Thanks for your response. Will be happy to see Fekko again. We had lunch with him on the Maasdam. Too bad Putu will not be on board. Regarding the "new" M'd, could it be Robert Ramekers (I believe he is Dutch)? We sailed with him on the Statendam.

LizB....sorry to hear that you left the ship unwell.Hope you are fully recovered by now.
Thankfully,I didn't pick up a cold this time around...it sure made a change!!

I can only echo everything positive you said about the ROTTERDAM.she is just super.

Starting with my first step on board in Venice,I was surrounded by smiling stewards,many of them old friends...in fact, a couple of them were dancing with joy when they saw me!! From then on,it was Old Home Week for a couple of days.
Needless to say,I was treated more royally than ever,this being my 6th cruise on the ROTTERDAM since 1998,the last one only in August,2000.

And just like you,Liz,I have gained weight from all that delicious food served up by Chef Bernie Ruis.Those crepes suzettes were scrumptious,mmmm. The Easter Sunday Midnight Buffet in the Lido was breathtaking to say the least.
AND I had my birthday cake,along with my requested Indonesian birthday song from the stewards.

A huge plus for me was the 10-piece orchestra for dancing and backing the headliners.They really shone when they played the charts belonging to a couple of the stars,namely Michael Andrew,who had all big-band arrangements......and Susan Anton,along with her own musical director/accompanist.They brought fabulous charts for the orchestra..I was in 7th heaven listening to them.
I must make mention of the resident cast.They put on a terrific show which wasn't as over-produced as some I have seen.Subsequently,they were all stand-outs,from the singing,the costumes and the dancing.Sorry to go on like this but as a performer myself,I just lost myself in them!

Even the crew show was different. This time it was an International Crew Show,with a cast from Indonesia,Philippines,Canada,Australia,U.K. and U.S.and what a show they presented!!

As for the weather....the only "rough" time was one day and night in the Mediterranean but it never bothered me although some passengers were "under the weather"
Happily,the Atlantic was as smooth as glass with just the odd swell now and again.

It was so sad to leave such a happy ship.There was one couple from Germany who were staying on board and sailing back to Europe.What they weren't aware of was that the upcoming TransAtlantic crossing was with the Harry James Orchestra.When I told them this,they were tickled to bits,as you can imagine.Hope they are having a ball,as I write!!

I must make mention of the Captain's Dinner in the King's Room.This was my 3rd such occasion and I have to say that it really was great. Fekko was the host and a very gracious host he made.Unfortunately,one of the courses was lobster to which I am highly allergic.So there was a mad dash to the kitchen to rustle up something else for me to eat.I finished up with a dish of pasta.Happily,everything else was OK for me to partake,including the main course.The main difference this time was the table. Instead of a long oblong-shape,it was a long oval-shaped table,which seemed to bring everyone closer together,all 24 of us.

My cabin was kept scrupulously clean by my extremely cheerful cabin steward,Imbang.My dining room steward,Yanto,was excellent,as were all of them.

Guess that's it.Just hope I can post this as I have had the devil of a game trying to get on to this page Here's hoping!!!!

I forgot to mention just now that when we were in Malaga,Spain,your favourite ship was moored right by us....the BLACK WATCH...and what a pretty ship she is!
That same evening,after dinner,we were in the Ambassador's Lounge,dancing,when the Black Watch sailed out of port.She was alongside us and the passengers were dancing on the deck.We all waved like mad and they all waved back,like mad!

Knew you would want to know this,Malcolm!