MUD

I talked ships services into giving us guaranteed earl dining

Let’s say soot on the lounge chairs.

On other R class ships, including the old Rotterdam, we have experienced particulate from the funnel on chairs and the deck around the sea view pool. This was a special problem on port days. We have never been on the Zaandam but have reservations. We will be on the ship on many port days. What is your experience on the Zaandam?

We have reservation with a verandah cabin on the Rotterdam for a 12 day Caribbean cruise and also a reservation on the Zaandam for a 14 Day port intensive cruise in an OV cabin at the same time. Must choose between the two. I am mobility challenged. Can get around the ship but excursions, unless easy, are out. While I know not much happens onboard on port days we like to read, relax, etc and do really like the Zaandam class of ship—have over 100 days on this class. Nevertheless less we worry that with a very intense port schedule we may get bored. Have not been on the Rotterdam and it’s less port intensive sailing we wonder if there might be more to do. Any advice?

We are on a wait list for early fixed dining. Any experience with this? HAL rep said not to worry but we do. My wife has celiac hence no gluten and we want the same wait staff. Won’t take the cruise without it.

Have booked on Rotterdam for the first time. We have most of our experience on the Volundam/Zaandam/old Rotterdam ships which we have enjoyed a great deal. Worried the Rotterdam will feel crowded. Any advice from persons with experience of the two ship sizes?

Thanks for all the feedback.

We are scheduled for a Feb Carribean cruise but want to stay on board rather than visit ports--have been there. In your experience will there be any/much activity on board that we can participate in? Trying to decide between Rotterdam and Zaandam.

We have reservations for Zaandam cabin 1873. It is listed as shower only but not handicapped. Zaandam has several cabins listed similar to the one we have. Does anyone know what the shower is like and if the designation is in fact accurate?

Have had very good luck on HAL getting gluten free food if we choose fixed dining. Since Club Orange is open seating can we count on the same good results since there may be different wait and serving staff.

I received a category V cabin with OC for $900 less than a VA stand alone.

Just signed up for the Orange Club on the Rotterdam. My wife is celiac and needs gluten free dining. We have always had good luck in the MDR. Any experience with gluten free in Ornge Club? Secondly we have always enjoyed the MDR. Took Orange club because there was a very good promotion. How does dining in the orange club compare to fixed seating in the MDR?

Thanks to all who have commented so far. I did not mention that the cabin we chose on the Zaandam (we also have reservations on the Rotterdam)has one of the very few conversions to walk in shower only. We have sailed over 100 days on this size HAL ship. Our concern about this itinerary is that there may be very little to do on port days when we don’t take an excursion.

Have reservations for Caribbean cruise next February for 12 days on Rotterdam in a balcony cabin and overlapping 21 days on the Zaandam in an OV cabin. Can only take one of the cruises. The price is the same. The Zaandam has many ports of call including 12 days in a row. We would not take many excursions. Most of our HAL experience has been on Zaandam size ships but we are worried about it being a bit dated and not much to do if we don't go on many excursions. Any advice?

Love this size of ships. Probably have about 100 days on this size with HAL. More bells an whistles elsewhere on HAL but we have always felt comfortable on these ships. But we are still undecided and leaning against this cruise. Onboard activities are always minimal on port days and 10 days in ports in a row would be exhausting. One person on another blog suggested taking an excursion every third day. Maybe that strategy would work. There is always shuffle board and now pickel ball. The daily rate for an outside cabin is very good compared to other HAL ships.