Holland America Line Rotterdam Panama Canal Cruise Review – Day 2: March 2, 2026

Our first port of call on this Panama Canal journey was Holland America Line’s private island in the Bahamas, Half Moon Cay.

And before we go any further, I need to address something.

Carnival Corporation recently decided that Half Moon Cay should now be called “RelaxAway, Half Moon Cay.” I still refuse to use it. The name was rolled out the same time Carnival announced a massive enhancement project for the island, which is currently well underway.

But this whole RelaxAway thing just feels like a corporate brainstorming session that never should have made it out of the conference room. It’s clearly trying to follow the same idea Royal Caribbean used when they decided to rebrand Coco Cay as “Perfect Day at CocoCay.” And let’s be honest, almost nobody calls it that.

It’s Coco Cay.

And this is Half Moon Cay.

Anyway… rant over.

Big Changes Coming to the Island

Half Moon Cay has traditionally been a destination used primarily by Holland America Line ships, though occasionally other brands in the Carnival Corporation portfolio, like Carnival Cruise Line, stop here as well.

That’s about to change.

The island is currently undergoing a major transformation that will essentially split it into two distinct areas. The current developed side will remain dedicated to Holland America guests, while a previously undeveloped portion of the island will become a new destination area for Carnival Cruise Line ships and others in the brand portfolio.

The Carnival side will include a large pier capable of accommodating the Excel-class ships like Carnival Mardi Gras, Carnival Celebration, and Carnival Jubilee, along with future ships in the fleet.

Construction over there is extensive and still appears to be a long way from completion.

On the Holland America side, there’s also plenty of work happening, though much of it is focused on enhancements rather than completely new development. Over the past few months several improvements have already appeared, including:

• New beach loungers added along the shoreline
• Refreshed and repainted cabanas (which were definitely overdue)
• A new beach bar replacing the old Captain Morgan pirate ship bar that had seen better days
• Another new bar currently under construction on the beach
• New basketball and pickleball courts
• Preparations underway for a future beach club experience

Despite all the activity, none of the construction really impacts the guest experience. Walking around the island, you’ll notice work happening, but it doesn’t interfere with enjoying the beach.

Clearing Up the Pier Confusion

One thing that’s become very clear is that there’s a lot of confusion among Holland America cruisers about the new pier being built.

Many people believe HAL ships will eventually dock there and that tender boats will disappear entirely.

That is not the case.

The pier is being built for Carnival Cruise Line’s side of the island, and even if Holland America ships were able to use it, it’s located a considerable distance away from the HAL portion of the island.

So yes:

• Holland America ships will continue to anchor offshore
• Passengers will continue to be transported by tender boats

Honestly, Holland America could do a much better job explaining this to guests. Listening to conversations onboard and on the tender boats, there’s a surprising amount of misinformation floating around.

A Late Arrival

As mentioned in the Day 1 report, our arrival at Half Moon Cay was pushed back due to the delayed departure from Fort Lauderdale.

Instead of arriving at 9:00 a.m., we didn’t reach the island until about 10:30 a.m., where we joined Rotterdam’s sister Eurodam.

Two ships at Half Moon Cay always makes tender operations a bit more complicated, but this time the process ran fairly smoothly. All the island’s tender boats were in service, with two dedicated to Eurodam and two assigned to Rotterdam.

Guests who wanted to be among the first ashore needed to collect tender tickets, which were distributed starting around 10:00 a.m., with the first groups leaving the ship shortly after our arrival.

By about 1:00 p.m., the announcement was made that tender tickets were no longer required and passengers could head down and board freely.

That might seem late, but because of our delayed arrival the captain extended our stay on the island, with the last tender scheduled for 5:30 p.m., giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy the day.

Unfortunately, the weather had different ideas.

Throughout the morning the island experienced on-and-off rain showers, some of them pretty heavy, mixed with occasional bursts of sunshine.

I finally decided to head ashore around 1:30 p.m., making my way down to A Deck to board a tender. After about a 45-minute wait in line, I finally made it onto the boat… just as another rain shower rolled through.

Once on the island I spent some time walking around, checking out the beach, visiting the famous horses in the surf, and taking a look at the progress on the various construction projects since my last visit back in December.

Eventually the weather took another turn.

The skies opened up again just as I made my way back toward the tender boarding area, leaving me standing in line in the rain for about 30 minutes before finally boarding a tender back to the ship.

Got to love Mother Nature.

What’s Changed Since December?

Compared to my last visit a few months ago, there are some noticeable differences.

A fence has been installed that prevent guests from walking toward the side of the island where the Carnival development is taking place. Even from a distance, though, you can see that quite a bit of work is happening over there.

On the Holland America side, a few new structures are starting to take shape, likely future cabanas and the new beach bar I mentioned earlier.

Specific details about many of these projects haven’t been officially announced yet, but based on the pace of construction it wouldn’t be surprising to see a formal announcement sometime soon outlining everything that’s coming.

Hopefully that announcement will also clarify the situation with the pier, because based on the conversations I overheard on the tender boats, a lot of people are convinced tendering here is about to become a thing of the past.

If you want a deeper look at Half Moon Cay itself, including what the island normally looks like on a perfect weather day, check out my full report from my Rotterdam sailing last December.

Dinner at Tamarind on Holland America’s Rotterdam

Once the final tenders returned to the ship and supplies from the island were delivered, the captain fired up the azipods and Rotterdam departed Half Moon Cay just before 6:00 p.m.

With that, we officially began a stretch of two full sea days as we make our way deeper into the Caribbean toward our next port of call, Willemstad, Curaçao.

After getting back onboard I stopped by the Half Moon Bar for a couple of cocktails before heading off to dinner. Tonight’s destination was Tamarind, one of Holland America’s specialty restaurants featuring an Asian-inspired menu. The restaurant currently runs $35 per person, and in my opinion it’s one of the best dining values anywhere in the fleet – with Canaletto being THE best (but more on that as the cruise goes on).

Before getting into Tamarind, here’s a quick look at tonight’s Main Dining Room and Lido Market menus.

Rotterdam Caribbean Lido Dinner B (3/2026)

Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026

Available on: all ships

Bakery Shop Rise

Kalamata Olive and Feta Focaccia

Savory Focaccia

Soft Rolls

Bread Roll

Loaf Bread

Pretzel

Blueberry Pie

Strawberry Crisp

Lemon Pound Cake & Blueberry Sweet Streusel Loaf

Baked Grand Ma Sheet Strawberry Pan Cake

Bread Board

Deli Sandwiches

3 Cheese Sandwich, Challa Brioche

Romesco (Roastbeef)

Sandwich Made to Order

Compound Salad

apple, pear, and pecan salad, heart of palm, mango and avocado salad

Seasonal Programming

Caribbean Roasted Pork Sandwich

cumin, allspice, mayonnaise, chipotle mayo, Lime zest, ciabatta rolls, lettuce, tomatoes, 6 kinds of hot sauce, salsas, jalapeno cornbread, fried plantains

Wild Harvest

Bay Shrimps Cocktail

Chop Chop

Chicken Caesar

Cobb Salad

Asian Sesame with Seared Tuna

Distant Lands Italian

Paccheri with Spicy Tomato Sauce, Shrimps and Parsley

Spaghetti with Beef and Ricotta Meat Balls, Basil, and Tomato

Meat Lasagna

Rustic Ciabatta Wheel

Mixed Herb and Pecorino Focaccia

Garlic Scrolls

Create Your Own Pasta

marinara, bolognese, alfredo, basil pesto

Distant Lands Asia

Thai Seafood Salad

Pad Thai

Pineapple Fried Rice

Yellow Curry Vegetable

Kaeng Kiao Wan (Seafood in Green Curry)

Kaeng Ped Kai (Chicken Braised in Red Coconut)

Kaeng Massaman (Beef with Potatoes and Pineapple)

Roasting Pan

Chicken and Callaloo Soup

Stuffed Pork Belly

Rosemary Roasted Chicken

Red Wine Gravy

Béarnaise

Braised Eggplant

Roasted Root Vegetables

Loaded Mashed Potatoes

Mac n Cheese

Yorkshire Pudding

Vegetable Biryani

Palak Paneer

Mutton Rogan Josh

Basmati Rice

Homestead

Chili Prawns with Garlic Butter

Citrus Salmon

Chile Rellenos

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast

New York Strip Loin

Fried Chicken

Jamaican Braised Oxtail

Braised Eggplant

Roasted Root Vegetables

Mashed Potatoes

Roasted Potatoes

French Fries

Sweet Spot

Caribbean Malibu Cream

Double Chocolate Tart

Strawberry Cream

Crepes Made to Order

Selection of Ice Creams

Rum Butter Caramel Sauce with Choice of Fresh Fruit Topping

Lido - Late Night 10:30pm - 11:30pm

Sliced Fruits

Apple, Pears, Banana, orange, Grapes

Chickpeas, Artichoke and Arugula

Roasted Tarragon Chicken with Walnuts, Celery, and Apples

Cheese Selection

Blue, Brie, Leiden

Asian Tuna Salad

Tossed to Order

Selection of Artisan Breads

Panini Grilled to Order

El Toro

beef brisket, bourbon bbq sauce, roasted bell pepper, dill pickle, tomato, lettuce, red onion, cream cheese, mayonnaise, cilantro, chili flakes, garlic baguette

Mahi Mahi Crispy Taco

Mini Pork Katsu

Southern Fried Chicken

French Fries with Toppings

Cheese Sauce, Bolognese Sauce, Ketchup, Mayo

Beef and Broccoli

Jasmine Rice

Pakoras

Spaghetti Bolognese

Garlic Bread

Boston Cream Pie

Flourless Chocolate Cake

Triple Berries

Fruit Tartlet

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Rotterdam MDR Caribbean Menu B (3/2026)

Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026

Available on: all ships

Drinks

Dutch 150

$11.00

De Lijn Gin, Sparkling Wine, fresh lemon juice

Bahama Mama

$12.00

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

Pusser's Painkiller™

$13.00

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

El Presidente

$13.00

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

Trader Vic's Mai Tai

$13.00

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

Featured Beer

$8.00

Kalik

Appetizers

Jamaican Beef Patty

Caribbean coleslaw

Seafood Deviled Eggs

smoked salmon, crab, honey-mustard dressing

Eggplant Hummus Dip

whole-wheat pita chips

French Onion Soup

Gruyère cheese crouton

Classic Caesar Salad

Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, anchovies

Salmon Salad

cucumber, tomato, avocado, bacon, green beans, mustard

Chicken and Callaloo Soup

butternut squash, garlic, thyme, coconut

Mains

Jerked Pork Tenderloin

peanuts, black beans, rice pilaf, sauteed greens

Spaghetti Aglio e Olio

shrimp, parsley, Roma tomato

Parmesan-Crusted Chicken Breast

basil mashed potatoes, honey-Dijon

New York Strip Loin, Steak Fries

garlic herb butter

Jamaican Braised Oxtail

peas n' rice, cabbage slaw

Rustic Home-Made Lasagna

tomato sauce, basil

Chili Prawns with Garlic Butter

black rice, spinach

Citrus Salmon Bowl

saffron couscous, raisins, pine nuts, spinach, lemon

Chile Rellenos

poblano, Monterey Jack, green chili sauce, Mexican rice

Shrimp Jambalaya

spicy sausage

Featured

Fresh Stone Crab

$49.00

mustard dipping sauce, frisée, lime

5 oz Filet Mignon & Lobster

$18.00

grilled asparagus, baked potato, garlic butter

12 oz Pinnacle Grill Strip Loin Steak

$20.00

baked potato, creamed spinach

Crispy Fried Market Whole Fresh Fish

$25.00

sweet tamarind chili sauce

Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails

$25.00

seasonal Asian greens

Desserts

Blueberry Croissant Pudding

warm rum vanilla sauce

Caribbean Malibu Cream

coconut, pineapple, banana, yogurt

Double Chocolate Tart

crème anglaise

Strawberry Cream

lemon, vanilla sponge, whipped cream

Artisan Cheese Selection

S'mores Sundae

vanilla ice cream, brownie, marshmallow, graham, chocolate

Ice Cream of the Day

Cappuccino

$3.75

Espresso

$2.75

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Tamarind

Tamarind is one of Holland America’s standout specialty restaurants, serving beautifully plated Asian-inspired dishes in a calm, upscale setting with sweeping ocean views. From sushi and satays to rich curries and seafood, it’s the kind of dinner that feels refined without being overly formal.

Available on: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam

Starters

Satay Sampler

Malaysian lamb, Indonesian chicken, Thai pork, peanut sauce, atjar cucumber relish

Shrimp Tempura

sweet and sour sauce, sesame noodles

Pork Bao Bun

green onions, carrots, pickled cucumber, toasted sesame seeds, cilantro

Thai Beef Salad

rare-seared beef, cilantro, scallions, cucumber, fresh mint, toasted peanuts, kaffir lime dressing

Korean Beef Bulgogi Taco

kimchi mayo, Asian slaw, avocado, cilantro, tofu vegetarian on request

Jewels of the Sea

shrimp wontons, baby bok choy, lemongrass-sesame broth

Lumpiang Shanghai

ground pork, egg roll wrap, sweet chili sauce, green papaya

Vegan Tom Kha Thai Coconut Soup

kaffir lime, mushroom, bean sprouts, chili oil

Coconut Crusted Scallops

honey lime dressing

Taste of Tamarind

Experience a selection of favorite starters, crafted for sharing and curated to the number of people at the table. This platter features: Shrimp Tempura, Korean Beef Bulgogi Taco, Lumpiang Shanghai and Satay sampler

Mains

Wok-Seared Lobster

$28.00

Asian greens, ginger, sweet chili, soy

Crispy Duck

yaki udon, grilled scallions, bean sprouts, ginger-chili glazed

Sweet Potato & Cauliflower Massaman

green beans, crispy onions, bean sprouts, basil, peanuts

Panang Red Curry Coconut Chicken

crispy lotus, wok-seared vegetables, roasted peanuts

Wasabi & Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin

tempura onion rings, tonkatsu sauce

Thai Basil Szechuan Shrimp

chili pepper glaze, Asian spices, straw mushrooms, sweet bell peppers, scallions, chili sauce

Mongolian Lamb Chop

baby bok choy, toasted sesame seeds, mirin plum sauce

Vegan Singapore Mei Fun

eggplant katsu, bell peppers, bean sprouts, yu choy

Teochew Fried Seabass

ginger scallion chili soy

Sides

Steamed Jasmine Rice or Brown Rice

Asian Eggplant, Spicy Coconut

Egg Fried Rice

Seared Bok Choy

Sake Braised Oyster & Shiitake Mushrooms

Desserts

Mango Posset

coconut macaroon, passion fruit jelly, mango sorbet

Cherry Blossom Tart

chocolate, cookie crust

Selection of House-Made Sorbets

lemon-basil, yuzu, lychee

Passion Fruit Cloud

light egg white soufflé, passion fruit sorbet

Pineapple & Coconut Tapioca

lemon grass foam, sesame tuile

Cocktails

Casual Encounter

$14.00

Belvedere vodka, Canton ginger, lemon, cucumber

Lychee Martini

$12.00

Roku gin, Morimoto Junmai sake, lychee liquor

Cucumber Mojito

$12.00

Bacardi 8 rum, agave, lime, orange juice, cucumber

Yuzu Cocktail

$12.00

De Lijn gin, yuzu juice, vanilla, soda

Morimotini

$15.00

Haku Vodka, Morioto Junmai sake, cucumber

⬇ Download PDF

🖼️ Menu Images

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Tamarind is located high atop the ship on Deck 10, overlooking the Sea View Pool area at the aft of the vessel. In addition to the main dining room, the space also features a Morimoto Sushi Bar (yes, that Morimoto) along with a small bar area that serves drinks and a bar bites menu.

So if you’re not interested in sitting down for the full Tamarind dining experience, you can always grab a seat at the bar, order a cocktail, and enjoy some sushi or small plates instead.

Tamarind has always been one of my favorite specialty restaurants on Holland America ships, and if you ever have the chance to try it, it’s absolutely worth the price.

Along with the standard Tamarind menu, you can also order items à la carte from the sushi menu, which is exactly how I started the meal with a shrimp tempura roll.

Next up was one of my longtime favorites: the Satay Sampler, which includes three skewers — lamb, pork, and chicken — served with a rich peanut sauce.

For the main course I went with the crispy duck, served with udon noodles and bok choy. Another solid choice, but the name is deceiving.  The duck skin is definitely not crispy so if you’re expecting a little crunch like you get from the skin of a Peking Duck, you aren’t going to get it here.

Everything was excellent, though after all of that there was unfortunately no room left for dessert.

Late Night on Rotterdam

Before turning in for the night, I did what I usually do before bed and took a walk around the ship to see what was going on.

My first stop was the casino, which was absolutely packed. Every slot machine seemed to be taken and the tables were full, so there was no chance of getting a seat anywhere. Clearly I wasn’t the only one looking to lose some money.

With the casino off the table, I made my way over to B.B. King’s Blues Club, which is always a great time on Holland America ships. The band performing this cruise had just come onboard for this sailing, with only one member from the previous group remaining.

What’s interesting about the B.B. King’s bands is that they’re not actually a traditional band at all. The musicians are individual performers who often haven’t met each other before arriving on the ship. Once onboard, they rehearse together and quickly form the group that performs together almost nightly for months at a time.

You’d never know it by watching them perform.

Every night they manage to bring incredible energy to the room and keep the crowd completely engaged. It’s easily one of the best live music venues anywhere at sea.

After enjoying a bit of the show, I wandered through the shopping area, where I ran into several familiar faces among the crew. A few staff members who were onboard during my last Rotterdam sailing are still here, along with one of the casino hosts I’ve gotten to know over the years.

After chatting with them for a while and likely holding them up from their actual work duties, it was finally time to call it a night and head back to the cabin.

Two sea days ahead, which means plenty of time to explore more of what Rotterdam has to offer before we arrive in Curaçao.

In tomorrow’s report, I’ll talk a bit about the Retreat Cabanas on Rotterdam and the disappearance of them on other ships, as well as a nice, indulgent  perk for four and five star Marnier Society Members.

Until then, thanks for following along.

Daily Schedule

Personal Day-By-Day Rotterdam Cruise Review: