Ayrity

I was on the Rhapsody a couple of years ago and there was no craps table.

Double check the denomination when playing the slots. My wife usually played max bet on the Penney slots.

On one machine, she played 300 credits. Wasn’t paying attention. 5 or 6 spins in, she hit for a required cash payout. Attendant came over, then more came over, everyone being very very nice. She was confused until someone pointed out that the denomination was on 10 cents a credit. :eek: She was playing $30 a spin:o

Wow. How much did she win?

More of a planning questions, but those of you who count down do you use monthly, weekly, or daily calendar?

Bought a cheap whiteboard 1 month calendar when we had 31 days to go! made our own best month ever cruise calendar. We just cross off a day at a time, 12 to go for us!

Wow! Diane that sounds like an amazing evening! As I'm sure many people are tired of hearing on this forum, my fiancee and I are getting married on the Koningsdam on November 9th in Ft. Lauderdale, and we are staying to do the b2b afterwards as our honeymoon. Really appreciate all the reviews and information.

Glad I booked the Culinary Arts Dinner early since your review sounds like exactly what I want it to be! I'm a huge culinary nerd and used to work as a chef so I am really excited to be kept in the know as dinner is made. (Just so you know the rib eye cap is also callled a 'spinalis' steak and is a cut that is very hard to find since you have to cut a perfectly good set of ribeye up to get it, kind of like the best of both worlds between a skirt and flank with all the flavor of ribeye).

Continue your amazing voyage and make sure the ship makes it to us on the 9th!

A perspective the issue of downloading books versus paper books, from a non-American. I find that the cost of a paper book, bought online and delivered from England to Australia, tends to be only slightly more than the cost of an electronic version. I share books with a number of people so prefer to pay that bit extra. I see just as many young people reading paper books on the commuter trains in Sydney as older people though, of course, the vast majority of all ages are glued to their phones.

I noticed that in Europe there were still many more bookshops than here in Australia so there may be a similar issue at play in some other countries.

i certainly would have preferred a bigger library but it was not a major issue for me. Mostly, I found the ship too crowded.

I'm done talking about books, whew! Thanks for the input though :)

Mind explaining in what ways the ship felt too crowded? Any tips on avoiding the crowd?

Before my NcL cruise, I bought a reading light from Amazon and it never worked right. Does anyone have a gvood one hey can reccomend,,,, that they have had good use from? iF SO, THANKS. i'M READY to order another light.

 

For those who are annoyed with my typing errors, please don' ckeepdccomplaining and put me on your iegnore listt. my hand was injured considerably and is taking ime to heal hough I do see some progress in how I manaage alone around the hous. eSure keeps remindingf how much I WISH i HAD MY DH to help. When it was firstg injured I had someone in to help me but that got under my skin quickly.

 

 

I am toying with the idea of an HAL booking so am 'back totkkinginventoy of all my cruised paraphenalia and decide what i Need to replace etc..

LuminoLite Rechargeable Extra-Bright 4 LED Book Light, Easy Clip On Reading Light, UL Certified AC Charger & USB Cable Included, 2 Brightness Settings, Soft Padded Clamp. Perfect for Bookworms https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00YXSF31Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_DEedyb16HXZMX

Here ya go Sail7, this is what I'm buying. Best reviews 16 bucks and free shipping if you get your total order over 35. Get better soon!

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Actually if you do want to read at night on a balcony, I would still buy the little book light from Amazon. The light on the balcony isn't all that bright for reading and would most likely cause eye strain before you read for too long.

Ya, I probably will anyways, just thought I could ask too, thanks!

Thanks for all the replies everyone, mostly, I think? Haha, didn't know my reading was going to be possibly disruptive to people! Don't worry, it probably won't happen anyways, I was just wondering since I am making a packing list and didn't know if I should add 'reading light' or not to my Amazon purchase.

Thanks to everyone who wished us a great cruise, same to all of you for your next one!

Awesome, thanks!

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If I wanted to read out on the balcony at midnight say, is there a light out on the balcony, or should I be sure to bring a book light?

Just curious, we've never had any balcony for a HAL cruise before, and can;t find this mentioned anywhere, thanks!

You think that's bad, try being someone who just wants a good american beer! All they have is bud, corona, stella etc etc. Terrible, not ONE beer that isn't from the big 5 macro breweries!

Congratulations Ayrity...so happy for you! We'll be on the November 13th to 22nd sailing. Love your saying, "Cut of your jib!"

 

All the best to you,

 

M & M:):)

Thanks! We are on the 9th b2b through the 23rd, we have about 60 people coming on the 9th - 13th and then it's mostly just us two staying on for our honeymoon, see ya there!

Thanks! We're the people there all trying to get into the hot tubs to watch the movies from? I want one of those seats!

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Hey all, I was wondering if we have any info on what movies are generally showing on the Koningsdam screen in the pool area? Like, in theaters movies? Newly released to BR/DVD? Maybe Jaws? haha.

Just wondering, thanks!

PS- How's the popcorn?

Dear Fellow Travelers:

 

We'll be boarding the Koningsdam in November, and have followed the reviews closely; the percentage is currently at 56% :eek: Yet, when you read the Pros, something doesn't add up: Outstanding service, exceptional cuisine, great entertainment options???

 

Hmmm, something doesn't seem quite right, and I'm wondering if it's the "C" word, "Change" that can be translated by way of neural connections as the "L" word or "Loss." This is understandable, especially when personal expectations aren't being met.

 

My gut tells me that the crew will be working extra hard to give the service and smiles that are HAL's trademarks. ;) We are looking forward to being there to experience the K's first Caribbean stops, and are well educated thanks to the CC community, on what may not be there anymore.

 

At any rate, we won't be hard to recognize - we'll be that couple walking the deck hand in hand...smiling and celebrating that we were able to make one more cruise...hopefully we'll get many smiles back:):)

I like the cut of your jib! My Fiancee and I are getting hitched on this sailing in Nov, and we will be right behind you hand in hand excited to experience the new ship. We went on a Carnival out of Tampa last year, even though we love HAL, and found that if you're looking to complain, you'll always find something. It's your vacation, why try to find problems?

For my Mexican Riviera cruise the Pinnacle Grill has gone up to $35 and Le Cirque is $49. I have read on this board that Le Cirque is a very special experience. We had planned a special dinner in the Pinnacle on the last night of our cruise but now that the Pinnacle experience has increased in price I'm not sure it will be worth the $$. Neither of us are big eaters and usually by the end of the cruise I am no longer interested in the food in the dining room.

 

Le Cirque is offered on the evening we are sailing from Puerto Vallarta so we would have to move the special dinner up a couple of days.

 

What is so special about Le Cirque? Are there better food offerings, are the steaks higher quality, is there a special serving style, is wine included? Does it take longer to eat?

 

Do I still get a 4* discount?

We loved the Le Cirque dinner! I have pictures of food if you would like to see them? I can get them uploaded tonight for you.

I saw a recent review which said they had lobster and filet mignon in the Lido market. Does this mean they match the main diner room diner offerings in the Lido market?

Any help appreciated!

I haven't heard that, if it's true that would be amazing! Can you post the link to the review?

Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. In what port will the ship b e when you get marrried?

 

You can order eggs benedict room service breakfast if you wish but only during hours MDR is serving breakfast..

We are actually getting married in Ft. Lauderdale before the ship sails away in the Queen's Lounge. Thanks!

When we cruised the K'dam in July, they only served the original eggs benedict (with ham) and only at the specialty egg station on the port side. There is no sign, but if you ask a server at any station they will point you in the right direction.

Perfect, thanks Ken!

I understand where you are coming from, but you also have to understand where us older ones are coming from as well and why we love the traditions of HAL. For a little background, I joined the USAF in 1970 and became a mainframe computer operator. Then 10 years later the first word processors, which started as electric typewriters with a little memory, started appearing. And then of course by the 90's the computer world was changing almost daily and the rest is history. My point is that I'm 64 and have found in my travels that folks 70+ grew up without computers in their lives, but out of necessity to keep up with family and friends MAY have learned to do email and search the Web, but are also quite content living their lives without computers. So, reading books on a computer, when you've read bounded books your whole life probably isn't something you'd probably do.

 

As far as treadmills go, those for the most part are a young person thing. When you're 70+ for the most part, you're just happy to not be in a walker or worse and can still walk laps at your own pace around the promenade looking for wildlife or just enjoying the fresh breeze, even though at times in might be 30-40 knots in your face. Fun times!!

 

Now comes the reason why my DW and I enjoy going on HAL cruises. First of all, our kids are all grown and now it's time for us to be the kids again, at our pace of course, so we want to go on cruises where the cruise line caters to our age rather than the younger crowd. If we wanted to be around the younger crowd we would go on RCCL, Norwegian, MSC or Carnival to name a few. We also like to go to shows where we recognize the songs they play rather than those recognizable by the younger crowd. We like dressing up on formal nights. Well, not really, but they do serve some great meals such as steak and lobster. So it's worth the extra effort. But, most of all we go on a HAL cruise to be in a familiar surrounding, relax, go on excursions, walk on the promenade and above all escape from our everyday lives and just enjoy being us.

 

Oh, by the way, old people have had to change their behavior patters many, many tmes in life to make it to where they are today. So suggesting they should change their behavioral patterns again by getting with the times by reading ebooks rather than regular books or using a treadmill when they go on their favorite cruise line may not sit to well with some folks.

 

As far as your comments, Royal Visit, Ayrity pretty much started it when she "poked the bear" so to speak. In other words anytime anyone says "I don't want to offend anyone ..." and then goes on to call what they are doing silly is pretty condescending to begin with.

You are taking this way too harshly Ken, you know when someone says they don't want to offend, that's what it means right? I never suggested that anyone should change or said my way was better for everyone, go ahead, re read what I wrote. All I was trying to do was to help people who seemed to be upset about things or have a problem with aspects of this new ship find solutions to make it work for them. People are putting words in my mouth, and getting upset over literally nothing. I'm not forcing anyone to do anything, and everything I've said has been in a nice tone with a helpful intention. If you can't see that I feel sorry for you.

Your comment: "Until you understand that, you can't truly be considered a cruiser, and especially can't be considered a traveler" is both opinionated and incorrect.

 

According to the dictionary these are the following definitions. Unlike Wikipedia, these definitions are not opinions.

 

Traveler: a person who is traveling or who often travels.

 

Cruiser: a person or thing that cruises.

 

Just because you have an opinion does not mean you should speak "down" to people or express your opinion in way that belittles their views. If a traveler prefers sun destinations so be it. If a traveler prefers cultural experiences so be it. If a traveler prefers long drives away from their home so be it.

 

Here's one more definition:

 

Condescension: an attitude of patronizing superiority; disdain.

Appreciate the back up, I just left her alone, it sounded like she was close minded and didn't want to have a discussion, but just lecture what her beliefs are. Don't want to get bogged down in that! I wanted to understand people's perspectives that weren't my own, and ask a few questions and show why I believe what I do, and ask them to do the same, some people did that, some people can't find it in themselves. Oh well.

-Thanks again!

Awesome!!! Thanks so much! That's the one thing in all the wedding madness we were actually worried about haha.

Hey all, my fiancee and I will be getting married on the Koningsdam on Nov 9th!!! We have been on the Noordam twice before and one of our favorite things was the poaches eggs benedict in the Lido for breakfast. Anyone know if that is still going to be a thing on the Koningsdam? Just curious!

Dear Ayrity, I am in my early 70's and really enjoy my 12-14 laps around the promenade. Don't want to be on a machine, nor don't want to be in the hot sun, want to be close to the sea. Sometimes one is able to stop and chat with those on the chaise lounges, or better yet walk with a newly made friend. When the cruise ends, as they all do, it is a sad farewell on the final go around.

 

As for books, it is nice being able to pick out something that you might not normally read.

Seeing someone enjoying a favorite book is a great conversation starter. I personally love turning the pages and not being constantly plugged in.

 

Glad you didn't want to offend[emoji4]

Thanks for the answer. I understand you might not want to be in the sun (but really why else go on a cruise, at least to the Bahamas/Caribbean? haha) or on a machine, I was just pointing out that it is entirely possible to get exercise without the promenade deck, since it seemed like the person I was responding to said he/she didn't want to go on a longer cruise on the koningsdam because they need exercise.

It is super easy to download a ton of books you wouldn't normally read, either before you leave or while on board, so I don't see how you think physical books have the advantage in selection. I absolutely agree that books are great conversation starters, that's why you are always more than welcome to ask someone reading 'hey, whatcha reading?' it still works, trust me :).

As far as the pages go, they are nothing but a disadvantage, especially with the wind on a cruise. If you want to read outdoors, forget about it! Also, I hate how I can tell how much there is left in a physical book by just seeing how far through it I've gotten, I feel like it is spoilery somehow haha.

Anyways, everyone is totally allowed their opinion, and yes I mean no offense for sure. Just don't want people swearing off ships entirely and saying it's because they have nothing to read, or no where to exercise. Kinda silly.

Thanks for responding to me.

Walking the promenade is an extremely important part of my cruise experience. The three miles of walking on sea days is crucial for keeping fit after all the excellent meals served. Don't think i would pick the K for a cruise longer than 7 days without the signature promenade. The library or lack there of is another major disappointment. Sounds to me that the newest class of ship would be perfect doing shorter cruises in the Caribbean.

I see people saying this kind of thing all over the site here, and I hope you don't feel like I am taking it out on you at all, I just want to try to understand a bit.

There are other options for exercise, including the jogging track and treadmills. While no one is stopping you from walking the promenade, it isn't, and never has been, intended for exercise. An easy stroll perhaps, but even though it is narrow in places, it should be easy to get by people when your intention isn't set on 'exercise'.

The library complaints just seem kind of silly to me, again no offense meant here :). I assumed everyone just brought a book or 1,000 with them on their kindle/tablet? And there is really no argument to be made about how much better real books are for reading (I do admit they are better for decoration) anymore since the paperwhite screens are so good. The books in the library always just worked as decoration to me while I drank coffee and read on my tablet.

Anyways again, not trying to offend anyone, just really trying to understand/help people find solutions to these issues so everyone can enjoy the new ship.