Carol Perlman

Age: 65
Occupation: Educational therapist
Number of Cruises: 5
Cruise Line: Holland America
Ship: Rotterdam
Sailing Date: February 14th, 2005
Itinerary: Panama Canal

My husband and I just returned from a ten day trip on the Rotterdam to the Panama Canal. We have sailed on the Veendam to the western Caribbean, the Statendam to Alaska and back, and the Zuiderdam to the eastern Caribbean. I can’t say enough wonderful things about the Rotterdam. The staff is friendly and helpful, the dining room service excellent, and the food was wonderful. The ship was filled with fresh flowers, beautiful art, and appeared to be in excellent condition. We were surprised to learn it is due to go into dry dock in three weeks. The average age of the cruisers on this trip was about 70, with a sprinkling of younger people with young children. Since school was in session, there were very few children aboard.

The Panama Canal, the highlight of the trip, was a true marvel of engineering and a wonderful guide explained what was happening as we went through a series of locks into Gatun Lake. There were many vantage points from which to see the ship enter the locks, and even though it was raining on the return trip, the view from the Crow’s Nest was perfect.

Several of the shows aboard were very good. Among them was the comedian whose name I can’t recall, George Sullivan a singer with tons of energy, and the Mickey Finn show. The female banjo player from the Mickey Finn show was very accomplished and it was enjoyable to watch her play.

We loved the Rotterdam and look forward to sailing her again.