I travelled in May 2025 on Holland America Line’s Rotterdam, sailing from the Dutch city that shares the ship’s name. There was something quite special about departing from Rotterdam itself, and it is such an easy port to begin a cruise. Arriving by Eurostar or European rail, you simply walk outside the station, hop on the local tram and within a few stops you are at the cruise terminal.
Copenhagen added a welcome Danish dimension to the cruise, providing a contrast to the Norwegian ports. Standing in the square where Queen Mary of Denmark greets the crowds, strolling along the colourful Nyhavn canal lined with restaurants, and visiting the famous Little Mermaid made for a memorable day ashore.
Embarkation was seamless. I arrived early and was delighted to board at 10.30am, heading straight to the Lido Market buffet. The space is expansive, with a combination of self-service stations and staff-served counters. A dedicated gluten free section made dining particularly easy for me, offering bread, rolls and pancakes daily. The variety rivalled the main dining room, with multiple cuisines available.
For casual dining, Dive In serves hot dogs, burgers and fries, while New York Deli & Pizza offers generous New York-style sandwiches and pizza, all included in the fare. The main restaurant, La Fontaine, is elegantly decorated, light-filled and welcoming. One morning featured a Scandinavian brunch, which was fascinating to experience and quite different from our traditional sweet brunch style at home.
Specialty dining venues include Pinnacle Grill for premium steaks and lobster, Canaletto for Italian favourites, Tamarind for Asian fusion cuisine, and Nami Sushi for lighter Japanese options. These restaurants incur a fee, though guests booking the Have It All package can enjoy a specialty dining experience as part of their inclusions.
Entertainment on board is a highlight, particularly if you love jazz, blues and classic rock. Evenings are spent moving between venues, each showcasing different bands and musical styles. It is easy to dance the night away or simply sit back and enjoy the atmosphere.
The Lido Pool is a versatile space, ideal on sunny days and equally inviting when the weather turns cool. A retractable dome ensures swimming is possible regardless of conditions. In the evenings, with the dome closed, the space transforms into an outdoor cinema under cover, complete with warm popcorn.
The forward-facing gym is spacious and well equipped, curved along the front of the ship with a wide range of machines and classes.
Overall, this voyage offered a relaxed yet refined way to explore Scandinavia in comfort. I found the Have It All package represented excellent value, with reliable Wi-Fi, a comprehensive beverage package covering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, shore excursion credit and a specialty dining experience included. It allowed me to simply enjoy the journey without thinking about the extras.
Travel was provided courtesy of Holland America Line.
