I sat in the cruise terminal, ready to begin my Holland America cruise, and stared through the windows at Rotterdam. Not Rotterdam the city, but Rotterdam the ship. It’s Holland America Line’s newest Pinnacle Class vessel, boasting 12 decks with two pools, a fitness centre, spa, shopping, specialised dining options, a library, and a pickleball court.
Those are only a few of the features I marvelled at while I studied the ship’s floorplan on the Navigator app and waited to check-in. My sense of direction is terrible. So, I was trying to memorise the route from my suite to the dining area. I was about to embark on my first ever cruise and I was both excited and nervous. Excited because I was bound for the beautiful country of Norway on a Holland America cruise. Nervous because I wasn’t sure what to expect.
Turns out, I had no reason to be nervous. From the first staff member who checked my passport to the room attendant who greeted me as I explored the neatly outfitted verandah room that would be my home for the next seven nights, I was met with friendly faces and people happy to answer my silly questions. (How does the dining work? Where can I fill up my water bottle? Where can I get a cup of tea?)
By the end of seven nights, Rotterdam felt like a home away from home. Let me tell you why…
The food and drink onboard the cruise
I’d been warned there’s a risk of overindulging on a cruise, and it was quickly apparent why. Lido Market, Rotterdam’s main dining area, offered meals from around the world so I could try a new dish each day. The more casual Dive In and New York Pizza places by the main pool tempted me daily with their crispy hot chips and chocolate-drizzled ricotta doughnuts, respectively.
Throughout the cruise there were special offerings — one afternoon was “Cake Me Away!”, a cake smorgasbord, and on another day something called a “Chocolate Surprise”. I won’t spoil it by detailing it here! You must sample the Dutch staple, bitterballen, at the Grand Dutch Cafe. It’s a deep-fried, battered ball of meat served with mustard, similar to a croquette.
For something special, a multi-course dinner at The Dining Room is included in your cruise fare. The room is split over two levels with pretty glass ornaments cascading from the ceiling and stunning views from the aft of the ship. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, too.
I treated myself to a night at one of the specialty restaurants, Pinnacle Grill. The steak was melt-in-your-mouth tender and I’d wished I had a bottomless stomach so I could sample all the side dishes. (I’d recommend reserving a table early for any of the specialised dining options — there are also Italian, Asian or seafood restaurants.)
The entertainment on a Holland America cruise
The entertainment on my Holland America cruise wowed me. I went to the trivia games daily and even won a few! After teaming up with some fellow travellers from other countries, that is.
My evenings were spent flitting between the venues on the main deck. I tapped my foot to the rock band offering up classic hits at the Rolling Stone Lounge and bopped my head to the piano man at Billboard Onboard. He played favourites from across the decades and had a “by request” slot which sometimes turned into sing-alongs.
My favourite was the B.B. King’s Blues Club. I could have listened to the impressive instrumentalists and vocalists all night. And with music offered from 7.45pm till late, it wasn’t an impossible dream. And that’s not even getting into the impressive theatrical productions on the World Stage, which made my musical theatre-loving heart soar.
The shore excursions
The World Stage wasn’t only for performances. On our first full day at sea, there was an information session on the ports we’d be visiting: Rotterdam, Oslo, Kristiansand, Sandnes and Skjolden. The list of shore excursions offered at each was exhaustive, covering different fitness levels and scenic versus adventurous outings. At our first destination, Oslo, I booked in for a guided bike tour that ended up being a highlight of my trip. (You can read more about my bike tour and Norway here.)
Throughout the cruise, I refreshed my knowledge via my suite’s TV, which also offered on-demand entertainment. But, truth be told, the views from the deck were more captivating. Making my way via the deck to get breakfast every morning, and seeing Norway’s famed mountains and fjords, was a beautiful way to start my day. Day five of the cruise was especially picturesque as we travelled down Norway’s longest fjord, Sognefjord, to our final destination. Sparkling blue waters surrounded us and houses were dotted like daubs of paint on the verdant hills we passed.
Would I book a Holland America cruise again?
Our final cruise day was spent at sea, giving me one last chance to enjoy my favourite parts of life aboard Rotterdam. I got to the end of the library book I’d borrowed, enjoyed the passing scenery from my verandah, joined my new cruise friends for a last round of trivia, visited the Greenhouse Spa & Salon for a manicure and stayed up late to catch one more set of the blues band.
For someone who finds booking a holiday stressful, this Norway cruise has been anything but. As I woke up on that final morning to see Rotterdam out the window (the city this time), I knew when friends and family asked, “Would you go on another cruise?” my answer would be: “Yes, I would!”
The writer travelled as a guest of Holland America Line. Enjoy life aboard Rotterdam on the 7-Day Norwegian Fjords with Sognefjord.
