Day 9 and final report from Rotterdam, and we wrap up this ABC… or CBA… cruise with a stop that doesn’t even get a letter in the name… Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas.
This is a staple stop on just about every HAL Caribbean itinerary, and this sailing was no different.
We dropped anchor around 6:30 a.m. and, as I’ve said many times before, this is a tender port. That means no pulling up to a pier and walking off the ship. Instead, you’re shuttled ashore via a fleet of high-capacity tender boats that run back and forth from the ship to the island’s marina.
Before guests can even get off the ship, there’s a whole behind-the-scenes operation happening. Crew, food, drinks, and supplies all have to be brought ashore first using tenders and support vessels to get everything ready for the day.
Guests typically get the all-clear shortly after 8:00 a.m., and today was no different.
If you want to be one of the first ashore, you’ll need a tender ticket and wait for your group to be called. 4-Star Mariners and above get priority access with a separate waiting area, which is one of those perks that actually matters on a day like this.
The first tender started running around 8:15 a.m., and it wasn’t until just before 11:00 a.m. that the announcement came that tickets were no longer required and anyone could just head down and line up.
We were also sharing the island today with Eurodam, which meant tender operations were split… two boats for us, two for them… and naturally, more people on the island.
This is a short port day. We’re only here until 2:30 p.m.
So let’s walk through this with some very simple, yet important math to fully understand by we leave so darn early!
I skip the tender ticket process and wait for open boarding at 11:00. Head down to A Deck right at 11. Wait 10 to 15 minutes for a tender. Another 10 to 15 to unload it. Another 10 to 15 to load it. Then about 10 minutes to get to shore, and another 10 to actually get off.
It’s now pushing noon.
Walk another 10 minutes to the BBQ, grab lunch, sit down… now it’s 12:30.
Last tender back is 2:30, and if you don’t want to deal with the chaos of that final rush, you’re probably lining up by 1:30.
So realistically, you’ve got… what? Maybe an hour?
You’re spending more time getting on and off the island than actually enjoying it.
So why is it such a short day?
Distance.
Half Moon Cay sits about 245 nautical miles from Port Everglades. Do some quick sailor math… if Rotterdam leaves around 3:00 p.m. and cruises at roughly 17 knots, you’re pulling into Fort Lauderdale around 5:30 a.m. the next morning, just in time for the pilot to board and for the ship to dock at 6:00 a.m.
Leave any later, and you risk messing up turnaround day for the next cruise.
With all that in mind, I made the executive decision to stay onboard today. Between the limited time ashore and the weather being a bit on the cooler side… high 70s but feeling like the upper 60s… it just wasn’t worth the hassle.
Now, while I skipped the beach today, there’s a lot happening on Half Moon Cay right now that’s worth talking about.
For years, a large portion of the island has remained undeveloped. That’s changing.
A brand-new area is being built specifically for Carnival Cruise Line, and the big headline here is a pier that will allow ships to dock instead of tender.
And not just any ships… we’re talking about accommodating the largest vessels in Carnival’s fleet, including the Excel-class ships and the even bigger ships they have coming down the pipeline.
There’s been some confusion floating around that this pier is for Holland America ships.
It’s not.
HAL ships will continue to anchor offshore and tender guests ashore, just like they always have. They’ll also continue to use the existing section of the island that’s been designated for Holland America.
That said, HAL’s side isn’t being ignored. There are enhancements underway, including new bars, updated beach furniture, refreshed cabanas, and plans for a new beach club.
The Carnival side of the island is being built out separately and is located a good distance away. It’s safe to assume there will be some kind of separation between the two areas to keep things from turning into a free-for-all.
Looking at the construction, the pier itself is nearly complete and looks big enough to handle two ships at once. There’s also visible progress along the shoreline with new buildings going up for shops, restaurants, and additional amenities.
We’re still waiting on full details for what both sides of the island will ultimately look like, but it’s clear that Half Moon Cay is about to get a pretty significant upgrade… just not one that changes how Holland America guests get there.
Guest Feedback: It Matters More Than You Think and Can Backfire!
Guest feedback is one of those things that every cruise line talks about… and a lot of people assume it just disappears into some black hole never to be seen again.
That’s not the case.
Whether you’re sailing on land or at sea, feedback plays a huge role in shaping the experience, and on Holland America it’s taken very seriously. There are a couple of ways to submit it, and both actually carry weight.
First, there’s the post-cruise survey. Every cruise line sends one, and yes… there are actual humans reading every single one. When you call out crew members for great service, those comments get passed directly back to the ship. The crew you mention receive copies of those comments and are recognized for them.
And that matters.
Those positive mentions can directly impact their careers, helping with promotions and advancement within their department. So if someone goes above and beyond for you, take the few minutes to call them out by name. It’s one of the easiest ways to say thank you, and it actually makes a difference.
Then there’s real-time feedback.
Holland America lets you submit comments directly through their app while you’re onboard. It’s quick, easy, and surprisingly effective. You open the app, hit the feedback option, and type away. Great service? Recognize it immediately. Something off? Same thing.
Those real-time comments can even reward crew members with extra break time, usually about 15 minutes per positive mention, which is a pretty big deal when you’re working long contracts at sea. You can also request a follow-up if something needs attention, which triggers someone onboard to reach out and address the issue.
Now… let me give you a real-world example of how this all plays out.
On day one of this segment, after moving into my new cabin, I went looking for a laundry bag and form. Standard stuff, usually hanging in the closet. Except… it wasn’t there.
No big deal, I figured I’d just grab one from my stateroom attendant later.
When I did ask, instead of a quick “no problem,” I got pushback. I was told it should already be there. I explained that I had checked multiple times… still nothing. He insisted it was. I went back in the room, checked again… still no bag.
Eventually he handed me one, but the whole interaction felt unnecessarily argumentative. What should have been a simple two-second fix somehow turned into a debate.
Later that night, while submitting a few positive comments about other crew members, I decided to include this interaction as well. Not to cause trouble, just to document what happened and how it was handled.
The next morning, I received two calls. One from the Mariner Society representative onboard, and another from the housekeeping supervisor. I explained the situation to both and made one very clear request… do not address this with the attendant until after I leave the ship. I wasn’t interested in turning this into an ongoing issue.
Both assured me that would be the case.
So I figured that was the end of it.
It wasn’t.
Later that day, after my room had been serviced, I came back to find a towel animal on the bed… a rat… along with a note.
Now, if you’ve cruised before, you know towel animals are typically an evening thing, not something you come back to midday. And of all the animals to choose from… a rat?
That didn’t feel random.
In pretty much every culture, but especially here in the U.S., calling someone a “rat” has a very specific meaning. It doesn’t exactly scream “friendly gesture.”
At that point, I wasn’t just annoyed… I was concerned. It felt like a very clear message that my feedback hadn’t stayed confidential.
I let it sit for a bit, then later that evening I went to track down my previous stateroom attendant from the earlier segment of the cruise, someone I’ve sailed with before and trust. I asked him straight up… is a rat a normal towel animal?
His answer… it exists, but it’s not something they typically make.
Then I asked if he understood what a “rat” represents in American culture. He did. I didn’t even need him to say anything else… the look on his face told me everything.
To make things even more interesting, the note that came with it mysteriously disappeared from my cabin a couple days later. The only notes left behind were from the laundry team.
Coincidence? Maybe.
Then on day five, I finally ran into the attendant again. He called my name as I was walking down the hall and asked if everything in the room was okay. I said yes, and he followed it up by acknowledging that I wasn’t happy with the initial interaction.
That part was accurate.
He apologized… and then added, “I also apologize for the rat, I did not mean it like that.”
So clearly, it wasn’t just in my head.
At that point, I had options. I could have escalated it further, requested a room change, or pushed for a meeting with senior staff. But honestly, I just wanted to finish the cruise without any more unnecessary drama.
So I let it go.
From that point on, interactions were minimal, and that was perfectly fine with me.
But this whole situation is a perfect example of how guest feedback can go both ways. On one hand, it can reward and recognize crew who go above and beyond. On the other, when it’s not handled properly, it can create situations that probably should never happen in the first place.
And yes… this entire experience will be included in my post-cruise survey.
Final Night Wrap-Up (Before the Real Wrap-Up)
Like I do on all my last day reports, I’ll get into a full recap of the cruise from embarkation to walking off the ship and heading home… but before that, a few quick notes to wrap up the day.
Rotterdam was the first to pull out of Half Moon Cay today, right on schedule at 3:00 p.m., with Eurodam right behind us. We’ll both be rolling into Fort Lauderdale in the morning, ending what has been a pretty solid run over the past few weeks.
As is usually the case on the final night of a cruise, things were noticeably quieter around the ship. After dinner, a lot of people called it an early night, which makes sense with the travel day ahead.
Speaking of dinner, here’s a look at what was on the menu tonight in the Lido Market and the Main Dining Room.
Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu F
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Holland America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu F
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
For me, it was one last stop at Pinnacle Grill, the ship’s $52 per person steakhouse, to close things out the right way.
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
I started off with the clothesline candy bacon, which is one of those things you absolutely don’t need… but there was no chance I was skipping it. Then went with a proper send-off dinner… filet and lobster tail.
As expected, everything was excellent, and service was spot on. Sheila, the host, along with the rest of the team who took care of me over multiple dinners during these past three weeks, were fantastic from start to finish. Always consistent, always welcoming, and a big part of what makes dining here so great.
So, a big thank you to them.
Now… on to the full cruise wrap-up.
But first… the disclaimer.
Holland America Rotterdam Review
Holland America Line – 9-Day Southern Caribbean
Rotterdam
Dates: March 13–22, 2026
Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Ship Facts: 2021 build • 99,800 GT • 2,668 passengers (double occupancy)
| Date | Port | Country |
| Mar 13 | Fort Lauderdale (Depart 3:00pm) | USA |
| Mar 14 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 15 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 16 | Willemstad (Depart 11:00pm) | Curaçao |
| Mar 17 | Kralendijk (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | Bonaire |
| Mar 18 | Oranjestad (Arrive 8:00am) | Aruba |
| Mar 19 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 20 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 21 | Half Moon Cay (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 3:00pm) | Bahamas |
| Mar 22 | Fort Lauderdale (Arrive 7:00am) | USA |
Embarkation in Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Since this was the second leg of a back-to-back, embarkation day for me didn’t involve dragging luggage through the terminal. Instead, it was what cruise lines call turnaround day for in-transit guests… basically the day when your old cruise ends, your new one begins, and you never really leave.
On this sailing, there were just over 200 of us sticking around for round two.
We were told to report to the World Stage around 9:00 a.m., where things kicked off with the usual check-in process. Keycards get scanned as you enter so the crew knows exactly who showed up and who might still be wandering around the ship pretending this whole thing isn’t happening.
Once everyone was accounted for, it was time for the waiting game. And this is where things can go one of two ways. Either everything runs smoothly… or someone, somewhere, decides to make it difficult.
Before anything happens, they need to reach what’s called a “zero count.” That means every single passenger from the previous cruise has officially gotten off the ship and the only people left onboard are the in-transit guests.
Once that is verified, the group gets escorted off the ship and into the terminal to go through U.S. Customs.
Now, this part is actually pretty quick these days. It’s all facial recognition kiosks, no paperwork, no stamping passports, just step up, look at the screen, and keep it moving. After that, you line up again, wait for the all-clear, and then head right back onto the ship.
And just like that… you’re “embarked” again.
All in, the process this time took less than an hour. By about 9:50 a.m., we were back onboard and free to go about our day.
If you’ve done this before, you know it doesn’t always go that way. Sometimes it drags on because someone forgot their passport in their cabin, someone refuses to leave the ship, or something random throws a wrench into the whole operation.
Inside Stateroom 6025 on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam
For this leg of the cruise, I had to switch staterooms… and not in a good way.
On the previous segment, I was in a Family Oceanview on Deck 1, which, if you’ve never stayed in one, is fantastic! Tons of space, room to move around, two bathrooms, and overall just a very comfortable setup.
For this sailing? I went from ocean view to an interior cabin on Deck 6.
Now, to be fair, this cruise fell right in the middle of spring break, and the ship was completely sold out. I had been checking with Guest Services leading up to turnaround day to see if anything better might open up, but no luck. So interior cabin it was.
The good news is that Holland America makes switching cabins on a back-to-back about as easy as it gets. You pack up everything that isn’t hanging, leave your clothes in the closet, and while you’re off doing the turnaround process, housekeeping moves everything for you. When you come back, your stuff is already in your new room waiting. Quick stop at Guest Services for a new keycard, and you’re done.
No dragging luggage around, no hassle.
Now… the room itself.
I was in a “sideways” interior cabin, which is exactly what it sounds like. Instead of the typical layout where the room runs lengthwise down the hallway, this one is rotated. The bed faces the wall that backs up to the corridor, and the door is basically right there at the foot of the bed.
And that’s where things start to feel a little (VERY) tight.
There’s no real buffer between you and the hallway like you get in most cabins where the closet and bathroom sit between the door and the bed. Here, it’s just a wall. A thin one.
Which means you hear everything.
People walking by, conversations, doors slamming at all hours… it all comes right through. If you’re a light sleeper, this is not the room for you. I ended up relying on sleep buds just to drown out the hallway noise.
Space-wise, it’s definitely on the smaller end of what I’ve had on Holland America. Everything you need is there but there’s not a lot of extra room to spread out. Storage is manageable for one person, maybe two if you’re organized, but you’re not exactly unpacking and living large in here.
The bathroom is pretty standard. Good-sized shower with a glass door, decent counter space, nothing to complain about there.
Power outlets are also fine. You’ve got USB-A ports and U.S. outlets by the bed, plus more at the desk along with a European outlet. No issues keeping things charged.
At the end of the day, the cabin does what it’s supposed to do. It’s clean, functional, and gives you a place to sleep and shower.
But would I book this specific layout again?
Not a chance.
Between the tight space and the noise from the hallway, it’s just not a great setup. Now, in this case, it was assigned as part of a guarantee, so you take what you get. But if you’re picking your own cabin, I’d avoid these sideways interiors and go for a standard layout instead.
Sometimes you win the cabin lottery… and sometimes you very much do not.
Video Tour of Stateroom 6025 on Rotterdam
Rotterdam’s Restaurants
Restaurants on Rotterdam – The Hits, The Misses, and The “What Happened Here?”
Over the course of this sailing, I made it a point to eat just about everywhere onboard… for research, of course.
Here’s how it all shook out.
Main Dining Room (MDR) –★★☆☆☆ – The biggest issue here isn’t just the food… it’s the pace. Dinner always felt like the goal was to get you in and out as fast as possible. Food was often lukewarm, service felt rushed and impersonal, and the overall vibe was more “let’s get through this” than “let’s enjoy dinner.” This used to be a highlight of sailing HAL. Slow it down, warm up the food, and this could easily jump to a 3. I added one additional star to this segment’s MDR experience, as opposed to last segment’s mainly due to the fact that having a different server for one meal, definitely made a difference in the overall “vibe” – more friendly, joked, made the fast-paced meal a bit more, can I say, “fun?” Maybe it was the gin and tonic. But one more star for this segment based on that.
Lido Market – ★★★★☆ – Consistently one of the best options onboard. The variety is excellent, menus rotate throughout the day, and the food is generally fresh and well-prepared. The partial service setup, where staff serve many of the items, is still a big win. Whether it’s made-to-order salads, fresh sushi, or something quick and easy, you’re going to find something solid here every time. There’s a reason why it’s busy and after one visit you’ll know why.
Canaletto – ★★★★☆ – Still one of the best values on the ship at $25 per person… and even better at half off for 4+ Star Mariners. Food was consistently good, service was friendly, and it’s just a reliable spot when you want something a little more relaxed than the MDR without breaking the bank. I ate here more often than I’ve ever eaten at Canaletto in the past. It may be a “sleeper” for some, but don’t blow it off. Try it once and it may become a favorite right away.
Pinnacle Grill – ★★★★★ – No surprises here. Pinnacle continues to be one of the best steakhouses at sea. Every visit delivered excellent food and top-notch service. At $52 per person (again, half off for 4+ Star Mariners), it’s not cheap, but it’s absolutely worth it.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer – ★★★★★ – At $55 per person (25% off for 4+ Star Mariners), it’s the most expensive specialty restaurant onboard and one you don’t want to skip over. From the small intimate space with just over a dozen tables, to the personal service, beautiful presentation, and exceptional food, it’s a true 5-star spot onboard. Now, I know the steakhouse is the place to go for steak, but don’t pass up the bone-in strip here, it may actually be BETTER than Pinnacle Grill.
Tamarind – ★★★★☆ – Another strong showing. The food is flavorful, service is polished, and at $35 per person (with the same loyalty discount), it’s a great option. The only knock here is the menu… it’s starting to feel a bit stale. It’s been the same for a long time and could definitely use a refresh.
Dive-In – ★☆☆☆☆ – This one hurts. Dive-In used to be a go-to for a quick, solid burger. Not anymore. The quality has taken a noticeable dip. The two burgers I had were cold and meh… which tells you everything you need to know. Hopefully this is something they turn around, because it used to be a great spot. Fresh cut fries would make a huge difference as well.
New York Deli & Pizza – ★★★☆☆ – Breakfast here is simple and usually crowd-free, which is a nice change from the Lido. But don’t expect variety, it’s cereal, eggs, bacon, sausage, and a breakfast bagel sandwich. But, you completely avoid the chaos of the Lido Market at breakfast time by just getting a plate from here. The made-to-order pizzas are solid, thin-crust, New York-style and worth grabbing. The pre-made slices sitting under the heat lamps? Hit or miss. If they’re fresh, they are absolutely delicious and addictivee. If they’ve been sitting… keep moving.
Morimoto by Sea Pop-up – At $55 per person and no discount, I skipped it on both segments of this journey. I really can’t justify the price vs menu and the difference between going for this even or just spending $35 to have dinner at Tamarind. Yes, there are a few different menu options, but most are also available a la carte from the bar menu at Tamarind!
Morimoto Sushi Bar – ★★★★☆ – So let’s set the record straight. The sushi that you get here is the exact same sushi you can get at the Lido Market. What’s on the buffet is made by the sushi chef at Morimoto and is free, as opposed to paying for it. However, I have added on sushi to dinner at Tamarind and had no problem paying for it as the portions are huge and the sushi is great. But, if you don’t want to pay, just enjoy some great free sushi at the Lido Market.
Overall, Rotterdam has a solid lineup of places for quick bites and full meals. Is it all perfect? No. But you’ll quickly find “your spot” that you’ll continue to dine at over and over. Just don’t let a price tag deter you from trying some of the speciality restaurants at least once during your cruise. You won’t be sorry.
Rotterdam’s Fellow Passengers
For this segment, the passenger mix was noticeably different from the previous segment and much different from what you’d typically expect on a Holland America sailing.
Blame it on spring break.
Instead of the usual “seasoned cruiser” crowd that tends to dominate longer itineraries, the average age dropped… not dramatically, but enough to notice. I’d peg it somewhere around the low 60s this time, which for Holland America is basically a youth movement.
There were also more families onboard, along with a decent number of kids and teens. Now before anyone panics… no, this didn’t turn into a floating daycare center. Quite the opposite. The kids onboard were all well-behaved, no chaos, no running wild, no issues at all.
It just changed the overall feel of the ship a bit. Call it, slightly more youthful.
The Lido pool had more energy, there was more activity during the day, and evenings had a slightly livelier vibe compared to the previous segment. But it never felt overwhelming or out of place. Even with the ship sailing at full capacity, venues were not overcrowded or unmanageable.
At its core, it was still very much a Holland America crowd… just with a little more variety mixed in.
Entertainment on Rotterdam
Entertainment on Rotterdam continues to be a tale of two experiences.
Let’s start with the not-so-great.
The main theater productions in the World Stage, powered by the Step One Dance Company, still don’t quite hit the mark. The performers themselves are talented, no question, but the shows just feel underwhelming. Compared to what other cruise lines are putting out there, these productions come off more like something you’d see at a local theater than on a major cruise line.
It’s an area where Holland America is clearly behind.
Now, where they absolutely nail it… live music.
B.B. King’s Blues Club is the star of the show onboard. Night after night, the place is packed, the band is outstanding, and the energy is exactly what you want. It’s also where the Orange Party takes place, and with that band leading things, it turns into one of the most fun nights of the cruise.
Right next door, Rolling Stone Lounge keeps things going with a mix of classic rock and newer hits. This place fills up quickly most nights and for good reason… the band is consistently solid.
If you’re looking for something a little more low-key, there are plenty of other options scattered around the ship. The classical trio is back, which made a lot of longtime HAL cruisers happy, even if it doesn’t exactly draw huge crowds. Then there’s Derrick the steel drum player who seems to pop up everywhere, from the Lido pool to the bars, always pulling in a small crowd. He disembarked this cruise after spending the ENTIRE Caribbean season on board. His steel pan and wrists are certainly going to enjoy some well-deserved time off.
Billboard Onboard rounds things out with non-dueling pianos, which is more of a sit-back-and-listen kind of venue. The performers are good, but the energy level is pretty mellow compared to the other spots.
At the end of the day, if you like live music, you’re going to have a good time here. If you’re looking for big, Broadway-style productions… you might be a little underwhelmed.
Ship Condition and Upkeep
With Rotterdam heading into dry dock soon, you might expect to start seeing some wear and tear.
Not the case.
The ship still looks fantastic.
Public areas are clean, carpets and furniture are in great shape, and nothing feels worn down or neglected. You don’t walk through the ship thinking, “yeah, this thing needs some work.”
A lot of that comes down to the crew, who are constantly cleaning, maintaining, and staying on top of everything. There’s always something being polished, painted, or touched up somewhere.
For a ship that’s been sailing full schedules since launching in 2021, Rotterdam still feels very fresh. When she heads into dry dock, it’s likely more about routine updates and minor enhancements than fixing anything major, like signage that is outdated:
But overall, she’s in excellent shape.
Disembarkation in Fort Lauderdale
Let’s be honest… disembarkation day is nobody’s favorite part of a cruise. The vacation is over, reality is calling, and everyone just wants to get off the ship and get on with their day.
But here’s the thing… it doesn’t have to be chaotic.
If you follow a few simple steps like I’ve outlined before, the whole process can actually be quick, smooth, and surprisingly painless.
Disembarkation Tips to Make Getting Off the Ship Easy and Stress Free
Holland America offers the usual two options. You’ve got self-assist, where you carry everything off yourself and are among the first off the ship, or standard disembarkation, where you leave your luggage outside your cabin the night before and pick it up in the terminal.
Since I had multiple bags with me… three weeks of cruising tends to do that… I went with the standard option this time.
If you’re doing standard, you’ll need luggage tags, which are color-coded based on your preferred disembarkation time. These are available on a rack near Guest Services, but for 4-Star Mariners and above, they’re delivered right to your cabin along with instructions.
With those tags, you’re typically assigned a window, in my case between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.
Self-assist guests were called around 7:15, and right on schedule at 8:00 a.m., my group was called. Holland America asks everyone to be out of their cabins by 8:00 so the crew can start turning rooms for the next sailing, but there are still breakfast options available and plenty of places to hang out while you wait.
I grabbed my backpack, headed down to Deck 1 right at 8:00 and…
No line.
Walked right up, quick facial recognition scan, and I was off the ship in seconds.
Into the terminal, luggage was exactly where it should be, no searching, no confusion. Then straight over to customs… again, no line. Look at the screen, quick scan, and done.
From ship to car, I was pulling out of the garage by 8:15.
That’s about as smooth as it gets.
And honestly, it just goes to show… when people follow directions and the system works the way it’s supposed to, disembarkation doesn’t have to be the chaotic mess people make it out to be.
Final Thoughts… and What’s Next
Once again, Rotterdam delivered.
As the flagship of the Holland America Line fleet, this ship continues to prove why it’s one of my favorites and easily one of the best ships I’ve sailed on. Is everything perfect? No. Nothing ever is. There are still some areas that need attention… I’m looking at you, Main Dining Room and smoky Sea View Bar… but overall, this is still a fantastic cruise experience.
The things Holland America does well, they do really well. The service, the ship design, the live music, the overall vibe… it all comes together in a way that keeps me coming back.
If you’re on the fence about booking Rotterdam, don’t be.
With her upcoming dry dock just around the corner, she’s about to get a fresh polish and come back looking even better. If this is what she looks like now, I can only imagine she’ll be even more dialed in after the refresh.
Now… what’s next?
Glad you asked.
On March 29, 2026, I’ll be hopping onboard her sister ship, Koningsdam. This one is a little special because she was the first ship in the Pinnacle Class when she launched back in 2016. Think of her as the blueprint for everything that came after, including Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.
She’s currently wrapping up her time in dry dock, so this upcoming sailing will be one of her first runs post-refresh. While the layout will feel very familiar, since these ships are basically copy and paste right down to the carpets, it’ll be interesting to see what updates and changes were made.
I have the full itinerary posted below, and as always, I’ll be sharing updates throughout the cruise.
Thanks again for following along over the past three weeks on Rotterdam. Appreciate you coming along for the ride.
Holland America Line – 12-Day Southern Caribbean
Koningsdam
Dates: March 29 to April 10, 2026
Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Ship Facts: 2016 build • 99,902 GT • 2,650 passengers (double occupancy)
| Date | Port | Country |
| Mar 29 | Fort Lauderdale (Depart 4:00pm) | USA |
| Mar 30 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 31 | At Sea | – |
| Apr 1 | San Juan (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 11:00pm) | Puerto Rico |
| Apr 2 | St. Thomas (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | U.S. Virgin Islands |
| Apr 3 | St. John’s (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | Antigua and Barbuda |
| Apr 4 | Roseau (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | Dominica |
| Apr 5 | Castries (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 4:00pm) | Saint Lucia |
| Apr 6 | Basseterre (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | St. Kitts and Nevis |
| Apr 7 | At Sea | – |
| Apr 8 | At Sea | – |
| Apr 9 | Half Moon Cay (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 3:00pm) | Bahamas |
| Apr 10 | Fort Lauderdale (Arrive 7:00am) | USA |
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Rotterdam Arrives in Half Moon Cay | |
| 8:00 AM | High Moon Cay Photo Opportunity until 11:00 AM | |
| 8:00 AM | Ask Your Travel Guide Holly until 10:00 AM | |
| 8:00 AM | Tai Chi for Everyone | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 8:00 AM | Return Your Library Book by 5:00 PM | Library 2 |
| 9:00 AM | Yoga on the Beach $20 | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 9:00 AM | Walk a Mile | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 9:30 AM | Origami Folding: Envelope | Game Room 12 |
| 9:30 AM | Sand Castle Contest on the Island | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 10:00 AM | Rotterdam VS Eurodam Volleyball on the Island | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 10:00 AM | Island Ice Cream Socials Deck Plays | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 10:00 AM | Lightning Trivia | Billboard Onboard |
| 10:30 AM | Creating Design from Doodles | Game Room 12 |
| 11:00 AM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Deck Plays | Half Moon Cay Island |
| 11:00 AM | Knitter’s Meetup | Crow’s Nest 12 |
| 11:30 AM | Party Bridge Play until 1:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 12:00 PM | Return to Ship Lunch | Lido Market 9 |
| 12:00 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 12:30 PM | Culinary Arts Center Demo | Culinary Arts Center |
| 1:00 PM | Grand Finale Art Auction | Art Gallery 1 |
| 1:30 PM | Watercoloring: Jellyfish | Game Room 12 |
| 2:00 PM | Afternoon Tea | Dining Room 3 |
| 2:00 PM | Friends of Bill W. | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 2:30 PM | Ping Pong Tournament | Sport Court 11 |
| 3:00 PM | Relieving Back Pain Seminar | Fitness Center 9 |
| 3:30 PM | Coloring for Adults | Game Room 12 |
| 4:00 PM | Holland America Line Trivia | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 4:00 PM | Cocktail Demo | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 4:00 PM | Shuffleboard Tournament | Sport Court 11 |
| 4:30 PM | $5000 Jackpot Bingo Drawing | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Stretch | Fitness Center 9 |
| 5:00 PM | Ballroom Dance Class | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 5:30 PM | Happy Hour Drink Specials | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 6:00 PM | PRIDE Meetup | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 6:30 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 7:00 PM | Music Trivia | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 7:30 PM | On World Stage Show | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 8:00 PM | Rock Legends | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 8:30 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 8:45 PM | The 1970s | Billboard Onboard |
| 9:00 PM | On World Stage Show | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 9:30 PM | Rock the 80s | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 10:15 PM | All Requests | Billboard Onboard |
| 10:30 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 11:00 PM | New Wave | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 12:00 AM | Casino Open Late | Casino 3 |