jvalentine

This may be old news to the boards, but thought I would post just in case. Here's the 3rd video HAL has put up for the Koningsdam highlighting the World Stage.

(Click below and it's over on the bottom right of the page)

http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=Countdown_Koningsdam&WT.mc_ID=SM_HAB

DaringLibrarian...the Seattle-Seattle Alaska cruise..you'll probably be going to Glacier Bay...it's beautiful! You'll also be sailing in open water (not inside passage) so you'll probably have a bit rockier of a sailing on those days. (If you get seasick...bring something to help with that.) Victoria is charming, but those stops are usually later in the day and you'll want to figure out what to do ahead of time since you're time is limited at that port. (Do stop at the chocolate shop in town and get a salted caramel! So good!!) Whale watching in Juneau has always been great and in Ketchikan...walking through Creek Street is always fun too. I'll also add...if there's anyway to catch the Amtrak up to Vancouver for a sailing out there..it's one of my favorites. Much calmer seas and the scenery is great.

I'm no expert, but I'd tend to lean towards pricing staying steady for Koningsdam sailings since it's newer. (I've been watching our Norse Legends sailing for this June and it's been pretty steady over the last few months...but who knows maybe it'll drop a bit closer to sailing.) Do check out the weather reports for Norway in May...I've read some things can still be pretty chilly/snowy and you might have better weather June/July if the timing works. (Either way..it'll still be crazy pretty I'm sure!)

For airfare, be sure to check out British Airways (they have an aarp discount if you're a member) and also Icelandair. I found some of the better deals on those two lines.

I can't wait to see more interior pics of the ship!

I think Nespresso makes a pretty good cup of coffee, but to me the Neptune Lounge coffee is really, really good and worth the walk up to get it several times a day. That machine is amazing!

I vote for the 11:50 flight. We had that earlier this year and had no issue at all getting through everything. We did the early walk off and then took a cab to the airport with no issue. Had time to spare too. (I will say that embarkation was totally different...lots of lines for security there.) Just depends how speedy you think you can be...but for us 11:50 would be doable.

Thanks fbgd!

Thanks for all the info! Our flight from PHL leaves around 6:10pm, arriving at LHR at 6:35am (Sat. morning) and then off to Amsterdam at 8:25am.

On the way home: Depart AMS at 7:10am(on a Monday), Arrive at LHR at 7:25am, and then depart for PHL at 12:45pm.

So if I read correctly, we won't have to go through immigration at LHR..just a security checkpoint, right? We'll have a good bit of time hopefully on the way to back to explore the LHR lounge..maybe catch a spa appt and check out a few of the shops.

And again, I really appreciate the insight from everyone. It's really helpful!

So I ended up booking the British Airways business class tix from Philly to Amsterdam with a stop in Heathrow. I've only done one other long haul flight before (years and years ago via KLM in coach). What are things I should look out for? Any tips for the lounges? A first timer here for a business class ticket over there. Thank you in advance!

I did it...pulled the trigger on the BA business class flights. Seemed to be a pretty decent rate and I've never travelled in long haul business...special treat for our anniversary!

Hi all! I've got 3 options tagged for our flights over on our Koningsdam cruise this June. Let me know which you would pick and if you have any advice. Thank you in advance!

1. Icelandair, 2 stops(IAD,RKV), cheapest option ($1600 total)

2. Delta, 1 stop(ATL), and just slightly more expensive than Icelandair. Times work out really well too on the way back. Could even drive a couple hours down to ATL for a direct flight. Economy for $2000 total.

3. British Airways, 2 stops(PHL,LHR), could go economy and be about the same price as Delta, but the business class fare seems really good ($3683 for two people total).

Thoughts?

We've done neptune suites before and love them! The big aft wrap suites are amazing..having all that space to yourself is absolutely wonderful. Other things I love...the complimentary laundry(less to pack), definitely breakfast in the Pinnacle(less hectic than the Lido), Neptune lounge (specifically the coffee), and the convenience of embarkation. Also, if I didn't mention the chocolate croissants I'd slap myself...this could be the one thing that keeps me loyal to HAL. (Not necessarily a suite perk...but those darn things are delicious!) :D

We've been on the Oosterdam, Noordam and Maasdam so far...each one a good cruise and relaxing. Super excited for our Norway cruise next June on the Koningsdam.

I also like the new logo and tagline. Logo is much cleaner and more modern looking...but still very much HAL.

And this is just my two cents...but any additional info they can put online to help folks plan is a good thing. I still do my own research as far as planning excursions, itineraries and such, but it does help point you in the right direction to let you know what is available so you could pick an itinerary that really interested you.

The BBC partnership is interesting too..curious to see what that experience is like on the ships.

I think the Utrip addition is awesome! Love that the site will have additional info on there to plan trips.

I'm just hoping that this music is not a "fleet wide" enhancement...

I don't know if it's been posted, but they are doing a live webcast if you want to check it out. 11:30 EST

http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=LiveWebcast_151029

I don't know if it's been posted, but they are doing a live webcast if you want to check it out. 11:30 EST

http://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=LiveWebcast_151029

We did a 7 night roundtrip Vancouver this past summer and one out of Seattle a few years ago. I'd lean more towards a Vancouver passage just for the smoother seas and all the scenery. We also flew into Seattle and took the Amtrak up to Vancouver to catch the boat. It was a great train ride and the border crossing was pretty simple. Embarkation was fine, it did bottle neck a bit at times, but not enough that it was a bad experience. Disembarkation...we did the early walk off...a breeze!

Bring your camera to Alaska..best advice I can give..well, that and a balcony if you can spring for it. I think HAL did a great job with our itinerary up there and I've read they do Alaska really well (also Princess too). I'm sure they offer airfare through the cruise line, but I'd double check to make sure it's a good rate. I'd also give the train ride from Seattle to Vancouver consideration. It really was a nice part of our trip..and relatively affordable. We have also done both Tracy Arm and Glacier Bay itineraries...both are stunning for different reasons...you really can't go wrong.

I was thinking the same thing Courier! Those are great photos I-Cruiser!

Thanks I-cruiser and Terry! I'm sure I'll be reaching out to ask about excursions! :)

You guys have changed my mind. I'll be switching over to the June 11-25th sailing that is 14 days. (North Cape/NCL) I had a room held just in case...thank goodness! It's more expensive and more time away from work...but it's our 10 yr anniversary. Double bonus is that this is a surprise I'll give to my husband for Christmas. (Thinking a Viking hat wrapped under the tree...) Norway has been on his bucket list for years...every time he asks about going I've always shot it down because of cost. I'll have to keep that going for a few more months. ;) He also loves to shoot photos when we travel so landscape is also another reason for switching. Being colder doesn't bother me, but a greener landscape and leaves on the trees was an important factor. The additional ports up there will hopefully give him some additional opportunities for wildlife too.

I posted this over in the Europe forum too, but thought I would ask here in a different thread. Anyone have experience sailing Norway in early May...can you let me know how it was? (I know early May will be cold, but the scenery is still great, right?)

Thank you!

Jacqquie

Hi all!

Anyone done Norway in early May? I know it'll be cooler, but wanted to see if folks wouldn't mind sharing their experience with me.

Thank you in advance!

Jacquie

All great suggestions...thank you! Has anyone done a Norway cruise in early May?

I've got it held in early May (way better pricing)...I know it'll be cooler, but hoping the fjords will still be great scenery. It's a lot of money to spend even with the great rates...but just wanted to see if others had done it at that time and what their experience was.

I'll definitely check out Norwegian and Iceland Air. Thank you for the suggestions!