Penthouse experience on the Rotterdam

[ansjefitnes]

Hi all,

 

We just got off the Rotterdam yesterday after a great cruise to the Canary islands.

 

Embarkation was a breeze we were at the terminal at 11.30, went trough security and after checkin escorted to the ship where we met our concierge Leila who took us to the penthouse.

 

The ship and the penthouse were in good condition and of course the penthouse is huge and a great experience. We loved it but could easily go back to a S cabin.

 

Service was great and the crew was a happy one you could feel the difference in atmospheer from last year.

 

The food was great. Meat and fish quality excellent in MDR aswell in the Pinnacle. Even the lobster was great which was not last year.

Overall a huge improvement to our last cruise. Thanks to Pedro Lontoc.

 

We had a table for 2 at the railing with a great waitstaff and the best winesteward, we all had great fun.

 

We had friends on the ship who booked rather last minut and had any time dining but were able to dine together a couple of nights including 1 formal. We also had a real indonesian dinner for the 4 of us on our balcony, we asked for crew food and got it. Quite spicy and so good!!

 

There were the usual suite events which we attended.

 

We had some rough weather going to Lisbon (gulf of Biscay) but overall seas were smooth. And being in the front of the ship makes it worse in rough weather.

 

We don't go of a lot because my partner has MS but did in Las Palmas and Cadiz. In both ports you are right in the city which is great. Cadiz is a nice real Spanisch city.

 

We had 1100 Dutch and 100 Americans on board, along several other European nationalities.

 

Anyway we liked the cruise so much we booked the same one for next April and are happy a lot of staff will still be on board along with the great chef Pedro.

 

I am not good writer and must have forgotten a ton of things but will be happy to answer your questions.

 

Regards

 

Maria

[KirkNC]

Welcome home, glad you had a great trip. The Rotterdam is one of our favortie ships.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome Home

 

Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

[Ine]

Welkom thuis. Thanks for the review, it sounds good.

We will sail Rotterdam in February

[kazu]

Welcome home - thanks so much for taking the time to share your experiences with us:) Sounds like you had a great cruise:):)

 

Nice to hear good comments on the food and of course, we are glad you enjoyed the penthouse:D

[aliaschief]

We loved our MS Rotterdam cruise and was happy to hear your positive comments. Thanks for sharing your cruise experience.

[portofrome]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Thanks for your comments.

[sail7seas]

Hi Maria,

So happy you had such a good time on Rotterdam that you wanted to rebook. She's a lovely ship. :)

 

We were in Rotterdam's Penthouse and also enjoyed it a lot but you seem to feel the same as me and I had no difficulty returning to our usual "S" cabin. While the Penthouse is great (but we never did figure out all the light switches :D), there actually are things I like better in our "S" cabin.

 

I also share your comments about Cadiz. We enjoyed our call there and really love Spain anyway.

 

Welcome Back and thanks so much for sharing your comments with us.

[Alphen]

Hi all,

 

We just got off the Rotterdam yesterday after a great cruise to the Canary islands.

 

Embarkation was a breeze we were at the terminal at 11.30, went trough security and after checkin escorted to the ship where we met our concierge Leila who took us to the penthouse.

 

The ship and the penthouse were in good condition and of course the penthouse is huge and a great experience. We loved it but could easily go back to a S cabin.

 

Service was great and the crew was a happy one you could feel the difference in atmospheer from last year.

 

The food was great. Meat and fish quality excellent in MDR aswell in the Pinnacle. Even the lobster was great which was not last year.

Overall a huge improvement to our last cruise. Thanks to Pedro Lontoc.

 

We had a table for 2 at the railing with a great waitstaff and the best winesteward, we all had great fun.

 

We had friends on the ship who booked rather last minut and had any time dining but were able to dine together a couple of nights including 1 formal. We also had a real indonesian dinner for the 4 of us on our balcony, we asked for crew food and got it. Quite spicy and so good!!

 

There were the usual suite events which we attended.

 

We had some rough weather going to Lisbon (gulf of Biscay) but overall seas were smooth. And being in the front of the ship makes it worse in rough weather.

 

We don't go of a lot because my partner has MS but did in Las Palmas and Cadiz. In both ports you are right in the city which is great. Cadiz is a nice real Spanisch city.

 

We had 1100 Dutch and 100 Americans on board, along several other European nationalities.

 

Anyway we liked the cruise so much we booked the same one for next April and are happy a lot of staff will still be on board along with the great chef Pedro.

 

I am not good writer and must have forgotten a ton of things but will be happy to answer your questions.

 

Regards

 

Maria

 

 

Thanks for the review, good to hear a nice review about the Rotterdam, we will be sailing on her for our first time in May and maybe also the Canary Islands for Christmas and New Year in 2013, if this itinerary will survive the rescheduling of the Rotterdam, since they are currently rethinking the program of the Rotterdam in October and November of 2013! :confused::confused:

[vp1313]

Thanks for your review, Maria. You mention that Pedro was excellent and will be on the Rotterdam when you return in April. We will be on the ship from Jan 10-mid April (88 days). Do you happen to know if he will be there then? Or is he returning in April after some time off? Thanks, Vicki

[Alphen]

Hi all,

 

We just got off the Rotterdam yesterday after a great cruise to the Canary islands.

 

 

By the way, did you happen to hear when they will start with the “Proef De Librije” experience of Jonnie Boer??

[ansjefitnes]

Thanks for your review, Maria. You mention that Pedro was excellent and will be on the Rotterdam when you return in April. We will be on the ship from Jan 10-mid April (88 days). Do you happen to know if he will be there then? Or is he returning in April after some time off? Thanks, Vicki

 

I think he is leaving the ship in December and returning in March if i recall correctly what he told us so will partly en joy his cooking.

[ansjefitnes]

By the way, did you happen to hear when they will start with the “Proef De Librije” experience of Jonnie Boer??

 

They started it on our cruise on 27th October. Sadly we already made other dining arrangements. Looking forward to do it on our next cruise.

Its only on the Rotterdam.

[OVgirl]

Maria, you mentioned that you had an Indonesian meal in you suite. Can you tell me what things were on your plate? Was it mainly nasi, or did they add other items as well?

We would love to try this on our next cruise. And thank you for your review.

[Copper10-8]

Hartstikke mooi Maria!:) Glad you enjoyed Rotjeknor's ship! Bet the Rijsttafel was tasty

[Typhoon1]

Glad you enjoyed yourselves. Nothing like cruising in the PS.

[ansjefitnes]

Maria, you mentioned that you had an Indonesian meal in you suite. Can you tell me what things were on your plate? Was it mainly nasi, or did they add other items as well?

We would love to try this on our next cruise. And thank you for your review.

 

We had Gado Gado with a very spicy sauce, Nassi Goreng, Beef Semarang(i think) Chicken Sate with peanut sauce,another beef dish,kroepoek, green sambal (hot!!! and fried banana's and icecream.We were told it it was crew food which we asked for.

[ansjefitnes]

Hartstikke mooi Maria!:) Glad you enjoyed Rotjeknor's ship! Bet the Rijsttafel was tasty

 

Was erg lekker John/ was great John.

De Rotterdam is een happy ship met zeer goed eten chef Pete is geweldig/ The Rotterdam is a happy ship with very good food chef Pete is great.

[erewhon]

Thank you for your review.

[Copper10-8]

Was erg lekker John/ was great John.

De Rotterdam is een happy ship met zeer goed eten chef Pete is geweldig/ The Rotterdam is a happy ship with very good food chef Pete is great.

 

Leuk om te horen!/Good to hear! Pedro Lontoc is een hele goeie!/(Ex Chef) Pedro Lontoc is a good one!:)

[ansjefitnes]

Ja dat is hij zeker/Yes for sure he is very good.

Ik was blij te horen dat hij ook gepland staat voor onze volgende Rotterdam reis in April/I was happy to hear he will be Ex.chef on our next Rotterdam cruise in April.

Zou leuk zijn om jou ook aan boord te hebben/Would be nice to have you aboard too.

 

Tot horens/see you

[OVgirl]

We had Gado Gado with a very spicy sauce, Nassi Goreng, Beef Semarang(i think) Chicken Sate with peanut sauce,another beef dish,kroepoek, green sambal (hot!!! and fried banana's and icecream.We were told it it was crew food which we asked for.

Bedankt Maria, that sounds absolutely delicious.

Hope to ask for this on our next cruise. I can hardly wait!

Years ago, in the Toronto (Canada) area, there were a number of Indonesian restaurants, but alas, no longer. So, if we want nasi or bami, I have to cook it myself.

[PathfinderEss]

Welcome back and thanks for the review of your cruise. Glad you enjoyed the PH and the cruise.

[Bluwater7]

Enjoyed your review of the Rotterdam - we will be on board in Jan ... glad you had a good cruise.