Day 2 of this second segment was a sea day, and the first of two back-to-back sea days as Rotterdam makes her way toward our first port of call on this itinerary, Willemstad, Curaçao. We’re scheduled to arrive there at noon on Monday, March 16.
As I mentioned in the Day 1 report, this cruise is completely sold out and has a noticeably different passenger mix compared to the Panama Canal segment that just ended. There are a lot more families and kids onboard, and nowhere was that more obvious than around the Lido Pool.
I took a walk through the area around 10:00 a.m. and while there weren’t many people actually in the pool yet, the chair hogs were already hard at work.
Take a look at the photo below and count how many people you see in the pool. Then look at the number of loungers that have towels, books, bags, or other “personal belongings” sitting on them.
Unless every one of those people was simultaneously standing in line at the Lido Bar for a drink, chances are most of those loungers were claimed hours earlier by someone who dropped a towel down and disappeared for breakfast and will magically reappear sometime after lunch.
Holland America does mention in the daily program that unattended chairs may have items removed after 30 minutes, and they also note that only Holland America towels should be used to reserve loungers rather than personal items.
The problem, of course, is enforcement.
Do crew members really go around removing towels after 30 minutes? The honest answer is probably not. No crew member making what they make is going to risk getting into an argument with a guest over a lounge chair, only to have that guest march down to Guest Services to complain.
And when it comes to pool chairs, the level of entitlement some people display is something to behold.
There are passengers who will get up at six in the morning, drop a towel and a paperback novel on a lounger, and then disappear until late morning as if that chair now belongs exclusively to them for the rest of the day.
It’s ridiculous behavior, but it happens on cruise ships and resorts all over the world every single day.
What Are Chair Hogs and How to Deal With Them on Your Cruise
As the morning went on the Lido Pool area became more and more crowded. The pool filled up, the bar was busy, and every lounger within sight was claimed. Just a week ago during the Panama Canal segment this same area was quiet, relaxed, and mostly kid-free. Amazing what a difference a new group of passengers can make.
Back at the aft of the ship things were just as busy at the Sea View Pool, which is the adults-only pool area on Holland America ships. This space is officially reserved for guests 18 and older, though in practice that rule sometimes gets tested.
Adding to the complexity is the fact that this is also the ship’s main outdoor smoking area. So you have smokers gathered near the Sea View Bar on one side, a non-smoking seating area on the other, and the pool and sun deck in the middle.
If you can tolerate the smoke, it can be a nice place to escape the family crowd at the Lido Pool. But seasoned Holland America passengers are also known for being very protective of their adults-only space.
If a kid wanders into the Sea View Pool area, there’s a decent chance someone will say something. Sometimes guests handle it themselves, and other times they’ll alert a crew member. Whether or not it gets addressed often depends on the situation, but on a busy sailing like this it can turn into a bit of a gray area.
Personally, you won’t find me hanging out at the pools or hot tubs on a cruise ship anyway.
The idea of sitting in a bubbling cauldron of hundreds of people, many of whom have been drinking all day and may not have left the water for hours, just isn’t my idea of relaxation.
If that’s your thing though… enjoy.
Regional Wine Tasting – a Mariner Society Perk
As a Four-Star Mariner in Holland America’s loyalty program, the Mariner Society, one of the nicer perks is an invitation to the regional wine tasting that’s offered several times during the cruise. Normally this event runs $35 plus the 18% service charge, but for 4 and 5-Star Mariners it’s complimentary!
The first tasting for this cruise was held today, so I joined a couple of cruise friends I’ve had the pleasure of sailing with on several HAL trips in the past, Linda and Lowell. And congratulations to them, as they’ve just reached Four-Star status themselves.
The tasting takes place in the Main Dining Room and usually runs about an hour. When you arrive, you’re greeted with a glass of sparkling wine before being escorted to your table where everything is already set up. Waiting for us were tasting glasses, along with small plates of cheeses and fruit to pair with the wines.
Once everyone was seated, the cellar master and sommelier introduced themselves and their team, explained what we’d be sampling, and kicked things off with a toast.
Just like the tasting on the previous cruise, this one featured four wines: a sparkling wine (in addition to the welcome glass), one white, and two reds. The specific wines change depending on the tasting and sometimes the region the ship is sailing in.
Overall, three of the four wines were quite enjoyable, with one of the reds not really doing much for me. But that’s part of the fun of tastings like this – you get to try different things you might not normally order.
It’s a nice way to spend about an hour relaxing, learning a little about wine, and escaping the chaos happening elsewhere around the ship.
There’s also a premium wine tasting offered during the cruise for $49 plus the service charge, which features higher-end selections. We’ve already signed up for that one later in the sailing on another sea day, so I’m looking forward to seeing what they pour at that event.
Rotterdam’s Most Popular Watering Holes
Speaking of alcoholic beverages, let’s talk about two of the most popular watering holes on Rotterdam: Ocean Bar and Half Moon Bar.
Both are located on Deck 2 just a few steps from each other. Ocean Bar sits right outside Pinnacle Grill and Rudi’s Sel de Mer, while Half Moon Bar is around the corner near Club Orange. If you’re heading to dinner at one of the specialty restaurants, chances are you’ll pass one of these bars along the way.
These are prime spots for pre-dinner and post-dinner cocktails, and they tend to get busy right around those times. They also happen to be the only places onboard where you can order smoked cocktails, including a smoked Old Fashioned. If you enjoy that smoky aroma drifting across the bar while your drink is being finished tableside, it’s absolutely worth ordering.
Both bars carry a pretty impressive selection of top-shelf spirits, some of which can definitely make your onboard account feel a little lighter. But hey, you only live once.
And no, before anyone asks, Louis XIII is not included in the beverage package. If you want a pour, it’ll set you back $200 for a 1.5 oz pour. The current champion for most expensive spirit onboard, however, is Mister Sam Tribute Whiskey, which rings in at $299 for a 1.5 oz pour.
If you’re looking for excellent cocktails, a lively atmosphere, and bartenders who know their craft, Ocean Bar and Half Moon Bar are two of the best spots on the ship. Reema, Liam, and Barney behind the bar are worth the visit alone.
Menus for both bars are below.
Rotterdam Martinez
$14.00De Lijn Gin, Carpano Antica, Noilly Prat dry vermouth, Ferrand orange curaçao, Angostura Bitters. The Martinez was first mentioned in print in 1884, the Martinez, Manhattan and Martini are the holy trinity of classic cocktails.
Trader Vic's Mai Tai
$13.00Appleton Aged Rum, orange curaçao, fresh lime juice, orgeat. The original Victor Bergeron recipe from 1944.
The Bee's Knees
$11.00De Lijn Gin, honey, lemon. A classic Prohibition Era cocktail.
Classic Daiquiri
$12.00Bacardi Superior rum, fresh lime juice, simple. A pre-prohibition classic, named after a beach in Cuba where this cocktail originated.
Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned
$17.00Woodford Reserve Bourbon, Angostura and Orange Bitters, smoked with cherry wood. A smoked version of the classic old fashioned.
Penicillin
$13.00This drink was born at New York's legendary Milk & Honey, and is a smoky-sweet blend of Scotch, honey, lemon, and ginger—a soothing modern remedy with a kick
Paper Plane
$12.00Conceived by Sam for the opening of The Violet Hour in Chicago, this drink delivers a perfect harmony of bourbon, Aperol, Amaro Nonino, and lemon—bold, bittersweet, and elegantly simple.
Como Spritz
$12.00Inspired by a summer vacation in Italy, Sam created a cocktail that could transport him back their in a moments notice. Cynar Amaro and sweet passion fruit combine with sparkling wine for a refreshing, full-flavored spritz.
Bud Light
$7.75Stella Artois
$7.75Michelob Ultra
$7.75Corona
$7.75Miller Lite
$7.75Coors Light
$7.75Samuel Adams Boston Lager
$7.75Blue Moon Belgian White
$7.75Lagunitas IPA
$7.75Heineken
$7.75Amstel Light
$7.75Guinness Stout
$7.75Red Stripe
$7.75Peroni
$7.75Strongbow Cider
$7.75Truly Wild Berry
$7.75Truly Pineapple
$7.75Bottled Water 16oz
$5.00Canned Water 12oz
$3.75Mineral Water 1 Liter
$6.00Sparkling Water 1 Liter
$6.00Mineral Water 375ml
$4.00Coca-Cola Soft Drinks
$2.95Red Bull Energy Drink
$5.00Red Bull Sugarfree
$5.00Cold Brew Coffee
$5.95Coconut Water
$5.95Baileys Irish Cream
$11.50Cointreau
$11.50Frangelico
$11.00Kahlua
$11.00Sambuca Romana
$9.25Disaronno Originale
$10.00Grand Marnier
$11.00Amaro Nonino
$12.00Villa Massa Limoncello
$10.00Dows LBV Port
$12.00Grahams Six Grape Ruby Port
$13.00Glenmorangie Single Malt
$13.50Glenfiddich 12yr
$16.00Johnnie Walker Black Label
$13.00Hennessey VS
$13.00Hardy's VS
$11.50Remy Martin XO
$29.00Heineken 0.0
$7.75Michelob Ultra Zero
$7.75🖼️ Menu Images
Three Mile
$13.00A delicious combination of lemon, honey, and your choice of liquor. Three Mile is a Prohibition cocktail that celebrates the freedom and wonder of being at sea. Choose gin for a Bee's Knees, whiskey for a Gold Rush, or rum for a Honey Bee.
Nieuw Amsterdam
$14.00Strong and aromatic, New Amsterdam is our twist on the classic Manhattan. This cocktail is a no-nonsense, balanced tribute to the Dutch colony that paved the way for New York.
De Halve Maen
$12.00Refreshing and bright, the Halve Maen is made of Old Duff genever, lemon rose water shrub, and DDG bitters. It's an ode to the Dutch sense of exploration and the botanical wonderland Henry Hudson found in present day New York.
The Original
$12.00Celebrates our first ship, the Rotterdam I, made with Dutch gin and a hint of single malt Scotch; ingredients inspired by the building of the ship. This cocktail harkens back to our Dutch beginnings.
Sea Castles
$14.00A twist on the classic Sidecar, Sea Castles is a Cognac cocktail that evokes our ships of state.
May She Be Blessed
$12.00A celebratory drink with depth, May She Be Blessed is a Champagne Cocktail with your choice of essence to christen your own unique libation. This cocktail is an ode to the godmothers who bless our ships.
Rotterdam VII
$15.00Sweet, floral, and nuanced, the Rotterdam VII is a smoked gin and maraschino cocktail, dedicated to this ship and her unique blend of tradition and innovation.
Holland America Line Sparkling Wine Brut
$10.00Le Grand Courtâge Brut Rosé
$12.50Taittinger Brut Champagne
$22.00Chateau Ste. Michelle Riesling
$11.0013 Celsius Sauvignon Blanc
$12.00Chateau Ste. Michelle Chardonnay
$12.00Kendall Jackson Chardonnay
$13.00Gérard Bertrand Côte des Roses Rosé
$12.00Sea Sun Pinot Noir
$12.00Murphy-Goode Merlot
$12.00Zolo Malbec
$12.00Chateau Smith Cabernet Sauvignon
$13.00Oberon Cabernet Sauvignon
$18.00Cline Zinfandel
$13.00Bud Light
$7.75Stella Artois
$7.75Michelob Ultra
$7.75Corona
$7.75Miller Lite
$7.75Coors Light
$7.75Samuel Adams Boston Lager
$7.75Blue Moon Belgian White
$7.75Heineken
$7.75Amstel Light
$7.75Guinness Stout
$7.75Heineken 0.0
$7.75Michelob Ultra Zero
$7.75Strongbow Cider
$7.75Truly Wild Berry
$7.75Truly Pineapple
$7.75Bottled Water 16oz
$5.00Canned Water 12oz
$3.75Mineral Water 1L
$6.00Sparkling Water 330ml
$3.25Coca-Cola Soft Drinks
$2.95Red Bull
$5.00Red Bull Sugarfree
$5.00🖼️ Menu Images
You can check out all the bar menus from Holland America venues across the fleet, here.
Dressy Night & Gala Dinner
Since this was the first sea day of the cruise, it also meant Dressy Night onboard.
Compared to the previous sailing, there were noticeably more people getting into the spirit this time around. With so many families onboard for this segment, a lot of passengers were dressed up and taking advantage of the photographers stationed around the ship. Everywhere you looked there were couples, families, and groups lining up for their Dressy Night photos.
As is typical on Holland America, Dressy Night also means a special gala menu in the Main Dining Room with some upgraded offerings for the evening.
Below is a look at the gala menu being served in the MDR tonight, along with what was available over at the Lido Market for those who preferred a more casual dinner.
Classic Negroni
$12.00Bombay Sapphire Gin, Carpano Antica Vermouth, Campari
Yuzu Margarita
$13.00Cazadores Silver Tequila, lime juice, Yuzu, Agave
Gala Lemon Drop Martini
$14.00Chopin Vodka, Cointreau, lemon juice
Ship Shape Manhattan
$13.00Buffalo Trace Bourbon, Carpano Antica, Noilly Prat Dry, Angostura Bitters
Coppa, Burrata, Cantaloupe
arugula, roasted pistachio, balsamic reduction
Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
horseradish cocktail sauce
Escargot Bourguignon
herb garlic butter, wine, French bread
Feta, Lentil Tabbouleh Salad
cherry tomatoes, oak leaf, mint, lemon dressing
Tomato-Red Ball Pepper Bisque
avocado cream
French Onion Soup
Gruyère cheese crouton
Classic Caesar Salad
romaine lettuce, Parmesan cheese, garlic croutons, Caesar dressing, anchovies
Baked Ricotta and Asparagus Filled Paccheri
pomodoro-basil sauce, Grana cheese
Espelette Beef Tenderloin, Shrimp
whiskey sauce, buttermilk mashed potato
Roasted Rack of Lamb, Eggplant Purée, Pancetta-Fava Beans
merlot reduction
Gruyère-Brioche Crusted Fresh Sole
potato gratin, green peas, spinach, butter sauce
Roasted Pumpkin Tart
tempura broccoli, yogurt dressing, fig vincotto
New York Strip Loin, Steak Fries
garlic herb butter
Garlic-Herb Roasted Chicken
avocado, tomato, corn salad
Dried-Cherry and Thyme Coated Fresh Salmon
pilaf rice, green beans, caramelized onions
15 oz Pinnacle Grill Boneless Ribeye
$20.00shallot confit, aged balsamic, green peppercorn, baked potato, creamed spinach
Fresh Catch Grouper
$25.00braised, soy ginger reduction, steamed baby bok choy, baby carrots
Yuzu Butter Grilled Lobster Tails
$25.00seasonal Asian greens
Caramel Lava Cake
chocolate ganache
Crème Brûlée
burnt sugar
Black Forest Cake
chocolate cake, Kirschwasser-flavored cream, Bing cherries, chocolate shavings
Hot Fudge Sundae
vanilla ice cream, warm chocolate ganache, chopped nuts, marshmallows, whipped cream
Strawberry Romanoff
Grand Marnier, Chantilly cream
Disaronno Amaretto
$10.50Rémy Martin VSOP
$17.00Highland Park Single Malt
$13.00Graham's Six Grapes Port
$13.00Solo Espresso
$2.75Cappuccino
$3.75
Roasted Vegetables Focaccia
Savory Focaccia
Soft Rolls
Bread Roll
Loaf Bread
Pretzel
Mixed Berry Pie
Cherry Crisp
Lemon Pound Cake & Blueberry
Sweet Streusel Loaf
Baked Grand Ma Sheet Cherrie Pan Cake
Deli Sandwiches
3 Cheese Sandwich
Challa Brioche
Romesco (Roastbeef)
Sandwich Made to Order
Apple, Pear, and Pecan Salad
Heart of Palm, Mango and Avocado Salad
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
Bay Shrimps Cocktail
Chop Chop
Chicken Caesar
Cobb Salad
Asian Sesame with Seared Tuna
Cheese Tortellini with Sauteed Spinach
Baked Conchiglie Mozarella and Tomato Basil
Meat Lasagna
Rustic Ciabatta Wheel
mixed herb and pecorino focaccia, garlic scrolls
Marinara
Bolognese
Alfredo
Basil Pesto
Kachumba Salad
Raita
Lam Biryani
Pulao Rice
Vegetable Jalfrezi
Mahi-Mahi Tikka
Seekh Kebab, Beef and Lamb Kebab
Chicken Leg Tandoori, Chicken Tikka Masala
Malai Kofta
Tofu Makhani
Methi Chicken
Lemon Rice
Tomato-Red Bell Pepper Bisque
Leg of Lamb Au Jus
Rosemary Roasted Chicken
Red Wine Gravy
Bearnaise
Sauteed Spinach
Italian Roasted Vegetables
Loaded Mashed Potatoes
Mac n Cheese
Yorkshire Pudding
Gruyere-Brioche Crusted Sole
Dried-Cherry and Thyme Coated Salmon
Roasted Pumpkin Tart
Espelette Beef Tenderloin
Shrimp
New York Strip Loin
Fried Chicken
Chicken Ala King
Mashed Potatoes
Roasted Potatoes
French Fries
Strawberry Romanoff
Caramel Lava Cake
Black Forest Cake
Crepes Made to Order
Selection of Ice Creams
Rum Butter Caramel Sauce with Choice of Fresh Fruit Topping
Apple
Pears
Banana
Orange
Grapes
Pinto Bean, Red Onion and Croutons
Seafood Jicama Salad in Coconut Emulsion
Stilton Cheese
Old Amsterdam Cheese
Cheddar Cheese
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
Arrancini
Spaghetti Alfredo
Garlic Bread
Pecan Pie
Chocolate Ganache Tartlet
Strawberry Cake
Berries Trifle
Dinner at Rudi’s Sel de Mer
As I mentioned in my Day 12 wrap-up from the previous segment, one restaurant I didn’t get around to during that cruise was Rudi’s Sel de Mer. That changed tonight.
At $55 per person plus the 18% service charge, Rudi’s is one of the more expensive specialty dining options across the Holland America fleet. Even for 4 and 5-Star Mariners, the discount here is only 25% instead of the usual 50% offered at the other specialty restaurants. The assumption is that Holland America has to pay Rudi for the use of his name and concept, which likely explains the smaller discount.
Rudi Sodamin has been tied to Holland America for decades and is one of the original celebrity chefs connected to cruise lines. These days you’ll also find his influence across several Carnival Corporation brands. Carnival ships like Mardi Gras, Celebration, and Jubilee feature Rudi’s Sea Grill, Princess Cruises has The Catch by Rudi on multiple ships, and here on Holland America you’ll find the full Sel de Mer concept on the Pinnacle-class ships. On the rest of the fleet it occasionally appears as a pop-up dining experience, similar to how Morimoto at Sea operates.
On Rotterdam, Rudi’s is a relatively small venue tucked onto Deck 2 next to Pinnacle Grill and right between Ocean Bar and Half Moon Bar. It only has a handful of tables and surprisingly it’s often not that busy, which is a shame because the food here is consistently excellent.
The menu leans Mediterranean with plenty of seafood options, along with steaks, chicken, lamb, and lobster, all plated with the artistic flair Rudi is known for.
Burrata & Prosciutto
cherry tomatoes, thyme, olive oil
Baked Escargots
garlic-Pernod butter, mini baguette
Niçoise Salad
seared tuna, preserved lemon oil dressing
Yellow Tail Crudo
mandarin salsa, mayo
Crisp Romaine Salad
caramelized walnut, Roquefort, creamy French dressing
Roasted Baby Beets
pomegranate, Labneh salad, balsamic reduction
Bistro Style Steak Tartare
quail egg, cornichons, capers, shallots
Wild Mushroom Soup
truffle oil, crème fraiche, scallion churro
Foie Gras Torchon
fruit chutney, toasted baguette
Warm Garlic Shrimp
olive oil, butter, lemon, basil
Osetra Malossol Caviar
$50.00serves two, crème fraîche, buckwheat blini
Fresh Spaghetti Fruits de Mer
tomato, tiger prawns, crab, scallops, mussels, clams
Osso Buco Ravioli
cherry tomato, Stracciatella, basil
14oz Bone-In Striploin
chanterelles, confit potatoes, tarragon Shiraz reduction
Roasted Half Chicken
roasted vegetables, garlic smashed potatoes, thyme, lemon
Greek Spiced Lamb Chops
lemon chickpea puree, fava beans, garlic jus
Penne Pasta Primavera
cream, broccoli, mushrooms, asparagus, carrots
Vegetable Bourguignon
carrots, mushrooms, shallots, red wine, miso, celeriac purée
Duck Breast À L'Orange
orange zest, caramelized orange segments, thyme
Seafood Cioppino
crab, squid, shrimp, scallops, mussels, grouper, potatoes
Fresh Fish of the Day
please ask your waiter, choice of simply grilled or blackened, sauce choice: white wine and capers or chipotle mayo
Whole Dover Sole Meunière
$15.00parsley, boiled potatoes
12oz Broiled Lobster Tail
$19.00saffron rice, garlic lemon butter
Pommes Frites MM
Celeriac Purée
Haricots Verts
Potatoes au Gratin
Pilaf Rice
Ratatouille
Jacques Torres Chocolate Hazelnut Volcano
raspberries, Frangelico cream
Salted Caramel St. Honoré
vanilla puff pastry, Choux pastry, chantilly
Floating Island
meringue, chocolate crème Anglaise, toasted pistachios
Warm Strawberry Tarte Tatin
sugar puff pastry crust, caramel, crème fraiche
Home-Made Sorbets
ask the waiter about our options
Artisan Cheese
fig chutney
Aperol
$10.00Campari
$10.00Lillet Blanc
$10.00Pernod
$10.00Noilly Prat Vermouth
$10.00Taittinger Brut Champagne
$22.00 | $88.00Le Grand Courtage Brut Rosé
$12.50 | $50.00France
Laurent-Perrier Brut Champagne
$92.00Veuve Clicquot Brut Champagne
$105.00Perrier-Jouet Brut Champagne
$88.00Dom Pérignon Brut Champagne
$225.00Louis Roederer Cristal Brut Champagne
$415.00Taittinger Prestige Brut Rosé Champagne
$135.00Domaine Houchart Sainte Victoire Côtes de Provence
$14.00 | $56.00Gerard Bertrand Côtes des Roses Pays d'Oc
$12.00 | $48.00Chateau de Berne Romance Rosé Provence
$13.00 | $52.00Miraval Rosé Côtes de Provence
$69.00François Lurton Les Fumées Blanches Languedoc
$12.00 | $48.00Famille Perrin Réserve Blanc Côtes du Rhône
$13.00 | $52.00Domaine du Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf-du-Pape
$16.00 | $64.00Gerard Bertrand Reserve Chardonnay Pays d'Oc
$11.00 | $44.00Louis Latour Pouilly Fuisse Burgundy
$75.00Pascal Jolivet Sauvage Sancerre
$100.00Chateau du Trignon Côtes-du-Rhône
$12.50 | $50.00Château des Trois Tours Bordeaux
$13.50 | $54.00Gérard Bertrand Cabernet Sauvignon Pays d'Oc
$48.00Cap Royal Bordeaux Supérieur Bordeaux
$48.00Clarendelle Rouge Inspired by Haut-Brion Bordeaux
$62.00Arboleda Carmenere Valle de Aconcagua Chile
$50.00Hardy's V.S. Cognac
$11.50Hennessy V.S. Cognac
$13.00Hennessy V.S.O.P. Cognac
$16.00Rémy Martin XO Cognac
$29.00Rémy Martin Louis XIII Cognac
$200.00DOM Benedictine
$10.00Chambord
$11.50Cointreau
$11.50Grand Marnier
$11.50St. Germain Elderflower
$11.50La Trappe Tripel
$9.00Duvel
$9.00Leffe Blonde
$9.00Lindemans Framboise
$12.00Make It a Surf n Turf
$12.00Add 5oz lobster tail to any entrée, butter sauce
🖼️ Menu Images
I didn’t have a reservation tonight. After finishing a drink at Half Moon Bar I wandered over around 8:15 p.m. and got a table without any issue.
To start, I ordered the beef tartare. Normally it comes topped with a quail egg, but I swapped that out for a little caviar instead. I followed that with the burrata and prosciutto, which was incredibly fresh and creamy. Both starters were excellent.
A quick reminder to myself about the bread service here. The bread and flavored oils are ridiculously good and dangerously addictive. If you want to make room for everything else, it’s probably best to skip it. Easier said than done.
For the main course I went with the whole Dover sole meunière, which carries a $15 supplement. This dish is prepared tableside and was clearly a popular choice tonight as the servers were constantly moving around the dining room filleting fish at each table. The sole was perfectly cooked, light, flaky, and buttery. Paired with a side of ratatouille, it made for an outstanding main course.
Even after all of that I still managed to squeeze in dessert. I went with the warm strawberry tarte tatin with caramel and crème fraîche. It was the perfect sweet ending to the meal.
Service throughout the evening was excellent and very much on par with the level of attention you get next door at Pinnacle Grill. The staff were friendly, attentive, and never rushed the meal.
Because of the price, Rudi’s is a restaurant that some guests tend to skip. But if you’re looking to splurge on one specialty dinner during the cruise, this is absolutely one worth trying.
Another sea day tomorrow, so get your lido deck chairs early! As always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 AM | Abs Class | Fitness Center 9 |
| 7:30 AM | Walk a Mile | Atrium 3 |
| 8:00 AM | Tai Chi for Everyone | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 8:30 AM | Sunrise Stretch | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 9:00 AM | Pickleball Instruction: The Basics | Sport Court 11 |
| 9:00 AM | Coffee with Nick | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 9:00 AM | Shinola Watches: American Made | The Shops 2 |
| 9:30 AM | Origami Folding: Crab again at 4:30 PM | Game Room 12 |
| 9:30 AM | Military Meetup | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 10:00 AM | Explore With Shore Excursions | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 10:00 AM | Pickleball Open Play | Sport Court 11 |
| 10:00 AM | Learn to Line Dance | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 10:00 AM | Let’s Play Ping Pong | Lido Balcony 10 |
| 10:00 AM | Mahjong Players Meet until 3:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 10:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 12:00 PM | Stuyvesant Room 1 |
| 10:30 AM | Early Bird Diamond Dash | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 10:30 AM | Creating Design from Doodles | Game Room 12 |
| 10:30 AM | Increase Your Metabolism Seminar | Fitness Center 9 |
| 11:00 AM | The Art of Flower Arranging | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 11:00 AM | Over $1,000 Jackpot Bingo Ticket Sales | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 11:00 AM | Learn to Play Sjoelen | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 11:00 AM | Non-Surgical Facelift | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 11:30 AM | Modern Calligraphy | Game Room 12 |
| 12:00 PM | Singles & Solo Traveler Lunch | Dining Room 2 |
| 12:00 PM | The Caribbean Shopping Show | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 12:00 PM | Fragrance Finds from $39.99 | The Shops 2 |
| 12:30 PM | The Hair Show | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 1:00 PM | Today’s Trivia: Travel | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Dereck Plays | Lido Balcony 10 |
| 1:00 PM | Teen Pictionary Challenge | Kids Club 10 |
| 1:00 PM | Mixology Class: Cosmopolitan & Manhattan $25 | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Grand Opening Art Auction | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Party Bridge Play until 4:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 1:00 PM | Designer Sunglasses: Special Offer | The Shops 3 |
| 1:30 PM | Ladies Pamper Party | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 1:30 PM | Watercoloring: Flowers again at 2:30 PM | Game Room 12 |
| 2:00 PM | Regional Steel Pan Soloist Dereck Plays | Lido Balcony 10 |
| 2:00 PM | Paper Airplane Building | Dining Room 2 |
| 2:00 PM | Regional Wine Tasting $35 | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 2:00 PM | The Caribbean Up Close: Water Works | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 2:00 PM | Designer Watch Sale: Up to 30% Off | The Shops 2 |
| 2:30 PM | High Seas Happy Hour 10% Off | The Shops 3 |
| 3:00 PM | Cornhole Challenge | Sport Court 11 |
| 3:00 PM | English Tea Time | Dining Room 3 |
| 3:00 PM | Over $1,100 Jackpot Bingo Ticket Sales | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 3:00 PM | Diamond & Gemstone Enrichment Seminar | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 3:00 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 3:00 PM | Coloring for Adults | Game Room 12 |
| 3:30 PM | Tighten your skin with Thermage | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 4:00 PM | Team Trivia Challenge | Billboard Onboard 2 |
| 4:00 PM | Shuffleboard Challenge | Sport Court 11 |
| 4:00 PM | Over $616,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino 3 |
| 4:00 PM | EFFY’s Yellow Diamond Experience | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 4:30 PM | Dressy Night Portrait Studio | Atrium 2 |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Stretch | Fitness Center 9 |
| 5:00 PM | Ballroom Dance Class: Waltz | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 5:00 PM | Cocktails with Nick featuring Vivace Strings Trio | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 5:00 PM | A Pickup Game of Pickleball | Sport Court 11 |
| 5:00 PM | Evening Catholic Prayer | Hudson & Half Moon Room 1 |
| 5:30 PM | Swarovski: 10% Off | The Shops 3 |
| 6:00 PM | Ballroom Dance Hour | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 7:00 PM | Music Trivia: Through the Decades | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 7:00 PM | King of Color: Colored Diamond Sale | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 7:15 PM | Captain’s Welcome | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 7:30 PM | On World Stage: Vocalist Tricia Kelly | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 7:45 PM | Game Show: Secret Identities | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 8:00 PM | Majority Rules for Teens | Kids Club 10 |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool: Hamnet | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 9:00 PM | On World Stage: Vocalist Tricia Kelly | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 11:00 PM | $616,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino 3 |
| 11:15 PM | Dance to the Hits: Disco | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 12:00 AM | Stay and Play Slots All Night | Casino 3 |
