The Rotterdam, a Pinnacle-class ship from Holland America Line, offers a sophisticated holiday for up to 2,668 passengers. Launched in 2021 and refreshed in 2024, this vessel blends contemporary design with Dutch heritage, creating a welcoming atmosphere for couples, families, and solo travellers.
Guests can anticipate a holiday blending relaxation and enrichment. Days offer cooking classes, spa treatments, or pickleball, while evenings feature live music, comedy, or fine dining. The ship’s mid-sized design feels uncrowded, except at peak buffet times, and the crew’s attentiveness creates a warm atmosphere. Family-friendly activities like Club HAL ensure kids are entertained, while adults enjoy refined spaces like the Crow’s Nest or Rudi’s Sel de Mer. The focus on music, cuisine, and art suits those seeking a sophisticated cruise with modern touches.
Reception Areas: Stylish and Functional
The Atrium, a three-deck hub with a crystal globe sculpture, greets guests with a bright, open space on Deck 1. Guest services and shore excursion desks provide efficient assistance, while the Grand Dutch Café serves Dutch-inspired snacks like bitterballen for a fee. The Crow’s Nest lounge on Deck 12 offers panoramic views, comfortable seating, and live music, ideal for socialising or relaxation. The ship’s layout, with 12 lifts and clear signage, ensures easy navigation, though some guests note occasional crowding at guest services.
Dining: Diverse and High-Quality
Rotterdam’s dining options cater to a range of tastes. The Dining Room, a two-level venue with a wine tower centrepiece, serves daily-changing menus with open seating for breakfast and lunch, and fixed or flexible dinner via the Navigator app. The Lido Market buffet offers international dishes with crew-served stations, though peak times can feel busy. Dive-In provides poolside burgers, and New York Deli & Pizza serves thin-crust pies and sandwiches. Specialty dining includes Pinnacle Grill for steaks, Rudi’s Sel de Mer for seafood, Tamarind for Pan-Asian cuisine, and Canaletto for Italian fare. Club Orange offers suite guests a private dining room with exclusive dishes.
Entertainment: Engaging and Music-Focused
The ship’s entertainment centres on live music and theatre. The World Stage, with a 270-degree LED screen, hosts Broadway-style shows, BBC Earth concerts, and guest performers, though some guests report inconsistent quality. The Music Walk on Deck 2 includes BB King’s Blues Club for soulful tunes, Rolling Stone Lounge for rock hits, and Billboard Onboard for duelling pianos, though karaoke occasionally replaces scheduled acts. Families enjoy Club HAL for ages 3–17 with crafts and games, while adults can try wine-making at BLEND or visit the casino. The Screening Room shows recent films, and pickleball courts add active fun.
Accommodation: Spacious and Modern
With 1,340 cabins across 12 decks, Rotterdam offers interior, ocean-view, verandah, and suite options. Verandah cabins, the most popular, range from 228–420 square feet with balconies seating two. Family Oceanview staterooms accommodate five with two bathrooms, while Pinnacle Suites, at 1,290 square feet, include whirlpool tubs and Neptune Lounge access. Solo cabins cater to single travellers, and all rooms feature Mariner’s Dream beds, Elemis toiletries, and flat-screen TVs, though medication must be stored in the infirmary. Forty wheelchair-accessible cabins ensure inclusivity, but some guests note dim lighting in interiors.
Hospitality: Attentive and Professional
The crew, primarily Filipino and Indonesian, provides courteous service, fostering a welcoming environment. Cabin stewards offer daily cleaning and towel animals, with complimentary 24-hour room service including light meals. The Greenhouse Spa offers massages, a thermal suite, and complimentary sauna access, though daily passes cost $40. Staff at bars and dining venues maintain a friendly demeanour, though some guests report delays at guest services and occasional lapses, like untrained staff or slow resolution of issues. Club HAL and teen lounges keep younger guests engaged, while suite guests enjoy priority perks via Club Orange or Neptune Lounge.
Standout Features
The World Stage’s 270-degree LED screen enhances performances with stunning visuals. The Music Walk’s live music venues, including Rolling Stone Lounge and BB King’s Blues Club, offer nightly entertainment. The Lido Pool’s retractable roof ensures swimming in any weather, and private cabanas provide a resort-like retreat for $89 daily. The $4.1m art collection, with music-inspired works, adds cultural depth. The Culinary Arts Centre’s cooking classes and Tamarind’s Pan-Asian menu stand out, while Starlink Wi-Fi ensures connectivity, though slowdowns occur at peak times.
