Page 9 - AAA Now! – AAA Central Penn – July/August 2022

TRAVEL AGENCY
Holland America Rotterdam in Eidfjord, Norway – May 2022
AAANOW!
Savor The Journey Aboard Holland America Line
By Sandy Fenton
As I write this article, my husband, Stewart, and I are aboard Holland America Line’s new Pinnacle Class ship, the Rotterdam in Bergen, Norway, and coming to the end of a wonderful three-week transatlantic crossing beginning in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with ports of call in the Azores, Portugal; Cherbourg, France; Zeebrugge, Belgium; and Amsterdam, Netherlands plus a week of sailing the coast and stunning fjords of Norway.
Our Rotterdam journey has gone by in a flash and, except for a rainy Bergen, we’ve had sunny days, pleasant weather and mostly calm seas – and have totally enjoyed our daily and evening living-at-sea routines.
For 147 years, Holland America has been a leader in
the cruising industry offering 500 different sailings to seven continents on contemporary, yet gracious and warm, midsize premium-class ships.
Since 1994, I’ve cruised aboard Holland America many times, but this Rotterdam sailing was my first time back in almost 10 years. With more than 130 cruises under my belt, I’ve never experienced so many loyal past guests (Mariners, as HAL calls them) on board a ship. Mariners love Holland America so much they are on board for several weeks (some for months) each year, except during the pandemic pause. (How lucky are they?!?)
Here are a few of my very favorite things about our Rotterdam experience:
• The spaciousness of the ship and always having a private
spot to read and relax, inside or out. (Great library too.)
• Predinner cocktails in the comfy and modern living-room
atmosphere in the panoramic Crow’s Nest lounge atop the
ship.
• The excellent live music on the Music Walk, especially the
professional performances and top-tier talent in the B.B. King Blues Club and the classic rock music in the Rolling Stone Rock Room. Every night was a live concert featuring our favorite music and sounding exactly like the original stars.
• Our Main Dining Room second-floor table for two overlooking the busy first floor and a table for two at the back of the ship with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the ocean and scenery.
Main Dining Room, upper floor, Holland America Rotterdam, May 2022
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The attentive and lovely staff – and that wonderful feeling of being looked after and taken care of, especially at the end
of the evening and returning to a perfectly clean and organized stateroom.
Excellent Indonesian and Asian cuisine is served during lunch in the well-thought-out Lido Market. Holland America’s Culinary Council with Michelin-rated chefs inspire and create onboard meals.
The popular Grand Dutch Café highlights Holland America’s Dutch heritage with authentic and delicious Dutch treats, including the gigantic chocolate cream puffs and split pea soup. Daily walks, especially during sea days, on the wrap-around 360-degree Promenade Deck. Three times around equals one mile.
Exclusive BBC EARTH experiences in the high-tech, very impressive World Stage.
On-demand free movies to watch before falling asleep in the super-comfortable signature Mariners Dream Bed.
AAA has a long and very successful partnership with Holland America and AAA members receive many member benefits on all sailings. Call your favorite AAA Travel Advisor today for all details on future Holland America cruises and special AAA group sailings.
”Let’s Talk Travel with AAA,” hosted by Sandy Fenton, is broadcast Saturdays 11:00 a.m. to noon on iHeartRadio’s WHP580. For more information, go to whp580.com and click on the link to “Let’s Talk Travel.”
DISCOVERIES EDITION I JULY/AUGUST 2022 I 9