Rotterdam Review
Rotterdam is seaworthy, according to the captain's announcement.
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I have enjoyed HAL for 19 years but Rotterdam needs serious dry dock work soon.
Visible rust on much of the superstructure, and the starboard stairs to the sky deck closed off because the supporting metal plates had rusted through was not an auspicious start to a cruise where all of deck 3's keys did not work. (no free drinks, no apologies, no keeping the Lido restaurant open for those who spent up to an hour in line at the front office to get new keys).
Later on, hot water failed, then the entire hot AND cold water system was shut down ship wide - no announcements, and still selling $3 water at gangway even though tap water (which had been switched on by now) was filthy brown. On last night, a number of rooms were flooded by a burst hot water pipe, and on final morning, all elevators failed simultaneously.
Cabin Review
Port Reviews
Barbados
Hertz has an office at the port. The car was ready. The roads are good for the Caribbean. Enabled us to see three beaches, North Point and Farley Hill. I have been to Barbados before and would go back.
St. Croix
St Croix is a "dead" island. Christiansted Harbor is nice, but once you've taken in the view, visited the fort, and had lunch, there's nothing else of interest. Frederiksted (where the boat docks) is derelict, although the beach by the pier is a very nice way to spend your last hour on shore!
Half Moon Cay
Lovely island. Pristine. And while other reviewers gripe that 2000 people go ashore, the beach is 1.5 miles long, and by the time you have gone a third of the way down, that number is down to about 7. What do the other 1993 expect - a shuttle bus all the way along the beach? And since my last visit nearly 20 years ago, HAL now provide a barbecue lunch from the Lido, free of charge. I expected this day to be a let down, but it was a very pleasant surprise.