Holland America Line, Rotterdam, Caribbean Cruise. 12 & 13th Feburary 2023. USVI and Sea Day.

 12th February 2023, Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas. Virgin islands, U.S. 

Today was the first cruise ship excursion I had booked.  It was the Introduction to SCUBA diving, but as I woke up with sinus pain and ear ache I was unsure what to do. 

The meeting point was on the quay at 08.30, it was a small group and we waited a while for two people who did not show up. 

The catamaran was docked just next to the ship, once aboard we set off to Buck Island Cove. On the way the dive master went through the safety briefing. He spoke about ruptured ear drums if you were unable to equalise the water pressure.  So I decided to snorkel, diving down to equalised the pressure in my ears, unfortunately I was unable to do this, so decided to just snorkel.  I saw fish and coral I have not seen before and a Turtle. 

My husband did the dive over the shipwreck and enjoyed it, the tuition was very good. 

We returned to the ship at 13.00. I felt it was a good excursion. We had time to go to our cabin and get washed, have a bit of lunch then walk into the town of Charlotte Amalie. As it was a Sunday most of the attractions were closed- but lots of jewellery shops were open, there were loads of them! 

The diving and getting out on the Catamaran  was a good choice. 

US Virgin Islands. 

We were back on board for 16.30 and the ship left soon after that, tomorrow was a sea day, but it was still a casual night tonight. We went to the BB Kings and the band announced that these were their last few nights as they were leaving in Miami. 

13th February 2023. Sea Day. 

The sea days on the Rotterdam were quite difficult. Firstly - there is not sufficient, usable deck space for all the passengers aboard. 

The uncovered pool is small and located at the rear of the ship, this area has shade but there are tables in the shady parts, but people use them to play cards and other games and don't move all day. The sunbeds, in the sun are 'booked' with towels even though no one uses them all day! 

Rear pool on HAL Rotterdam. 

The indoor pool, with a retractable roof, is a lovely space, but again not enough sun beds, and people hog them for the day. The tables can not be use for eating as people play cards, sew, knit, read books at them for the full day. 

Pool on HAL Rotterdam,  at dinner time. 

The entertainment team do not do activities that move the crowd around as on other cruise lines. The activities on board are very poor, unless you are into Origami or Flower arranging. No exercises in the pool or Zumba type dancing activities.

On sea days afternoon tea is served in the main dining room, it was a small portion but quite sufficient, but a lot of seasoned HAL passengers were moaning about the size of the afternoon tea. 

HAL Afternoon Tea 

But for me the biggest problem was that as soon as the ship was in open water the rocking and rolling around started. The ship is extremely unstable. So for me Sea days on the Rotterdam were days in my cabin, I was glad I had booked a balcony.