When it comes to bucket list vacations, the Holland America Rotterdam Norway and Denmark cruise has been on mine for a while. This very special 7-day itinerary sailed the Norwegian Fjords and stopped in three cities in Norway, as well as Copenhagen in Denmark.
Northern Europe is really having its moment right now, with Norway and Denmark leading the way. The beauty of this part of the world is just breathtaking.
This was my third sailing with Holland America Cruise Line. My first was a 20 day Southeast Asia itinerary, which was one of the most incredible experiences of my life. My husband joined me on Holland America through Alaska a few years ago. That was a bucket list trip, as well.
This 7-day Norwegian Fjords & Copenhagen sailing was in partnership with the History Channel, which made it even more exciting. In addition, we sailed from Rotterdam, where Holland America Cruises was founded in 1873.
Quick Facts About the Rotterdam Ship
- Holland America’s third Pinnacle Class ship.
- A mid-sized ship with a capacity of 2,668 guests.
- 1,340 staterooms, from small inside cabins to the moderate Verandah to the larger Vista, Neptune, and Signature Suites.
- 7 fine dining restaurants, 4 casual restaurants, and 24/7 room service.
What To Expect On the Ship
Whether you’re a first time cruiser or you’ve been on many ships, it’s nice to know what to expect once you’re onboard. If you’ve been a reader for a while, I know you’re planning to use your cruise packing list, so you’re prepared with a day bag on embarkation day, right?
You’ve got your swimsuit, sunscreen, and a good book to help you enjoy the time before your room is ready. For this particular cruise, I was in my room right after I boarded the ship, which was a great start to the trip.
My stateroom was a Verandah, which is perfect for a solo traveler or couple. It had a very comfortable queen bed which could be made into two twins, a seating area with a couch and table, lots of storage space, and a large balcony with floor-to-ceiling windows, two chairs and a small table.
The bathroom has a shower and nice amenities. You’ll find a robe and slippers in the closet.
Onboard Activities
Once you have a chance to get settled, the first thing I recommend you do is take a few minutes to preuse The Daily, Holland America’s schedule for the day. This will either be in your room or in a spot near the door just outside your room each day.
Plan your day now, as you may miss special events if you wait. For instance, the Sail Away celebration on Deck 9 is always fun and a great photo opportunity, especially in the beautiful city of Rotterdam.
Throughout the week, you’ll find all kinds of fun things to do, like cocktail classes, trivia, pickleball lessons, various art lessons, casino lessons, and even a live game show. Even with two sea days, there is no way you can fit it all in, but it’s still fun to try!
If you love to read, this is a great time to head to Deck 2 to the library to pick up a book for the week. The library is also a quiet place to spend some downtime. Holland America Line replaced its libraries with tech learning studios several years ago, but guests made it known they wanted them back. I’m so glad they listened.
For music lovers, a favorite spot is B.B. King’s Blues Club. The band, known as B.B. King’s All-Star Band, has serious talent, and the crowds reflect that. Get there early if you prefer to sit at a table, and wear your dancing shoes.
If you’re planning to visit The Greenhouse Spa on your trip (and you should), see what’s planned in The Daily. There is usually a time set to take a Look & Book Tour to help you decide which treatment you’d like to reserve. Book early for the best times. (Tip: There’s usually a raffle drawing for spa treatments and all kinds of specials as the week goes on.)
Of course, a day at the pool is always an option. You’ll find two main pool areas on Deck 9: The Lido Pool (mid-ship) has a retractable glass roof and is family-friendly, while the Sea View Pool is exclusively for guests 18 and older.
Dining Options
Check the evening schedule for where you’d like to dine, and be sure to book any specialty restaurants ahead of time. For me, the dining experience on a cruise ship is at the top of my priorities, so I often book dinners even before I’m on the ship.
You can book up to 90 days before your sailing, though I have also been able to get into some of my favorite spots once onboard. You never know, so it doesn’t hurt to ask.
Holland America has a commitment to fresh with their Destination Dining initiative, so you know the food is going to be amazing. In addition to their handcrafted bread and pasta, Port-to-Plate regional specialties, and their Global Fresh Fish program, each cruise has a Dutch Day to celebrate their heritage.
Dutch Day features a Royal Dutch Tea, Dutch Dinner, and Holland America’s famous Orange Party. You do not want to miss this, so be sure to pack something orange!
The Holland America website features the individual restaurant menus. I’ve included my thoughts below for each place I ate during my time on the ship.
Dining Room
We enjoyed the included main Dining Room the first night on the ship. I started with the Sweet Tomato and Buffalo Mozzarella appetizer, which I would order again. The tomato was flavorful, and the cheese creamy and delicious.
The Citrus Grilled Rainbow Trout was the Port To Plate recommendation, served with ginger-crushed potatoes. It was a great choice.
The no-sugar Lemon Torte was light and the perfect ending. I honestly didn’t realize it was sugar-free until after I’d eaten it!
Tamarind
Tamarind, a fusion of Southeast Asia, China, and Japan, was truly amazing. The Taste of Tamarind sampler is a great way to experience a selection of their appetizers, prepared for the table. The sushi and Mongolian lamb chops were also excellent.
Though I don’t always order dessert, the Cherry Blossom Tart was one I had to try.
Canaletto
Canaletto serves authentic Italian dishes in a lovely and intimate setting. You’ll want to reserve early to get a window seat, but it’s so nice to be able to watch the world go by while dining.
I started with a delicious Plum Tomato Salad with Burrata, topped with a pistachio gremolata and EVOO.
For an entree, I chose the Sea Bass. It was light and paired perfectly with fava bean purée, fresh ricotta, roasted veggies, and romesco sauce.
Pinnacle Grill
Though the Pinnacle Grill is known for its steaks, this upscale restaurant also serves wonderfully creative vegetarian and vegan dishes.
Morimoto By Sea
Morimoto By Sea, in partnership with Chef Masaharu Morimoto, has only one dedicated restaurant in all of Holland American’s fleet, and it’s on the Nieuw Amsterdam ship. Fortunately, the Rotterdam ship has a pop-up of this popular spot on every cruise.
I’m always happy with Asian food, and Morimoto By Sea was spectacular, not only in flavors but also in artistry. I love beautiful food.
You’ll now find a Morimoto By Sea Sushi Bar on the Rotterdam ship, as well. This intimate venue seats 12 guests at the sushi bar, with additional seating around the bar.
Lido Market
Lido is the buffet area near the Lido Pool. I ate there for lunch, enjoying the crunchy fish and chips, sushi, and charcuterie platters.
Lido is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Don’t miss the Cake Me Away special featuring all kinds of cakes from Mille Crepe Cake to Crème Brulé Cake and more.
Dive In
At some point during the cruise, you are going to walk past Dive In and not be able to resist. One look at those loaded burgers and hot dogs, along with a side of crunchy French fries, and you’ll be ordering, too. Tip: You can order on the Navigator app and arrive to your hot food waiting for you. You’re welcome.
Grand Dutch Café
I don’t know how I missed this spot for the first couple of days onboard, but once I discovered it, it became part of my daily routine. It was a perfect stop for a cappuccino in the morning before heading out on an excursion.
A couple of times after excursions, I headed straight there for a bowl of their signature Erwtensoep (Pea Soup) served with a slice of buttered pumpernickel bread with speck ham. Tip: It pairs well with a cold beer for lunch, and you have 16 to choose from.
By the way, the pastries here are over-the-top indulgent. Try the apple pie or share the huge Bossche Bol with a friend (or two!)
Rudi’s Sel de Mer
Rudi’s Sel de Mer is named after Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, who oversees the restaurant’s menu. Here you’ll find a fusion of Greek, French, and Spanish dishes with fresh fish at the forefront. The Greek Spiced Lamb Chops were heavenly.
By the way, don’t forget room service is included 24/7. I often order breakfast the night before when I have an early excursion. Simply make your choices on the provided menu and place it outside your door the night before.
Though I enjoyed all the restaurants, my favorites were Tamarind, Canaletto, and Grand Dutch Cafe. The Dining Room, Dive-In, Lido Market, New York Deli and Pizza, as well as room service, are all included. Some of the other restaurants are à la carte, and some have an upcharge, which I personally think is reasonable for the meal.
Entertainment
For those who enjoy the casino, trivia, dancing, or shows, you’ll find a plethora of things to do. The Navigator app is the best way to keep track of everything, so be sure to download it so you don’t miss anything. It’s helpful when getting around the ship, too.
For music lovers, Music Walk will be your happy place. This is where you’ll find live music experiences, like the Rolling Stone Rock Room, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, and the World Stage.
On our sailing, we had several choices for live evening entertainment on the World Stage:
- Iris Kroes, singer and harpist, winner of the TV show The Voice of Holland.
- Sebastian Sowell & Company in the Broadway-style production Class Act.
- Ruben Vilagrand, a masterful magician and stand-up comedian.
- Lee Bradley, one of Europe’s leading opera tenors, who fortunately doesn’t take himself too seriously.
What to Expect in Ports of Call
As this itinerary begins in Rotterdam, I strongly suggest you arrive at least a day early so you can explore. If you haven’t been to Amsterdam, you’ll need at least a day or two there as well. You’ll fly into Amsterdam, so book a couple of nights there and head to Rotterdam the day before your cruise. Both cities are very walkable.
Amsterdam gets all the love, but Rotterdam is spectacular! I think I logged more than 20,000 steps the day I was there.
Either before you board or after the cruise, make sure to check out Hotel New York. Just steps from the cruise terminal, the property houses a collection of memorabilia from the beginnings of the Holland America cruise company. I’ll be sharing more about Rotterdam soon.
As far as excursions go, there is so much to choose from on Holland America Cruises. Book your favorites early on, as they do fill up.
Each cruise has a Port Talk presentation, and I highly recommend attending. The Cruise & Travel Director, Nick, had great tips for each port that I would not have known if I hadn’t attended his presentation.
My favorite excursions on this trip:
- Explore Oslo on Foot: See City Hall where the Nobel Peace Prize awards ceremony is held each year, which was stunning and fascinating. Explore Akurshus Fortress. See the Royal Palace and Opera House. It was a fantastic tour with a wonderful guide.
- A Walk Through Historical Kristiansand: From the Kunstsilo Museum’s incredible architecture and exhibits (on Time Magazine’s World’s Greatest Places list) to the history of the Old Town’s timber buildings and the Fish Market at Fiskebrygga, this was a fun and interesting tour.
- A Glimpse of Copenhagen & Tivoli Gardens: A great way to see a little bit of the city and spend time at Tivoli Gardens, one of the world’s oldest amusement parks, open since 1843. You’ll also see the Little Mermaid statue on this tour.
If you haven’t sailed on a Holland America Line cruise yet, check out all the destinations and itineraries and start planning. I’m always happy to answer questions, so feel free to shoot me an email. There will be more to come about this trip, so make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already!
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