Saphire

We have been on Vista class, Signature and all three of the Pinnacle. We like the Rotterdam the best of the Pinnacle class. They made improvements in each ship as each was being built, Rotterdam being the newest. Every class has their own charms, and you will find that with Rotterdam. You won't be disappointed in the Music Walk and Dutch Cafe. The MDR is beautiful and has big tables for your desired dining. The pool areas have been updated and both are lovely. The ship is elegant and bright as are the rooms. Give the theatre a try, you may like it. Open your eyes to the beauty of MS Rotterdam and enjoy!

We didn't inquire about exchanging. I was happy to see the sparkling wine on ice as we entered the room. We took it to the verandah to enjoy sail away. Somehow the quality didn't cross my mind. Maybe it was the sea air, or the relaxation of finally having my feet up, or leaving the world for 11 days... it tasted wonderful. Cheers!  

We have cruised twice on the Rotterdam and bought the spa pass each time. The lounges are almost always available, except for busy times on sea days. (10-4) Even then if you are a bit patient, one will open up. Sometimes my husband and I wouldn't be able to find one next to each other, but that's no big deal. Enjoy!

I have tried the bamboo, deep tissue and hot stone massage. The stones were my favorite, it is very, very relaxing and not as harsh as the deep tissue. The bamboo just didn't have the same relaxing effects as the hot stones. Enjoy!

Thank you Nancy for sharing your experiences and valuable information. We will be onboard in a few weeks. Have there been any spa specials offered, specifically for massages? Thanks. 

We will be sailing on the Eurodam next month. It has been several years since we have been in a Neptune Suite, and I have a few questions. Is the Pinnacle open for breakfast on sea days only, or every day? Do they still have a bottle of champagne waiting on embarkation day? Lastly, what time does the Neptune Lounge open (coffee!). Thank you.

Thank you for your interesting reports! We sail Eurodam in March, and I was wondering if they offer martini tastings or mixology. I did not see it posted in the Daily. Thank you and enjoy your cruise!

I looked forward to reading your posts each day and your fun sense of humor in your writing style. I especially enjoyed your 'bubble of awesome' and your gracious and appreciative vibe to be cruising. We get it too! Welcome home. 🙂

I have had 4 massages and would have more but I also find the sales pitch at the end breaks the mood and relaxing vibe you went there for in the first place! Here are a few things you can do:

--Don't divulge anything on the questionnaire, the least said the better. They use that info to sell products.

--Write on top of questionnaire *Please No Selling* and again check off very few "problems".

--Just smile and shake you head over and over and say, "thank you...no... thankyou"

All of these have worked but it does feel awkward. I would like to hear any other ideas.

The 18% tip is added to your bill like you said, but there is a line for an additional tip, which is deducted from your account. That is totally a personal decision.

Good Luck!

We took this excursion last March and loved it. We sat on the first floor as the stairs did look difficult (recent ankle surgery). The stairs were narrow and winding and I don't recall if there was one or two rails. We loved where we sat. We had a table facing each other, and could look out our big window quite easily.  The views were spectacular and the countryside gorgeous. Whenever we passed people, from young to old,  they would stop and wave at us. But it was mostly countryside viewing with the ocean beyond. During the trip, drinks were served and we were entertained briefly by traditional dancers, it was so fun. 

Last March we enjoyed mixology at the Tamarind Bar on the Rotterdam. Can any recent cruisers tell me if mixology still happens at this location?  Such a pretty and relaxing venue!

Does anyone do it? They do a phenomenal job and we always get a hand written note back with our laundry.  I was thinking of leaving $5 in an envelope and putting it in the bag with a thank you. My concern is that the right person get tipped, since we don't know how the laundry bag is handled after it leaves our room.

On our recent Rotterdam cruise, the dining stewards in the MDR would highlight an entrée or two that was set apart from the others. More often than not, we took their suggestion and the food was always wonderful in presentation and taste. Thinking back, I am curious... are they able to sample the entrees beforehand to form their own opinion? Are they told which entrees to suggest because they have more of it? Just wondering how it all works. 

BTW, Patrick and Karma, I miss you!

I agree, nimi17. We always tip extra, but on our cruise 2 weeks ago we brought even more for the hard working staff. I often thought of them over the past few years and how so many were without employment. And here we are, so very fortunate to be able to cruise.

Those that take off gratuities...ask some of your crew members how the last two years have been.

Lots of happy faces on the Rotterdam this morning. Mine was the biggest. Now as things move forward, the staff will be next. They are so ready.

Enjoying the sail away. 15 degrees here in Boston under blizzard conditions. 3 weeks until we board the Rotterdam!

6 hours ago, zgscl said:

I also recommend leaving the auto gratuity on.

Always! 🙂 Thanks everyone!

I understand how tipping is an individual thing and we all do it differently. But I have a question about doing a B2B cruise, our first ever. 😊  Do most of you wait until the final night (14 days), or tip on each segment of 7 days. Thank you for your input.

Can you tell me about the spa, the thermal loungers and pool for instance? Hoping they aren't required there!

Thank you Laminator! I had asked about it because we DO want shower only. I appreciate you returning with this info!

18 hours ago, Cajuntraveler said:

DH and I are booked on the Rotterdam in January 2022. I am enjoying your report on the maiden voyage, but have several more pages to read before I get up to date, so I apologize if this question has been asked and answered already. 

We are booked in a Signature suite and are confused about the bathroom layout.  The description on HAL says it has a whirlpool tub and separate shower (the same as we have enjoyed on other HAL ships), but the future cruise agent on our last cruise told us it only has a shower.  Can you please try to find out if the signature suite has a bathtub? 

Cajuntraveler, we are also booked in a SS on the Rotterdam next winter. I have been trying to find out the answer to this question, because there is conflicting information. We have been in an SS on Koningsdam, and that had a tub (no shower) and a tiny separate shower. We have been in an SS on Nieuw Statendam, and that had a glorious huge shower (no tub). I am just hoping Rotterdam follows the design of the NS, but I have yet to hear from someone onboard.

Sansterre, if possible, could you try and give us a definitive answer? Thank You!

The Koningsdam SS cabins have a tub with no shower, and a very small shower stall. I was so surprised, as I had been in an SS on the Nieuw Statendam, which had a huge, luxurious shower (no tub at all). Hoping Rotterdam follows NS design and not Koningsdam.

Hello, we have sailed in an SS in both the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. It seemed both beds were king, but I can’t confirm that for sure. However, the bathrooms were quite different. Koningsdam had a tub with jets and no shower. Then there was a very small stall shower next to it. Much too small and in fact by pictures it looks smaller than in regular cabins. The NS had no tub and a huge, luxurious shower with multiple jets, it was amazing. I am only hoping that the Rotterdam follows the design of the NS, which seems likely to me despite the diagram. The NS was the second build in the Pinnacle class and they changed (improved) the design. Let’s hope!

She always had helpful information to share and responded to so many questions. I have missed her posting this past year, and will in the future. She was a big part of our little community here. Farewell KK.

We take one cruise every winter. Last year we were on the last cruise of the season, and disembarked the Koningsdam as the world shut down. Of course our cruise this season was canceled. But oh, how we are looking forward to next year and a 2 week (our first) cruise on the Nieuw Rotterdam! One year today from today, we will be enjoying Governor's Beach in Turks and Caicos. 

So what about you. If you're on a cruise, one year from now, where will you be and what will you be doing? Keep the answers coming. 🙂