Rotterdam refurbishment

at the beginning of the the cruise there were more leaks than at the end, but there were still leaks. we were on deck 2 and it seemed to get worse toward the end. the back did not have hot or warm water for about 12 out of the 15 days. the very front had a smell of glue from the carpets that went out to the hall. the carpet was only replaced in the cabin. the middle had a very bad smell from , i assume wet carpet as there were fans in most rooms. then there were problems on decks 1,2,3,6,7. from hardly any water (trinkle) to no hot water to wet carpet to water dripping alot out of light fixtures on the deck 3 and the lido. i do not think i would not sail on this ship untill i read that the problems were fixed. check cruise critic.

We were also onboard with Bill and wish I didn't have to totally agree with all the serious issues that we all experienced. I think the huge disappointment for many of us was that this IS NOT typical of a HAL cruise!

On the plus side, the Crows Nest is still the relaxing lounge we all love. The expanded library/Explorer Cafe was very pleasant and the book selection was vast. In fact all the lounge/public areas were fresh and inviting.

One last negative observation... dirty windows! I never saw the windows sprinklers come on, and for sure no outside washing. And yes, Crows Nest window frames still leak.

Dissapointing, yes. Done with HAL, never.

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The day after I received the offer I told you about, we received a letter that ALL guests would get 10 percent as a future cruise credit. This was probably in response to complaints that not all guests were getting the same offer. So, guess I will be getting less than originally reported. It is still fine with us.

 

This new cruise I much different than the last one! The ship is completely full and there are lots of kids running around. Totally different vibe.

 

We are in Cozumel today parked next to the Oasis and Independence OTS. Looks like a madhouse in town. Last cruise we were the only ship in most ports!

Hi Bill,

Sorry to hear they took the original offer away and hope the 10% for a future cruise works out well for you! :)

Are you still on Rotterdam? If so, can you keep giving us updates regarding the problems onboard and if they are slowly getting resolved!

Enjoy and Happy Thanksgiving!

The day after I received the offer I told you about, we received a letter that ALL guests would get 10 percent as a future cruise credit. This was probably in response to complaints that not all guests were getting the same offer. So, guess I will be getting less than originally reported. It is still fine with us.

 

This new cruise I much different than the last one! The ship is completely full and there are lots of kids running around. Totally different vibe.

 

We are in Cozumel today parked next to the Oasis and Independence OTS. Looks like a madhouse in town. Last cruise we were the only ship in most ports!

We recieved the 10 percent off letter too. I think it was on the last night.

Henry at the Martini bar told us they were expecting 200 kids this week. I imagine the vibe is more upbeat. Do they have any more entertainment?

I write as Clucket on this Forum (Clare and Terry from Bristol, UKon their first ever cruise). We were in cabin 6200 and I ambeginning to feel extremely guilty. We had no issues whatsoever apartfrom the shower water drifting from warm to cool as I washed my hair.

Ihave always been the one to want to 'do a cruise' hubby being reluctantbut as 40th wedding anniversary appears on the horizon we thought why not; as ex-Florida villa rental owners we were familiar with US matters (food not ashot as we would like) and early evening dining hours.

Wehad a fine time on board and with the 10% off a cruise booked before December2018 we may be cruising fjords of Norway in 2019!

Ithought the 'entertainment' went from fairly dire (ships dancers) to extremelygood (ventriloquist); the food was fine for us; I was surprised to see thecasino area; Erika and her Trivia each evening was a lot of fun, as were the Windows 10 workshops with Samantha.

Weopted for an Internet package as I assist with a UK charity that arrangeAdvanced Driving Clourses and to find the Internet was available, even on Sea Days, in the cabin was a bonus. We also have a daughter-in-law who is pregnant and ‘hangingon’. UK friends had led me to believe that Internet was only available inpublic area. Yes we did pay for the package.

Wealso paid for a Signature package (frankly not really understanding thedetails) which included 15 drinks a day each up to $9.00 each. We would notconsider ourselves big drinkers but it was nice to try out other drinks and havea G + T when we felt like it.

Having said all of the above I do feel extremely sorry forthose who had to put up with flooded cabinsand no hot water – what is it with the plumbers of Florida??

As a Brit, gather there were 22 of us on board, can Iapologise for the boring voice of our Captain/ Master at 12 noon each day. Gee, he was boring .

Clare

Perhaps the "suits" in Seattle have come up with a new strategy. Charge top dollar for Rotterdam cruises, and plan on rebating (in the form of OBCs) money to whoever take the time to complain about the condition of the vessel. The downfall of this vessel began when they tore out the aft pool to cram in more cabins....and then built a bird bath (that they expect passengers to use). From there it has been a downhill slide. The window problems in the Crows Nest are not a simple issue and will require some big bucks to repair. The fact that this was not done while in drydock indicated that HAL will simply rely on more blue pool towels to sop up the leaks...perhaps until the next drydock more than 2 years from now. I suspect that if we went back on this ship in a few months, and sat at a table in the aft of the MDR (just to the port side of center) we would smell mold/mildew caused by water seeping under the carpet (likely from leaks around the large aft windows...that seep under the carpet).

With all due respect to the cheerleaders, this is just not what one should expect from what used to be called a 5 Star cruise line. It sounds as if the HAL suits are playing a game of doing the minimum to keep the ship operating, buying off those passengers who have legit issues. and life goes on. And to think that they are again using this ship on the next Voyage of the Vikings Cruise, which is one of the most expensive (cost per passenger day) HAL voyages and tends to attract many 4-5 Star Mariners. And next year they will no longer have the BB King group to gripe about...because that has now been pulled off this ship (and others in its class.

When I saw the condition of this ship (in August) one of my thoughts was about the really important parts that I cannot see. When I flew airplanes we always were taught if you see something bad...there is likely something much worse that you cannot see. Bad maintenance is often about fixing the things you can see..and ignoring or hiding the more important items that are out of view. If they allow leaks in the Lido, Crows nest, and elsewhere, what are they allowing below decks....where it really counts. Just fruit for thought.

Hank

I don't understand why loyal HAL customers seem to either accept this nonsense, make excuses for it, or flat out deny that this issue exists. Not only that, they appear ready and willing to pay top dollar for the privilege of experiencing it. Is it something they put in the drinking water?

for the passengers who took the fcc (we have a cruise booked for march) you can apply the credit to an already booked cruise. i think they know that people are really upset and may not want to cruise hal until (or when) things get better

The thing that upsets me the most, laugh if you must, is that the self-service laundry was taken out. I'll be on the Rotterdam in January for three weeks and that's an important feature for us. Seems like problems are being taken care of as soon as the crew can get to them. Hope no one on board limits or takes away gratuities because Rotterdam is not perfect. That's not the crew's fault. I will post a review after we return in February, definitely at the review site, but somewhere on the boards, too. We chose our cruise because of the itinerary, and luckily that hasn't changed with the recent hurricanes.

My issue is the state of the ship (s) and the cavalier attitude of HAL management.

This is not their first dry dock rodeo. They know the extent of the work that needs to be completed. They know the time frame that is required to complete the dry dock work.

Then they knowingly (I assume) cut back that dry dock time in the knowledge that their post dry dock customers will have to suffer through the consequences.

No doubt some Seattle accountant calculates the revenue gain from sailing days too early against the cost of the shut up and go away credits/bottles of wine whatever that they have to give out to those who complain at least three times to the poor front desk folks.

It seems to be all about cost/benefit but one thing that does not appear to be considered in their calculations is the enjoyment cost to their customers. This is what I find galling. Not just with HAL either. This incident just happens to be one of the worst we have read about on cruise critic, any cruise line, for a long time.

To cruiserbill - you have the letter that offers $900. I believe HAL is obligated to honor the offer.

To cruiserbill - you have the letter that offers $900. I believe HAL is obligated to honor the offer.

Yes I have the letter, thanks. I will send a copy to them.

Overall, I am hearing fewer complaint this cruise. Things seem to be getting better. This is a fun ship and we enjoy it. Let’s hope things get cleared up. I really like the smaller ships.

cruiser bill

read my post 158. i received the 10 % plus the other discount. you do get both discounts. you can apply them to a cruise already booked or to a future cruise

The thing that upsets me the most, laugh if you must, is that the self-service laundry was taken out. I'll be on the Rotterdam in January for three weeks and that's an important feature for us. Seems like problems are being taken care of as soon as the crew can get to them. Hope no one on board limits or takes away gratuities because Rotterdam is not perfect. That's not the crew's fault. I will post a review after we return in February, definitely at the review site, but somewhere on the boards, too. We chose our cruise because of the itinerary, and luckily that hasn't changed with the recent hurricanes.

We were on the Rotterdam 4 - 19 November and the removal of the self-service laundry a bit of a nuisance but we used the 'stuff it in a bag for $20', the clothes were back within 24 hours. Shirts etc. on hangers, underclothes folded and in wicker baskets. I managed to get 29 item in our bag.

I have been talking to quite a few people and they report few problems with their cabins - mostly got/cold running water in the showers.

I have been taking pictures all over the ship and will post them next week. this will be a learning experience for me

Got a good surprise today. A email from my credit card saying HAL had credited my account for the $141 balance of my OBC.

We just got back from our excursion to Stingray City and snorkeling the Barrier Reef and on our bed was a letter from HAL. They said they are apologizing for the inconveniences we had on our cruise and they are giving us our choice of $450 OBC this cruise of a future cruise credit of $900!!!!!! Since we cruise HAL often, we chose the future cruise credit.

Is this great or what? The only inconvenience we had was a stopped up toilet a couple of days and cold showers a couple of other days. I believe others had much worse things happen tha us but as far as I am concerned, I wish this would happen every cruise!

That is great! Stuff happens, the important part is that someone still cares enough to at least try to compensate you for it happening to you and other. I would honestly prefer all to be perfect but really how often in life does that happen. At least recognition and compensation eases he pain.

Had a great Thanksgiving dinner yesterday in a local land restaurant. Hope you all enjoyed a great Thanks Giving at home or at sea! My wife ordered apple pie ice cream, they brought pumpkin. Before she could say that was acceptable server apologized and ran off to get correct one. Shortly after brought a vanilla ice cream and apologized advising that there was a problem with the apple pie ice cream and that the charge for our desserts would be removed from the check and asked if there was more they could do. It was not a big deal, the problem itself, the fact that server, then owner who came over to check as well, showed service and our special dinner was important to them. We added the cost of the deserts removed to the gratuity. Therein lies what we used to expect on cruise lines, service and caring, which is now sadly the exception when it was once the rule. This is why we are now sailing HAL until they too totally start with the modern pay more, get less policies so prevalent now.

George in NY - Rotterdam Xmas cruise awaits

I will probably be branded as a HAL cheerleader , so be it .

I have been on the Rotterdam 5 times , once I read a review of people who had been on the same cruise . According to them it was a horror cruise on a -near- sinking ship . Food , staff, entertainment , everything was bad . We enjoyed everything . Maybe low standards or HAL blind ?

rotjeknor

Thanks for bringing me back to reality at least a little. You are correct, I too have been on ships returned and read horrible reviews and I was scratching my head wondering if I was on the same ship. Noro virus news coverages another example, come home to see disaster at sea news shorts when having been on the ship never saw a sick person who heard of anyone with a severe problem numbers being so small. With the exception of the standard extra precautions going into place would never had known at all.

I admit though I do want to hear about the problems and the fixes, we are sailing Xmas cruise on Rotterdam from Tampa and knowing about potential problems is a plus not a negative. I really wish they had left the Oosterdam in place down there for Holiday cruise, sailed that last year was great cruise!

George in NY

My big concern....rude obnoxious passengers. Those that push, shove, yell and think they take priority over everyone else. I have seen ever increasing numbers of passengers that book a cruise because it's cheap and then conduct themselves like its a trip to Walmart. Inappropriate clothing, shoving into elevators, cutting in line at buffets, talking down to crew as if they are servants and let's not forget reserving seats in the showroom and yelling at others that sit down on those seats. I find this crude behavior now on new ships....so an old ship is not unique in having its fare share of detractors. .

I agree, a different passenger clientele are the sought after now due to the " economy of size " principle in place now most lines. Large ships must be filled and only inexpensive initial rates will do that. Get them on, get them spending on everything.

George in NY

This ship actually has some really nice Western Caribbean itineraries in the Spring. Had a great experience aboard the Eurodam. But I have to admit I am as leary as I can be about booking the Rotterdam.

I have been talking to quite a few people and they report few problems with their cabins - mostly got/cold running water in the showers.

 

I have been taking pictures all over the ship and will post them next week. this will be a learning experience for me

Good to hear the problems seem to be diminishing!

Look forward to your pics! :)

We were on the Rotterdam 4 - 19 November and the removal of the self-service laundry a bit of a nuisance but we used the 'stuff it in a bag for $20', the clothes were back within 24 hours. Shirts etc. on hangers, underclothes folded and in wicker baskets. I managed to get 29 item in our bag.

Good to know, thanks!

I've been waiting a week for reviews from the Rotterdam 11/4 sailing -- please post 'em

This is the last one I see ...

https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=598464

Sue, the 11/4/17 cruise is tough to address. So much good and bad to write. Your opinion of this cruise depends on how good or bad your cabin was. I know people who had no hot water for 12 of the 15 days. Other people only had minor problems. We had to wait until 1:30 PM before boarding the ship on November 4th due to a large number of foreign workers on the ship still working on the refurbishment and there were not enough Immigration./Customs personnel to process them all.

Once on the ship, it is much more beautiful than before and that made us very happy. Upgrades galore.

Then, you checked into your room and most rooms had problems, no hot water, all hot water and no cold water, fluctuating hot/warm showers, toilets that did not have enough pressure to flush properly, even flooding in fome cabins! The Air Conditioning was tough to get right too.

Service was awesome! Only 1061 guests on board and 618 crew members to take care of them. The level of service was amazing.

The weather was way too hot. So hot, we could not sit outside for long. Had to be in the air conditioned areas.

The ports were in good shape - little or no sight of any hurricane damage.

Food was very good. Entertainment highly subjective. Some good, some not so good, depends on what you like.

Disembarkation went well on this cruise. Not so on the 11/19/17 cruise but that is another subject.

That's all for now. I am going to start trying to post some pictures. Hope this helps a bit.

https://www.flickr.com/gp/61359158@N05/zxD742

This is what the remodeled ship looks like. Lots of pictures here and I did not label them, sorry!