Live from Rotterdam - Northern Transatlantic, Oct 12 - 27, 2025

[0106]

39 minutes ago, pirate cruiser said:

I would think that if HAL limits the number of people that get CO there should not be too much of a wait so I hope we did not waste our money

HAL does limit the number of people in CO.   We had CO for the last two weeks of August on the Rotterdam and never waited for a table at breakfast or dinner.  Breakfast in CO is open the same time as the MDR for breakfast. Generally, we ate breakfast before 8:30 and dinner about 6 o’clock.  We requested a seat in the same waiters section for every meal and were accommodated.  I love the CO dining room; I feel the service is better and the food is hotter.  However, the real reason we book CO is for the cabin upgrade.  We book an obstructed verandah and upgrade to an aft verandah.  The cost of CO is usually less than the difference in price between the lowest category of verandah and our preferred aft cabin.  We usually book as soon as the cruise is released.

[Suzcruz57]

52 minutes ago, grannyshell said:

Isn't it remarkable how many people walk around the ship in their bathrobes? They even show up in the Lido! Folks: if you're wearing them instead of a swimsuit cover-up, don't. They are bathrobes to be worn in your cabin. Period.

We so agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ORTravelGal]

Really enjoying following along on your trip. I’m sorry the weather isn’t cooperating. We were onboard in the spring for the crossing to Rotterdam & we had the most perfect weather until we entered the channel and it cooled off. I hope the weather improves in the days ahead and you get to enjoy some sun & warmth. 

[BigTeee]

1 minute ago, Suzcruz57 said:

We so agree!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

On Northern Isles of Europe July 2024, bathrobes wasn't noticeable to me, except that I did see one couple wearing bathrobes and looking extremely out-of-place in the Marketplace buffet area.  I would suppose that enforcement of dress code is up to crew.  I don't know.  I never took my bathrobe out of my stateroom.  I guess "adulting" is difficult for some passengers?

[pirate cruiser]

Thanks-I feel a little better about wait times-breakfast varies but we like to eat dinner fairly early. Hopefully the other perks with be worth it-we already had our aft verandah so we will see.

[81Zoomie]

Tonight was the first time we saw a sunset on this cruise since we left Rotterdam.  We sat in the Explorer’s lounge, sipped a beverage, and were mesmerized by the gorgeous 😍 colors.  Somehow the rain all drifted off to the north and the seas are quite calm.

 

 

 

 

We thought maybe our luck with the weather was changing.   DH and I had a brief discussion about one of the Oscar ‘spaghetti’ models.  I wasn’t fond of the potential drift west (Bermuda circled).  Just my Florida girl assessment.

 

Attention on deck…”This is your Captain 👨‍✈️ from the bridge.”  Usually not good news when he interrupts the dinner hour.  Forecast for Bermuda the day after tomorrow is 30 gust 48 mph winds and 16 foot seas in the harbor 😢.  It is not safe to approach and dock.  You can guess what came next… we will bypass Bermuda 😭.  So, now we have 3 MORE days at sea after today.  As an added bonus HAL will add a port call in Nassau 🥳😝🙄 before our last stop in Half Moon Cay.  Nassau isn’t really a garden spot.  Personally I’d rather overnight in HMC 😍.  
 

Oh well, nothing we can do but enjoy the ride on our floating hotel at sea.  We will be updated on our course and the weather to expect sometime tomorrow.

 

Dinner is in Tamarind tonight.  At least we have something enjoyable to look forward to 🥰.

 

Edited Monday at 10:00 PM by 81Zoomie

[BigTeee]

6 hours ago, 0106 said:

HAL does limit the number of people in CO.   We had CO for the last two weeks of August on the Rotterdam and never waited for a table at breakfast or dinner.  Breakfast in CO is open the same time as the MDR for breakfast. Generally, we ate breakfast before 8:30 and dinner about 6 o’clock.  We requested a seat in the same waiters section for every meal and were accommodated.  I love the CO dining room; I feel the service is better and the food is hotter.  However, the real reason we book CO is for the cabin upgrade.  We book an obstructed verandah and upgrade to an aft verandah.  The cost of CO is usually less than the difference in price between the lowest category of verandah and our preferred aft cabin.  We usually book as soon as the cruise is released.

What I saw about CO did not appeal to me.  Anyway, before my HAL Rotterdam cruise, I had seen a YouTube video recommending NY Pizza on Deck 10 for breakfast.  That was most excellent suggestion.  I ate every breakfast at the pizza joint, funny as it sounds.  I got my fruit and yogurt.  I got my hot tea or hot coffee.  I got a quiet table overlooking the water.  I was very happy at breakfast.  I would get there every morning after my intense gym workout.  The counter boys at the pizza joint were super helpful and courteous.  I even succumbed to the occasional croissant, there.  I don't remember the counter boys names, they weren't always the same every day, I don't think, so I didn't pay that much attention to their names--maybe you'll get the same crew, maybe you'll get new crew on a new job contract.  I'll probably get in trouble with corporate trying to upsell CO, but I was perfectly happy with breakfast at the pizza joint.

Edited Tuesday at 02:05 AM by BigTeee
Add compliment to crew.

[Sea42]

7 hours ago, grannyshell said:

Isn't it remarkable how many people walk around the ship in their bathrobes? They even show up in the Lido! Folks: if you're wearing them instead of a swimsuit cover-up, don't. They are bathrobes to be worn in your cabin. Period.

I agree, completely about robes in any dining areas!

BUT, I  wore mine to and from the hot tub on our Artic Circle cruise. My regular cover up just wasn't warm enough. 

You can be all judgy if you want but I'll also do the same for our

upcoming Antarctica cruise.

 

[M&L-Colorado]

15 hours ago, 81Zoomie said:

 

@M&L-Colorado, here are the opening times for a sea day.  Club 🍊opens at 8am.

 

Thanks for posting. I'm also enjoying the program photos.

[BigTeee]

12 hours ago, Sea42 said:

I agree, completely about robes in any dining areas!

BUT, I  wore mine to and from the hot tub on our Artic Circle cruise. My regular cover up just wasn't warm enough. 

You can be all judgy if you want but I'll also do the same for our

upcoming Antarctica cruise.

 

I'll be judgy unless you did the Arctic Polar plunge and got the signed certificate to commemorate it.   I did not judge when I saw the young skinny girls wearing the bathrobe near the icy water in the Arctic Ocean.  Even so, I left my bathrobe in my stateroom, and just wore a thin shirt to walk to the activity, whereupon I quickly stored my shirt into my ubiquitious HAL tote bag.  Cheers!  I didn't know that HAL goes to Antarctica.  Which HAL ship will go to Antarctica?  I don't think Rotterdam goes there.  It only goes to Northern Europe and Caribbean, doesn't it?

[BigTeee]

4 minutes ago, BigTeee said:

 

I'll be judgy unless you did the Arctic Polar plunge and got the signed certificate to commemorate it.   I did not judge when I saw the young skinny girls wearing the bathrobe near the icy water in the Arctic Ocean.  Even so, I left my bathrobe in my stateroom, and just wore a thin shirt to walk to the activity, whereupon I quickly stored my shirt into my ubiquitious HAL tote bag.  Cheers!  I didn't know that HAL goes to Antarctica.  Which HAL ship will go to Antarctica?  I don't think Rotterdam goes there.  It only goes to Northern Europe and Caribbean, doesn't it?

[81Zoomie]

Dinner in Tamarind was very nice as usual.  We had a later sitting, so had a cocktail waiting for our table.  The bar and the restaurant were busy.  As with all the other dining venues, the wait staff seem to be a little stressed and in general, under staffed.  Our meal however, was wonderful.  The food was very flavorful and the plating was quite nice. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This gentleman guarded us while we ate!

 

Starters, shrimp  🍤 tempura (only 2) and chicken coconut 🥥 soup.

 

 

 

Entrees, lobster 🦞 (up charge 💲) and coconut curry chicken 🐓.

 

 

 

Desserts 😋😋

 

 

 

 

NOTE FOR THE RED WINE LOVERS 🍷.  You will notice Decoy on the menu.  So, we give it a go and ordered it.  Maybe Tamarind had some hidden bottles we thought???  No questions asked.  The wine steward returns with 2 small glass flasks.  He looks at me and says, “Cabernet Sauvignon” as he begins to pour.  I ask, “Decoy”?  He responds with, “Chateau Smith”.  I tell him to please stop pouring and ask what else is available.  He came back with Beringer KV as the substitute and then actually poured it from the bottle!  So buyer beware when it comes to your wine 🍷 🍷.  You rarely get to see the bottle.  BTW… we do drink Costco boxed Cab at home for everyday.  Just like something a little better on vacay 🥰, especially since we paid for up to $17 for premium beverages.

 

[81Zoomie]

I had no intention of starting a bathrobe debate.  Who knew it was a hot button issue???  In some cultures it is more acceptable to don a robe while on vacation.  Over on the Silversea board they debate dinner jackets.  On HAL we discuss bathrobes 😂🤣😂.  
 

But while the topic turned to Polar plunges….  Not sure it counts unless you actually jump off the ship 🚢.  This is DH hopping into the Arctic Ocean at 77N in the Svalbard archipelago.  Yes, most of the plungers walked through the lounge and into the mud room in their bathrobes 😱.

 

 

[81Zoomie]

FLASH - On a much more serious note, the Bridge has just called for fire 🔥 response on the starboard side in the ship’s laundry.  We hope all crew members are safe and it is extinguished quickly.  
 

They are now calling for additional team members to report to ~5 additional duty locations.

 

Bridge announcement.  Team members may now stand down.

 

Edited Tuesday at 04:27 PM by 81Zoomie

[d9704011]

Evidently, my transits from the pool to my cabin with a bathrobe on were a faux pas.

[Birdhunter67]

1 hour ago, BigTeee said:

 

I'll be judgy unless you did the Arctic Polar plunge and got the signed certificate to commemorate it.   I did not judge when I saw the young skinny girls wearing the bathrobe near the icy water in the Arctic Ocean.  Even so, I left my bathrobe in my stateroom, and just wore a thin shirt to walk to the activity, whereupon I quickly stored my shirt into my ubiquitious HAL tote bag.  Cheers!  I didn't know that HAL goes to Antarctica.  Which HAL ship will go to Antarctica?  I don't think Rotterdam goes there.  It only goes to Northern Europe and Caribbean, doesn't it?

The Oosterdam sails to Antartica. If memory serves me correctly, it is a 22 day cruise between Buenos Aires and Santiago Chile (can’t remember the name of the actual port). Keep in mind, you cruise the Antartic waters; you don’t get to actually set foot on Antartica. But, HA’s cruise is one third the price of the expedition cruises that actually stop there. 

[BigTeee]

1 minute ago, Birdhunter67 said:

The Oosterdam sails to Antartica. If memory serves me correctly, it is a 22 day cruise between Buenos Aires and Santiago Chile (can’t remember the name of the actual port). Keep in mind, you cruise the Antartic waters; you don’t get to actually set foot on Antartica. But, HA’s cruise is one third the price of the expedition cruises that actually stop there. 

Thanks!

[81Zoomie]

Day 11 - At Sea (6)

 

Sea day 6, but now we will add an additional 2!  I was going to say it’s a bit like Groundhog Day, but when we parted the curtains this morning…. WOOZA…. Beautiful blue sky and tropical temps!  FINALLY, a perfect sea day!!!
 

 

By 9am the pool (lid wide open) was hopping, pickleball instruction was underway, and the walkers were putting in the miles!  The NY Deli was serving up breakfast in the open air!  Pretty sure the orangish drink is tang-like.  I tasted 🧐.

 

 

 

 

 

The lecture about Caribbean Rum was very well attended and quite interesting.  Now, if they only handed out samples 🍹🍹🍹!

 

 

Next up, our CC Roll Call Slot Pull.  Many thanks to @maraena for organizing the event!  We didn’t win the jackpot, but we had a lot of fun and got to meet many of our fellow roll call participants!

 

 

Changing it up a bit today with some shapes and geometry from around the ship 🚢.  Enjoy 😍!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited Tuesday at 05:43 PM by 81Zoomie

[Mustsea]

Thank you so much for all the informative and relevant info on Rotterdam! I am enjoying all the posts! I am curious - how are you finding the air in the music venues and casino? I've been reading for years that secondhand smoke wafts up the staircases and into certain venues.  I'm sensitive to smoke. Thanks!

[81Zoomie]

Just now, Mustsea said:

Thank you so much for all the informative and relevant info on Rotterdam! I am enjoying all the posts! I am curious - how are you finding the air in the music venues and casino? I've been reading for years that secondhand smoke wafts up the staircases and into certain venues.  I'm sensitive to smoke. Thanks!

The air is affected by HAL’s liberal Pinnacle class casino smoking policy.  Even the tiny offset smokeless room has an odor.  I feel sorry for the nearby shop workers and the casino staff.  We usually like to pass some time in the casino when we sail.  With so many sea days it would have been a perfect diversion on this cruise.  However, the air quality and smell has kept us away from the casino.  Please keep in mind we had a LOT of poor weather days that may have encouraged some smokers to gamble rather than sit out back in the aft smoking area.

[Woodside Lady]

CRUISE CRITIC STAR-GAZING POSTPONED AGAIN: Well it was looking promising earlier today but Tropical Storm Oscar's thick clouds and periodic downpours make it unlikely we will see any stars tonight.  If there is any time during the remainder of the cruise that things look promising, I'll reschedule.  Questions, contact Kathy (Woodside Lady) in 6216.

[wombatKY]

2 hours ago, Mustsea said:

Thank you so much for all the informative and relevant info on Rotterdam! I am enjoying all the posts! I am curious - how are you finding the air in the music venues and casino? I've been reading for years that secondhand smoke wafts up the staircases and into certain venues.  I'm sensitive to smoke. Thanks!

 

I am allergic to cigarette smoke. I find the smell is strongest in the hallway around the forward elevators, the staircase and the hallway until you are past the door to BB King.

 

The smoke does bother me on the Rotterdam in the music venues. I find I can tolerate it if I sit all the way into the clubs next to the outside walls. 

 

I avoid the forward elevators and at least the forward half of Deck 3. Getting to a show in the World Stage or sitting in the clubs, we use the forward stairs and I have to hold my breath or cover my face. Not fun, but doable. 

[81Zoomie]

Quick update to close out the day.

 

We left the sunshine behind late this afternoon…

 

 

Comedian Sid Davis was soooo very funny tonight,  The 7:30 show was standing room only!  He is a must see 🤣!!!

 

 

Rotterdam is now penetrating the outer edges of tropical storm Oscar.  Hopefully we are through and slide west of him overnight!

 

 

 

 

Edited yesterday at 12:34 AM by 81Zoomie

[Wehwalt]

8 hours ago, Birdhunter67 said:

The Oosterdam sails to Antartica. If memory serves me correctly, it is a 22 day cruise between Buenos Aires and Santiago Chile (can’t remember the name of the actual port). Keep in mind, you cruise the Antartic waters; you don’t get to actually set foot on Antartica. But, HA’s cruise is one third the price of the expedition cruises that actually stop there. 

San Antonio is the Chilean port.

 

We are also on the 2025 version of the Rotterdam transatlantic and have learned much of use.

[81Zoomie]

Day 11 - Sea Day (7😆)

 

Good morning from somewhere in the western Atlantic.  We were both up early, a little after 6 am.  There is a gentle rocking motion and it is still dark at 7 am.  Stepping out on the balcony indicated a little precipitation.  All indications are that we will have another GRAY start to the day.