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Off Nieuw Statendam earlier this month. The best I found within the HIA package was Bulleit. Woodford Reserve was also available at 50 cents more per shot.  

They also had the in the library when we were on Rotterdam a few weeks ago.

Yes, I believe so as to the pool.  
which bar?

My wife and I disembarked from MS Rotterdam at Port Everglades on February 25, 2023, following a ten day “Southern Caribbean” cruise.   As has been my custom, I am writing with the following thoughts as much for my own benefit as anything else.  

Just to cut to the chase:  The cruise was absolutely wonderful.  

Embarkation.  This part of the trip was so easy that I honestly thought that we might have somehow boarded the ship without taking some essential step.  To be sure, we were accelerated a bit as four-star mariners, but in any event I don’t think that we stood still, let alone sat, during the entire process from the time exiting ground transport until arriving on the ship.

The Ship.  Absolutely beautiful.  This was our second cruise on Rotterdam, and it has become our fast favorite.  We had last cruised on her in February, 2022, at half capacity.  Although it was assuredly full this time around, we did not feel crowded at any time.  

Cabin.  We enjoyed our veranda cabin, even though it was obviously smaller than the Neptune we had lucked ourselves into a time or two before.  The cabin was plenty big for the two of us, and the veranda chosen by our HAL cruise consultant was outstanding.

Itinerary.  We are well aware of the advice to choose a line and date based upon itinerary, and we do respect that advice.  However, we have taken this trip before, and are more interested in the sun, warmth, and service than the islands themselves.  We did take a so-called food and culture (my words) excursion in Puerto Plata, which was educational and informative – although certainly the very ordinary lunch food did not remotely live up to the touted sponsorship of Food and Wine magazine.  We also did a trolley tour in Bonaire which would have been fun had it not been for the fact that we were crammed in like sardines.  All in all, this excursion was not really worth the $55 per person charged. One fellow passenger also complained that the tour was thirty minutes shorter than advertised, but we were glad to get off early!

Food.  Again, very good.  We opted to purchase Club Orange and were not in the least disappointed.  Although we had meals at the Pinnacle and Tamarind included in our “deal” we actually canceled both in favor of Club Orange.  I cannot eat steak these days, which ruled out Pinnacle as well as Tamarind (because my favorite entrée there is the Wasabi Beef.  As to Club Orange, major kudos to the entire team.  Their service was immediate and personal.  

Rudi’s and the meal there was as good as ever even though there was a noticeable reduction in wait staff.  Our server did a fine job for us there despite the loudmouthed, constantly complaining jerks seated at the table behind us.  Why folks take advantage of this wonderful staff is beyond us.

Bars.  We frequented the Ocean Bar and Lido Bar, almost exclusively.  Both were wonderful and convivial.  It’s hard to pick out single servers and bartenders, because a team effort was involved in each.  Suffice it to say that all were prompt and funny to boot.

Entertainment.  We attended the concerts by The Knights all three evenings.  They were absolutely wonderful, and a must-see for those who have the opportunity.  Not being much for magic or dance, we skipped those.  Also as early-to-bed folks, we did not frequent the other venues on “Music Walk,” although they seemed to be “hopping” as we walked by.

“Dressy” Night.  Boy, do we miss “formal nights.”  Although perhaps the attire was slightly more appropriate on those nights, we were disappointed at the passengers who wore jeans, tee-shirts, and the like on “dressy” nights.  Our personal opinion is that part of a so-called “classical” cruise experience is taking the time to dress up on certain evenings.  Why is it so much trouble to do so or, if so, why not just eat at the Lido rather than sidle your way into one of the other dining areas?  Again, this is a matter of our opinion, and ours only.

Disembarkation/Airport.  As was the case in getting on the ship, it probably took us less than 10 minutes from leaving our room to exiting the terminal.  We were waved through customs after using the facial recognition viewers, and at the airport in less than 15 minutes after taking a $16 (plus tip) cab ride.  Finally, Luggage Direct made the entire process so much easier.  Thankfully, we gained access to the Delta Club at Fort Lauderdale Airport.  Had it not been for that, the three hours waiting for our flight would have been dreadful.  The airport is vastly inadequate for the number of passengers it tries to accommodate.

Downers.  The only “meh” parts of the trip were the mediocre excursions (as noted above) and the ever-present chair hogs who “reserve” deck chairs throughout the day.  How this problem can be realistically policed is beyond us, but the practice certainly creates plenty of resentment among fellow passengers.  We did not particularly care, being averse to too much sunshine and having a veranda available, but there were lots of complaints.  

Finally, our only regret is that we did not receive a 150^th anniversary tile.  We asked at the service desk, and were told that if we were to receive one it would be the last night.  Sadly, we weren’t among the “chosen.”  

All in all, another fine cruise on our favorite line.

I really do appreciate all of the help.  Fortunately, everyone with whom I would want to text uses iMessages, which is terrific.  That leaves email.  Frankly, I am going to set aside a day to sit and wait on AT&T to tell me what I need.  For some reason, I have never been able to successfully access "My ATT" or otherwise able to do much online.  

Thanks for all of this help.  
 

I am from the age of vacuum tubes, but it appears that iMessages through Apple work internationally for free, assuming WiFi access.  Everyone in our family uses iPhones and iMessages rather than SMS, so we should be ok on that front.  
 

As to emails, we work through Yahoo.  My understanding is that email through Yahoo is also free when their website is accessed through WiFi. 
 

Does any of this make any sense at all or am I a hopeless Luddite?

I am sure that this question has been asked and answered many times on this forum, but my search has not borne any results.

We are boarding Rotterdam on February 15 for a 10 day Caribbean cruise.  We have the "Have it All" package, which enables free WiFi on board ship.  I am familiar with the fact that the ship's WiFi is evidently turned out within 10 miles of land, but am attempting to figure out whether the "free" WiFi enables us to  text while aboard ship.  I presume that we can "surf" the internet using this service, but do we need to buy an international or "cruise" plan to text?  Our carrier is AT&T, which I have always found impossibly complicated to deal with.  Thanks much in advance.

We rented a retreat cabana on our last cruise on Rotterdam and we’re less than pleased.  Although we did not have to deal with rampant children, meal and drink service took forever once the attendant showed up.  Further, the cabana is on a different floor than the lido, which makes visits more difficult. 
 

although I know that this is somewhat controversial, we actually enjoyed the lido cabanas on the smaller ships a lot more - far better and quicker service, and quicker access to the lido, bar, and pool.  Honestly, we also enjoyed the folks walking alongside. We struck up conversations with many. 

Excellent. Would like to meet Ruth C. someday. Have followed her comments for years. 

Excellent- and thanks much. 
 

We will certainly check on the availability of Luggage Direct.  If not available we will handle the baggage ourselves.  

We are disembarking at Port Everglades on Saturday, February 25, and plan on taking an 11:45 AM flight to Cincinnati.  We have used Luggage Direct in the past as to this flight without any problems.  However, I am always nervous about getting from ship to airport in plenty of time.  This being so, is it necessary to take the Holland America "bus" if we also use Luggage Direct, or can we disembark early and grab a cab?  We are four-star mariners, for what it is worth.  Thanks much for your answers.

I wonder if it’s too late to ask my 12 year old grandson to join us to supply IT skills?!

Seriously, this has been a great help. Thanks very much for the advice.  

I know that this has probably been asked and answered many times before, but will ask again with apologies in advance.

My wife and I are boarding Rotterdam this Sunday, 2/18, for a one-week Southern Caribbean cruise, which will include stops at Aruba and Curacao.  Our package includes ship's WiFi.  Our cell service is provided by ATT, with some sort of weird arrangement including Bellsouth and Yahoo that is utterly confusing to this old man.  My attempts to access ATT are greeted by the, "you have tried to log on too many times with the incorrect password message."  Upon obtaining a new password from ATT, it is necessary to then deal with Bellsouth and Yahoo, which do not communicate well with anybody.   

Anyway  -- since we have ship's WiFi, can it be used for texting as well without additional charge?  I am aware that the Wifi is turned off within a certain distance from ports.  Does anybody know just how we will be charged for texting in port?  We really don't need cellphone (i.e. voice service), unless it's an emergency, in which event we we will bite the bullet and pay for it.  

Thanks (and apologies) in advance.

Apologies in advance if this is a "forum jump" (or whatever it's called), or if the question has been answered elsewhere.  I plead old age.

In any event, does "two days" prior to cruising mean 48 hours, or two days?  If our cruise departs on Sunday at 4:00 (for instance), then must our test be dated on or after Friday at 4:00, or can it take place anytime on Friday? 

The sad thing is that nowadays a confrontation as often as not results in an argument or pushback,, rather than an apology and compliance.

I recall a cruise not so many years ago when the veranda occupant next to ours undertook a very sensitive conversation with someone on the phone.  In no way did she want anyone to overhear, but it sure was spicy!

We rented a clamshell on our very first cruise, and didn't like it.  The person who set it up was unpleasant (even when tipped), the area was uncomfortable, the clamshell felt cramped and hot (even with the back open), and we were neck-to-neck with occupied clamshells on either side.  Like others, lounges and shade are available a short distance up the beach.

Terrific advice.  Thanks to all.  I think we will reserve specialty restaurants for non-gala nights.  The only remaining question will be to make sure we eat at Club Orange the night that the molten chocolate cake is on the menu,

Just did (I think).  Thanks for the info.  We both like dressing up a bit, and I even did the tuxedo thing a couple of trips ago.  We also like the Lido, but mainly for lunch. 

My wife and I are taking a seven-day Southern Caribbean cruise on Rotterdam beginning on February 20.  It appears that there are three sea days -- one the day following our visit to Half Moon, and two sequentially on the way back home.  Am I correct that there will likely be two gala nights -- one the second day out and the second on the first sea day homeward bound?  Also, what is your wisdom as to whether to book a specialty restaurant on one or both of those nights, as opposed to eating at Club Orange (which is fortunately available to us)?

Our due date for 2/3/22 Nieuw Statendam has been moved from 11/4 to 12/4.  Needless to say, we welcome this change, but why are they doing it?

I concur with Angelcat.  We have eaten at Sea de Mer about four times on three different ships, and I have always ordered the sole and the soufflé.  On three of those occasions, the sole was as fine a dish as I have ever eaten.  It was almost inedible on the other occasion, probably because we had a very late reservation. Nonetheless,. I will happily order it again.  

The soufflé has always been wonderful, but a time or two I have ordered the cheese plate.

I can't remember our starting dish.  Perhaps pate if offered?  

The beverage package is a neat accompaniment to this dinner, assuming that you are not a connoisseur of fine wine.  The package permits you to have different types of wines throughout the meal, concluding with a glass of port to accompany the cheese.

We have stayed in aft rooms, both Neptune and regular veranda.  The view is terrific, and with the one Neptune the veranda was enormous.  I liked looking at the wake, but it seemed that the location was more prone to motion than midship.  This didn't bother me, but did make my wife queasy. 

We sent our renewal documents in on August 4 and received our new passports on September 8.  We did pay for expedited service and sent our materials via second-day post, based upon stories we had heard about the process taking months.  Our global entry renewal also took place fairly quickly without the need for an interview.   We were frankly pleasantly surprised. 

Yup. I like your meme (or whatever it’s called), kwb101.

Thanks very much. I now see that I asked this exact question a year ago!   The mind is clearly going!