By Brian Dohrn | Dohrn Travels | Holland America Rotterdam Review
If you’re researching a Holland America Rotterdam review, you’re probably trying to answer one main question: What is it actually like on the ship? Is it relaxing or boring? Upscale or outdated? Worth the money — especially with the Have It All package?
Michelle and I just finished our third sailing on the Holland America Rotterdam, and our fourth consecutive holiday cruise with Holland America Line. We chose this 9-day ABC Islands itinerary because the dates worked, we already loved these islands, and Holland America offered us a solid deal on a Verandah cabin.
Here’s exactly what it’s like on board — the good, the quirks, and who this ship is really for.
🧡 Support Dohrn Travels
Some of the links in this post are affiliate links — which means if you click and book a stay, shop for gear, or plan a cruise, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Your clicks help keep the blog going — and I truly appreciate the support 🙌
Table of Contents
- First Impressions: What the Rotterdam Feels Like
- Verandah Cabin Review: Layout, Storage & Balcony Space
- Dining on Holland America Rotterdam: What’s Worth It?
- Where the Rotterdam Sails and Why It Matters
- Pool Deck, Activities & Overall Atmosphere on Holland America Rotterdam
- Is Holland America Have It All Package Worth It?
- Casino on Rotterdam: Honest Take
- What to Pack for Holland America Rotterdam
- Who Holland America Rotterdam Is Best For
- Verdict: Is Holland America Rotterdam Worth It?
- Quick Summary: Is Holland America Rotterdam Worth It?
- FAQs About Holland America Rotterdam
- Ready to Book?
First Impressions: What the Rotterdam Feels Like
The Rotterdam is a midsize ship — not a mega-ship theme park. You won’t find water slides, roller coasters, or 5,000 passengers fighting for space. Passenger count typically falls between 2,600 and 2,700 passengers, which makes a huge difference.
The public spaces are modern and attractive, with music-themed artwork and clean design throughout. It feels refined without feeling stiff.
Service? Excellent. From cabin stewards to waiters to bartenders, the crew is consistently friendly and efficient. We never felt rushed at dinner. Our cabin steward did a great job all week.
Is everything perfect? No. On past cruises we’d get towel animals a handful of nights. This time we got one. Not a deal breaker — but those little touches do stand out when they’re missing.
Overall vibe: laid-back, mature, and social — but not wild.
Verandah Cabin Review: Layout, Storage & Balcony Space
We always book a Verandah cabin on Deck 8.
The balcony is big enough for two chairs and a small table — perfect for morning coffee or quiet sail-away views. It’s also your private escape from crowds.
The layout is efficient. There’s more storage than you expect — drawers, cubbies, shelves — everything has a place. The bathroom is compact but well-designed with a surprisingly roomy shower.
A few notes:
- Beds are decent but not luxury-level. You can request a mattress topper.
- If possible, avoid adjoining rooms. The connecting door lets in more neighbor noise.
- We’ve heard complaints about noise from the Lido deck above Deck 8, but we’ve never found it disruptive.
For us, the Holland America Rotterdam Verandah cabin hits the sweet spot between comfort and value.
Ready to Book Your Holland America Cruise?
Dining on Holland America Rotterdam: What’s Worth It?
Dining is one of the biggest deciding factors on any cruise. Here’s the honest breakdown.
Lido Market (Buffet)
Breakfast is solid. Omelets, eggs any style, bacon, smoked salmon — hard to mess up breakfast.
Lunch and dinner can be hit or miss for me. Plenty of variety — Asian, Dutch, Indian, American — but flavor consistency varies.
It can get busy on embarkation day and sea days, but we’ve always found seating.
Dive In (Poolside Grill)
Surprisingly good burgers and brats. I had the “Jack Knife” brat with curry seasoning — solid casual option.
Grand Dutch Café
One of my favorite casual spots. Good coffee (better than Lido), Dutch pea soup, toasted ham and cheese, and The Uitsmijter are reliable picks.
Tamarind
Our favorite restaurant on the ship. Asian-inspired menu, relaxed vibe, consistently strong service.
The Crispy Duck was cooked perfectly. Some dishes were better than others, but Tamarind remains our go-to.
Sel de Mer (Rudi’s)
Higher-end French dining experience. Rich food, generous portions. You will leave full.
Service was slightly slower than we’ve experienced before, but still good.
Morimoto Pop-Up
If offered on your sailing, book it. The sushi and specialty dishes were excellent. It felt like a fun upgrade night. View menu here.
🌴 Looking for the Best Tours in Aruba?
Whether you’re visiting Aruba on a cruise or staying longer on the island, there are plenty of great tours to choose from—snorkeling trips, island tours, and off-road adventures that are easy to book and fit well into a port day. These popular experiences are a good option if you want to explore more without planning everything yourself.
Where the Rotterdam Sails and Why It Matters
Our sailing departed from Port Everglades (Terminal 26) in Fort Lauderdale and visited Curaçao, Bonaire, Aruba, and Half Moon Cay.
Boarding at Terminal 26 was smooth — we arrived around 10:30 a.m. and were on the ship quickly. Holland America frequently uses this terminal, which makes logistics easy if you cruise them often.
For Caribbean itineraries like this, the Rotterdam’s midsize design is a good fit — large enough for amenities, small enough to feel manageable.
Find Port Everglades on Google Maps
Pool Deck, Activities & Overall Atmosphere on Holland America Rotterdam
The Sea View Bar area on the aft Lido deck is our main hangout spot. It’s adults-only, a little quieter, and a good place to relax with a drink without feeling like you’re in the middle of chaos.
Pools & Hot Tubs on Rotterdam
The pools themselves are clean, but the water runs on the chilly side — which seems to be standard on most cruises.
The hot tubs are small. Four people feel crowded, and honestly, two is more comfortable. If you want a lounge chair right next to the pool, you’ll need to get there early. Like most cruise lines, you’ll see a few “chair savers” claiming prime spots.
There are two main pool vibes:
- Lido Pool – more family-friendly
- Sea View Pool – adults-only and more relaxed
We prefer the Sea View area for that reason.
Entertainment & Things To Do on Rotterdam
If you want activities, they’re there — just not in an over-the-top way.
Live music is one of Holland America’s strengths. On Rotterdam you’ll find:
- Rolling Stone Lounge
- B.B. King’s Blues Club
- Billboard Onboard
Evenings also include shows at the World Stage, and sea days offer art classes in the Crow’s Nest, trivia, and other programming.
For staying active:
- Full gym
- Basketball and pickleball courts
- Outdoor Promenade walking track (3 laps = 1 mile)
The casino is lively at night, and Bingo jackpot day fills up fast — get there early if you plan to play.
Overall Atmosphere on the Rotterdam
If you’re looking for non-stop thrills, water slides, and a party deck, this isn’t your ship.
Holland America leans older, quieter, and more relaxed. It’s social — we met great people on this cruise — but it’s not a spring-break environment. There are kids on board, but there aren’t major kid attractions or theme-park-style features.
And honestly? That’s exactly why we keep coming back.
It feels manageable. Calm. Comfortable.
You can be as busy or as laid-back as you want — and that balance is what makes the Rotterdam a strong choice for travelers who prefer relaxed cruising over high-energy chaos.
🌴 Looking for the Best Tours in Curacao?
Whether you’re visiting Curacao on a cruise or staying longer on the island, there are plenty of great tours to choose from—snorkeling trips, island tours, and off-road adventures that are easy to book and fit well into a port day. These popular experiences are a good option if you want to explore more without planning everything yourself.
Is Holland America Have It All Package Worth It?
We paid $60 per person per day for the Have It All package.
Here’s what that included:
- Signature Beverage Package (up to 15 drinks per day)
- Wine, beer, spirits, and cocktails
- Sodas, specialty coffees, and canned water
- $100 shore excursion credit per person
- One specialty dining night
- Surf Wi-Fi package
Is It Worth It?
For us — yes.
We order specialty coffee every morning (triple-shot Americanos from the Crow’s Nest), enjoy at least one specialty restaurant, and typically use the shore excursion credit. When you factor in drinks, Wi-Fi, and one upgraded dinner, the numbers usually work in your favor if you drink moderately and plan ahead.
If you don’t drink alcohol and don’t care about specialty dining, it may not pencil out. But for most couples who plan to enjoy the ship, it’s a convenient bundle that simplifies the onboard spending decisions.
Pro tip: Use your specialty dining credit at the most expensive restaurant (like Sel de Mer or Pinnacle Grill) to maximize value.
Casino on Rotterdam: Honest Take
The casino on the Rotterdam is on the smaller side, and it definitely fills up at night.
Table minimums were $15, which is higher than I prefer — especially if you just want to sit down and play casually without burning through cash quickly.
There’s a dedicated smoking section on one side of the casino and a non-smoking section available. If you’re sensitive to smoke, you’ll notice it near the smoking area, but the ventilation is decent elsewhere.
Service response time could be better. There were a few times we had to wait longer than expected for assistance at a machine.
That said, it’s still a fun environment. I hit my first-ever hand pay jackpot on this cruise — which was a highlight — but as usual, the casino eventually got it back.
That’s gambling for you.
What to Pack for Holland America Rotterdam
These are items we actually used — not just things that sound good on a packing checklist.
- Yeti tumblers – We bring our own for morning coffee runs to the Crow’s Nest. Keeps coffee hot and easier to carry than paper cups.
- Beach towel clips – Sea days can get windy on the Lido deck. We had to secure our towels more than once.
- Swimsuit – A must for hanging out at the pool.
- Sunglasses – Caribbean sun is strong, especially on upper decks and port days.
- Sandals for the pool area – Easy to slip on and off when moving between chairs, hot tubs, and bars.
- Comfortable walking shoes – Essential for port days and pre- or post-cruise exploring.
- Light dinner attire – Specialty restaurants require more than shorts and a t-shirt. Pants and a polo or a dressy shirt keep it easy without overpacking.
- Small daypack for port days – Perfect for carrying water, sunscreen, and beach gear on ABC island stops like Bonaire and Curaçao. (See my port day reviews for exactly how we used ours.)
Keep it practical. You don’t need to overpack for Rotterdam — but the right basics make sea days, specialty dinners, and port exploring much smoother.
🌎 Travel Essentials & Trip Planning:
Gear up and plan your next Cruise adventure with my top recommendations!
🧳 Find travel gear, accessories, and essentials I personally use on my
Dohrn Travels Store.
🌍 Book top-rated hotels near Port Everglades through
Expedia Travel.
Who Holland America Rotterdam Is Best For
The Rotterdam is ideal for:
- Couples looking for a relaxed vacation
- First-time cruisers who don’t want overwhelming mega-ships
- Travelers who value service and dining over water slides
- Caribbean island hoppers (especially ABC Islands)
It’s not ideal for:
- Spring break energy
- Large groups of teens
- Travelers wanting theme-park style ships
If you’re considering the ABC route specifically, check out:
Verdict: Is Holland America Rotterdam Worth It?
Yes — if you know what you’re booking.
This ship delivers strong service, good specialty dining, comfortable cabins, and a calm atmosphere. It’s not flashy, but it’s reliable.
For us, that consistency is exactly why we keep coming back.
🚢 Ready to Sail the ABC Islands with Holland America?
Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao remain some of our favorite Caribbean cruise stops. Compare current sailings, pricing, and itineraries departing from Fort Lauderdale.
Quick Summary: Is Holland America Rotterdam Worth It?
The Holland America Rotterdam is a midsize, relaxed cruise ship with excellent service, solid specialty dining, and comfortable Verandah cabins. It’s best for couples and travelers who prefer laid-back elegance over party vibes. If that’s your style, it’s absolutely worth booking.
🏖️ Thinking of Taking a Cruise Soon?
Flying in early? Here are top-rated hotels near Port Everglades:
FAQs About Holland America Rotterdam
Is Holland America Rotterdam a party ship?
No. It’s calm, mature, and social — but not a nightlife-heavy cruise.
Is the Holland America Rotterdam Verandah cabin worth it?
Yes. The balcony adds private outdoor space and is great for port views and quiet mornings.
Is Holland America Have It All package worth it?
For moderate drinkers who plan specialty dining and excursions, it usually pays for itself.
Is the food good on Holland America Rotterdam?
Specialty restaurants are consistently strong. The Lido Market is solid for breakfast but mixed for lunch and dinner.
Is Holland America good for first-time cruisers?
Yes — especially if you want a manageable ship without overwhelming crowds.
🛡️ Going on a Cruise Soon? Don’t Forget Travel Medical Insurance.
With a full day exploring, travel medical insurance can provide peace of mind in case of an unexpected injury or medical emergency while cruising.
Ready to Book?
If you’re looking for a cruise that prioritizes service, comfort, and relaxed Caribbean days over roller coasters and party decks, the Rotterdam is a strong choice.
If you’re hesitant because it doesn’t have water slides or mega-ship energy, that’s exactly the point. It’s built for travelers who prefer calm mornings on a balcony, solid dining, and friendly service.
For us, it’s become a reliable holiday escape. Not flashy. Not perfect. But consistently enjoyable — and easy to recommend.
Adventure Awaits. Book It!
