There is plenty to do onboard which is a good thing given the lack of a TV in most cabins.
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I expected to be bored very quickly but in reality, I didn't have enough time to do everything I wanted to do. Each sailing offers a healthy mix of dancing, bingo, quizzes, performances by talented musicians, and more.
Shopping
One of the most popular activities onboard is retail therapy. Pride of Rotterdam boasts three stores. The first one sells snacks, souvenirs, board games, clothing and more. The second shop stocks a wide selection of perfumes and make-up. The third offers cigarettes, tobacco and alcohol.
Prices onboard are in Great British Pounds by default on both journeys, which saves having to convert currency just for the trip.
Do your homework first, though. Some prices are very competitive compared to the high street, but others are not.
Sunset Show Lounge
The Sunset Show Lounge is where the main action happens and is home to a range of live entertainment that regularly changes. The two-storey lounge is spacious, and its giant double-height screen provides the perfect backdrop for the night.
Bars
There is a range of bars to suit all tastes, each one with a different ambience. Enjoy the craic in the Irish themed bar, or treat yourself to drinks in the trendy and sophisticated Wine Bar.
Sky Lounge
The Sky Lounge occupies the uppermost deck and is a great place to sit, have a drink and look out over the sea (while there is daylight).
You will find a great party atmosphere in the Lounge in the evening.
From the Lounge, you can access the open Sun Deck at the rear of the ship, although the use of the word "sun" does not imply there will be any, especially if you sail in March! It looked like a great place to be in the warm summer months, though.
Cinemas
Two cinemas are available onboard showing a range of films at set times (for a fee). These weren't the latest blockbusters, but nevertheless, they were still relatively recent.
Casino
There is a small casino available tucked away to the side of the Sunset Show Bar. A video game arcade and slot machines can be found on the deck above.
Quiet Room
If you are after a bit of tranquillity and just want some peace and quiet to catch up on reading your book or completing a tricky puzzle, the Quiet Room is a perfect oasis of calm.
Children's Entertainment
There is a large play area for kids next to the Costa Coffee café. It is an unsupervised area so parents need to keep an eye on their children, but it is the perfect excuse for them to burn their extra energy, ensuring a peaceful night's sleep for you.
During the summer months (usually July and August during the school holidays) children's entertainers are onboard together with specially trained staff to help run the Junior Crew Kids Club. The free club offers a selection of arts and crafts activities, face painting, fun games, and more. Join mascot Pirate Pete for some fun onboard.
Summary
There is something to keep everyone busy onboard, although many activities will come with an extra charge.
Read more in this series
- Getting to the Port of Hull
- Pride of Rotterdam Review
- Pride of Rotterdam Cabins
- Food & Drink on Pride of Rotterdam
- Entertainment on Pride of Rotterdam (you are here)
- Guide to Europoort, Rotterdam
- Can You Really Explore Amsterdam in a Day?
- Amsterdam Mini Cruise Review on P&O Ferries' Pride of Rotterdam
I´ve found your review very usefull, thank you very much. I´m Marcos, from Spain, i´d like to travel that minicruise with my 15 years old son, he lives in Nottingham and i planning to do it in May. I read that the minicruises have some troubbles with drunken people traveling to Ámsterdam, is that correct?, is it safe to do the cruise?.
It is true that some sailings may be rowdier than others. Sail on a Friday or Saturday night and you'll sail alongside the weekend revelers looking to have a good time in Amsterdam. On the whole, the cruise experience is safe. If you're keen to avoid the peak times, sail out Monday to Wednesday. Not only will the ships typically be quieter, the fares will usually be cheaper too!