Member

Do the regular passenger have to pay extra for the new lunch option? If not, is there limit to the number of visit?

Is "waitlist" reservation with "O" subjected to price/bonus changes when being released? Or it states at the original reservation price & bonus?

Anyone knows if there are free shuttles to Honfleur, Gijon, Biarritz & Brest town centers?

Any free shuttle to Honfleur, Gijon, Biarritz & Brest town centers?

I read somewhere that "Croissi" is one of the very few the excludes shore tours from its voyage price, which we prefer.

We're looking for a Christmas market river cruise in this region in 2018. Hope more voyages will be added then.

:eek:

 

 

We cruised from Budapest to Bucharest...

It certainly is different from Amsterdam to Budapest, but equally good..we DID have some hour long bus trips but I loved seeing how the other half live, so to speak.

There were a few towns that you could get out and wander to your hearts content...amazing to see the war damage done to some of these towns..

Take the chance, it is worth the visit

Thanks for the insight.

I think if my DW needs to boil water in our regular cabin nightly, we should bring our own device (unless the ship allows to bring her the hot water kettle nightly).

Well balanced review. Well done. Can you elaborate a bit more of your cabin's roll down windows/shades, bed size & comfort, nighttime lighting, TV programs, coffee/hot water device, room steward service, etc.

Two of us will be on the similar Bucharest/Budapest voyage by the "Star" in the cool October this year. The river drought should be over then. Are there different tours to participate per port? Are all tours start in early morning (around 9:30 am) or there are afternoon ones on certain ports? Are the ports scenes touristic enough to explore on our own with ease? (Louis)

.... Do you remember what the cost was for the all-inclusive drink package?

On our upcoming Emerald Star's Oct.17 Bucharest to Budapest voyage, we get the free Premium Drink Package in our "A" category booking.

Andona, your devoted Q&A on Emerald experiences here earned you the Ambassador title, at least from me. Many thanks.

Thanks again for your insights, Andona.

One repeated comments is its very limited washroom sink & countertop space. Is it adequate for you two to share such?

And how effective is your cabin' black-out curtain when fully down in the morning?

We'll be on EW the first time too from Bucharest to Budapest this mid-October. Like to know a bit more of:

- its WIFI connection

- wake-up call placement

- number of dining room server

- dance venue

HAL usually uses the upper one for fixed dining. What about Koningsdam so far?

Just back from a week on Cunard's QM2 which was a first time for us. There were many dance opportunities in the Queen's Lounge. There were dance lessons, a Tea Dance and dancing nightly with the band.

We aren't ballroom dancers at all. Yet we love to dance in a more relax way daily during our long ocean cruising, particularly before and/or after dinner. Will definitely consider those ships that offer similar dance program like the mentioned QE2 does in 2017. Hope our 09/18 Koningsdam sailing will keep up with the passenger's constructive comments.

.... the legendary friendly HAL staff didn't disappoint. Frankly, aside from a Maître D in the dining room, we didn't find anyone not genuinely wanting to help.....

Was the Maître D not helpful to you & other guests too?

Dining Room ..... 5:15-9:30 PM...

In its Europe sailing, was first seating at 6:00 pm instead of the regular 5:30 pm?

On our June 2016, 7-days Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska sailing, HAL eliminates the stationed Ocean Bar live band completely in lieu of the its 5-member theatre band. They played ballroom music there (only 4 nights) alright but no singing at all. Pretty quiet there in general. It seems HAL is cutting more cruise entertainment/activity budget than ever. Very limited at-sea activities this time too. Will see what our 09/18-30 Kdam sailing turns out.

Main seating is 7:45, 8:00 or 8:15 (it can vary by ship and itinerary). Early seating is 5:30, 6:00 or 6:15 (same variations). Traditional dining is always in the upper level of the restaurant except for the Prinsendam (only one level). AS to a particular table, it's best to consult a DR map, bjt I'm not sure there's one available yet for the K'dam - people's preferences can also vary.

For some reasons, I thought you were on one of the Kdam sailings.... My mistake.

There are two shows per night, one to accommodate early dining and one for late dining. We've always had a table for 2 at main dining and have never missed a show that we wished to attend.

Was your sailing's main seating at 5:45 pm daily? Was it in the lower deck? And do you recommend your assigned table (table #?) to this couple?

It seems all its Europe sailings fixed seating are set at 5:45 pm & 8:00 pm respectively. How they managed the all-time seating there? Still line-up there to put in our info first & wait around for the beeper to call?

I've been posting on a separate thread, but created a couple videos to make it easier to go through all the pics from our recent adventure.

 

Koningsdam ship video: https://youtu.be/1r8RnPDvMrw

 

Norse Legends June 12-19 Cruise: https://youtu.be/AqeKTRBVDHY

My Youtube site says your videos have been deleted. Or is it just mine?

We've assigned the 6:00 pm first seating on our upcoming 09/18, 12-nights sailing so to have more time for the after-dinner show and/or other night activities. What is your experience to early seating there? is an open seating a better arrangement for just two of us?

Wesport... my observation on it is the smaller life boats will block less of your outside view than those bigger ones. And if your cabin balcony is in between the 2 life boats, you'll get the life boats hanger instead.