Rotterdam ... and ???

[Spender Nui]

I've read some reviews recently that were very critical of the Rotterdam experience as well as a downturn by HAL in general. I've been thinking of booking her for a cruise out of Philadelphia next spring, but now I'm not so sure. We've taken 17 HAL cruises and have usually been very satisfied.

Our last HAL cruise however, was on the Zaandam last November, and we noticed some things that weren't up to par . It was her first sailing from Cape Canaveral. Boarding was a disaster. It took us 4 hours to get checked in and into our cabin ... and we were one of the first at the port. We were among the early boarders and boarding continued well past the lifeboat drill. For the first time ever on our HAL cruises they didn't lower lifebaots during the drill. Another drill was never held for those that missed it. These are certainly not the HAL standards we've been used to.

Our cabin safe was locked. Our cabin steward couldn't help. The front office was no help. We didin't get the safe opened until almost midnight. Before the day was over we had been told by the front office:
1. They were too busy.
2. They couldn't find the key.
3. The manager was on break (when we finally asked to speak to the manager)

We noticed fewer flowers throughout the ship than we were used to.

These things as well as what I've been reading, not only about the Rotterdam (and some other ships) but HAL in general lately has me wondering if we should book the Rotterdam.

 

[sail7seas]

We took about 8 HAL cruises last year (most were b-to-b's) and were on Amsterdam, Zaandam, Maasdam and Zuiderdam. Good sampling of the fleet and we are still as pleased with our HAL experience as ever. And trust me.....if we were not, we'd be looking elsewhere.

We currently have b-to-b's booked for Zuiderdam in August; b-to-b's on Maasdam for November and Rotterdam for March. We are as eager as ever to cross that gangway and enjoy the wonderful HAL experience we have come to know, enjoy and expect.

Sorry your perceptions were not as good.

 

[Cracker Ken]

We were on the Rotterdam on the New England/Canada cruise out of NYC on 5/23/03. We thoroughly enjoyed the ship and cruise. Food in the diningroom was very good, service excellent by all. The room steward was great. The ship was immaculate. Every time I turned around, someone was cleaning up a spot here, or a crumb here and there. I saw a ships officer (hotel staff, I think) stop on a stairway and pick up very, very small (3/4 inch?) piece of string or lint - I was impressed with that. They were painting every day in port. I can't tell you if they used to have more flowers in the past, but they still had them, and they all appeared nice and fresh. We were in an inside cabin, so I can't give you any details about what was going on in the suites and such. This was our first cruise ever, and I think we were spoiled on the Rotterdam. We are impressed with HAL. We currently have 3 more cruises with HAL already booked (the next will be the Zuiderdam on 8/30). Since this was my first cruise with HAL, I can't compare with what they used to be, but all was fine for us. The only thing that we found lacking was service during the dessert extravaganza - it was bad (but that might have served to keep me from eating too much).

 

[Cruzman]

Spender, having sailed on the Zaandam and the Zuiderdam in the past 7 months, our perceptions are entirely different. I found every aspect of these cruise experiences to be exceptional. I must say that you are the very first person I ever recall having complained about the lifeboat drill. Are you perhaps getting a little petty?

 

[sail7seas]

SpenderNui....You mentioned you have read some bad Rotterdam reviews. I have notseen any negative ones and would be interested to read the ones you are referring to. Please share where you found the reviews you referenced. Thank you.

I have had the impression that Rotterdam, in particular, has been getting very good reviews.

Thank you in advance of your telling us where these reviews are posted.

 

[Spender Nui]

Cruzman, I've never comsidered the lifeboat drill to be a petty matter.

 

[Spender Nui]

Sail 7, Look at the following reviews on this board:

Boston Terrier Mum Date Submitted: 07/12/2003

James Sutherland Date Submitted: 07/12/2003

MARKandROGER Date Submitted: 06/16/2003


You're welcome.

 

[sail7seas]

Ahhhh, yes...

Surely you have read the lengthy threads re: Roger and Mark's issues which pertained specifically to the Penthouse. A situation of expectations vs. price paid and first cruise expectations etc.

Want many links to get reviews? I'll be happy to provide them.

Happy cruising.



Post Edited (07-27-03 16:47)

 

[elmorejj]

Spender, I also was on that Sailing of the Zaandam and agree with everything you said. My husband is disabled and needs a W/Chair. We waited over an hour for one and then I had to push it. As well as it taking 4 hours to board remember how long it took to get off the ship? It was a mess from start to finish.
On the other hand, we have been on 6 sailings in the past 18 months on HAL and have never had anything but the best of service, food etc. Zaandam was definitely a one off situation. We were on the Rott. for Xmas/New Years and found her to be the best ship we`ve ever been on. Excellence in all dept. She`s probably our favorite ship. Don`t hesitate to sail HAL again....jean

 

[sail7seas]

Do you think the embarkation and disembarkation problems arose as that was the first time any HAL ship had ever sailed from Canaveral? Doesn't make them easier to endure but does offer a valid explanation for things not running as smoothly as usual. I also think the office was overwhelmed dealing with all the multitude of details involved with cruising from a brand new port.....therefore, the delay in tending to the broken safe??? Again, doesn't make it right, but does offer something of an explanation??? It was probably a matter of priorities and most important things and most urgent things had to be seen to first.

 

[Spender Nui]

Hi elmorejj ... thanks for your response. I've taken 17 HAL cruises (155 days). If I didn't think they were a good line I wouldn't have sailed them so often. Most of my HAL cruises have been excellent. At the same time I don't feel a need to be a chearleader either. If something is good we should say so, if it's not, it's just not and we should be able to say that too. My concern was/is whether or not HAL is slipping. I saw some things to make wonder and read some recent reviews that did the same. I appreciate your comments and will probably book her.