Holland America Rotterdam ABC Cruise Review

Day 5 on this 9-day ABC cruise… except we’re doing it backwards as a CBA. Curaçao yesterday, Bonaire today, Aruba tomorrow. Keeps things interesting, I guess.

This is also part of Rotterdam’s “farewell tour” of the Caribbean for the season. After this run wraps up in Fort Lauderdale, she heads across the Atlantic, into dry dock, and won’t be back here until Halloween 2026. So yeah, a little bit of a “last calls” this week – and not just at Half Moon Bar!

We arrived at Bonaire early with clearance to go ashore around 8:00 a.m., and stepping off the ship here is… different – in a good way. No chaos, no aggressive shopkeepers, no immediate overload with taxi and tour guides competing for your attention (and money). Just a quiet, clean waterfront and people moving at their own pace.

Bonaire doesn’t try to impress you. It just kind of exists, and that’s exactly why people love it.

Rotterdam docked in Bonaire on March 17, 2026

Why Bonaire Is a Big Deal (Especially If You Like the Water)

If you’ve heard anything about Bonaire, it’s probably about diving. And unlike a lot of cruise marketing hype, this one actually lives up to it.

The island has been protecting its reefs for decades through the Bonaire National Marine Park, which means what you get here is some of the clearest water and healthiest coral in the Caribbean. Visibility is insane, and the best part is you don’t even need a boat to experience it.

If you wander around, you’ll see locals literally pull over, gear up, walk into the water, and go. It’s one of the easiest dive destinations in the world, which is why serious divers flock here.

If you’re new to it, there are plenty of beginner-friendly options. Guided dives, “discover scuba” programs, and snorkeling tours are all easy to book, and most are within a short 10 to 20 minute ride from the port.

Not a Diver? You’ll Still Be Just Fine

If strapping on a tank isn’t your thing, Bonaire still has plenty to offer, just in a much more low-key way.

You won’t find massive beach clubs right outside the port, and that’s something first-time cruisers should know going in. Bonaire is not your typical “walk off the ship and hit a perfect sandy beach” kind of island.

Instead, it’s more about exploring.

You can head south to the salt flats and see the massive white salt pyramids, which look like something straight out of another planet. Flamingos tend to hang out in that area too if you’re lucky. That’s about a 20 to 30 minute drive.

You can also rent a golf cart, which is one of the more popular ways to explore, or take a guided island tour. Taxis are readily available right outside the port in a clearly marked area, and many drivers will offer flat-rate island tours if you want something simple. You can also take a water taxi to “No Name Beach.” Eden Beach, and Spice Beach Bar.

Right outside the port in Bonaire, you can rent golf carts or grab the water taxi

The Port Setup (And Why It’s One of the Easiest You’ll Ever Visit)

Bonaire might win the award for easiest cruise port.

You dock right along the waterfront in Kralendijk, step off the ship, and you’re immediately in town. No shuttle, no long pier, no maze to navigate. Just walk off and go.

The area around the port has shops, restaurants, and bars, but it’s not overwhelming. It’s also one of the safer-feeling ports in the Caribbean, and walking around on your own here is about as stress-free as it gets.

I spent most of the time walking along the waterfront, wandering through town, checking out shops, and just observing how different this place feels compared to other Caribbean ports. It’s quieter, more local, and honestly a bit refreshing.

As you move away from the immediate port area, you’ll pass residential neighborhoods, small hotels, and waterfront homes where you’ll see locals doing exactly what you came here to do… enjoying the water. People diving right off shore, fishing, or just hanging out.

It’s not one of these manufactured cruise ports like Amber Cove or Grand Turk. It’s real.

Some of the shops at the port of Bonaire

A local fisherman cutting up fish along the shore in A new floating pier in Kralendijk, Bonaire

“Are There Beaches Nearby?” (Kinda, but… no.)

This is where Bonaire can throw people off a bit.

If you’re expecting a big sandy beach right off the ship, you’re not going to find it.

To the right of the port, there’s a small stretch of shoreline that looks like a beach, but it’s really not set up for a beach day. No chairs, no amenities, and it’s often where crew members go to relax. You can get in the water there, but it’s not what most people are looking for.

Head left out of the port and you can walk along the waterfront where there are spots to access the water, but again, it’s rocky, coral-heavy shoreline, not soft sand.

If you want a true beach day, you’re better off booking an excursion or grabbing the water taxi and heading to one of the beaches it stops at – but be fully aware of all aboard time and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make it back to the ship.

The Floating Pier – A Local Spot You Might Stumble Upon

One spot that does catch people’s attention is the floating pier, which is not far from the port area and is more of a local hangout than a cruise attraction.

It’s basically a floating dock where people swim, jump in, and cool off, and yes, some cruise passengers make their way over there. But this isn’t a resort-style setup. It’s simple, local, and comes with rules that are actually enforced.

From the sign posted there, a few key things to know:

It’s open to everyone, but kids under 15 need to be with an adult
You’re using it at your own risk, no lifeguards and no liability
No fishing allowed and no messing with the structure or anchors
No boats, no pets, and no BBQs
Don’t leave trash behind, and respect the area
It’s closed during bad weather
Jumping and diving are allowed, but again… at your own risk

There’s also a wheelchair-accessible path to get onto it, which is a nice touch.

It’s not fancy, but it’s one of those spots that gives you a glimpse into how locals actually use the water here. If you’re looking for something low-key and different, it’s worth checking out for a bit.

Bonaire isn’t for everyone, especially if your idea of a perfect port day is a big beach with a drink in your hand five minutes after getting off the ship.

But if you like exploring, appreciate a slower pace, or have any interest in what’s happening below the surface of the water, this place delivers in a way most Caribbean ports don’t.

It’s easy, it’s relaxed, and it feels authentic… which is becoming harder and harder to find as cruise lines are increasingly directing their ships to their own private islands or resort-style destinations that are 1000% manufactured experiences designed to keep you spending money there rather than in town.

St. Patrick’s Day on Rotterdam

Back onboard time today was 4:30 p.m., and no last-minute pier runners… everyone made it back and we pushed off right on schedule.

Now, being that today is St. Patrick’s Day, you’d think the ship would be leaning all the way into it. Green beer, Irish music (well, maybe not), maybe a themed party or two.

Actually… not so much.

There were definitely passengers who got the memo. Plenty of green shirts, dresses, and the occasional “kiss me, I’m Irish” situation making the rounds, but from an onboard programming standpoint, it was pretty quiet. Outside of a St. Patrick’s Day bar hop, there really wasn’t much going on to mark the occasion.

Dinner followed the same trend.

Rather than a fully themed Irish menu in the Main Dining Room, it was business as usual with the standard rotating menu… plus one small nod to the holiday. They added a Braised Corned Brisket of Beef with potato cabbage cakes, which for a lot of Americans is about as traditional as it gets for St. Patrick’s Day.

So if you were hoping for a full Irish feast at sea, this wasn’t it. But if all you needed was a little corned beef to check the box, Holland America had you covered.

Below is a look at what was being served tonight in both the Main Dining Room and the Lido Market.

Holland America Main Dining Room St. Patrick's Dinner Menu

Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026

Available on: all ships

Dutch 150

De Lijn Gin, Sparkling Wine, fresh lemon juice

$11

Bahama Mama

Flor De Cana Rum, Malibu Rum, orange juice, pineapple juice, grenadine

$12

Pusser’s Painkiller™

Pusser’s Rum, pineapple juice, cream of coconut, orange juice, grated nutmeg

$13

El Presidente

Planteray 3 Star, Vermouth blanc, dashes of orange curaçao and grenadine

$13

Trader Vic’s Mai Tai

Appleton Aged Rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, orgeat

$13

Featured Beer

Kalik

Pea, Potato, Ham Hock Broth

Leeks, carrots, parsley oil

Mozzarella Salad with Ripe Tomatoes

Cucumbers, taggiasca olives

Smoked Trout, Bay Shrimp Salad, Horseradish Apple Salad

Roasted red beets

French Onion Soup

Gruyère cheese crouton

Classic Caesar Salad

Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, anchovies

Arugula and Pumpkin Salad

Pine nuts, tomato, feta cheese

Bajan Shrimp Cakes

Spring onions, pineapple salsa

Fresh Mahi Mahi Diablo

Cilantro rice, guajillo chilies, chipotle, tomato

Penne Basil Pesto, Eggplant

Burrata, olive oil

Braised Corned Brisket of Beef, Potato Cabbage Cakes

Horseradish chive cream, roasted root vegetables

Chicken Paillard

Coconut, coriander, new potatoes, wholegrain mustard jus

New York Strip Loin, Steak Fries

Garlic herb butter

Rustic Home-Made Lasagna

Tomato sauce, basil

Honey Baked Ham

Green beans with dates, bourbon sweet potato mash, cornbread dressing, spiced dry cherry chutney

Broiled Salmon, Herb Mustard Glaze

Leeks, bell pepper, mashed potatoes

Vegan Sweet Corn, Tofu Fritters

Vegetable caponata

Lemon Shrimp Mafaldini

Cream, chives, basil pesto and garlic

Fresh Stone Crab

Mustard dipping sauce, frisée, lime

$49

5 oz Filet Mignon & Lobster

Grilled asparagus, baked potato, garlic butter

$18

12 oz Pinnacle Grill Strip Loin Steak

Baked potato, creamed spinach

$20

Crispy Fried Market Whole Fresh Fish

Sweet tamarind chili sauce

$25

Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails

Seasonal Asian greens

$25

Chocolate Bread Pudding

Warm rum vanilla sauce

Coconut Custard Pie

Whipped cream, mango sauce

Irish Baileys Double Cream Cheesecake

Vanilla whipped ganache

Raspberry Mousse Swiss Roll

Whipped cream, chocolate shavings

Artisan Cheese Selection

Brownie Peanut Sundae

Vanilla ice cream, brownie, peanuts, sprinkles, caramel

Ice Cream of the Day

Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu D

Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026

Available on: all ships

Smoked Bacon and Mozzarella Focaccia

Savory Focaccia

Soft Rolls

Bread Roll

Loaf Bread

Pretzel

Lemon Pie

Rhubarb Crisp

Lemon Pound Cake & Blueberry Sweet Streusel Loaf

Baked Grandma Sheet Berry Pan Cake

Kerabu Mango

Penang Fried Noodles

Coconut Rice

Chop Suey

Malaysian Chicken Curry

Beef Satay

Soya Braised Pork Belly

Sliced Fruits

Apple, Pears, Banana, Orange, Grapes

Pinto Bean, Red Onion and Croutons

Seafood Jicama Salad in Coconut Emulsion

Cheese Selection

Stilton, Old Amsterdam, Cheddar

Tossed to Order

Chicken Caesar

Selection of Artisan Breads

Panini Grilled to Order

Holler

roasted lamb, Greek yogurt dressing, pickled cucumbers, arugula, tomato, feta, sour dough baguette

Pot Sticker Ponzus

Ham and Cheese Croissant

Spicy Chicken

French Fries with Toppings

Cheese Sauce, Bolognese Sauce, Ketchup, Mayo

Bami Goreng

Pork Fried Rice

Arancini

Spaghetti Alfredo

Garlic Bread

Pecan Pie

Chocolate Ganache Tartlet

Strawberry Cake

Berries Trifle

Dinner at Pinnacle Grill

For me, the night took a turn thanks to a little peer pressure at the Half Moon Bar.

I was sitting there a couple cocktails in, chatting with a few folks who had just come back from Pinnacle Grill, and they wouldn’t stop talking about the lamb chops. “Best thing we’ve had all cruise,” one of them said. That was all it took.

Now, I’ve already eaten at Pinnacle a few times on this sailing, so I wasn’t exactly planning on going back again… but I hadn’t tried the lamb yet. Decision made.

Off I went.

Pinnacle Grill runs $52 per person plus 18%, with 4+ Star Mariners getting it for half off, which definitely is a great loyalty perk. Reservations are recommended, but… not once have I been turned away walking up between 8:00 and 8:30 over the past few weeks. So if you’re flexible, you can usually make it happen.

Holland America Pinnacle Grill Dinner Menu

Pinnacle Grill Dinner is Holland America’s classic upscale steakhouse experience, with prime steaks, fresh seafood, and polished service that feels like a proper night out. If you’re looking for the ship’s most traditional specialty dinner, this is usually the reservation people book first.

Available on: all ships

Table-Side Caesar Salad

heart of romaine, Parmesan, croutons, anchovies

Vine Ripened Beefsteak Tomato Salad

sliced purple onion, balsamic vinaigrette or blue cheese dressing

Jumbo Lump Crab Cakes

cucumber, sweet chili-mustard

Lobster Bisque

crème fraîche, aged cognac

Panko Fried Stuffed Mushroom Caps

Beyond Meat mince, vegan mayonnaise remoulade, parsley, quinoa salad

Mafaldine, Marinated Grilled Eggplant, Burrata & Chiles

preserved lemon, Calabrian chili, olive oil

Steakhouse Wedge Salad by David Burke

crispy bacon, blue cheese, tomato, candied walnuts, ranch dressing

Shrimp Cocktail

brandy-horseradish cocktail sauce

Clothesline Candied Bacon by David Burke

maple, black pepper, half-sour pickles

Ossetra Malossol Caviar

crème fraîche, buckwheat blinis

$50 Supplemental

8oz Filet Mignon