Day 8 on Rotterdam and it’s our second straight sea day as we make our way toward the final stop on this ABC… or CBA… cruise, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas. With no port to explore today, it’s a good time to step back and talk about the ship itself and, more broadly, Holland America as a whole.
If you’ve been following along or checked out my Holland America review page, you know this isn’t my first rodeo on Rotterdam or with HAL in general. I keep coming back for a reason… actually several reasons. But there are also a few things that have changed over the years, especially post-COVID, that haven’t exactly been for the better.
Let’s start with the good.
One of the biggest reasons I keep sailing Holland America is the ship size. These mid-size ships hit a sweet spot that a lot of other cruise lines have completely abandoned. You’ll hear some die-hard HAL loyalists complain that the Pinnacle-class ships like Rotterdam are “too big,” but let’s put that into perspective. You’re talking about roughly 2,700 passengers versus about 2,100 on the previous Signature class. That’s a difference, sure, but it’s not like you’ve suddenly boarded one of those mega ships carrying 6,000+ people. Length-wise, we’re talking less than a 50-foot difference. In the grand scheme of things, these ships still feel manageable. Even on this sold-out spring break sailing, it never feels out of control. No insane lines, no fighting for space, just a comfortable, easygoing experience.
Then there’s the service, which is still one of Holland America’s strongest selling points. You’ve got crew members who have been with the company for decades, and it shows. There’s a level of consistency here that you don’t always find on other lines. Staterooms are still serviced twice a day, which is becoming a rarity these days, and whether you’re dealing with a bartender, server, or guest services, the experience is almost always top-notch. People genuinely seem to care about what they’re doing, and that goes a long way.
Another thing I’ve always appreciated is the promenade deck. It sounds like a small detail, but it’s one of those classic cruise ship features that a lot of lines have ditched in favor of more revenue-generating spaces. Holland America has kept it, and having a full wraparound promenade where you can walk, take in the ocean views, and just disconnect a bit is something I don’t take for granted. The only downside on the Pinnacle-class ships is that the promenade isn’t quite as wide due to the lifeboat configuration, so you don’t get the traditional rows of deck chairs. Not a dealbreaker, just one of those design quirks.
Loyalty is another area where HAL does a great job. I’ve talked about the Mariner Society quite a bit, and it really starts to pay off once you hit that 4-Star level. The benefits are meaningful, the recognition is consistent, and there’s a very strong base of repeat cruisers here. When you’ve got people sailing 1,400+ days and hitting President’s Club status, that tells you something about the product.
The ships themselves also deserve a mention. Holland America still leans into a more classic, understated design. You’re not walking into a floating theme park with neon lights and sensory overload. The décor is clean, modern, and elegant without trying too hard. It feels like a ship, not an amusement park.
Entertainment is where things get a little mixed. The live music venues are fantastic. B.B. King’s, Rolling Stone Lounge, and the return of classical music with the Vivace trio all add a lot to the onboard experience. But then you’ve got the Step One Dance Company shows… and this is where things fall apart a bit. They’ve improved over time, but they’re still nowhere near what other lines are doing with their production shows. It’s an area where HAL is clearly behind and needs to rethink what they’re offering.
And finally, the itineraries. This is another big reason to sail Holland America. When they’re based in Florida, they don’t just recycle the same Eastern and Western Caribbean routes over and over. You’ll see Southern Caribbean, Panama Canal, and more unique itineraries that the bigger ships simply can’t do. That’s one of the perks of sailing on a mid-size ship… access to places others can’t go.
Now… let’s talk about the not-so-great.
Post-COVID, like every cruise line out there, Holland America made cuts. Some were understandable at the time, but a lot of them have stuck around. The biggest one is food quality in the Main Dining Room. It’s just not what it used to be. Portions are smaller, quality is inconsistent, and overall it’s taken a noticeable step back. And this isn’t unique to HAL. It’s happening across the industry. The reality is, cruise lines make more money when you go to specialty restaurants, so the MDR has become less of a focus.
Staffing is another area where cuts have been made. For the most part, it’s not something you notice day-to-day, but there are moments where you can tell things are a bit stretched. Again, not just a HAL issue, but it’s there.
And then there’s something that has nothing to do with COVID and everything to do with poor planning… the smoking situation.
The smoking area at the Sea View Pool, right next to the Sea View Bar, is one of the worst setups I’ve seen on any ship. If you don’t smoke and you want to sit at that bar and enjoy a drink outside, good luck. You’re basically sitting in a cloud of cigarette smoke. It completely ruins what should be a great outdoor bar space. This is something that Holland America really needs to rethink, because as it stands, that area is unusable for a lot of people.
And while we’re on the topic, the casino smoke situation isn’t great either. I’m not even going to go down that rabbit hole too far, but I will say this… I spent a lot less time (and money) in the casino over the past three weeks because of how smoky it was. Whether it’s better ventilation or expanded non-smoking areas, something needs to change there.
A lot to like, a few things that need work, and overall still a product that keeps me coming back.
Cake Me Away – Sugar Rush at Sea!
Now let’s talk about one of the most dangerous events of the entire cruise… and I mean that strictly from a calorie standpoint.
If you scroll down to the daily schedule, you’re going to see something called “Cake Me Away.” And if you’ve never experienced it before, let me explain.
This is basically Holland America’s way of saying, “you’ve made it this far… let’s finish you off with sugar.”
Once per cruise, usually on the final sea day, the pastry team goes all out. We’re talking fresh baked… cakes, cakes, and more cakes. Then around 11:30 a.m., they roll everything out into the Lido Market and for about an hour and a half, it turns into an all-you-can-sample cake festival.
And when I say all-you-can-sample, I mean it.
Red velvet, chocolate, cheesecake, layered cakes, gluten-free options, sugar-free options… if it can be baked and covered in frosting, it’s probably there.
This event is wildly popular. People start lining up well before it even opens just to get first crack at the full selection before things start disappearing. And they do disappear.
By the time you get closer to 1:00 p.m., it’s a bit of a free-for-all with people still going back for “just one more slice” before they shut it down.
The problem is, this isn’t one of those “I’ll just have a bite” situations. You start with one, then another, then suddenly you’ve got the rest of the day to deal with the consequences.
Which is where that wraparound promenade deck comes back into play, because after Cake Me Away, you’re going to be doing a lot of walking. And I mean a lot.
Totally worth it though.
Dinner at Canaletto on Holland America Line
Let’s stick with the food theme for a minute and take a look at what was on the menu tonight in both the Lido Market and the Main Dining Room, which you can check out below.
Holland America Lido Market Dinner Menu E
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
Holland America Main Dining Room Dinner Menu E
Menu from Rotterdam, March 2026
Available on: all ships
As for me, I made one final stop at Canaletto, the ship’s Italian restaurant that continues to be one of the best values onboard at $25 per person plus 18%… and half off for 4+ Star Mariners, which makes it even better.
Holland America Canaletto Dinner Menu
Canaletto keeps things simple in the best Italian way, with handmade pasta prepared fresh each day and a menu built around rich, comforting flavors. It’s a warm, relaxed spot where sharing good food and lingering a little longer at the table just feels natural.
Available on: Eurodam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Noordam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Westerdam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam
I kicked things off with the Canaletto salad, a really nice mix of greens, roasted beets, walnuts, and gorgonzola.
I went right back to the Italian sausage paccheri pasta, which has quickly become my go-to dish here. I’ve had it multiple times this cruise and it hasn’t missed once. Rich, flavorful, and exactly what you want from a good Italian dish.
Dinner, once again, was excellent. Service was on point, everything came out as expected, and it’s just one of those places that consistently delivers.
Dessert?
Not happening.
After the earlier Cake Me Away situation, there was absolutely no room left for anything else. Not even a bite.
When I got back to the room, though, reality hit.
Sitting there on the bed was the dreaded disembarkation packet… luggage tags, instructions, timelines… basically an eviction notice.
After three weeks onboard Rotterdam, seeing that sitting there is a pretty harsh reminder that this ride is coming to an end.
One more stop at Half Moon Cay tomorrow before it’s back to reality.
In tomorrow’s report, why comments matter and how they can backfire (with a real example that I’ve been flustered with for DAYS), as well as the overall rating for this 9-day segment.
More then, and as always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 AM | Tai Chi for Everyone | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 8:00 AM | Morning Catholic Prayer | Hudson Room 1 |
| 8:30 AM | Sunrise Stretch | Fitness Center 9 |
| 9:00 AM | Let’s Play Pickleball | Sport Court 11 |
| 9:00 AM | On Deck for a Cause | Lido Poolside 9 |
| 9:00 AM | Verizon International Travelers Sale | The Shops 2 |
| 9:30 AM | Origami Folding: 3D Heart | Game Room 12 |
| 10:00 AM | Learn to Dance | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 10:00 AM | The Caribbean Up Close: Roots & Rhythm | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 10:00 AM | Knitter’s Meetup | Crow’s Nest 12 |
| 10:00 AM | Pickleball Tournament until 12:00 PM | Sport Court 11 |
| 10:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 3:00 PM | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 10:30 AM | Mahjong Players Meet until 3:00 PM | Dining Room 3 |
| 10:30 AM | L&G Watch Sale $25 | The Shops 2 |
| 10:30 AM | Guess the Carat Weight of Tanzanite | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 10:30 AM | Modern Calligraphy | Game Room 12 |
| 11:00 AM | Increase Your Metabolism Seminar | Fitness Center 9 |
| 11:00 AM | Test Your Trivia: Naming Your Journey | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 11:00 AM | A City on the Sea | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 11:30 AM | Caribbean Cooking Demonstration | The Shops 3 |
| 11:30 AM | Cake Me Away | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 11:30 AM | Non-Surgical Facelift | Greenhouse Spa 9 |
| 12:00 PM | Wine & Paint Class: Abstract Sailboat $30 | Rolling Stone Lounge 2 |
| 12:00 PM | Singles & Solo Travelers Meetup | Ocean Bar 2 |
| 12:00 PM | EFFY Outlet Sample Sale | EFFY Jewelry 2 |
| 12:00 PM | Discover EFFY Jewelry | The Shops 3 |
| 12:00 PM | Casual Lunch in Dining Room | Dining Room 2 |
| 12:30 PM | Culinary Arts Center: Demo | Culinary Arts Center |
| 1:00 PM | Regional Wine Tasting $35 | Dining Room 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Grand Finale Art Auction | Art Gallery 1 |
| 1:30 PM | Watercoloring: Jellyfish | Game Room 12 |
| 2:00 PM | Half Moon Cay Q&A | B.B. King’s Blues Club 2 |
| 2:00 PM | Afternoon Tea | Dining Room 3 |
| 2:00 PM | Jewelry Showcase | The Shops 2 |
| 2:30 PM | Ping Pong Tournament | Sport Court 11 |
| 3:00 PM | Relieving Back Pain Seminar | Fitness Center 9 |
| 3:00 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Half Moon Room 1 |
| 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: Roots & Rhythm Show | World Stage 2 & 3 |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool: Wicked | 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: Roots & Rhythm 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 |
Personal Day-By-Day Rotterdam Cruise Review:
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 1
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 2
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 3
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 4
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 5
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 6
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 7
- Holland America Line Rotterdam Southern Caribbean Cruise Review – Day 8