SusieKay

Also new to Koningsdam, Is there a place to have a bite to eat very late in the evening, say after 11 PM and even a bit later? Thanks for any info on this.

Perhaps if cruisers stop getting off the ship at this port and Carnival starts losing money here maybe they will stop allowing this practice.

We have cruised to GT many times and NEVER saw this until after the hurricane in 2017. It used to be our favorite beach day. Not anymore [emoji34]. We were there last Thanksgiving and it looks 10x worse now.

I wonder if Jimmy Buffett is aware of potential impact to his Margaritaville.??

If you are a sun lover there are loungers on the open upper decks. Or you could rent a cabana.

I have sailed on the K and would not call this a promenade deck at all. It is more like a passage way between the side of the ship, the lifeboats and pieces of equipment. You may catch an occasional glimpse of the sea as you navigate around these obstacles and other passengers.

To me it felt more like a lighted tunnel.

They now seem to be provided in "one size fits all", XXL, and are always way too big and heavy. I much prefer to pack my own.

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We also prefer a more relaxed, later departure from the ship, but always within the requested times.

We have found this is best accomplished if we book an early morning flight home the day following our cruise. The FLL airport is less congested then, and the difference in cost between those and afternoon flights often pays for a very nice hotel room-and dinner!

An enjoyable way to end our holiday without lines and crowds-both of which I am highly allergic to.[emoji34]

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We cruised on the Royal Princess (identical to the Regal). Our deluxe balcony had a small sofa, and was a bit larger than a regular balcony cabin, but not as large as a mini suite.

We liked having more space to sit rather than just one chair or the bed and thought it was worth the price difference.

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Check for availability for one of the V category rooms with the large extended balcony. We were in 6128 on the K-dam last year. Lots of shade. Even though there was plenty of room, no loungers, or more than standard balcony furniture was provided (We asked).

Lovely large walk in shower-No tub.

We found both levels of the Lido pool area always hot, crowded and noisy.

There is a small amount of shaded deck space with seating near the sea view pool and bar. We rarely saw an empty seat there. The only outdoor smoking area for the ship is opposite this area. Also partially covered.

(We sailed in 3/17 and this could have changed)

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Consider a car service.

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1:30-2:00 works well for us.

We spend the morning walking the beach, sitting by the pool or picking up some last minute items.

We have a light lunch nearby while the hotel holds our luggage, then take a taxi from the hotel to the ship.

Taxis have always been plentiful, and traffic light when heading to the port in the afternoon.

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We much prefer afternoon boarding. The entire process is so much smoother. It usually takes less than 15 minutes from arrival. No lines,

no waiting, no crowds.

The best kept secret of embarkation day[emoji4]

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The anticipation ! It lasts a lot longer than the cruise, unless it is a really long cruise [emoji44]

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Take upstairs if you can get it. We found downstairs extremely noisy.

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We had a lovely large glass enclosed shower in our veranda category room on the Koningsdam. No tub. Bathroom seemed spacious.

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Seems like not long ago there were hundreds of posts about butter. Guess one about bread couldn't be too far behind.[emoji44]

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A relative recently had a successful liver transplant at the Mayo Clinic. Once she was placed on the transplant list she was told she should remain within a two hour drive of the transplant center and to be available to receive "the" call 24/7. If they could not reach her or she could not get there, then her "match" would go to someone else.

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Susie Kay......we are looking at that hotel for pre cruise. Only one day. What is within walking distance? Shopping? Eateries? Is there a shuttle to the port available? Shuttle from FLL?

Thanks

Don't think there was an airport shuttle. We always use taxis.

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Do you need to actually get into the room? The reason I ask is that I've always been able to show up, check my bags, and then come back to the hotel at the regular check-in time, no matter what hotel it is. Just remember to take your money, credit cards, passport, etc. with you.

 

Roz

However, this was post cruise. We had also stayed there pre-cruise and they noted our request then. We also called the front desk before we left the ship and told them we were on our way.

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Bubba Gump's is right next door, Coconut's is across the street on the backside of the hotel, right on the canal. Short easy walk. There is no free breakfast, but a casual Bistro within the hotel that is open for all meals. There is a pool and pool side bar with plentiful seating.

We are Marriott members (no status), so that may have helped getting early in, I don't know.

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It's easy [emoji4]. We have traveled a lot independently and all the planning and arrangements can become a chore sometimes.

Once we board the ship we just go with flow....We have a general idea of what we'd like to see or do when we arrive in a port, but rarely book excursions..

A lovely time of relaxation.

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We were also on the Nieuw Amsterdam in November and ate in the MDR every night (late fixed). We enjoyed all our meals, including the presentation and service.

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Continuing to enjoy all the recent comments. We learn something from each one.

As newbies in a NS on our last cruise we did not visit the the lounge until the suites cocktail party on the first night.

We now know there is a much better lunch option upon embarkation than the crowded buffet.

Does anyone tip in the Pinnacle for breakfast?

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When we asked the casino manager about the advertised "non smoking nights" on the K last year, we were told that active players can smoke anytime [emoji44]

Hope that has changed.

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We were able to get our requested early check-in at the Courtyard by Marriott on FLL beach on the Sat after Thanksgiving. We left the ship around 930 and were in our room by 11am. We had all day to enjoy the beach right across the street ( concierge loaned us free beach chairs ).

We also stayed there one night pre-cruise and had requested the post cruise early check in then. It was noted but told no guarantees.

You are so right about airfare. Much cheaper to fly home the day after your cruise, especially if you opt for an early morning flight, before cruisers departing their ships can get to the airport. We had a 7am flight that was $300 cheaper pp than it was the afternoon before.

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Wonderful review.

We sailed on her this past Thanksgiving in a Neptune Suite for seven nights before drydock and thought she was perfect then.

Excited to return same time this year for 14 nights to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

We also had an SC Neptune on deck 6 and loved the location-mid aft. Have booked the same for upcoming cruise.

No service issues. $800 pp savings just to take an elevator to stay on "millionare's row" is a no brainer for us also.

Any comments on two changes we are looking forward to: the addition of the Lincoln Center Stage and the totally non smoking casino.

FYI: We have cruised in and out of FLL many times and have never encountered the problems you had in Vancouver. Most times it has been nearly flawless. Though we always overnight there pre and post cruise, even living in Virginia.

Thanks again for the review

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