Live from the Rotterdam, 14 day Jewels of the Baltic

[VMax1700]

9 minutes ago, Cruzmama said:

Where on the ship can you watch football games?

Stateroom tv

Casino bar 

Sometimes on Lido Pool screen  (not at 2.15am though 😉)

[ChinaShrek]

On 9/24/2023 at 6:08 AM, 0106 said:

I love Italian food and previously had good meals at Caneletto.  Unfortunately. It is not a place for a “intimate Italian dinner” as stated in the promotional material.  Italian dinners have several courses; we like to share each course of a traditional Italian meal: antipasti (cold starter), primi (1st warm course, for us usually pasta or risotto), secondi (meat for him/seafood for me), insalata (our salad replaces the typical vegetable course), formaggie frutta (cheese and fruit) dolce (dessert, usually gelato).  

 

 

How long would that take? I want to eat and be done under an hour. There's lots to do!

[0106]

@ChinaShrekIf you tell them you want to be finished in an hour, they will make it happen.

[Cruzmama]

Are you enjoying the food?  We have reservations in the Pinnacle but have not heard great things about it. Have you been there?

[VMax1700]

10 hours ago, Cruzmama said:

Are you enjoying the food?  We have reservations in the Pinnacle but have not heard great things about it. Have you been there?

Post #170 has images of the food in PG.

Crab Cakes were average, Scallops were a little gritty.  Service was ok.

I would not consider paying the upcharge for PG (even with 50% mariner discount) as it does not give value, in my opinion.  Sometimes we don't even bother taking the 'free' meal with HIA.

[Cruzmama]

Thanks for your honest opinion. We may switch to Tamarind.

[Radbooks]

Just now, Cruzmama said:

Thanks for your honest opinion. We may switch to Tamarind.

Yes, switch to Tamarind! 

[VMax1700]

30 minutes ago, Cruzmama said:

Thanks for your honest opinion. We may switch to Tamarind.

If you have the option, then do switch.  It is a much more pleasant dining experience.

[SUESEABE]

@Cruzmama

+1 Switch to Tamarind

[northernphoenix]

On 9/23/2023 at 11:41 AM, VMax1700 said:

We received the dreaded 'Itinerary Change' email yesterday, but it only related to departure time from Stockholm.  It has been brought forward to 3pm so that we can do the scenic cruising of the archipelago in daylight!  Should be nice!

This is  a wonderful itinerary change.  The Archipelago scenery is still amongst the most remembered in our cruising adventures. 

[VMax1700]

Daily Program Day 12 Wednesday 4th October

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by VMax1700

[VMax1700]

Menus Day 12 Wednesday 4th October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lido_lunch_day_11 (1).pdf

 

 

lido_dinner_day_11.pdf

 

 

mdr_dinner_day_11 (1).pdf

Edited October 12, 2023 by VMax1700

[VMax1700]

Daily Program Day 12 Thursday 5th October

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by VMax1700

[VMax1700]

Menus Day 13 Thursday 5th October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited October 12, 2023 by VMax1700

[VMax1700]

Daily Progam Day 14 Friday 6th October

 

 

 

 

[VMax1700]

Menus Day 14 Friday 6th October

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

lido_lunch_day_14 (1).pdf

 

 

lido_dinner_day_14 (1).pdf

 

 

mdr_dinner_day_14.docx.pdf

[VMax1700]

We took the HAL shuttle to the airport.  As we had a late afternoon flight we wanted to take a shuttle as late as possible but, pre-cruise, it had been booked out and not even an option of wait list.

When we got onboard, the 9.30am shuttle became available again so we booked it and even though the details stated that it was not eligible for HIA excursion credit, it did consume some of our remaining excursion credit.  

The shuttle eventually departed at 10.00am as some pax did not realise that they had to collect their bags from the luggage hall and physically bring them to the bus.  

We already had electronic boarding passes so we were able to drop our bags at the Baggage Drop (KLM) which even offered to take our carryons if we wished (no charge!).  Security was slow, but nothing like what we experience last year and then through passport control.  12.15pm and we were sitting in the KLM Crown Lounge.  Our flight departed 4pm local time and we arrived into Cork 90 minutes later. 

 

Overall we enjoyed the cruise.  The ship was in great condition, the music was great.  The staff were exceptional as always.  

 

[Kelownabccan]

We were on this cruise for the full 21 days....which included Norway......had a fantastic time and enjoyed the food and staff on the ship......only not so great thing was not all that much quieter stuff to do after the show at 7:30......the so called "music walk" was loud and brash.....was fun for a few days but after 21 days was a chore to go and watch or even dance......with all the open bars and music venues now on the new ships there is no sort of "private club" rooms or areas.....all things just ran into each other.....plus the average age must have been 60 plus except for the Norway section as 3/4 of the passengers were younger from Europe as for them was a 7 day trip.....lol.........big change also was on the 7 days Norway section the dining room was empty at 5 to 6 pm.....on the last 14 days with mostly North American folks the dining room was packed in the 5 to 6pm time frame....just shows you the difference in cultures....haha......all in all had a great time.......will answer questions for a few days if want as will look at posts.....we are still having sleep troubles as with the 9 hr time diff hard to get things in order.....flew KLM.....nice service and plane.....2 seats,,,,4 seats,,,,2...seats for nice for a couple to fly without having people crawling over you.....

 

 

[Ladybentley]

We're doing this cruise next year - with a few itinerary changes. So thanks very much for all the helpful information you've posted. Really great and much appreciated. Your threads are terrific!