Loreto

I do the survey but also send a letter to Guest Services naming helpful, terrific crew members by name. Sometimes in the survey I forget things that I should have added, and the letter has assured that HAL gets the message. I always get a reply from HAL...I have been doing this for years!

There is a beach right next to the tender dock at Kona, Hawaii. A number of passengers on our Feb 2022 Koningsdam cruise enjoyed it. Volcanic situation may impact that port...hope not.

The Big Box store has a problem with how they are labeling some cabins as accessible in some areas of the ship. I personally told a manager their Koningsdam map is not correct, but it stayed the same. I have chosen do not upgrade with BB bookings in the past.

There was a very nice late morning party for the 5 Star and Presidents Club Mariners on the Koningsdam California Coast cruise last month. Everyone had a photo taken with Capt. Draper and the Hotel Manager...appreciated touch!

We would really like to see an Amazon Explorer cruise. There is nothing for 2023 and 2024. I asked the Cruise consultant on the Koningsdam last month and she had no idea if it would be offered. We did it twice and would do it again in the future. Taking the itinerary that is there right now didn't work for us, and we hoped there would be another chance in the future.

We did the Circle Hawaii cruise last February followed by the 7 day Mexican Riviera HAL had outstanding enrichment activities from San Diego to Honolulu...The state of Hawaii required us to call first at Honolulu, which altered the cruise schedule and short changed us on the Kauai call. The five days back had different performers...some really outstanding, in addition tho the Step One shows, and offered a variety of activities.

DH and I were just discussing the Prinsendam and our wonderful Amazon Explorer cruise….Capt Gunnerson’s final voyage before retiring. After our not so great coastal cruise on the Koningsdam last month we say “no” to Pinnacle Class ships. HAL needs a small ship again!

We also use both.

I do give the envelopes directly to the cabin/dining stewards! I always do it the day before disembarkation.

Thanks for pointing that out! Some have said they want to give the room steward candy...cash is most appreciated. The front desk staff and bar staff are Filipino. We always give our hardworking stewards extra, and write the room number and our names along with a thank you on the outside of the envelope. For dining stewards we write the dining time and table number.

I appreciate your review! We have paid up to let HAL handle the details, and have never regretted our decision! I was curious as to the precruise hotel arrangements for Venice/Trieste and it sounds like you made the right choice.

We were on the same cruise, got the letter but it was no big deal , everything worked fine.

Hi Jacqui, Welcome back! Please add Loreto : Zaandam 30 March 2024 14 Day Solar Eclipse and Mexican Riviera Thanks, Karen

I love the pea soup and vegetable quiche!

DH likes to make a breakfast sandwich and I cross out the LOX on the Bagel and Lox and that has worked out fine. I used to tip $2 but with inflation I raised it to $3 for breakfast. I do delete items (like the fried hash brown the always caused indigestion!)

I am just off the Kdam today, along with Oaktree. Our embarkation check in time was 11:30 and we arrived in the hotel shuttle around 11:10. In the past, shuttles could drive through the gate and onto the pier, but not this time. Our shuttle unloaded in the lot before the gate and we had to walk our luggage through the gate to where the baggage handlers were. We then walked to the staging area where there were already many passengers lined up behind time/group signs waiting to board. As it happened, our group was called before we had a chance to get in line...were standing in the right place at the right time...we showed our passes and went into the terminal. Once through security screening ( which went quickly) we went to priority check in and to the designated waiting area, where MANY people were already waiting. Our group was called and from gate to our room was only 45 minutes! Disembarkation went smoothly. There was a huge line (past the Club Orange dining room!) but it moved quickly at 8:20, being controlled by staff, down the escalator to go through customs. Customs line went quickly with about 5 stations open. Much improved over our last time there in February....a pleasant end to a great cruise! As oaktreeb said, go at your time....should go quickly, and yes, we didn't leave until 6 PM.

Depending on who you dealt with at Guest Services, you got a different answer. I always bring my TA printout so I know exactly what I am owed....they seemed surprised when I pointed discrepancies out. This time I prebooked and paid for our 2 5*comped meals plus one that is 50% off. I have been told it will be refunded to my credit card at the end of the cruise.

We were on the 2nd Alaska cruise in July 2021 as HAL returned to service. We had booked 2 ss suites on the Nieuw Amsterdam, taking our son and family with all charges going on our credit card. We booked before the pandemic, and every time the cruise was cancelled it was rescheduled with more on board credit. Our on board account became so convoluted that the Guest Services Manager asked to send a copy of my big box ta printout to Seattle to figure it out. In the end we were comped for all our specialty dinners and we left the ship with a zero statement...first time ever. My husband called it "cruise math."

We have been in HH under the dining room on the Zaandam a number of times and found them to be quiet.

We embark the Koningsdam Saturday Nov.5. As 5* Our check in time is 11:30 group A. Our hotel runs shuttle service so that will work out well with Hotel Check Out. In the past we have waited in the hotel lobby. Last Feb. when we arrived at the port there were Star lines with times and already many passengers lined up and waiting. As Neptune Suite passengers we didn't have to wait. This time we are not in a Neptune Suite, so I assume we will be in line. It sounds like boarding will be a little more controlled now.

Hi Jacqui, Best wishes as you embark on your long planned cruise! Your DH will be with you in spirit and proud of you for doing it solo. I hope you got the Verifly and Navigator apps to work to help you. Mine are all working for my cruise next week. Strangely, on the nav app the dress for each night says "Smart Casual!" Your ports are amazing, especially Malaga and Cadiz! Safe travels. Karen

I enjoyed your live from, *MissG* it brought back a lot of memories of the Greek Isles. Oct. 2021 we were on the Avalon Imagery II Rhine Moselle for 13 days…fantastic cruise! Only 24 passengers due to COVID.

We did Verifly for our June Alaska cruise and it paid off! There was no one in the Verifly line and a long line for regular check in. You can download the app for your ipad and I would recommend doing it. You take a selfie ( ours were horrible) do the assessment requirements, download your vaccination card from a picture you take of it...they have to ok it but that didn't take long, that's it. I would love to be in Barcelona instead of the California Coast🙁.

Jacqui, I got the same message as you on the nav app for our Nov5 sailing. I hope it will resolve itself. Verifly is working, the only thing left to add is the health assessment next week. All these "Helps" to make embarkation easy are a waste of time...so frustrating! Karen

As one who uses the pool to actually swim, I would not be happy if a pool float took up a lot of space. Very inconsiderate.