MS Rotterdam was launched in 1997 and enhanced in 2009. The 61,849 tonne ship has 12 passenger decks and can carry 1,404 passengers and 600 crew. It has a bright, contemporary decor, elegant dining rooms, a $2 million art and antique collection and wide teak decks. Rotterdam is popular with families cruising with kids as Club HAL offers an extensive program of activites for various age groups.

[fa type=”bed”] Accommodation

There are 702 staterooms on board MS Rotterdam. All are spacious, with ample storage space, and even the smallest staterooms can accommodate a sofa, desk, a small table, flat-screen television and DVD player. Lanai staterooms have sliding glass doors leading onto the Lower Promenade deck. Spa staterooms, near the Greenhouse Spa have special spa amenities.

[fa type=”cutlery”] Food

The main dining room on board MS Rotterdam is La Fontaine, a two-level venue for open-seating breakfast and lunch and a choice of assigned or open seating for dinner from 5.15pm. Other restaurants on board are the Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto (Italian), Lido Restaurant (buffet) and the special De Librije which offers dishes by Michelin-star chef Jonnie Boer.

[fa type=”ticket”] Activities

The Greenhouse Spa & Salon has a wide selection of exotic and traditional treatments, thermal suites and other salon services with additional charges. The gym has cardio and weight-training equipment and classes such as Pilates, aerobics, circuit training, cycling and stretch. There are two pool, a promenade for jogging or walking and a sports deck with a tennis and basketball court.

[fa type=”group”] Families

MS Rotterdam has a Club HAL program which caters for kids in different age groups: Kids (3-7 years), Tweens (8-12 years) and Teens (13-17 years). Private babysitting can be arranged for an hourly rate. Teenage cruisers can hang out at The Loft which has dance lessons, teen disco, video games, trivia contests, card games and sports tournaments.

Verdict

– Cruise Passenger

Overall we were once again pleased with HAL service but the ship is getting somewhat “frayed around the edges”. The dining experience was as very good or better than ever in all dining rooms and the cabin service superb. The song and dance troupe were also excellent. Also, other sectors of the tour industry could learn a lot about the quick effective processing of large numbers of people for embarkation and disembarkation by HAL. -Curious Canuck

– Cruise Critic

– Berlitz