Rotterdam question. First time on HAL

[josumello]

We r considering a 32 day Hawaii/So Pacific Rotterdam  Cruise. First time on HAL but have been on many other cruise lines. 

A couple of questions: 

Is there a self service laundry?

Is there a piano bar?

Are gratuities billed daily or paid individually at end of cruise?

Does dinning have traditional and anytime dinning offered?

And last but not least, does the ship pretty much close down early? Like 10ish?

 

TIA

 

[jakkojakko]

2 hours ago, josumello said:

We r considering a 32 day Hawaii/So Pacific Rotterdam  Cruise. First time on HAL but have been on many other cruise lines. 

A couple of questions: 

Is there a self service laundry?     Don't know, don't use it.

Is there a piano bar?                       Yes.

Are gratuities billed daily or paid individually at end of cruise?  Daily and charged at the                                                                                                       end of the cruise on your account

Does dinning have traditional and anytime dinning offered?            Both.

And last but not least, does the ship pretty much close down early? Like 10ish?

                     Yes and no, depends on cruise and itinerary. However do not expect a party crowd.

 

TIA

 

 

Answers in cursief.

[Homosassa]

The self service laundries have been removed from the Rotterdam.

[TAD2005]

The Piano bar is located near the gift shops in "The Mix" area.  There are only about 8 chairs around the piano, so if you like sitting right at the piano, get there early.  There are loads of seats in the area.   But this is definitely NOT anything like Billboard Onboard.   You have one piano, with a (usually) very talented musician and they usually bring their own accompaniment, such as a saxophone or side man for rhythm and bass.

[sevenseasnomad]

3 hours ago, josumello said:

We r considering a 32 day Hawaii/So Pacific Rotterdam  Cruise. First time on HAL but have been on many other cruise lines. 

A couple of questions: 

Is there a self service laundry?

Is there a piano bar?

Are gratuities billed daily or paid individually at end of cruise?

Does dinning have traditional and anytime dinning offered?

And last but not least, does the ship pretty much close down early? Like 10ish?

 

TIA

 

On Rotterdam April 2018, so my information is a year old.  Enjoyed the ship very much.  No self service laundry.  You can buy a laundry package.  I have no idea how much it is because I'm 4* with the perk of free laundry.  If interested in purchasing a package, either ask on CC or call HA.  BTW, a passenger can fit a lot of clothes in their laundry bags.  

 

Yes, there is a piano bar, although we rarely went.  Other activities interested us more, I guess. 

 

Gratuities are billed to your onboard account daily.  If you're using a credit card, the bill will be sent to the card you specify at the end of the cruise.  Not sure what happens if you use cash, as I've never used cash onboard. 

 

You can select your dining preference when you book.  Fixed early (usually 5:30) or Fixed main (usually 8:00).  If you prefer to eat at different times, then you can make reservations for three evenings at a time.  See the maître d' when you board or call from your stateroom.  You select when you want to eat. 

 

Or you can forget making a reservation and show up whenever you feel like it.  Sometimes, you may have to wait in line (they give you a pager, so you don't have to stand in line while waiting for a table) if you show up at popular times (usually 6:30-8).  Wait times can vary from as little as five minutes to 20 minutes depending on how busy MDR is.  Yes, the ship will probably close down early, especially if this is a port-intensive cruise.  Even young passengers tire after busy consecutive days in port.

[josumello]

Thanks all for your answers to my questions. 

Have never used self laundry before so we will manage!!

DH enjoys a good piano bar

Like having flexibility for dinning 

Didnt expect a big party scene. Just hoped it at least has a pulse. 😜