An Icelandic Cruise

Episode 63: Show Notes

In mild protest against our usual summer holiday trend, Tom decided to go on a big trip, and today, we unpack everything he experienced on his Icelandic cruise aboard the Holland America Rotterdam. We begin with Tom’s transatlantic flight in economy (the horror!) before learning about local transport options when traveling from Amsterdam to Rotterdam. Tom goes on to deliver an overview of the Holland America cruise line as we hear about the on-board food quality, housekeeping and safety protocols, how they live entertainment measures up against Royal Caribbean’s benchmark, and everything you need to know about the Holland America casino. We also unpack multiple chance encounters Tom had with familiar faces, as well as his highlights from the ports and tourist attractions he visited. To end, Tom details his journey home on a low-cost carrier airline, and Trevor offers a sneak peek into his upcoming cruise on one of the Mediterranean’s largest vessels.

Key Points From This Episode:

[00:00] How Tom’s summer trip began with a transatlantic flight in economy to Amsterdam.
[06:43] Getting to port: How he traveled from Amsterdam to Rotterdam.
[15:16] An overview of the Holland America Rotterdam.
[16:18] Food quality on board, how the main dining room works, and housekeeping protocols.
[20:18] How the live entertainment measures up against the Royal Caribbean benchmark.
[23:01] Chance encounters with familiar faces, sharing points and rewards, and gift cards.
[29:21] Highlights of the Holland America casino.
[33:48] The ports and attractions Tom visited, starting with Norway and ending in Iceland.
[45:08] Departing from Keflavík International Airport on a low-cost carrier.
[48:40] Tom’s final thoughts on Holland America, and a peek at Trevor’s upcoming cruise.

Quotes:

“For a six-hour flight across the Atlantic, the economy experience was not bad at all. It was very reasonable and pretty comfortable. Lately, all my transatlantic flights have been economy, one stop over the Atlantic, and they’ve been working out so far.” — @TktweetsKim [05:18]

“The quality of food was very high, and we only did complimentary food; we didn’t go to any specialty restaurants.” — @TktweetsKim [16:48]

“One of the things that always separates a cruise experience from almost any other vacation experience [is] the ability to have a meal at the same time, with the same waiter, [and] at the same table. You get this feeling like you’re a local by the second or third day.” — @tmount [17:51]

“The live music was good, and if you’re a music lover, you’ll probably find something to enjoy. [However], if you’re looking for an ice show or acrobatics or a Broadway musical, I don’t think you’re going to find it on Holland America.” — @TktweetsKim [21:58]