Rotterdam - condition, dry dock?

[CJcruzer]

On the monthly updates posted by VMax, the last dry sock for Rotterdam was 26 October 2017 - 03 November 2017.  We last sailed on Rotterdam in December 2015

 

We are looking to sail on the Rotterdam Jan-Feb 2021 for a lengthy cruise.   However, I am a little concerned about the ship not  being “refreshed” in over 3 years by the time of that sailing,   Most dry docks seem to occur at the 2-1/2 year mark?

 

Any information, and also condition of the Rotterdam currently, or updates as to possible drydock/refurbishment?

 

Thanks

Carol

 

 

[trident]

Hi Carol,

 

We were told by an officer on the Rotterdam that she will be going into dry dock in November 2020.  This unofficial, but we think this is why they switched our November South Pacific cruise to the Zaandam from the Rotterdam.

 

BTW, we cruised with you on the Maasdam with you in the beginning of this year.

 

Fran

[CJcruzer]

3 minutes ago, trident said:

Hi Carol,

 

We were told by an officer on the Rotterdam that she will be going into dry dock in November 2020.  This unofficial, but we think this is why they switched our November South Pacific cruise to the Zaandam from the Rotterdam.

 

BTW, we cruised with you on the Maasdam with you in the beginning of this year.

 

Fran

 

Hi Fran! nice to hear from you.  Well that is VERY good news, if true.   Maybe you want to join us ?😛😁

 

Thanks

Carol

[trident]

We will back on the Rotterdam in 10 days for a month and will ask about drydock while we are on board.  We have been looking at the cruise you mentioned but it’s a bit early for us to book yet.

[TAD2005]

In August,  I asked the Ship's Coordinator for the Rotterdam, Kelli Gould, about the next drydock.   She said that the Rotterdam was not scheduled to go in for drydock until December 2020.   We had asked her about the HAL "Ships at a Glance" chart where they show the Rotterdam getting a major upgrade on deck 5 where the entire "Mix" area is ripped out and Billboard Onboard replaces it on Dec 6, 2019.   That level of renovation in a major area of a public deck adjacent to the shops and casino could only be accomplished in drydock.   It appears that the Ships at a Glance chart is wrong and needs updating.

[existentialtraveler]

4 hours ago, CJcruzer said:

On the monthly updates posted by VMax, the last dry sock for Rotterdam was 26 October 2017 - 03 November 2017.  We last sailed on Rotterdam in December 2015

 

We are looking to sail on the Rotterdam Jan-Feb 2021 for a lengthy cruise.   However, I am a little concerned about the ship not  being “refreshed” in over 3 years by the time of that sailing,   Most dry docks seem to occur at the 2-1/2 year mark?

 

Any information, and also condition of the Rotterdam currently, or updates as to possible drydock/refurbishment?

 

Thanks

Carol

 

 

You may want to take a look at my youtube video from our March, 2019 cruise on the Rotterdam and judge for yourself. The video is kind of long as it was a 14 day cruise, but there are many photos of the ship and the music I used is pretty good too!

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

46 minutes ago, existentialtraveler said:

You may want to take a look at my youtube video from our March, 2019 cruise on the Rotterdam and judge for yourself. The video is kind of long as it was a 14 day cruise, but there are many photos of the ship and the music I used is pretty good too!

 

Wow I loved it!! Will be on her in March from San Diego doing Panama Canal.

We love the small ships on HAL. 

Thankyou for the video

Denise😊

[existentialtraveler]

7 hours ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

Wow I loved it!! Will be on her in March from San Diego doing Panama Canal.

We love the small ships on HAL. 

Thankyou for the video

Denise😊

I am glad you enjoyed the video. The Rotterdam is, indeed, a small ship, but after the first day we did not even really notice. The Rotterdam is now our second favorite ship...The Maasdam is still our favorite!

[Alphen]

Just disembarked Rotterdam, in no way I spotted much that would need an immediate dry-dock. Dry dock usually emphasizes on things you do not see anyway (hull below the water line). I believe she will be doing dry dock in December 2020, as was stated by our HD Marco van Belleghem, who indicated he will be on board during that period.

During our cruise, constant maintenance was in progress, as usual on all of the Dam ships, one of the things that was noticed that was done, was the replacement of batteries, on deck 9.

[DWAliaschief]

On 10/6/2019 at 2:31 PM, trident said:

We will back on the Rotterdam in 10 days for a month and will ask about drydock while we are on board.  We have been looking at the cruise you mentioned but it’s a bit early for us to book yet.

Hi Trident - followed you and Carol on the Maasdam.  You say you'll be on the Rotterdam in 10 days - are you on the Amsterdam-Rome and then Rome-Rome to Holylands?

[trident]

1 hour ago, DWAliaschief said:

Hi Trident - followed you and Carol on the Maasdam.  You say you'll be on the Rotterdam in 10 days - are you on the Amsterdam-Rome and then Rome-Rome to Holylands?

We are on the Rotterdam Rome to Rome and Rome to Ft Lauderdale.

We are on the two CC boards for them.

Fran

[lindaler]

On 10/7/2019 at 1:02 AM, existentialtraveler said:

I am glad you enjoyed the video. The Rotterdam is, indeed, a small ship, but after the first day we did not even really notice. The Rotterdam is now our second favorite ship...The Maasdam is still our favorite!

Thank you for the video. And the music was good too. Can't wait for our 32 days on her.  

[existentialtraveler]

34 minutes ago, lindaler said:

Thank you for the video. And the music was good too. Can't wait for our 32 days on her.  

I am glad you enjoyed the video.

[AncientWanderer]

Thanks for posting the video, @existentialtraveler , there at post #6.  

It looks like you had a great time, and the Rotterdam looks shipshape.  We'll be onboard for 28 days in 2020.   So fun to get a recent view of the ship!  😊

[sevenseasnomad]

Fun video.  Music synced with photos.  Great job.  Brought back nice memories of our western Caribbean cruise on Rotterdam in April 2018.  Loved the Lanai cabin, too, although you had more room in your outside category than we did.  We enjoyed stepping right onto the Promenade, though, so it was a trade-off for us---extra space in cabin versus reserved deck chairs.  Deck chairs won.

[existentialtraveler]

49 minutes ago, sevenseasnomad said:

Fun video.  Music synced with photos.  Great job.  Brought back nice memories of our western Caribbean cruise on Rotterdam in April 2018.  Loved the Lanai cabin, too, although you had more room in your outside category than we did.  We enjoyed stepping right onto the Promenade, though, so it was a trade-off for us---extra space in cabin versus reserved deck chairs.  Deck chairs won.

I am glad you liked the video.

We looked into the Lanai cabins too, and were not sure we would like having people walk by our window. That you enjoyed the Lanai is a great recommendation and we will book one next time! Thank you!

[sevenseasnomad]

5 minutes ago, existentialtraveler said:

I am glad you liked the video.

We looked into the Lanai cabins too, and were not sure we would like having people walk by our window. That you enjoyed the Lanai is a great recommendation and we will book one next time! Thank you!

During the day, people can't see inside your cabin.  At night, that's another story.  Keep the drapes drawn at night.  We brought clothespins to keep the curtains tightly closed, as there's sometimes a gap between the two sections.  Also, the sliding door is heavy.  I required help to open it.  Otherwise, we loved the lanai.  We even had room service delivered to our lounge chairs!  What a life!

[TAD2005]

We had a Lanai cabin on the Rotterdam in March 2018.   The window and sliding glass door has a very heavy reflective film on the outside.  It creates a mirror effect.   During the day, you can't see anything from the outside.  To check the view at night, I switched on all cabin lights and went outside.  I pressed my nose on the glass door, and all I could see was the glow of the ceiling lights.   My DW was walking around inside, and when she would pass in front of a light, I would see her silhouette, but nothing more.   If you are just casually walking by on the Promenade Deck, you can't see anything, even at night.   If some wacko is pressing his nose on your glass door, call security.   

But you still need to keep the drapes closed at night.  The Promenade Deck is well lighted, all night.  So there is a lot of light coming in through the window and door.   Use clothes pins or the men's pants hanger from the closet to clip the 2 drapes together to get total blackout. 

[existentialtraveler]

17 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

Thanks for posting the video, @existentialtraveler , there at post #6.  

It looks like you had a great time, and the Rotterdam looks shipshape.  We'll be onboard for 28 days in 2020.   So fun to get a recent view of the ship!  😊

I am pleased you liked my video. The Rotterdam was in fine shape and we enjoyed our cruise immensely!