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Is Holland America the Secret Winner For 2026? We Find Out

Ritzy Travel Guide
Ritzy Travel Guide
πŸ…Authority
πŸ‘οΈ 201K viewsπŸ“… 1 years ago⏱️ 46:46

Key Moments

Editorial Summary

The creator provides an in-depth review of the Rotterdam, a flagship vessel in Holland America's Pinnacle class, to determine if the line offers a top-tier premium cruise experience. The assessment covers various aspects of ship life, including the design of the atrium, the layout of the pools, and the quality of the dining options. The creator highlights the ship's ability to blend traditional elegance with contemporary design, noting that the vessel does not feel overcrowded compared to modern mega ships. Detailed observations are made regarding the main dining room, the buffet, and specialty restaurants like the Pinnacle Grill and Tamarind. The review also examines cabin accommodations, specifically comparing different balcony configurations, and explores amenities such as the Retreat luxury area and the onboard spa. While the creator notes some drawbacks, such as the quality of in-house theater productions and the narrowness of the promenade deck, they conclude that Holland America remains a strong competitor in the premium market. The final verdict recommends the Pinnacle class ships for travelers seeking a more spacious, service-oriented experience that retains many traditional cruising elements.

Written by TripBacon from this video's transcript.

How This Review Compares

This review's score for Rotterdam
Seriously Tasty
All-time creator consensus for Rotterdam
A Nibble

This review is more positive than the all-time creator consensus.

What This Creator Said
Creator RecommendsFull Ship ReviewπŸ…Authority Creator
OtherFrom FloridaVeteran Cruiser

Source: Our analysis of the creator's lived experience, based on what they said in this video.

Creator's Key Takeaways

this is not a paid review nobody has told us what to say these are entirely our own opinions

we absolutely would recommend cruising with Holland America

the staff it has to be some of the most friendly we found at Sea genuinely so

the buffet is quite a bit better than some other Cruise Lines out there

Creator's Tips & Advice

βœ“Book a balcony cabin with a full sea view for the best experience
βœ“Try the buffet for dinner to see its quality and variety
βœ“Consider the Retreat section for a quieter, exclusive outdoor area

Questions This Creator Answers

QIs Holland America the best premium cruise line for 2026?
QWhat are the strengths and weaknesses of the Rotterdam ship?
QShould you book a Holland America cruise?

Topics Covered

Service Crew4Β½ Happy BaconDining Main3Β½ Happy BaconDining Buffet3Β½ Happy BaconCrowd Capacity3 Happy BaconValue Pricing2Β½ Happy BaconPool Deck3Β½ Happy BaconCabin Balcony4 Happy BaconShip Condition3Β½ Happy Bacon

Port Highlights

Central America3 Happy Bacon
Panama Canal4 Happy Bacon
How to read the Trip Bacon Score
Happy Bacon β€” creators loved this aspect
Sad Bacon β€” creators took issue with this
Meh β€” no strong opinion either way

Scale: 0–5 strips in half-step increments. 0 = β€œmeh”, 5 = β€œbacon bliss”. Aggregated from creator-review sentiment, weighted by channel expertise.

About our Bacon Score methodology

Video content sourced from the creator's original upload. Watch on YouTube