doone

I love the smaller ships of HAL, matter of fact my favorite was the Volendam.  However, I have sailed the 3 Pinnacle Class ships and love them for different reasons.  Love the Grand Dutch Cafe, Music Walk and Half Moon Bay on the Rotterdam.......Rotterdam remains my favorite ship of the Pinnacle Class ships.

I like the open seating for dinner and have enjoyed the flexibility.  Our service was excellent and couldn't complain about a thing.  I hope you experience the same wonderful service as I did on the Rotterdam this past March.....

Welcome.  I have had quad verandah cabins on HAL and there is nothing to be concerned about.  There is a couch that opens into a bed and a bed that comes down out of the ceiling, but since there are only the 2 of you, no worries.

I have also been on deck 5 midship, LOVE the location, cabin is great, you'll be just fine........

This is my favorite drink on HAL.  Just off the Nieuw Statendam and the Ocean Bar was making them.  Had my first on the Rotterdam at the Half Moon Bar......definitely worth a try.....Enjoy!!

Gees, I just got off the Nieuw Statendam Saturday, we ate in the dining room twice, we had great service and were in an out of the dining room in 70 minutes.  Food and drinks were wonderful.  So sorry you are not having the same experience, hopefully it gets better.

The entertainment on the Nieuw Statendam has been amazing!!!  Rock on

If you choose HAL, I would suggest you chose the Koingsdam round trip out of Vancouver.  The Koningsdam is a Pinnacle Class ship, first in this class of ship.....I have 60 folks sailing on the Koningsdam in August and am not worries one bit about anyone being bored or having nothing to do.......this is a very active itinerary, much different than if you were in the caribbean.....

If always tell people if you are going to Alaska, Glacier Bay is a must, HAL and Princess are the best in Alaska as they have been the two cruise lines sailing Alaska the longest.  Princess over 50 years and HAL over 75 years, that for me is very telling.

For me, HAL is perfect for my family and me.....

I will post a review when I return from my Koningsdam Alaska cruise.......

Many thanks, very excited about this cruise.  See you onboard "YourworldwithBill".....

Thank you everyone, really looking forward to this itinerary and ship......

Thanks for the update, I am on the Koningsdam this August and am really looking forward to it.

Oh my goodness, how incredibly sad....my thoughts and prayers are with his friends and family 🙏

I am just off the Rotterdam in March.  I did not have any issue waiting for coffee, water, tea or lemonade in the Lido for breakfast, lunch or dinner.  We ate a few times in the dining room and, again, I haver had an issue waiting for my wine to be delivered.

There are bars you can walk up and order a drink at various places throughout the ship, which you can take with you, I found myself doing that a few times, just because I was there and figured I'd get it.

We had the Have it All Package, I would get a few cans of soda or water's for my cabin, so I had them readily available.

Don't sweat the small stuff, it all works out, go and enjoy the Rotterdam, she's a beautiful ship with an amazing crew, she's one of my favorites.

I love sea days as well, I have never been bored.  I enjoy sitting around the pool.  Love to roam the ship and have a drink or two in different bars.  Then I enjoy a mixology class or two, great way to meet your fellow passengers.....

Have a wonderful cruise and thank you for all you do with the future cruise postings......

So very sorry for your loss.

WOW, this is excellent information, thank you so very much........

PERFECT, thanks so much.  Do you need to make a reservation for your bags at the Pan Pacific or is it just leave them when you get off the ship????  I am arranging transportation to the airport to be picked up at the pier, so this is perfect.

thanks a million, great information for sure.

I am wondering if there is a place at Canada Place to store our luggage after our cruise as our flight home isn’t until 7:30 pm?  
 

TIA

29 minutes ago, kazu said:

@doone I didn’t realize until I went to add it that you didn’t give me the name of your ship in 2026.  Please let me know and I will get it added.

 

Thank you 🙂 

🤦‍♀️so sorry, it’s the Rotterdam 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

Hi Jacqui:

Doone, family and friends booked on 21-Day Partial Panama Canal and ABC Islands cruise, Jan. 18, 2026 👏

Please add me, so excited, booked the Rotterdam for January 17, 2025, 9-days to the Eastern Caribbean, Doone and friends.  WAHOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Thank you for such a wonderful review, I am sailing on the Rotterdam this coming Friday, 3/8 and I cannot wait.  After reading your review I am even more excited than I was.  I sailed the Rotterdam last year and loved it so much, I had to book a sailing again.

16 minutes ago, Gigi1977 said:

I know they have Tito’s (Texas girl) and Skyy, Stoli and Gray Goose.. 

Great, that's what I was looking for Tito's........thanks so much.

I have searched this forum and can't find the listing, was hoping someone could post the different vodka's served onboard the ships?

Many thanks,

You cannot book the same restaurant more than once with the HIA Promotion.  

You can also call Ships Services, they can help you book your complimentary dining.  I had issues trying to book my Nieuw Statendam Baltics cruise complimentary dining so I gave them a call, they were very helpful.