Some ships feel familiar after you’ve been on them once and start to feel like home after you’ve sailed on them a few times. And that’s definitely the case with Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, which I just stepped off in November after three weeks wonderful sailing her around the Caribbean. So yes, returning again only a few months later might sound repetitive… but this time the story is very different.
Instead of another standard Eastern / Western Caribbean sailing, this journey is made up of two back-to-back cruises with two of my favorite itineraries to wrap up Rotterdam’s 2025–2026 Caribbean season before she heads across the Atlantic for Europe.
The first segment is a 12-day Panama Canal itinerary, one of those bucket-list sailings that I first did on Zuidedam in 2013 and is one that I try to squeeze in at least once a year. They’re not offered a lot and when the come up, they usually sell out quickly as it’s not an itinerary offered by Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, MSC, or Disney.
Holland America Line – 12 Day Panama Canal
Dates: March 1–13, 2026
Homeport: Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Ship Facts: 2021 build • 99,800 GT • 2,668 passengers (double occupancy)
| Date | Port | Country |
| Mar 1 | Fort Lauderdale (Depart 3:00pm) | USA |
| Mar 2 | Half Moon Cay (Arrive 9:00am, Depart 5:00pm) | Bahamas |
| Mar 3 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 4 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 5 | Willemstad (Arrive 8:00am, Depart 11:00pm) | Curacao |
| Mar 6 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 7 | Cartagena (Arrive 7:00am, Depart 2:00pm) | Colombia |
| Mar 8 | Transiting the Panama Canal | Panama |
| Mar 8 | Colon (Arrive 5:00am, Depart 9:00pm) | Panama |
| Mar 9 | Puerto Limon (Arrive 7:30am, Depart 4:30pm) | Costa Rica |
| Mar 10 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 11 | George Town (Arrive 7:00am, Depart 4:00pm) | Cayman Islands |
| Mar 12 | At Sea | – |
| Mar 13 | Fort Lauderdale (Arrive 7:00am, Depart 3:00pm) | USA |
After the first 12-days, I’ll roll directly into a 9-day ABC Islands cruise, returning to Curaçao along with Aruba and Bonaire, plus a visit to Holland America’s private island in The Bahamas, Half Moon Cay.
Holland America Line – 9-Day Southern Caribbean
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 |
When I disembark on March 22, Rotterdam will depart Fort Lauderdale on a repositioning voyage to Europe, where she will enter dry dock for two weeks before beginning her spring and summer season sailing from Rotterdam in the Netherlands. After that, she won’t return to U.S. waters until later in the year when Caribbean cruises resume. (I really wish Holland America would keep a ship here year round, but one can dream.)
Because I sailed Rotterdam so recently, this trip report is going to look a little different than my usual ship deep dives. Rather than rehash every venue and corner of the ship, I’ll focus on what matters most during this journey: itinerary highlights, operational changes, and the day-to-day experience of a longer Holland America voyage. Repetitive stuff, I’ll provide links to from my previous trip reports.
And of course, there’s the main event.
Expect plenty of coverage when we reach the Panama Canal on Sunday, from early-morning approaches to lock operations, viewing spots around the ship, and what the experience actually feels like from onboard Rotterdam.
So with two cruises, 21 days at sea, and one of the world’s greatest engineering marvels ahead of us, it’s time to get this journey underway.
Embarkation Day – Port Everglades (Fort Lauderdale)
For this sailing, Rotterdam is departing from Terminal 26 at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, and it turned out to be a very busy day. Sharing the port with us today was Rotterdam’s sister, Eurodam, along with Oasis of the Seas, Sky Princess, and Celebrity Excel. In other words, a lot of passengers all trying to arrive at roughly the same time.
Under normal circumstances, the drive from my home in Delray Beach to Port Everglades takes about 35 minutes. Today? A painful 90 minutes, with most of that time spent barely moving while trying to enter the port itself.
The main bottleneck at Port Everglades continues to be the entrance checkpoints, where every vehicle must stop so passengers can show a boarding pass and photo ID before being allowed inside. I’ve never quite understood why this process exists here when ports like Miami and Port Canaveral don’t require that type of vehicle check. What it does create is a massive traffic backup whether you’re entering from I-595 or Eisenhower Boulevard, and on busy multi-ship days like this one, the delays really add up.
Unfortunately, the frustrations didn’t end once inside the port.
After dropping my luggage at the terminal, I headed across the street to the parking garage where an attendant informed drivers that the only available spaces were on Deck 6, the top level. So up six floors a line of cars went… only to find complete chaos. Cars were circling endlessly because the garage was actually full.
Eventually, everyone made their way back down, where another attendant began allowing cars to park in previously blocked-off spots on the first level. A small win, maybe, but still a pretty frustrating start to embarkation day.
To be fair, Port Everglades generally operates well aside from the entry traffic, and it’s still way better than the unorganized chaos that is PortMiami. But both ports are clearly struggling to keep up with today’s mega ships, many of which carry two or even three times the number of passengers these facilities and roadways were originally designed to handle.
Thankfully, once I finally parked and walked across to the terminal, the experience improved. Dramatically.
Arriving around 1:00 p.m., there was no check-in line at all. As a Four-Star Mariner I used the priority lane, though it wasn’t necessary. A quick document check and smile at the iPad and I was cleared to security, where there was also no wait.
From the time I walked through the terminal doors to arriving at my stateroom and picking up my keycard, it was less than ten minutes.
And just like that, I was back onboard Rotterdam and…
Back in a Familiar Cabin: Family Oceanview Stateroom 1028
For this cruise, I was originally booked in a guarantee interior stateroom, meaning Holland America would assign my cabin a few days before sailing and the exact location would be entirely up to them.
A few days before embarkation, however, I received an offer to upgrade to a Family Oceanview stateroom for $300. Having stayed in one of these cabins during my last Rotterdam sailing just a few months ago, the decision took about three seconds.
And in a bit of cruise déjà vu, I ended up right back in stateroom 1028 on Deck 1 forward. Same cabin. Same layout. Even the same stateroom attendants as last time.
This stateroom category is designed to accommodate up to five guests, with two twin beds that convert to a queen, a sleeper sofa for two, and an upper berth. Could five people stay here? Technically yes. Would I personally recommend it? Only if everyone involved truly enjoys close quarters. For two people, though, the extra space makes the room feel roomy compared to a standard cabin.
Where this stateroom really shines, especially for families, is the two-bathroom setup. The main bathroom includes a tub/shower combo, toilet, and sink, while the second bathroom has a walk-in shower and sink. Having two separate spaces eliminates the line for the bathroom every morning.
Storage is another big feature of these rooms. There’s an entire wall of closets and shelving near the entrance, along with additional drawers and cubbies throughout the room. Even on a longer sailing like this one, space isn’t an issue.
The cabin also has a large TV across from the bed, a vanity/desk area, a stocked mini-bar and snack basket (both available for purchase), and an in-room safe. Power options include US power outlets and USB-A ports on each side of the bed and three US and two European power outlets at the desk along with two USB-A ports, and anyone sleeping on the sofa or upper berth won’t find any outlets nearby.
Whether you’re cruising with a family or solo like I am, these family staterooms are well-designed and with all the closet space are perfect for longer itineraries.
For the next segment of the cruise, I will be changing staterooms… to what type, I don’t know yet, so there’s an element of surprise yet to come!
Video Tour of Stateroom 1028 on Rotterdam
Muster Drill
After settling in it was time to head to my assigned muster station and check in. Like all cruise lines except Disney, Holland America uses a self-muster process. Gone are the days of standing shoulder-to-shoulder under lifeboats while announcements are screamed at you by someone with a loudspeaker. No dragging life jackets across the ship. No sweating through safety briefings in the hot Florida sun.
Guests watch a safety video on the stateroom TV, then simply walk to the assigned muster station where a crew member scans their keycard. The entire process takes about two minutes.
A Soggy Start to the Cruise
As the time for the sailaway party approached, Mother Nature decided to throw a wrench at things. The skies opened up and it poured. The retractable dome over the Lido Pool was closed, and the crew made the decision to relocate the sailaway gathering from the aft Sea View Pool to the Lido.
Now, if you’re expecting a Carnival-style deck party or a Disney-level production, that’s not Holland America. HAL sailaways are more relaxed, more understated. Think music, a drink in hand, some dancing, and a social gathering rather than a full-blown party.
Ironically, just around the time the party started, the storm moved out and the sun reappeared, but by then the festivities were already set up inside under the dome, so that’s where the crowd remained.
And then… we waited.
Our scheduled departure time came and went.
Ahead of us sat Celebrity Excel, and since we were behind her, she needed to depart first. But as time went on, it became clear something else was going on.
Eventually, the captain came over the PA with an explanation: government computer systems were down, and until they were back online, clearance to depart could not be issued.
So we waited.
And waited.
It wasn’t until approximately 6:45 p.m., nearly two hours past our originally scheduled departure time, that Rotterdam finally left.
But as you’ll see later in this report, that two-hour setback would end up having an impact on our first port of call.
Mariner Society Reception – For Those Loyal to the Dam Ships
One thing Holland America consistently does well is recognizing loyalty.
Each sailing includes a Mariner Society Reception, a gathering for past guests, or “Mariners” as HAL calls us. It’s a chance to enjoy a glass of champagne, hear a few words from the cruise director, mingle with ship officers, and usually get a brief appearance from the captain.
Normally.
Tonight’s reception was scheduled for 6:30 p.m., which just so happened to be right in the middle of our delayed departure. So while we were toasting the start of the cruise, the captain was occupied up on the bridge getting Rotterdam ready to sail.
Hard to fault him for that!
During the reception, they ran through the loyalty breakdown for this sailing, which is always interesting on longer itineraries like this one. Onboard for this 12-day Panama Canal cruise are approximately:
- 350 Three-Star Mariners
- 175 Four-Star Mariners
- 80 Five-Star Mariners
- 2 President’s Club members
President’s Club status is reserved for guests with over 1,000 days at sea with Holland America. And yes, when they were recognized, it was clear they’ve seen (quite) a few sailaways in their day.
Events like this prove that Holland America has a loyal following. The passenger mix on longer sailings tends to skew heavily toward repeat and older guests, and that gives the cruise a slightly different feel from your typical Caribbean weeklong sailing. Even with this being during the traditional Spring Break period, I have yet to see any families with kids on board, as that’s simply not the demographic for Holland America – and frankly, is a reason it’s the perfect choice if you want to cruise during Spring Break and not have to deal with the craziness associated with it.
Cocktails, Steak, and a Half Moon Cay Adjustment
Before heading off to dinner, I made an important stop.
I swung by the fantastic Half Moon Bar to see my old friend Reema, who continues to hold down the fort like the owns the place. It’s one of only two bars onboard where you can order a proper smoked Old Fashioned. Fred, I hope you’re reading this!
After a couple of cocktails and some catching up, it was time to figure out dinner.
On embarkation night, Holland America offers a “Welcome Aboard” steak and shrimp dinner up in the Lido Market, and plenty of guests opt for that instead of the Main Dining Room or specialty restaurants. I took a look at the MDR menu, and nothing really jumped out at me, so I decided to head up to Tamarind, the ship’s Asian specialty restaurant.
Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu Night 1
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Holland America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu Night 1
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
When I arrived, though, the place was completely empty.
Now, I’m all for personalized service, but being the only diner in a restaurant can feel a little awkward. So I headed down to Pinnacle Grill, Rotterdam’s steakhouse. And guess what? I was the only person there too.
At that point, I figured what the hell. Embarkation evening is not a hot night for speciality dining as most people want an evening that is more relaxed after a day of traveling and unpacking, so this was not something unusual.
Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu Night 1
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Pinnacle Grill is consistently one of my favorite cruise ship steakhouses, and tonight was no exception. I started with the candied clothesline bacon and a chilled shrimp cocktail, then moved on to a perfectly cooked New York strip paired with a side of French fries. Classic steakhouse food done well.
And when dessert rolled around, there was absolutely no chance I was skipping the Not So Baked Alaska. It’s ridiculously good, wildly unnecessary calorie-wise, and I regret nothing.
Service was on point as always, the food was excellent, and having the place nearly to myself certainly didn’t hurt.
After dinner, I took a leisurely walk around the ship as we made our way to our first port of call: Half Moon Cay, Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas.
Due to our delayed departure from Fort Lauderdale, our originally scheduled 9:00 a.m. arrival has been pushed back to 10:30 a.m. The good news is the captain extended our stay, with all aboard now set for 5:30 p.m. and departure at 6:00 p.m., so we’ll still get a full day on the island.
A late start, but not a lost day.
More from Half Moon Cay tomorrow.
As always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM | The Library is Open | Library (Deck 2) |
| 11:00 AM | Crossword & Number Puzzles Available | Library (Deck 2) |
| 11:00 AM | Make Your Dining Reservations (until 4:00 PM) | Atrium (Deck 2) & Lido Market (Deck 9) |
| 11:00 AM | The Greenhouse Spa Look & Book Tours (Promotion) | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 11:00 AM | Visit the Thermal Suite & Hydropool (Promotion) | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 12:00 PM | Visit the Shore Excursions Desk (until 7:00 PM) | Shore Excursions (Deck 12) |
| 12:00 PM | Guess the Weight of the Sculpture (Promotion) | Atrium (Deck 2) |
| 1:00 PM | Personalized Lipstick Blending (Promotion) | The Shops (Deck 2) |
| 1:00 PM | Guess the Carat Weight of the Gemstone (Promotion) | EFFY Jewelry (Deck 2) |
| 2:00 PM | Art & Craft Open House (until 3:00 PM) | Game Room (Deck 12) |
| 2:00 PM | Meet Port Shopping Concierge Archie | Atrium (Deck 3) |
| 2:00 PM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Dereck Plays | Sea View Pool (Deck 9) |
| 2:00 PM | A Gift From Effy: Traveler Tags (Promotion) | Atrium (Deck 3) |
| 2:00 PM | Win a $1,000 Onboard Shopping Spree (Promotion) | Atrium (Deck 3) |
| 3:00 PM | All Aboard – Rotterdam Departs Fort Lauderdale | Shipwide |
| 3:30 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Half Moon Room (Deck 1) |
| 3:30 PM | Sail Away Celebration – Cocktails & Champagne | Sea View Poolside (Deck 9) |
| 4:00 PM | Walk-In Acupuncture Clinic (Promotion) | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 4:30 PM | Have Your Casual Portrait Taken (Promotion) | Atrium (Deck 2) |
| 4:30 PM | Walking in Comfort (Promotion) | Fitness Center (Deck 9) |
| 5:00 PM | Greenhouse Spa & Salon Raffle Drawing | Greenhouse Spa (Deck 9) |
| 5:00 PM | Welcome Aboard Steak & Shrimp Dinner | Lido Market (Deck 9) |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Catholic Prayer | Half Moon & Hudson Room (Deck 1) |
| 5:00 PM | Ask Your Travel Guide Holly (until 7:00 PM) | Crow’s Nest (Deck 12) |
| 5:30 PM | Evening Sips: Taste Fine Spirits | The Shops (Deck 3) |
| 6:00 PM | PRIDE Meetup (LGBTQ+ & friends) | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 6:00 PM | Rotterdam Ship Tour | Crow’s Nest (Deck 12) |
| 6:00 PM | Collect Your Free Bingo Ticket (Game at 6:30 PM) | Rolling Stone Lounge (Deck 2) |
| 6:00 PM | Introducing Lewie the Lion (Promotion) | The Shops (Deck 3) |
| 6:00 PM | Guess the Weight of the Sculpture (Promotion) | Atrium (Deck 2) |
| 6:30 PM | EFFY Jewelry’s Welcome Celebration Raffle | EFFY Jewelry (Deck 2) |
| 6:30 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Billboard Onboard (Deck 2) |
| 7:00 PM | Music Trivia | B.B. King’s Blues Club (Deck 2) |
| 7:00 PM | Kids Club Registration (until 10:00 PM) | Kids Club (Deck 10) |
| 7:00 PM | Beat the Clock… It’s Time to Shop (Promotion) | EFFY Jewelry (Deck 2) |
| 7:00 PM | Scratch Off Tickets on Sale (Promotion) | Casino (Deck 3) |
| 7:30 PM | On World Stage: MOVE | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3 Forward) |
| 8:00 PM | Teens Meet & Greet (Ages 12–17) | Kids Club (Deck 10) |
| 8:00 PM | Young Adult Meetup (Ages 18–30) | Crow’s Nest (Deck 12) |
| 8:15 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 8:15 PM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Dereck Plays | Ocean Bar |
| 8:30 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 9:00 PM | On World Stage: MOVE | World Stage (Decks 2 & 3 Forward) |
| 9:00 PM | Billboard Onboard Duo Plays | Billboard Onboard |
| 9:15 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 9:15 PM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Dereck Plays | Ocean Bar |
| 10:00 PM | Billboard Onboard Duo Plays | Billboard Onboard |
| 10:15 PM | The Best of B.B. King’s All-Stars | B.B. King’s Blues Club |
| 11:00 PM | $614,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino (Deck 3) |
| 12:00 AM | Stay and Play Slots All Night (Promotion) | Casino (Deck 3) |