5 Reasons to Recommend Rotterdam to Younger Cruise Clients

It’s no secret that Holland America attracts a mature traveler, targeting retirees with longer sailings and a less frenetic atmosphere onboard. Its newest ship, Rotterdam, ticks those boxes, but the sleek ship’s modern touches have much to offer younger travelers with sophisticated tastes and vacation time to spare. Here are five reasons to recommend Rotterdam to Millennial and Gen X clients.

1. Live music and nightlife

When the Music Walk was born with the launch of Koningsdam, Holland America’s nightlife and entertainment skyrocketed into the 21st century. Clustered together on Deck 2, Rotterdam’s Music Walk features three stages and four show types, with live music playing continuously from the late afternoon into the wee hours of the night. Sound-proof hallway doors allow two performances to run simultaneously.

Lincoln Center Stage dominates the pre-dinner scene with live classical music concerts that draw in music lovers of all ages. Billboard Onboard takes the classic cruise ship piano bar and adds a second pianist for guest-request dueling piano shows. But it’s the bands at B.B. King’s Blues Club and the Rolling Stone Rock Room who get listeners up and dancing with high-energy music spanning decades and engaging musicians with big personalities that keep cruisers coming back night after night.

2. Hip bars and craft cocktails

The cliched Millennial is always on the hunt for classic cocktails with a modern twist or innovative drinks featuring clever flavor enhancements. Rotterdam delivers the craft cocktails in intimate, atmospheric settings and with stunning sea views, to boot.

Throughout the ship, you can find signature cocktails created by master mixologist Dale DeGroff or other notable bartenders and themed to the bar that serves them. Step aside burnt rosemary – the Shiso Sour is topped with an edible shiso leaf. The Rotterdam VII is poured into a decanter, which is then filled with smoke, to create a drink with a unique flavor and incredible presentation.

Young couples will enjoy an intimate pre-dinner drink at the Tamarind Bar, tucked away in the ship’s dimly lit Asian restaurant, while a group of friends can gather up in the Crow’s Nest to watch the sunset through floor-to-ceiling windows. The new Half Moon Bar is destined to become a favorite watering hole, with its inviting corner bar and window-side two-tops.

3. Upscale and diverse dining

Holland America leans on its Culinary Council to keep its dining options modern and international. Signature dishes by a “Top Chef” winner, master chocolatier, and chefs behind Michelin-rated restaurants impress foodies of any age.

Cruisers willing to shell out for specialty dining will never get bored with four extra-fee restaurants, ranging from French seafood to pan-Asian. Younger travelers with a more restricted budget can enjoy multiple fee-free venues offering high-quality menus.

The Lido Market is an upscale food court offering daily sushi, made-to-order salads, and a wide array of bakery selections, among other choices. The poolside grill offers Beyond burgers and brats for vegetarians, in addition to beef patties with toppings such as Gouda cheese and apple wood smoked bacon. Breakfast in the main dining room goes beyond the typical egg dishes to offer Asian congee, Indian dosas, and Swedish pancakes, while the lunch menu serves up favorites from The Netherlands and Seattle.

4. Modern cabins

The biggest complaint about older cruise ship cabins is a lack of outlets for all the electronics modern travelers carry. Rotterdam solves that issue with plentiful U.S. outlets and USB ports on either side of the bed and by the small desk.

Cabins feel sophisticated, with a neutral beige-and-cream décor livened up with a herringbone carpet and geometric accents. Plentiful cabinets and drawers can handle belongings for a longer cruise, and glassed-in bathroom showers are roomy with a thoughtful shaving bar.

Beds come topped with several kinds of pillows and silky-smooth sheets; even the love seat in the room is impressively comfortable, rather than a place to throw your day bag. The balcony furniture makes the best use of the small space with footrests and partially reclining chairs.

5. No penny pinching

Travelers will find plenty of ways to spend money onboard, from massages to wine tastings, but the overall feeling is not one of penny-pinching. You will still get a quality experience if you stick to included dining and entertainment options.

Unlike on other lines, most room service dishes are included in the cost of the cruise, including a few hot breakfast items. Snacks at the Grand Dutch Cafe and Explorations Cafe are complimentary, including made-to-order Dutch pea soup and poffertjes (Dutch mini pancakes). Even the tea bags in the buffet are name brands rather than Lipton.

The island barbecue on Holland America’s private island, Half Moon Cay, had an extensive menu beyond just burgers and hot dogs, and the crew brought in ice cream carts to serve miniature ice cream cones to guests.

In-room movies cost nothing to watch, and the library onboard offers a curated collection of current bestsellers by diverse authors, which you can borrow for free on the honor system.