Post Rotterdam cruise report

[RetiredRich]

Pre cruise Rotterdam reports I read for the new ship were all positive.  I'm not saying I didn't like the cruise or ship  but I liked the other DAM ships we have been on.  We were on the 11 day that the storm knocked off a day and a port.  Total cruise we loved.  Little things I noticed and didn't like.  You go into the big show room to watch a show.  You order a drink to sip while watching the show.  There were no little holders in the seats to hold your drink.  Other DAM ships had holders.  You go to the the Dive In for some of the best french fries you will ever eat.  Fries on the Rotterdam were not half as good as other Dam ships.  Also instead of a big ball park type hot dog you now get a little pencil thin hot dog.  If you want to use some of the specialty restaurants you better get them booked very early or they will be booked up.  If you like the casino best time to go is early afternoon and evening.  Once the supper crowd files into the casino the machines just plain are no fun at all.  They just take your money.  There are shops with the usual high price things and good sales at the end of the cruise.  But Rotterdam shops were much smaller than other ships.  And the biggest knock I have was all the great foods always at the Lido  There were 5 pounds more of me this morning.  Good cruising to all.

[Catlover54]

 

Thank you for reviewing!

Was the ship full, and if so, how was the MDR service (or Club Orange service, if you had that or were in a suite)?

 

[Let It Go]

Currently on Rotterdam... suite guest... Club Orange is painfully slow.  Dinner last night and Breakfast this am.

Very, very busy .... me thinks too many are buying the CO option and changing the whole experience.   Too bad for everyone.

[REOVA]

We also prefer the other ships over the R class. (And the world stage oversight was a big thing). But R class will do what they were meant to do (more people onboard having a bar to drink at, more dining options to choose from and more music choices, although crammed in 1 area) and definitely brings a different crowd for shorter cruising itinerary than HAL is known for. Hopefully the next class ships will figure a happy median between S and R class. 

[MISTER 67]

12 minutes ago, REOVA said:

We also prefer the other ships over the R class. (And the world stage oversight was a big thing). But R class will do what they were meant to do (more people onboard having a bar to drink at, more dining options to choose from and more music choices, although crammed in 1 area) and definitely brings a different crowd for shorter cruising itinerary than HAL is known for. Hopefully the next class ships will figure a happy median between S and R class. 

We also like the Vista and Signature class ships more than the Pinnacle class ships

[AV8rix]

45 minutes ago, REOVA said:

We also prefer the other ships over the R class. (And the world stage oversight was a big thing). But R class will do what they were meant to do (more people onboard having a bar to drink at, more dining options to choose from and more music choices, although crammed in 1 area) and definitely brings a different crowd for shorter cruising itinerary than HAL is known for. Hopefully the next class ships will figure a happy median between S and R class. 

Umm, terminology check.  R-class and S-class refer to two old classes of ships.  There are no S-class (named after Statendam) ships left.  There are only two R-class (named after Rotterdam -- but not Rotterdam VII) ships remaining -- Volendam and Zaandam.  Rotterdam VII belongs to Pinnacle class, as do Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.  The next size down (what you are calling S class) is Signature class -- Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.  Jus' sayin'.

[REOVA]

33 minutes ago, AV8rix said:

Umm, terminology check.  R-class and S-class refer to two old classes of ships.  There are no S-class (named after Statendam) ships left.  There are only two R-class (named after Rotterdam -- but not Rotterdam VII) ships remaining -- Volendam and Zaandam.  Rotterdam VII belongs to Pinnacle class, as do Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam.  The next size down (what you are calling S class) is Signature class -- Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam.  Jus' sayin'.

Correction. I meant something between S (Signature) and P (Pinnacle) class ships.  My terminology (using initials) which most people understand what I was saying. (Even if my R was supposed to be a P). But thank you 😉

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks for sharing ..

[RuthC]

2 hours ago, REOVA said:

Correction. I meant something between S (Signature) and P (Pinnacle) class ships.  My terminology (using initials) which most people understand what I was saying. (Even if my R was supposed to be a P). But thank you 😉

S-class is gone. As noted above: it does not refer to the Signature class ships. 
P-class was the Prinsendam, although normally not referred to as that. It was the complete opposite of the Pinnacle class. 

The Signature and Pinnacle class ships do not use letters to note them. 

[REOVA]

13 minutes ago, RuthC said:

S-class is gone. As noted above: it does not refer to the Signature class ships. 
P-class was the Prinsendam, although normally not referred to as that. It was the complete opposite of the Pinnacle class. 

The Signature and Pinnacle class ships do not use letters to note them. 

Thanks Ruth. I am aware of HAL history (and the last Prinsendam was our favorite even though it wasn't a HAL ship). As I mentioned, I use the "terminology" as short hand to differentiate when I post. Same with RDam and KDam. I have never had anyone get confused on what I type (unless of course I screw up a typo 🤪). 

[RuthC]

35 minutes ago, REOVA said:

I have never had anyone get confused on what I type (unless of course I screw up a typo 🤪). 

Ah, yes, you have. More than you realize.