato, Sansterre!  We had delicious chocolate milkshakes from Gelato on Saturday. May have to have one more this afternoon.

Ditto re: the photos! 

I, against my better judgement, got into the habit of getting a milkshake everyday after lunch. Delicious! 😋😋

[yarnsinger]

20 hours ago, sansterre said:

Wine tasting yesterday with Sommelier Miquel. 

There are 3 or 4 other sommeliers on board.  In MDR2 we see Miguel occasionally, as well as two

young women who used to serve drinks but recently became sommeliers.

Usually our wonderful waiter Kerta has our wine waiting for us and fills and refills our glasses.  We have had no problems but I imagine as more passengers are on the ship next week, it will be more difficult for the waiters to keep up with the wine orders.

Zilah, who was our sommelier on our Nieuw Statendam Baltic and Midnight Sun cruises, is onboard the Rotterdam, and her name badge still reads "sommelier." We were delighted to see her. I can't help but wonder how much money they're losing because the don't have people promoting wine and wine packages. 

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, Dismomx5 said:

There is a post on Facebook by James Hills from November 7 that reads as follows:

 

Great news for some of you folks that have asked over the past few weeks about wine stewards in MDR. It is NOT a permanent cutback. They tried running the ships earlier at 100% staff and it was unsuccessful due to not enough tips and such to justify that level vs a 40-60% pax load.

However, the target going forward is 70% capacity, double occupancy. As the pandemic and cdc regulations allow them to scale up, so will staffing. The leadership team on Rotterdam is aware of the concerns and can't wait to have a full ship of staff and guests again soon.

BTW as people have shared earlier, we're running at about 700ish guests ... 30-40% capacity depending if you count double or full capacity numbers.

Also the casino machines in Ocean Bar are temporary, installed as partnership with various casino promos as well as testing non smoking casino interest. Will be removed for holiday cruises coming up.

Cooking demonstrations will return and be held in world stage based on region.

BBC Earth will be returning to Rotterdam "soon".

Origin Story will be (tentatively) held a second time on this cruise on the last day after we depart HMC.

Hotel director confirmed that HAL merch is on Rotterdam and they are working diligently to update pricing. Hope is to open the shop on the last day.

Live updates from Rotterdam press conference ...
(I am a guest of HAL and a member of the media on this cruise.. so I like to share what I see directly rather than make you guys wait a week till I write my articles:)

 

Fingers crossed that some of these things really are temporary.

Lots of great information here.  Thank you.

[sansterre]

And last, but certainly not least, our amazing room stewards........Pande (left) and Rae (right).

Incredibly, Pande was our room steward on the Eurodam in March 2020 when Covid ended all cruising.  We returned to San Diego happy that port let us in, (no one aboard had Covid symptoms), but not knowing what would happen to the crew.  Pande said the Veendam brought him back home and I do remember watching those HAL ships as they transferred all Asian crew to the Veendam and finally arrived Indonesia months later.

Both Pande and Rae said they are happy and very fortunate to be working again as many of their co-workers are still home, hoping to soon return to work on a HAL ship.

 

[mcrcruiser]

Thanks for all the great photos 😁