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Cruise to Rotterdam, Netherlands

Rotterdam shore excursions, amazing experiences coming soon., sorry, there are no excursions for this port at this moment., things to do in rotterdam.

Marvel at Market Hall

The colorful painted arch of the Markthal

Head to the Markthal, a striking landmark that accommodates 96 stalls and several restaurants. Sample local delicacies, such as delicious Dutch cheeses or fresh fish. The ceiling bears the world's largest artwork, the "Horn of Plenty" by Arno Coenen, depicting colorful fruit tumbling from a sky, grazing cows and flowers.

Art En Plein Air

View of the Oude Haven Harbor and Openlucht Binnenvaart Museum

Stroll through Rotterdam's Museum Park and visit the Kunsthal, designed by architect Rem Koolhaas. It hosts regularly changing experimental modern art exhibitions. Close by is the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, which displays world-class artworks by Dutch artists such as Piet Mondrian and Vincent van Gogh.

Charm by the Canal

Head to Delfshaven, a picturesque marina and one of the few parts of the city that survived the 1940 bombardment. Admire the historic canal houses, and browse the art studios and boutiques full of antiques and bric-a-brac. Fuel up in one of the down-to-earth eateries, or sample some local craft beer in a brewery.

Local Cuisine

From exotic foreign cuisine to traditional Dutch dishes, you can find something for every taste here. Rotterdam's internationally inspired comfort food is patatje oorlog , french fries covered in satay peanut sauce, mayo and diced onion. At a pub, order bitterballen , a deep-fried croquette of shredded meat and roux served with mustard. For dessert, try appeltart , a super-moist apple pie that's reminiscent of bread pudding.

Shops in Rotterdam are open every day. The city center offers plenty of choice in the Beurstraverse, Lijnbaan and Meent, as well as the exclusive Van Oldenbarnevelt street. Witte de With is the cultural shopping street with a wide choice in art boutiques. For vintage clothes and art, go to concept store Toko 51. With your Netherlands cruise, keep an eye out for the signature Dutch trinket: a tiny set of decorative pottery clogs.

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The evolution of heritage: A first look at Holland America's new Rotterdam cruise ship

Tradition has always been at the forefront for Holland America Line , a company with roots that reach as far back as 1873, when the then-named Nederlandsche-Amerikaansche Stoomvaart Maatschappij (Dutch-American Steamship Company) ferried passengers back and forth between Rotterdam and New York City.

HAL's first ship was Rotterdam; since the line began operations, it has just about always had a vessel with that name in its fleet.

In November, I sailed on the line's newest ship -- the seventh to bear the name for Holland America. With its modern take on passenger cruising, it's a far cry from the original Rotterdam -- and from many other Holland America ships -- but it still finds plenty of ways to pay homage to its predecessors while innovating in ways that both retain what matters to its stalwart passenger base and make space for new generations of cruisers without being too flashy.

Here's how the newest Rotterdam handles dining, cabins, entertainment and more.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

Dining and drinks

I've said it before, and I'll say it again: Holland America's cuisine is seriously underrated.

Whether you're eating in an added-fee specialty restaurant, grabbing a meal in the included main dining room or snagging a snack from the cafe, the quality and presentation of the food on HAL's ships are consistently superb. It's one of the few cruise lines that doesn't require passengers to pay extra in order to enjoy a truly delicious or fancy meal.

The complimentary two-deck dining room is open daily for breakfast, lunch (on sea days) and dinner. Apart from a few fun lighting fixtures, the space is fairly neutral and nondescript, leaving all eyes on the food itself, and it doesn't disappoint.

I thoroughly enjoyed my French onion soup, Caesar salad and salmon with capers and dill. The menu offers several more exciting selections, too, some of which incorporate port-sourced ingredients. There are also several options for vegetarians and cruisers who can't eat dairy or gluten.

Among the other complimentary dining outposts are the Lido Market buffet, which is crew-served and open for all meals with an astounding variety of options; the Grand Dutch Cafe, which offers out-of-this-world grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and pea soup, plus complimentary coffee and extra-fee alcohol and prepackaged Dutch candy and pastries; and New York Deli and Pizza, overlooking the main pool.

Unfortunately, my slice of pizza looked (and tasted) like it had been under a heat lamp for hours. (It was the only subpar dining experience I had on the entire sailing, but other passengers I spoke with said their experience was fantastic.) Room service is available 24 hours a day, and it's also free, with the exception of select items that are noted on the menu.

Pinnacle Grill, the ship's added-cost steakhouse, is a favorite of Holland America fans, and it's one of the most dress-up-worthy venues on board.

Designed for carnivores, the menu does offer a couple of vegetarian choices, but the star of the show is the meat. I drooled over the candied bacon appetizer — designed by chef David Burke and served on a clothesline -- which was so good one of my travel companions joked he'd be ordering it again for dessert.

My 7-ounce filet mignon arrived cooked to perfection, along with sauces and shareable sides like asparagus, lobster macaroni and cheese and roasted baby beets with blue cheese. Anyone looking for something more substantial will be pleased to find that a 36-ounce tomahawk steak is also available to order.

Rudi's Sel de Mer is an upscale for-fee restaurant that focuses on fish and seafood, but steak, duck and lamb also make an appearance on the menu, as well as a few vegetarian selections. You can't go wrong with the jumbo Alaskan crab legs, which come cracked and ready to eat with a side of drawn butter.

For dessert, I highly recommend Rudi's Face to Face Chocolate, which consists of fruit and chocolate arranged on a plate in one of chef Rudi Sodamin's signature Food Faces designs.

Tamarind, the added-fee Asian restaurant that shares real estate with Nami Sushi, is located at the very aft of the ship. I found it difficult to access initially, but it's a stunning, elegant space with an interesting list of dishes such as a satay sampler with Malaysian, Chinese, Thai, Indonesian and Vietnamese small bites; cashew barramundi with red Thai curry; wasabi- and soy-crusted beef tenderloin; and Mongolian barbecue lamb chops.

I absolutely loved the spicy dan dan noodles with a side of steamed jasmine rice.

Also worth noting are Canaletto, an Italian restaurant that takes up residence at the Lido Market at night and levies a supplemental charge, and the Club Orange dining room, which is free to passengers who are booked in suites. Cruisers not booked in suites are able to pay for access to Club Orange and a slew of other perks.

As with most ships, Rotterdam has a large number of bars, but a few stand out.

The most impressive is the Half Moon Bar, which is new to the fleet and features a menu that's a mix of science and history. In addition to wine and beer, this watering hole -- located where the Blend wine mixing bar is found on other Pinnacle-class vessels -- boasts seven exclusive cocktails, each with its own story and ties to Holland America's maritime history.

My favorite? The Rotterdam VII: smoked gin and maraschino. It's a smokey drink that actually appeals to those of us who prefer sweeter tipples. Plus, the presentation is one you won't want to miss. (Be ready to snap a photo or take a video.)

My second-favorite beverage outpost is the Grand Dutch Cafe for its cappuccinos and nibbles as much as its mixed drinks. The former are fabulous, but if you're looking for a sugar rush, you'll also want to try the Dutch take on an Aperol spritz -- De Kuyper Oranje Bitter mixed with Sprite. Be warned: it's over-the-top sweet, but it pairs perfectly with one of the cafe's complimentary pastries.

For those seeking some quiet time reading, playing board games, doing puzzles or simply gazing at the sea, head to the Crow's Nest. The lounge's Explorations Cafe ensures you won't have to go far to grab a cozy coffee or tea, but this location deserves a shout simply because it's the only place on board where I was able to find my favorite Dutch treat, stroopwafels.

Then there's the Sea View Bar, which offers standard poolside drinks near the adults-only Sea View Pool. The starboard (right, when facing the front of the ship) side of the area is dedicated to smokers, which is a turnoff, but otherwise, there are comfy seats, twin hot tubs and, of course, the pool itself, which is backlit by color-changing mood lighting at night and complemented by breathtaking vistas of the ship's wake by day.

Below the suite level, cabins on Rotterdam comprise the usual categories: insides, outsides and balconies all with neutral, subdued color schemes that are almost exclusively white, cream, brown and tan with light woods. The only pops of black, slate gray and light blue come from a few throw pillows, the bed runner and curtains (in oceanview and balcony cabins). The houndstooth carpet pattern also stands out.

Even the most standard staterooms are outfitted with touches many mainstream lines don't bother to incorporate, such as glass showers and shaving bars in the bathrooms; shoeshine baskets and tie racks in the closets; and USB charging ports near the beds in the main cabin, as well as DVD players to go along with the interactive televisions.There's also an impressive selection of free movie titles from which to choose.

Makeup-lovers will appreciate enhanced lighting near each cabin vanity, as well as standalone makeup mirrors, which can be found in the drawers alongside a hairdryer.

Passengers looking for more high-end digs will appreciate Rotterdam's selection of suites, which include Vista Suites (basically a slightly larger balcony cabin), Signature Suites (with a murphy bed, dual-sink vanity and full-size whirlpool bath) and Neptune Suites (large sitting area, Neptune Lounge access and a private concierge in addition to Signature Suite amenities).

All are elegantly appointed and offer a bit more space than standard cabins.

All cruisers booked in Neptune Suite accommodations have complimentary Club Orange access, entitling them to meals in the exclusive Club Orange dining room, as well as other perks like priority embarkation and disembarkation. Passengers not booked in suites are able to join Club Orange by paying for those extras.

Forty cabins across several categories, including suites, are tailored for accessibility. Of those 40, 13 are ambulatory accessible for passengers who use canes or walkers. The rest are fully accessible for cruisers with wheelchairs or scooters; they are equipped with roll-in showers and other accommodations .

Additionally, the ship provides 12 cabins for solo travelers. All are found in a cluster at the front of Deck 12 (the Main Deck) and are fairly small.

Entertainment

Entertainment on Holland America ships is generally more subdued than what you might expect when sailing with some other lines, but that doesn't mean it's boring.

New to the fleet with Rotterdam's debut is "Origin Story," a high-tech, live-hosted documentary-style show that chronicles HAL's history -- from the original Rotterdam through the pandemic-related shutdown of 2020 -- in a way that will leave you wanting to see it more than once. (Bring tissues.)

The World Stage, where "Origin Story" is shown, serves as the ship's main theater and also plays host to dance performances and doo-wop groups, among other nightly shows.

A highlight of the onboard entertainment scene is Music Walk, a promenade dotted with four performance venues that house different musical experiences and other offerings, allowing passengers to find something that caters to their specific tastes.

The Rolling Stone Rock Room features a live band that plays nightly rock tunes, while B.B. King's Blues Club puts the focus on bluesy hits and comedic acts.

Billboard Onboard, which also serves as the home base for daily trivia competitions, pits dueling pianists against one another for decade-specific tunes, Hot 100 songs and even requests.

Lincoln Center Stage spotlights instrumental performances, covering genres like classical, Latin and French. I was surprised to see that some of the nighttime venues had people dancing as late as 1 a.m.

Some of the other options for fun-seeking travelers include casino play, poolside movies, afternoon tea, pickleball, board games, basketball shooting competitions, spa seminars, dance and mixology classes and wine tastings.

Public areas

Rotterdam's public spaces are elegantly designed and feature plenty of nooks and crannies for relaxing, finding some quiet time or grabbing a drink. The ship was at less than 40% capacity when I sailed, so I can't speak to how crowded it might feel when it's full, but I had no trouble escaping for a few quiet moments now and then.

Some of the notable public areas include the Greenhouse Spa and Salon, where passengers can receive a variety of for-fee treatments like massages and manicures, have their hair done or check out the thermal suite; the fitness center (which is equipped with several cardio and weight machines, as well as free weights and studio space for added-cost yoga and spin classes); the top-deck jogging track for fresh-air laps; and the onboard shops, selling everything from HAL logo wear and duty-free items to toiletries you might have forgotten to pack.

The vessel's main pool is the Lido Pool on Deck 9. Thankfully, it lacks bright, kitschy, tropical decor that seems to be synonymous with cruise ships and, instead, boasts plenty of loungers, a retractable roof to allow swimming in any kind of weather, three hot tubs and easy access to bar service, gelato and the buffet, as well as the deli and pizzeria, which is one deck above.

The Sea View Pool, also on Deck 9, is the adults-only pool. There, the focus is on the passing scenery and the ship's wake. There are also two hot tubs, and elegant lantern lighting is reminiscent of an upscale beach club.

New additions

As the third ship in Holland America's Pinnacle Class, Rotterdam is the product of evolution. It's worlds away from some of the line's oldest vessels, yet still the same in all the ways that matter: comfort, service, food, tradition, serenity and understated elegance.

New on Rotterdam are the previously mentioned Half Moon Bar; the onboard library, which gives me serious Barnes & Noble vibes and is fully stocked with sections for travel, young adult, mystery, poetry, fiction and science fiction, among others; and the onboard art collection, comprising 2,500 intriguing and eye-catching pieces from artists around the world.

Bottom line

With Rotterdam and the other vessels in the Pinnacle Class, Holland America has managed to please its most loyal demographic while offering plenty to keep younger cruisers satisfied and entertained. Although it doesn't attract large numbers of children, it's absolutely suitable for multigenerational family trips.

Service is great across the board; cabins are well-appointed, elegant and comfortable; and the food in just about every eatery is simply excellent.

Holland America Rotterdam

The Holland America ms Rotterdam is a mid-size luxury ship. 1,400 passengers are pampered on exotic voyages. The ms Rottterdam offers a cruise from New York to Europe.

The Holland America Rotterdam features innovative Lanai staterooms, $2 million art and antique collection, the Retreat private pool, Mix and the Showroom nightclubs, and the Canaletto restaurant. Read a Holland America Rotterdam cruise review . Ship photos are courtesy of Holland America Line.

Please see our Holland America cruises from New York for the full schedule of departures.

• Cruise News

Holland America’s Newest Ship Arrives in NYC For First Time

Sarah Bretz, Contributor

• October 26, 2022

Holland America’s newest ship Rotterdam arrived in New York City this morning for the first time, following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands on October 15th. The vessel is nearing the end of a 15-day cruise that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America’s first ship —  Rotterdam I — that departed Rotterdam 150 years ago on October 15, 1872.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially declared today, October 26th, an “honorary day” for Holland America to recognize the occasion and contributions of the company to Manhattan throughout its 150 years.

To celebrate the milestone, an event is being held on board tonight for invited guests. A highlight of the evening will be the performance of a musical piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg, written for Holland America’s anniversary to accompany a special short film about the line’s journey. The composition will be performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former HAL Lincoln Center Stage musicians.

In addition, the cruise line will introduce a partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to celebrate its 150-year journey from immigrant carrier to consumer ocean liner fleet.

The partnership includes onboard video content across the fleet, as well as an exhibit launching next year at Ellis Island, detaining the brand’s historical prominence in bringing one in 10 immigrants from Europe to the U.S.

MORE: Carnival Cruise Line Debuts First Pickleball Court in the Fleet

“We are excited to be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in such a vibrant city with our newest ship on a rare overnight call,” said Gus Antorcha, Holland America Line’s president. “There’s nothing like sailing into New York under the Verrazano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Standing on deck, you can’t help but think back to more than a century ago, feeling the emotion of arriving in America for the first time. Recreating our first voyage has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

During the crossing, guests indulged in menus that showcased Holland America’s 150-year-history, with entrées each evening reminiscent of dishes served as early as the 1920s. One special 150th Gala Menu only featured items from a previous Holland America voyage.

In addition to the cuisine, special programming included a “Throwback Happy Hour” that featured drinks priced as low as 25 cents, Dutch High Tea, presentations that relived the history of the company, and anniversary-themed trivia.

Holland America also introduced a limited-edition Pilsner beer — HAL Pils — in a can adorned with the iconic Jan van Beers advertising poster of 1898 showing a woman holding a Holland America steamship above her head.

Those looking to continue the celebration can enjoy many of the same culinary and enrichment programs on another 150th anniversary transatlantic crossing departing April 6, 2023 from New York City, ending in Rotterdam on April 18th — Holland America’s official 150th birthday.

READ NEXT: Service Dog Celebrates Over 700 Cruise Days on Holland America Ships

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USA to Netherlands Cruises

There are cruises from the United States to the Netherlands, including a special round-trip journey. Five cruise lines offer the voyages. See the full schedule of departures below.

US to the Netherlands cruises depart from Florida and Boston. The ports they visit in the Netherlands include Rotterdam and Amsterdam.

Cruises to the Netherlands and cruises to Holland are the same thing. Holland is actually a part of the Netherlands, but it is often used to refer to the entire nation.

April 7, 2024: 14-day cruise to the Netherlands on Holland America Line . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Rotterdam (Netherlands). Visit Bermuda, St Peter Port (Guernsey), Le Havre (France) and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

April 13, 2024: 14-day cruise to the Netherlands on Holland America Line . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Rotterdam (Netherlands). Visit Ponta Delgada (Azores), Brest (France), Portland (England), Le Havre (France) and Dover (England).

April 22, 2024: 13-night cruise to the Netherlands on Celebrity Cruises . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Amsterdam (Netherlands). Visit Royal Naval Dockyard (Bermuda), Ponta Delgada (Azores) and Cork (Ireland).

May 11, 2024: 14-day cruise to the Netherlands on Holland America Line . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Amsterdam (Netherlands). Visit Bermuda, Brest (France), Cork (Ireland), Falmouth (England), Cherbourg (France) and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

June 24, 2024: 36-day cruise to the Netherlands on Viking . One-way from New York to Amsterdam (Netherlands). Visit Halifax (Canada), L'Anse aux Meadows (Canada), Qaqortoq (Greenland), Nanortalik (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Seydisfjordur (Iceland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Heimaey (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Longyearbyen (Norway), Honningsvag (Norway), Tromso (Norway), Lofoten (Norway), Narvik (Norway), Geiranger (Norway), Bergen (Norway), Flam (Norway), Stavanger (Norway), Oslo (Norway), Kristiansand (Norway) and Skagen (Denmark).

April 5, 2025: 15-day cruise to the Netherlands on Holland America Line . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Rotterdam (Netherlands). Visit Bermuda, Falmouth (England), Portland (England), Le Havre (France) and Dover (England).

April 12, 2025: 14-day cruise to the Netherlands on Holland America Line . One-way from Fort Lauderdale (Florida) to Rotterdam (Netherlands). Visit Bermuda, Portland (England), Southampton (England) and Zeebrugge (Belgium).

May 18, 2025: 36-day cruise to the Netherlands on Viking . One-way from New York (New York) to Amsterdam (Netherlands). Visit Halifax (Canada), L'Anse aux Meadows (Canada), Qaqortoq (Greenland), Nanortalik (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Seydisfjordur (Iceland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Heimaey (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Longyearbyen (Norway), Honningsvag (Norway), Tromso (Norway), Lofoten (Norway), Narvik (Norway), Geiranger (Norway), Bergen (Norway), Flam (Norway), Stavanger (Norway), Kristiansand (Norway), Oslo (Norway) and Skagen (Denmark).

July 27, 2025: 36-day cruise to the Netherlands on Viking . One-way from New York (New York) to Amsterdam (Netherlands). Visit Halifax (Canada), L'Anse aux Meadows (Canada), Qaqortoq (Greenland), Nanortalik (Greenland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Akureyri (Iceland), Seydisfjordur (Iceland), Djupivogur (Iceland), Heimaey (Iceland), Reykjavik (Iceland), Isafjordur (Iceland), Longyearbyen (Norway), Honningsvag (Norway), Tromso (Norway), Lofoten (Norway), Narvik (Norway), Geiranger (Norway), Bergen (Norway), Flam (Norway), Stavanger (Norway), Kristiansand (Norway), Oslo (Norway) and Skagen (Denmark).

• Tuesday, April 23, 2024

CruiseToTravel

Holland america line’s rotterdam has arrived in new york city.

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam has arrived in New York City on her historic maiden call. The ship will overnight in celebration of the cruise line’s 150th Anniversary.

Holland America Line ’s flagship Rotterdam arrived at New York City this morning on its maiden call to the city following a transatlantic crossing that departed Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on October 15. The ship is nearing the end of a 15-day historic crossing that is recreating the maiden voyage of Holland America Line’s first ship – Rotterdam I – that departed Rotterdam 150 years ago Oct. 15, 1872.

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine officially declared today, October 26, an “honorary day” for Holland America Line to recognize the occasion and the historic contributions of the company to Manhattan throughout its 150 years.

To celebrate the milestone, an event is being held on board tonight. A highlight of the evening will be the performance of a musical piece by Emmy Award-winning producer and Emmy-nominated composer Steven Schoenberg, written exclusively for Holland America Line’s anniversary to accompany a special short film about the cruise line’s journey. The composition will be performed by a 25-piece ensemble of former Holland America Line’s Lincoln Center Stage musicians.

In addition, the premium line will introduce a  partnership with The Statue of Liberty-Ellis Island Foundation to celebrate the cruise line’s 150-year journey from immigrant carrier to consumer ocean liner fleet. The partnership features on-board video content across Holland America Line’s entire fleet produced by an Ellis Island researcher, as well as a curated exhibit launching in 2023 at Ellis Island detailing the brand’s historical prominence in bringing one in 10 immigrants from Europe to the United States.

“We are excited to be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in such a vibrant city with our newest ship on a rare overnight call,” said Gus Antorcha , Holland America Line’s president. “There’s nothing like sailing into New York under the Verrazano Bridge, past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. Standing on deck, you can’t help but think back to more than a century ago, feeling the emotion of arriving in America for the first time. Recreating our first voyage has been a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

During the crossing, guests indulged in exclusive menus that showcase Holland America Line’s 150-year history with entrées each evening reminiscent of dishes served as early as the 1920s. One special 150th Gala Menu only featured items, from appetizers to desserts, from a previous Holland America Line voyage.

In addition to the cuisine, special programming included a ‘Throwback Happy Hour’ that rolled back time with drinks priced as low as 25 cents, Dutch High Tea, presentations that relived the history and roots of the company and anniversary-themed trivia. Holland America Line also introduced a limited-edition Pilsner beer –  HAL Pils – in a commemorative can adorned with the iconic Jan van Beers advertising poster of 1898 showing a woman holding a Holland America Line steamship above her head.

For travelers looking to continue the celebration, many of the same special culinary and enrichment programs will be offered on another 150th Anniversary Transatlantic departing April 6, 2023, from New York, ending at Rotterdam April 18, the cruise line’s 150th birthday.

Also read : Holland America Line takes guests behind the scenes in A City on the Sea

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Review: Holland America Line Rotterdam cruise ship

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Rotterdam cruise ship facts

• 2,668 guests
• 2021 launched
• Not yet refurbished

This Rotterdam review explains what you need to know before booking a vacation on the Holland America Line cruise ship.

In this review

• Rotterdam deck plan
• Our review ratings
• About HAL’s Rotterdam
• Food on board Rotterdam
• Nightlife on HAL’s Rotterdam
• Accommodation
• Fitnesss at sea
• Rotterdam cruise ship activities
• Inclusions on board Rotterdam
• Cruise fare add-on’s
• The Rotterdam dress code
• Fellow guests
• Rotterdam review conclusion

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam cruise ship has tempting specialty restaurants as well as great live music venues. However, as this Rotterdam review explains, there are things worth knowing before taking a cruise vacation on board.

The Rotterdam cruise ship also has two swimming pools for relaxing, as well as a large gym and a spa with lots of indulgent treatments (for a fee). There’s even a basketball court and a good sized jogging track.

Most guests stay in Verandah Staterooms which I rate as comfortable, but modest in size. However, there are also big suites on the Rotterdam cruise ship for those who like more space.

As you’ll see in this Rotterdam review there are pros and cons, but on the whole I think the Rotterdam offers a very good big-ship cruise experience.

• Multiple live music venues.
• Excellent pan-Asian specialty restaurant.
• Exciting production shows in the World Stage theatre.
• Beverages not included.
• Speciality dining costs extra.
• Can feel crowded.

The Rotterdam deck plan is somewhat difficult to get around. There are a total of 12 passenger decks, the highest of which is deck 12.

• Reception : Deck 3
• Accommodation : Decks 1 to 11
• Main dining room : Deck 2
• Theatre : Deck 3
• Observation lounge : Deck 12

It is worth noting the lowest deck is -3 (a crew deck).

About HAL’s Rotterdam

The Rotterdam is a Pinnacle-class cruise ship in the Holland America Line fleet. Indeed, it is the third and final of the cruise line’s Pinnacle-class ships following Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam. Rotterdam is also the 7th Holland America Line vessel to bear the iconic name.

The ship was built in Italy and debuted in October 2021. However, because of the pandemic Rotterdam was not christened until May 2022 .

The Rotterdam cruise ship is 295 m. / 984 ft. long with space for 2,668 guests in a double occupancy configuration. Though it’s worth noting that there is room for almost 3,000 guests with triple and quad occupancy staterooms. It can feel crowded when that many people are on board.

The public areas on Rotterdam are chic, yet subtly evoke the Dutch heritage of the cruise line. As you’ll see in this Rotterdam review, there is also bold design and eye-catching artwork at every turn. Indeed, the value of the art collection exceeds USD4.1 million.

The dining scene on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam is one of the cruise ship’s big drawcards, but as you’ll see in this Rotterdam review not all the restaurants are as good as others. There are six speciality restaurants, a main dining room, a large buffet and fast food outlets.

The Asian-inspired Tamarind is among the best of the speciality restaurants. The Wok-Seared Lobster is not to be missed. The French focused Rudi’s Sel de Mer is also good, with dishes like Bouillabaisse Marseillaise and an excellent Whole Dover Sole. The Pinnacle Grill steakhouse serves quality surf and turf. There is Italian fare in Canaletto , though the menu is somewhat underwhelming. On the other hand, Nami Sushi has exceptional sashimi inspired by master chef Andy Matsuda. While Michilin starred chef Jonnie Boer brings culinary inspration to the menu of Taste of De Librije (European sailings only). It’s worth noting all these specialty restaurants charge dining supplements.

The Dining Room is the multi-level main restaurant serving tempting dishes like Tangerine Glazed Duck Breast. Indeed the menu is enticing, but I have to say that on my voyage the food wasn’t always as good as it might have been.

The Lido Market on deck 9 is a buffet with themed food stations. There’s Mexican, Asian and Italian offerings, as well as fish & chips, sandwiches, salads and desserts.

In addition, Rotterdam has the popular Grand Dutch Cafe on deck 3. The New York Deli & Pizza offers casual poolside dining. Dive-In serves burgers and hotdogs. While there is ice cream at Gelato (for a fee).

Nightlife on HAL’s Rotterdam

Live music is integral to the entertainment experience on Rotterdam . In fact the cruise ship has a dedicated live music precinct known as ‘the music walk’. There is jazz at the B.B. King Blues Club while the Lincoln Center Stage has a great quartet. Duelling piano players sing pop hits in Billboard Onboard and there is an exciting band in the Rollingstone Rock Room. In addition, the World Stage features big production shows. On my Rotterdam review voyage some of these were excellent.

The staterooms and suites on the Rotterdam cruise ship are tastefully decorated, with beechwood fixtures and brushed silver highlights.

Inside Staterooms have no view, which means they are the least expensive type of accommodation. On my Rotterdam review voyage I stayed in a Verandah Stateroom which was modest in size, but nonetheless comfortable. It had a surprisingly large bathroom with a big, walk-in shower.

For those who like even more space there are also Signature and Neptune Suites. I especially liked the Neptune Suite which had an enormous balcony, complete with outdoor dining furniture and sun loungers. In addition, there is the top of the range Pinnacle Suite.

The accommodations span the entire length of the cruise ship, however it’s worth noting that the suites are all located on higher decks.

Rotterdam has a range of fitness and recreation options including indoor and outdoor pools, an enormous gym, a basketball court and a jogging track. Also, there are wellness treatments in the luxurious Greenhouse Spa & Salon, for a fee. There’s even a barber shop for male grooming.

Holland America Line’s Rotterdam has the usual shipboard activities including bridge, trivia, yahtzee, shuffleboard and lectures from guest speakers. There are other activities too, like art studio classes, whiskey tasting at Notes (for a fee), dance classes and even flower arranging.

There are also get-togethers for solo cruisers and friends of Dorothy, as well as friends of Bill W.

In addition, Rotterdam has a games room with chess, backgammon, Scrabble and other popular board games. There is a well stocked library, which I enjoyed. It is a peaceful place to read and relax. Rotterdam has boutiques selling designer apparel and there is also a dedicated youth club for kids and teens.

A basic Rotterdam cruise fare only includes accommodation, meals (excluding specialty restaurants) and entertainment. Almost everything else on board comes at an additional cost.

Beverages are not included in the cruise fare, so I recommend purchasing one of the HAL beverage packages . These include water, tea, coffee, sodas, wine and spirits.

Dining in the specialty restaurants also costs extra, usually in the form of a dining supplement. However Nami Sushi has an à la carte menu with prices marked like regular land-based restaurants.

Gratuities are not included in a Rotterdam cruise fare. So a service charge of 15% will apply to beverages and spa treatments. It’s also worth noting that there is a daily hotel service charge of USD14.50 per guest per day for stateroom guests and USD16.00 per guest per day for suite guests.

I noted during my Rotterdam review voyage that there are no self-service laundry facilities onboard. However there are HAL laundry and pressing packages available for purchase, some of which represent good value.

Cruise fare add-on’s

It’s also worth noting that some Rotterdam cruise fares and add-ons offer extra inclusions.

For instance, guests staying in suites have access to Club Orange. It includes perks like welcome sparkling wine, priority boarding, priority specialty restaurant reservations, upgraded room amenities and a dedicated Club Orange Guest Services desk. There is even an exclusive Club Orange Restaurant. Non-suite guests can enjoy these benefits with a Club Orange add-on (for a daily fee).

In addition, there is also a “Have It All” add-on which entitles guests to shore excursions, beverages, specialty dining and Wi-Fi. At the time of writing the “Have It All” add-on cost USD50 per guest, per day for voyages of 7-days or more. However, there are limits on the shore excursions, specialty dining and type of beverages available.

The Rotterdam dress code ranges from casual to ‘dressy’. During the day casual attire is appropriate in most venues on Rotterdam. In the evening, after 6pm, there are two different types of dress code: Smart Casual and Dressy (Gala).

Smart Casual includes slacks and collared shirts for men, and casual dresses, slacks and informal evening-wear for women.

When the dress code is Dressy (or Gala) women wear a suit or slacks, cocktail dress or gown, while men wear a jacket, dark suit, or tuxedo (tie optional). There will usually be at least one gala evening per 7-day sailing. On my Rotterdam review voyage most guests enjoyed dressing up on gala nights.

Rotterdam attracts cruisers of all ages and nationalities. There is a mix of young families and older couples on board. Indeed, during my Rotterdam review voyage guests ranged in age from 5 to over 75.

My sailing was a Northern European voyage, so most guests were from the Netherlands and Belgium. However, when Rotterdam sails from other parts of the World it is more common to find the majority of guest from the USA, UK and Canada.

It’s also worth noting that Rotterdam is gay-friendly, with special LGBTI get togethers.

In my opinion, the Rotterdam cruise ship offers a very good, big-ship experience. There is excellent dining in the specialty restaurants and the live music options are outstanding.

However, it’s worth noting that service can be patchy, particularly in the busy entertainment venues. Also, Rotterdam can feel somewhat crowded – especially on sea days.

Cruisers should also remember that Rotterdam does not offer the inclusions of some other premium cruise lines.

The author sailed as a guest of Holland America Line .

About the Author: Jason Kerr

Rotterdam Rooms

Rotterdam dining, rotterdam nightlife, rotterdam wellness, one comment.

Enjoyed Holland and enjoy mariner status, trying to find single options that don,t reg. Paying double

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975 ft. length

114.8 ft. width

Our newest ship, Rotterdam , delivers the best of everything we do: exquisite cuisine, award-winning service, superbly appointed staterooms and suites, and world-class entertainment. Dance the night away at B.B. King’s Blues Club or relive your favorite rock classics at Rolling Stone Lounge. Experience Rotterdam ’s Pinnacle Class luxury and find a mastery of the details that keep our guests returning again and again.

Explore Rotterdam

Cruise activities on board.

Billboard Onboard

ENTERTAINMENT

Sing along, test your music trivia knowledge, or sit back and enjoy as chart-topping hits fill the room each night.

2 pianos - 60 Years of Chart Toppers - 100s Of Songs.  Sing along, test your music trivia skills or just sit back and enjoy as the hits fill the room each night.

World Stage

World Stage features innovative cruise ship shows and a two-story LED screen that creates a vivid wraparound display.

World Stage, the largest theater on board is home to a variety of performances day and night. Our exclusive EXC® Talk lecture series features captivating regional stories told by local experts and narrated by your Cruise & Travel Director. In the evenings, Step One Dance Company, vocal sensation Cantaré, BBC Earth in Concert and more take the stage.  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam  bring the World Stage experience to the next level by surrounding you in spectacular sight and sound with a two-story, panoramic LED screen.

Onboard Shopping

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping onboard.

Enjoy a wide variety of duty-free shopping in such signature shops as The Vault, Diamonds and Gemstones by Merabella, which offers the best diamonds at sea, brought to you by Effy.

Fitness Center

Take a class in our professionally staffed Fitness Center.

Stop by the professionally staffed Fitness Center equipped with the latest cardio and weight machines. Try one of our classes on indoor cycling, Pilates and more or work out at your own pace. You can also head out for fresh air and exercise on deck, where you'll find basketball and volleyball courts, and two refreshing pools (available on select ships). Some classes may have a nominal fee.

Holland America Line Navigator

Personalize your cruise experience with our free mobile-friendly tool.

Personalize your cruise experience once you’re on the ship with our free mobile-friendly tool. Plan your daily activities, browse and purchase shore excursions, view restaurant menus, make dining reservations, check your account balance and more. 

Casino Action

The Casino offers games for all levels.

Your Holland America Line ship’s Casino offers a wide array of gaming options. Whether you prefer slot machines or want to try your hand at blackjack or poker, our dealers and staff are available to provide complimentary instruction — and we offer many engaging tournament options. The Casino is only open at sea.

Movies On Board

Enjoy recent-release films in the movie theater on select ships or in the comfort of your stateroom.

Screening nightly in the movie theatre (on select ships) are recent-release films and perennially popular classics. You can also watch movies any time in your stateroom or suite. And aboard  Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam  and  Rotterdam , watch your favorite stars light up the night on a giant outdoor LED movie screen by the Lido Pool.

Pickleball at Sea

Enjoy complimentary lessons, tournaments, and courts with amazing top-deck views.

Play the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. with Holland America Line, the exclusive cruise line partner of the Professional Pickleball Association. All our cruise ships feature pickleball courts with amazing top-deck views. The equipment and courts are available for a match anytime, so long as the weather allows. Frequent pickler? Join a pickleball tournament at sea and put your dink shot to the test. Hesitant amateur? Learn the basics at complimentary beginner’s lessons, starting in spring 2023. Commemorative starter kits will soon be available in our retail shops — purchase as gifts for avid players or as souvenirs, so that you can always look back on your pickleball cruise memories.

Kids ages 3 to 17 can enjoy an array of activities. Registration required for children under 13.

Holland America Line's youth activities program, Kids Club, offers an array of entertaining events for kids and teens ages 3-17, supervised by a full-time, professionally trained staff. They'll have an opportunity to join other kids their age for arts and crafts, sports, video game competitions, scavenger hunts, challenging team games and themed parties. Note: Kids Club is not offered on cruises of 25-days or longer, including all Legendary and Grand Voyages. We will offer a selection of children’s activities throughout these longer voyages for any children who may be onboard.

Dining Experiences On Your Cruise

Pinnacle Grill

The ultimate steakhouse at sea, with an exceptional menu of Prime steaks, seafood and wine.

Pinnacle Grill is the ultimate steakhouse at sea, where an exceptional menu and impeccable service make for one of finest meals you’ll ever have. The refined menu features a selection of 28-day wet-aged USDA Prime steaks — meticulously chosen to guarantee the finest quality — as well as classic steakhouse dishes and innovative recipes from James Beard Award-winning chef and Culinary Council® member, David Burke. Every dish is exquisitely prepared, beautifully plated and complemented by a vast collection of award-winning wines. Here, your meal is an event unto itself, a celebration of fine dining and a triumph of flavor.

*Meals at Pinnacle Grill are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Canaletto is a relaxed setting with authentic Italian cuisine that is best enjoyed when shared.

In Italy, there’s nothing more important than coming together to celebrate the joy of great food. This is the inspiration for our onboard Italian restaurant, Canaletto. Enjoy amazing Italian classics like braised chicken cacciatore al forno, branzino ai ferri or garlic shrimp ravioli. And for dessert: tiramisù, cannoli alla Siciliana, gelato, and more. Including pasta made fresh daily. Buon Appetito!

Meals at Canaletto are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Explore traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan with cuisine praised by Condé Nast Traveler as rivaling the top restaurants on land.

Praised by  Condé Nast Traveler  for cuisine “that rivals the top restaurants on land,” Tamarind is the perfect place to explore the culinary traditions of Southeast Asia, China and Japan. The menu, which honors the elements of water, wood, fire and earth, features such exotic fare as wok-seared lobster, barramundi (Asian sea bass) in banana leaf and sushi, accompanied by chilled or heated sake. 

Meals at Tamarind are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Rudi's Sel De Mer

Master Chef Rudi Sodamin’s award-winning, lively brasserie offers a modern twist on classic French dishes and seafood.

Named for Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, Rudi’s Sel de Mer is an intimate brasserie featuring classic French dishes reimagined with contemporary flair. Menu selections include whole Dover sole meunière with shaved pink Himalayan sea salt, oysters on the half shell, fruits de mer, and salt-crust baked branzino, as well as favorites such as steak frites, duck cassoulet and coq au vin. Conclude your dinner with a classic dessert and fine French cheeses.  

Meals at Sel de Mer are half price for kids 12 years old or under, or free when they order from the kids’ menu.

Rudi’s Sel de Mer restaurant is available on  Rotterdam ,  Koningsdam  and  Nieuw Statendam , but on other ships, the Rudi’s Sel de Mer menu is available on select evenings in Pinnacle Grill.

This casual poolside grill serves up the best burgers at sea, Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dogs, golden French fries and more.

Dive-In offers a variety of casual culinary classics, using the highest quality ingredients. Enjoy a burger, grilled to perfection and served on a toasted brioche with our own trade-marked secret sauce. Savor a succulent Nathan’s Famous gourmet hot dog with golden French fries. Or choose a grilled chicken breast sandwich or juicy portabella mushroom stack. Dive-In is the perfect spot to dine poolside on the best burgers at sea.

New York Pizza

Our poolside pizzeria has fresh Italian salads and authentic thin-crust personal pizzas with savory toppings.

At New York Pizza, choose from a variety of scrumptious, 9-inch, thin-crust pies. Named for New York’s famed five boroughs, our signature pizzas are made to order and topped with only the finest ingredients. Enjoy your pizza by day while overlooking the Lido pool, and into the night. This venue is New York Deli & Pizza on  Koningsdam ,  Rotterdam  and  Nieuw Statendam , offering made-to-order deli sandwiches in addition to pizza.

24-Hour Room Service

Enjoy breakfast in bed or an early dinner on your verandah — entrées and more are available whenever you wish.

Sleep in and have breakfast delivered. Enjoy an early dinner on your verandah before an evening excursion. Order a salad, sandwich or entrée any time. Room Service is only a phone call away. All selections are included in your cruise fare unless otherwise noted on the in-room menu.

Dine on delectable sushi and sip Asian-inspired spirits at Nami Sushi, a sushi bar within Tamarind offering stunning ocean views.

Nami Sushi offers a tempting array of the sushi rolls he’s created. Choose from such delectable selections as Tempura Lobster Roll with soft shell crab tempura; Dragon Roll with tempura shrimp, unagi sauce and avocado; Tsutsumi Roll with snapper, green olive, caper and avocado; Futomoki Roll with crab, yamagobo, avocado and cucumber; Volcano Roll with sesame-marinated salmon and Thai chilis; Nigiri sushi with tuna, salmon and ebi shrimp; and more. The word “nami,” Japanese in origin, means “wave” and is an homage to the ocean views you’ll enjoy as you dine on the freshest, tastiest and most inventive sushi at sea.

With many flavors to choose from and ingredients like Sicilian pistachios and amarena cherries, each frozen spoonful transports you to Italy.

At “G” Gelato, you can indulge your sweet tooth with a classic European gelato (ice cream), made fresh on board each day by chefs trained at the Carpigiani Gelato University. Choose from among 12 delightful flavors, two of which are rotated daily. Smooth, creamy and refreshing, this tasty treat is served in a variety of ways, including gelato popsicles and the flavors of G, composed shots with layers of caramel, nuts and gelato. Love pistachio?  Select ingredients like Sicilian pistachios make our pistachio gelato out of this world!

Club Orange Program Benefits

Club Orange offers an added level of luxury on Holland America with expanded dining menus, special events and priority access. Learn more about Club Orange.

See the  full Club Orange benefits  (PDF)

Join Club Orange to experience a new level of luxury, from priority check-in and disembarkation to premium dining amenities. Club Orange benefits include a complimentary stateroom upgrade, a special event chosen by the captain and priority check-in and disembarkation. Read on for a full list of Club Orange benefits.

Please  contact us  for Club Orange pricing and availability or to enroll.

The Dining Room

Our flagship dining experience is a welcoming and sophisticated setting for an exquisite breakfast, lunch or superb multicourse dinner.

For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable multi-course dinner, The Dining Room is your destination. For dinner, choose from classics such as Boneless Lamb Loin en Croute, Rosemary Roasted Chicken, as well as regionally inspired cuisine and artfully prepared vegetarian dishes. 

Suites & Staterooms

Please select your stateroom or suite type and room category from the available options.

• Daily housekeeping
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Elemis Aromapure soap, lotion, shampoo
• Luxurious bathrobes
• Generous storage
• Fresh fruit upon request
• TV with On Demand movies, programming

Two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads and a host of amenities are featured in these comfortable staterooms.

• Hair dryers, makeup mirrors
• Ice service

These expansive staterooms include include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our Signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, premium massage shower heads, a host of amenities and an ocean view.

Filled with light from floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these staterooms include a sitting area, two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and shower with premium massage showerheads.

Vista Suite

With a verandah, floor-to-ceiling windows and comfortable sitting area, these comfortable suites are filled with light. They include two lower beds convertible to one queen-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, plus a shower, mini-bar and refrigerator.

Signature Suite

These large, comfortable suites feature a spacious sitting area with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses, and one murphy bed.

Neptune Suite

• Premium bathrobes, slippers
• Fresh flowers
• One-Touch concierge service
• Whirlpool bath (suite dependent)
• In-suite coffee, espresso
• Complimentary laundry
• Pre-dinner hors d'oeuvres served in suite
• Welcome glass of sparkling wine
• Priority boarding for tender ports, priority dining/seating requests, special disembarkation service
• High tea in suite on request
• Exclusive tote bag

With floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking a private verandah, these spacious suites are flooded with light. They feature a large sitting area and two lower beds convertible to one king-size bed—our signature Mariner's Dream™ bed with plush Euro-Top mattresses. The bathroom comes with a dual-sink vanity and large shower. Amenities include use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge, a private concierge and an array of complimentary services.

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• Accessibility Routes (PDF)

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Spido Rotterdam

A canal cruise is a popular way to see the beautiful buildings of the city of Rotterdam from the water. In the last century, a oarsmen’s association started passenger service from shore to various ships. Unfortunately, the First World War threw a spanner in the works. Spido was founded in 1919 and for many years was the only shipping company responsible for the shore connections in Rotterdam, especially for passenger transportation. Meanwhile, Spido has been providing these shore connections in the city of Rotterdam for more than a hundred years. The company, like the city, has continued to renew itself after the Second World War. A well-known connection was the trip to the Waalhaven to admire the air shows from the water. In the past nine decades, Spido has specialized in tourist transport with a wide range of day trips, tours and cruises. The tours traditionally start at the foot of the Erasmus Bridge.

With a wide range of tours, cruises and day trips, guests can choose how much they see of the city in any season of the year. The tours take you past beautiful, historic buildings, modern bridges, bustling harbours and many other fascinating attractions. Cruises on the many rivers outside Rotterdam are becoming more and more popular. And during the day trips to Woudrichem, Willemstad or the nature island Tiengemeten you look forward to the beautiful nature where the ships of Spido sail past. On the vessel, you can participate in board games while enjoying a cup of coffee or tea, but it is also possible to enjoy a snack, and even an extensive lunch is among the possibilities. During the day trips, coffee with apple pie and lunch are even free of charge.

Guests using a wheelchair can also get on board without any problems. If you are with a group of more than twenty people, you can book a canal cruise in advance. Standing on deck, you can take the most beautiful pictures of all the impressive sights that pass by. Dog lovers can also bring their pets on a leash. If you are moored during the cruise, you can take part in various city walks accompanied by qualified guides. A much sought after the tour is the tour in the port of Rotterdam, the largest port in Europe. Here you will get to see historical shipyards and hotel New York, from where the Holland-America line departs. The tours are accompanied by an explanation in various languages, including; Dutch. English, French and also German. Groups between 20 and 200 persons can also make reservations to organize meetings and other events on board. There are also combination tickets available for adventurous tourists who would like to visit several attractions.

Harbour cruise with Spido Rotterdam

During the cruise in Rotterdam, you will get to see all the highlights of the impressive harbour. With the Spido you sail along with the extremely modern transhipment of containers, shipyards and docks. You will also get to see the beautiful historic and innovative buildings that make the city of Rotterdam so unique. The tour does not end before you pass the steamship Rotterdam, which used to sail the crossing to America, the Holland America Line. This canal cruise has a surprising action; the birthday boy can have a double party. On your birthday you can request a free canal cruise from the ticket service when you can prove it with your ID.

High Tea Cruise

The High Tea Cruise distinguishes itself from other cruises by its excellent high tea with various exquisite sweet and savoury delicacies. These are served during the cruise. You sail to the Botlek area where you get a good view of the bustle in the harbour, shipyards and dry docks. You will also see the transhipment of containers. But that’s not all. The city’s famous skyline with its unrivalled buildings also passes by. You sail along the Erasmus Bridge, the Euromast, SS Rotterdam and Hotel New York. This tour is very suitable for tourists who want a bit more rest and pampering outside the high season.

Under The Bridge

The conviviality on board gets a sporty touch during the Under the Bridge tours with the various bridge games. During the round trip, you sail along Kralingen, the Hollandse IJssel, the municipalities of Bolnes, Ridderkerk and then you go up the river Lek to the polder-like Krimpener- and Albasserwaard. Also, the windmills of Kinderdijk (Unesco World Culture Heritage List) will pass by. During the cruise, you can enjoy an excellent buffet lunch, and there’s a choice of food for everyone. Afterwards, there is an opportunity to disembark and visit Schoonhoven. You can explore the surroundings independently until the ship continues its journey to Rotterdam. At the end of the tour, the players will play the final bridge games. The day ends with the award ceremony and a drink. The return trip will be over the river Lek and further over the river Nieuwe Maas. When the tide permits, guests can also visit the Maashaven, before the tour comes to an end at the Willemsplein.

High Wine Cruise

Sail along the beautiful skyline of Rotterdam while enjoying a three-course dinner with small dishes accompanied by elegant wines on the High Wine Cruise. This tour is new. The kitchen brigade has put together a tasty menu of culinary delights with a matching wine arrangement. This tour sails along with various port activities and the skyline of Rotterdam.

An enjoyable day trip with Spido

A cruise around the land van heusden en altena.

This day trip sails along with many beautiful (nature) areas and only at the end of the day you disembark again. Guests can check in from 10:00 am, so you can leave no later than 10:30 am while enjoying a cup of coffee with a piece of apple pie. You sail along De Kuip and under the Brienenoordbrug via the river Noord in the direction of Dordrecht. At Dordrecht you go over the port, left, onto the Merwede and you see Hardinxveld on one side, while on the other hand, you pass the Merwelanden nature reserve. Via the river Upper Merwede you sail along Gorinchem towards the old fortified town of Woudrichem.

The land of Heusden and Altena falls under the municipality of Altena since 2019. The whole area consists of villages and beautiful nature. This day trip sails around Altena so you can enjoy the authentic villages and beautiful landscape from the water. During the cruise, the captain tells several well-known and lesser-known stories about all the beautiful things you see.

Along Woudrichem you will sail along the narrow Afgedamde Maas past Aalburg, up the Bergsche Maas. Here you navigate between the Brabant countryside towards the Biesbosch and finally under the Moerdijk bridges through the Hollands Diep. The canal boat will take you to the much narrower Dordtsche Kil, and via the Oude Maas you will pass Zwijndrecht, and via the rivers Noord and Nieuwe Maas you will return to your home port.

This canal cruise does not stop during this trip so you will be on board of the boat all day, from 10:00 to 18:30, the arrival in Rotterdam. During this day trip, you can enjoy an extensive buffet taking into account vegetarians as well as fish or meat lovers.

With the tour boat to see the historic Dordrecht

A cruise to the historic city centre of Dordrecht is worthwhile. In Dordrecht, guides from the Gilde Dordrecht take you to the most beautiful places and tell you about the history of the historic city centre. Did you know, for example, that there are almost 1000 protected national monuments in Dordrecht?

The day starts with a welcome speech from the captain and a cup of coffee. At 10:30 a.m. the cruise on the Nieuwe Maas starts, and you will pass the harbours on Rotterdam-Zuid. Afterwards, you sail along Pernis, and at the Botlek you turn into the river Oude Maas. You will navigate between Hoogvliet and Spijkenisse before you can enjoy the beautiful nature in the polders. During the cruise, the captain will tell you about the beautiful things you will encounter along the way.

After lunch, you will arrive in Dordrecht where you and the guide will take a walk through the city. People in wheelchairs and rollators are taken into account. You can indicate this when you book the canal cruise.

The canal boat goes back via the river Noord, and you will pass by Ridderkerk and Kinderdijk. A little further on you go under the Brienenoordbrug, pass the Feyenoord stadium and cross the centre of Rotterdam. When you’re just under the Erasmus bridge, the boat moors and the day trip ends around 17:30 hrs.

Across the water to the windmills of Kinderdijk

The windmills of Kinderdijk were very important to keep the polders dry hundreds of years ago. They pumped water from the polder into the Lek, the same river as the one over which you sail with Spido to Kinderdijk. During the voyage, the captain tells helpful and knowledgable stories about the beautiful things you see along the way.

The day starts around 10:00 am when everyone comes on board in Rotterdam. Half an hour later, the Spido boat leaves over the river Nieuwe Maas. The beautiful thing about a cruise is that from departure to the end you can see everything from the water and because of this it looks very different from the mainland. During the day trip, the crew will do everything they can to please everyone. At 11:45 am the lunch buffet will open, and you can enjoy various hot and cold dishes. On the way there we first sail on to Schoonhoven so you can see the beautiful surroundings. The arrival in Kinderdijk is around 13:15, where you can visit the mills with a guide. Visiting the Museum windmill Nederwaard and watching a film about the history of Kinderdijk is part of the day trip.

At 15:45, you will leave again with everyone on board, on your way to Rotterdam. On the return trip, you will always see things you didn’t see on the way back. Arriving in the port of Rotterdam you will sail on to the SS Rotterdam, the cruise ship that used to bring people from Rotterdam to America. Before the boat moors, we sail past Hotel New York so you can take some cute pictures of it. Around 17:00 hours this beautiful cruise will end.

Enjoying the environment in Tiengemeten

Tiengemeten is an island in the Haringvliet and is not far from the Haringvliet Bridge. The island is a protected nature reserve and is not very large at one hundred by four hundred meters. Nature has been managed by Natuurmonumenten since 1997 and is, therefore, the ideal destination if you love nature and tranquillity. If you are lucky, you might even see a white-tailed eagle.

You leave for the island at 10:30 am while you will sit down and relax with a cup of coffee. The tour first passes the Waalhaven and at the Botlek the boat sails under the Botlek Bridge up the river Oude Maas. Via the river Spui, the trip sees Oud-Beijerland, and you will arrive at Tiengemeten around 13:30 hrs. Before that time, you will have enjoyed the extensive lunch on board.

The nature walk departs around 13:45 hours, accompanied by an experienced guide of Natuurmonumenten. The beaver lives here so you might see them building a dam somewhere. The Scottish Highlanders are almost unmissable and are usually seen. After the hike, everyone goes back on board, and the trip back to Rotterdam starts. On the way back there is still plenty to see, but when you pass under the Brienenoordbrug, you know that the day trip is almost over. At 18:30 hours you will moor again in Rotterdam.

Having a nice day with the Spido boat to Woudrichem

The fortified town of Woudrichem in Brabant lies on the river Merwede and is, therefore, a perfect destination for a Spido cruise. The city still has houses built in the sixteenth century. Woudrichem has an enormous past as a fishing village and therefore also has its fishing museum.

From 10:00 am people come on board and enjoy a piece of apple pie with coffee before departure. On departure in the direction of the Brienenoord Bridge, you will pass the Feyenoord stadium De Kuip. At Kinderdijk the river Nieuwe Maas changes into the river Lek and the captain will tell you something about the windmills you see. Before you arrive in Woudrichem, you can enjoy a delicious lunch with hot and cold dishes.

When you arrive in Woudrichem, you will walk with the city guide through the streets of Woudrichem, and you will hear more about the interesting history of the small town. After the walk, the boat leaves for Rotterdam. The return trip will be on the same water as the outward journey so if you want to take the one picture that didn’t work out on the outward journey because you were on the other side you now have another chance. At about 18:00 the Spido boat moors again at the Willemsplein in Rotterdam.

On a cruise to Willemstad

This day trip goes to the Brabant Willemstad. Willemstad has been a favourite destination for people with their boat for many years, simply because people can walk onto a cosy terrace from their ship. Willemstad is a cosy fortified town with a rich history. In 1585 Prince Maurice, the son of William of Orange, granted it city rights and in 1809 King Louis Napoleon visited it.

The Spido boat leaves Rotterdam around 10:30 am, and then you go along the Botlek on the river Oude Maas, then via Spui to the Haringvliet. You sail along the beautiful island of Tiengemeten under the Haringvliet bridge to the Havenhoofd in Willemstad. When you are moored here, you can join the guide for a walk through the charming fortified town. Around 16:00 hours everyone is back and the captain sails to Rotterdam. On the way back, there is always enough to see, so enjoy the view. You moor at 18:30 in Rotterdam.

Sail and enjoy Seven Rivers and a look at the Delta werken

This is a real cruise because during this day trip you will not disembark. After coffee and apple pie, the Spido boat sails up the Nieuwe Maas in the direction of Pernis. At the Botlek the ship goes on the Oude Maas, and at the drinking water production company Beerenplaat the canal boat turns into the Spui. At the end of the Spui, you will enter the fourth river of the day, the Haringvliet. The trip continues to the Haringvliet dam where the Spido boat will sail past while the captain tells more about this part of the Delta Works.

At Stellendam the boat will turn around, and you will sail along the coast of Goeree-Overflakkee in the direction of the Haringvliet bridge. Sailing this bridge, you end up in the Hollands Diep. At Moerdijk, you sail up the Dordtsche Kil. At the end of this river, the boat will cross the Oude Maas again. The Noord will be the seventh river you will sail this day before you go back to Rotterdam.

This canal cruise passes many beautiful nature reserves and sails under the three famous bridges of Rotterdam before you go ashore again at the Willemsplein in Rotterdam at the end of the day.

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My 12-day cruise cost me about $109 a day. See inside my 160-square-foot cabin, the most economical option on the ship.

• I went on a 12-day Holland America Line cruise and paid a little over $1,300 for my interior cabin.
• The cabin was an incredible value and I especially liked the storage and spacious shower.
• I'd book this room again — my cruise was so fun and busy that I barely spent time in it anyway. 

In a time of high inflation and stretched budgets, cruises reign supreme . Since most packages are pretty all-inclusive, you can pay for a week or more on a ship and then not spend another dime until you return.

I definitely had value in mind when I booked my recent 12-day cruise on the Holland America Line Rotterdam from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, to the Panama Canal. I selected an interior cabin , the most economical option on the ship.

I booked directly with Holland America Line and paid $849 plus $460 for taxes, fees, and port charges — about $109 a day. The rate came with a $25 onboard credit and didn't include gratuities or add-ons like drink packages , specialty dining, WiFi, or excursions.

Overall, my room was one of the best values of the trip. Here's what it was like.

I booked an interior room on deck seven.

On this ship, interior rooms can range from 143 to 225 square feet. I chose a cabin on deck seven that was 160 square feet.

The location of my stateroom was convenient and quiet. My cabin was a quick two decks up to the areas I frequented most, the spa and its thermal suite, and the fitness center.

My cabin was generously sized.

The stateroom featured a small hallway with a bathroom on the right, and two wardrobes and a cabinet on the left.

The main area of my room contained the bed.

The hallway opened to a small rectangular space with a queen bed on the right flanked by two small nightstands, each with two drawers and a tall bottom shelf.

I had a vanity that could also be used as a desk.

To the right of the bed was a large desk/vanity with an ottoman that doubled as a seat and storage space for the bed's decorative throw pillows.

This area had even more storage: The desk had three spacious drawers.

My bed was across from a mounted TV and bar area.

At the foot of the bed was a wall-mounted interactive television with on-demand movies, programming, and multi-channel music.

Next to it, I had a fully stocked minibar area, including a cabinet with things like red wine, white wine, rocks glasses, a stainless steel ice bucket, and tongs.

There was so much storage space in the room.

The full-height wardrobe had 26 hangers, including 13 pant and 13 skirt hangers, two bottom shelves, and a full-length mirror on one door.

The second half-height wardrobe closet had 12 hangers, including four pant and eight skirt hangers, four bottom shelves, and a tie rack.

One closet contained a mini fridge.

The cabinet featured three compartments: the top where robes, beach towels, and a safe were stowed, the middle with the mini fridge, and the bottom with three deep drawers.

The safe was roomy, accommodating my 13.6-inch MacBook Air plus all of my other valuables and important travel documents.

The bathroom felt spacious and well-designed.

The bathroom layout was thoughtfully designed with three glass shelves for toiletries and a large-size vanity with an underneath storage ledge.

A roomy shower was the highlight of the bathroom.

The walk-in shower was complete with a shaving foot bar, a retractable clothesline, Elemis bath products, and an adjustable handheld shower.

There were also two grab bars for stepping into and out of the shower.

There were plenty of electrical outlets in the room, too.

The room had an abundance of power outlets where I could charge my gear.

On both sides of the bed were a type-B plug, mainly used in the US, Mexico, and Canada, and a USB port. The desk had a USB port, three type-B plugs, and two type-C plugs, mainly used in Europe, South America, and Asia.

The bathroom had one electrical outlet that could accommodate a US or European two-pronged plug.

The room service was impeccable, too.

There were two cabin stewards assigned to my room. They worked together to fully service my stateroom twice daily.

On embarkation day, I was able to request extra pillows and towels plus other preferences like turn-down service, which included a towel animal and Astor Chocolates on most nights.

Overall, I had such a fun experience on my cruise I didn't even spend much time in my stateroom.

There was so much to do on the Rotterdam that I barely spent time in my stateroom.

I spent many of my days relaxing in the expansive multiroom thermal suite, singing along at B.B. King's Blues Club, or sunbathing by the Lido Pool with a retractable roof.

The room was an excellent value, and I was glad I hadn't splurged on a balcony room or one with a window.

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Amsterdam’s Latest Effort to Fight Excessive Tourism: No New Hotels

The city wants no more than 20 million hotel stays annually. The measure is one of multiple efforts to control the flow of visitors.

By Claire Moses

Amsterdam has been searching for any way to rein in the number of tourists that visit the city every year.

In March of last year, the city launched an ad campaign specifically targeted at British men between 18 and 35, urging them to “stay away.”

In July, the Dutch capital announced it would bar cruise ships from docking in the city center .

The city has also long tried to control the crowds in its red-light district, where rowdy groups of tourists often cause disruptions to local residents. It has added stricter rules about smoking marijuana . It has banned new tourist shops. And still, the people keep coming.

Now, the city — which is as well known for its canals and 17th century art as for its legal sex industry and easy access to marijuana — has taken one more step to further restrict the explosive growth of tourists: It is banning hotels from being built.

“Amsterdam is saying ‘no’ to new hotels,” the City Council said in a statement. “We want to make and keep the city livable for residents and visitors,” it added.

Amsterdam, which added that it was seeking to keep hotel stays by tourists to under 20 million per year, saw its highest number of visitors before the pandemic in 2019, when there were 25.2 million hotel stays, according to the city’s data.

Last year, that number was exceeded by tourists staying over in Amsterdam, not including stays in short-term rentals like Airbnbs and cruise ships. And the measure also does not take into account daily visitors who do not stay the night.

The ban on new hotels, while sending a clear message about the city’s aim to reduce the number of visitors, is also largely symbolic. The city’s policy on hotel construction was already strict, and there had been only three proposals since 2017 that met Amsterdam’s requirements, according to the city. New hotels that had been approved or were in development — 26 in total — would be allowed to proceed for now.

Under the new rules, a new hotel can only open if another one closes. It also isn’t allowed to add more rooms than were available, according to the city.

“The effect won’t be very big,” said Ko Koens, a professor of new urban tourism at Inholland University in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. He also said that in the long run, the capping of hotels could make them more expensive to stay at.

While this ban alone would not make a huge dent in the number of visitors to the city, Mr. Koens said, taken together with other initiatives it could make Amsterdam a less appealing place to visit. But, he said, “For now, visitors don’t seem to mind.”

In total, Amsterdam has nearly 42,000 hotel rooms that can accommodate more than 92,000 people, according to Statistics Netherlands, a governmental institution that compiles data about the country. (In total, the Netherlands has more than 150,000 hotel rooms.)

Amsterdam’s initiatives to rein in tourism have been largely focused on its crowded city center. But as long as Amsterdam’s airport, Schiphol, continues to be a major European hub, it won’t be easy to keep visitors away from the city.

“There are no simple solutions,” Mr. Koens said. “It’s super complex.”

Amsterdam also announced this week it would start cutting the number of river cruises allowed to dock in its waters. In 2023, that number was 2,125. In 2028, the city wants it to be halved, with no more than 1,150. The city predicts that effort could reduce the number of visitors that come into town by 271,000. This proposal, the city said, is to improve the quality of life for residents and to reduce emissions and crowds.

“The balance in the city needs to improve,” Hester van Buren, a deputy mayor who focuses on the city’s port, said in a statement.

Amsterdam isn’t the only major European destination that has been struggling to get a grip on the growing number of tourists. Venice announced it would charge day-tripping visitors 5 euros ($5.33) to enter the iconic streets of its city center on weekends and some holidays from April 25 through mid-July, its busiest season.

Amsterdam, currently in a busy touristic time because of its famous blooming tulips, has not announced a similar measure, but it is likely there will be more efforts and experiments designed to limit visitors — like the hotel ban.

“Without such a stop, Amsterdam’s center would become one big hotel,” Mr. Koens said. “You don’t want that either.”

Claire Moses is a Times reporter in London, focused on coverage of breaking and trending news. More about Claire Moses