WeRockChalkKU

Are you planning on getting to the Culinary Arts Center for either of their 2 menus? If so, I'll be very interested in hearing (and seeing) your thoughts and experiences.

barb-ottawa, what terminal did the ship use?

For us on the Kdam last Wednesday, we used terminal 21 and there was clearly a lane marked for the Passport Control App folks. We had the app but couldn't get it to process that morning so we were still able to use the shorter line because we had our Global Entry cards.

The Vista/Signature ships have cabins with a similar view, but they are clearly listed as "obstructed outside" cabins. There are no balcony cabins like that on any HAL ship (that I know of).

I think the new Kdam has some obstructed view balcony cabins. We wanted to peek into one last week while sailing but never got the chance while walking by.

Are you able to find somewhere to sit in the Dutch Cafe? It was constantly packed on our cruise, seemed to be the meeting place for the Dutch passengers who were the majority.

We were on the 10 day Caribbean last week and could find seats without trouble - bet that changes as word gets out about it.

People shouldalso try the Culinary Arts Center dinners - really good food, great to watch them prepare your food, and it includes your wine.

Is that whipped cream inside that or something else? It sort of looks like a round eclair.

It's listed as Chantilly Cream (whipped cream) and it was YUMMY! Maybe they do something extra to it. Plus the chocolate topping was thick and heavenly. I loved it when I would walk by and saw them in the case - I just had to stop and get one. And of course, the Almond Cookies that were put out at 3pm each day were always worth a trip there too.

We also liked the hand wash stations n Lido - wish more folks would use them.

I guess most of the folks that were eating at 5:15 then went to the 7:15 show in World Theater since it was usually full. In MDR we were assigned dining at 8:15 in Upper floor - there were lots of empty tables and our service was great. We didn't care for the mixed floor of anytime folks with assigned dining folks but figure the ship is trying to please everyone by flexing the tables with what each sailing population ends up requesting.

For those using the mobile app, I found that you need to disconnect from the ship's wifi for it to work. It needs to talk to its server, but the ship's wifi prevents that from happening.

 

Mark

Great tip. Hope that helps others. We tried that without success this am.

The ver y complete response by Mariners So\ciety as posted above, clearly says 5 Star.

We're 3 star and got the discount yesterday. I think HAL changed policy. It's a great venue.

Not good at the Dutch Cafe.

We got discount at Dutch Cafe yesterday.

They are keeping the Global Entry dedicates lanes, right?

 

As a GE/Nexus member this doesn't interest me whatsoever. Just want to make sure they aren't idiotically removing GE lanes for this.

This am Global Entry and MPC folks both use same lane. Glad we had our GE cards with us because we had previously downloaded the MPC app but couldn't get it to work. Some folks did it get to work this am.

did my eyes miss it or is there no cheese listed for the "build your own" pizza???

I wish they had more than the caprese sandwich choice for vegetarians, though. A nice roasted mixed veggie would have been good there...

They have cheese - lots of mozzarella for sure and they are generous with it. The pizza was yummy. The sandwiches were yummy. The panna cotta was really good. I liked the breakfast bagel sandwich. It was all good. I bet if you ask they'll try to figure something out for you. Or you could probably bring veggies up from salad bar or wok area and they'd fix you up. Just ask about options. The crew really do work hard and all with a smile.

FWIW they just started boarding 4/5* Mariners at 11:50 a.m.

The delay was probably due to Customs/Immigration issues again, just like last Kdam cruise.

We got off as Expedited this am and Customs said (once again) that they were short handed. Sad because I think it was only Kdam and Pdam I'm port. We have iPhone and had previously downloaded the new app for quicker service through Customs. Then this am when we tried to sign on it to to do our Customs form on it, we could not get the process completed. Thank heavens hubby had brought our Global Traveler card so that we could take advantage of the shorter custom line. The Customs helper told us that it's best to show both your Global Entry card in addition to your iPhone checkin (if it worked) but that she thought Global Entry card worked faster.

They're not. They just seem that way because there is no mirror on the wall above the bed. I didn't measure inside our VE, but the balcony was 112 inches wide, same as on Signature and Vista ships.[/size][/font]

We had a balcony and thought size was fine - loved shower. Hubby who is 6 ft tall says toilet position was the biggest negative but felt larger shower made up for it.

As far as crowding - that wasn't a major factor. Worst was that first show in World Stage (of 3 each night) was the most popular and filled up for some shows. Then getting out of show on deck 3, you had to walk through narrow casino to get to dining room on deck 3. Or you could have gone outside and walked on promenade to get to the other end. World Stage is so nice - great views from most seats. We loved the BBC show Frozen with the live music there.

Why would a 'Service Dog' require a stroller? I thought a service dog was a working dog?

I don't know the answer about the stroller. Maybe there is some explanation.

I did just Google and saw various ads that allow you to purchase a kit to make any animal "certified" - complete with a letter and an ID vest - all for minimal fees - just pay the fee and the bogus certificate is yours - no testing, no proof of need required. It's all about bending, breaking, stretching regulations for personal desire and not true needs.

I also saw and read sites that explain various types of service, comfort, therapy, emotional support animals.

It's all very sad because like Kazu and others have said, there is legit need for these type of services and they can so much good. Those selfish folks that bend the rules should be ashamed of the shadow of doubt that gets casts towards those that actually need a service animal.

So, this cruise it was a dog in a stroller. Next cruise maybe a therapy duck or a comfort rabbit will be at my assigned dining table when I get there. What is proper attire on Gala nights for a duck or rabbit?

Perhaps that was the one I saw in a stroller on Koningsdam being wheeled around on deck 7 by what I thought was the butler. No owner in sight....

It was a cute West Highland White and I just thought - "I hope that dog is allowed to run freely and doesn't have to sit in a stroller and/or its owners legs or handbag all its life."

Saw this same dog onboard too in the stroller and a sign that said Service Dog on the stroller. and then another time not in stroller - no ID vest - "owner" waiting for elevator and the dog was around the corner not within site of the owner - no leash.

Was just there on Konigsdam last week - first time it was ever there and didn't seem to have any troubles. However, we're there with a Carnival ship and it was very crowded.

We just left the wonderful Kdam this am after the 10 day cruise.

Yes - Dutch Cafe - their almond paste cookies are AWESOME and folks were standing inline when they came out around 3pm each day. . In fact, I was just on the internet trying to find a recipe. Another yummy treat there is the big chocolate covered pastry that is filled with whipped cream concoction.

Culinary Arts Center dinners were GREAT!! Hope you make it to both menus.

So, I'll be follow your thread and be totally envious. We rarely left the boat either - it was all about the ship.

Enjoy every moment!

Thank you for posting

I just looked at the HAL site for your cruise. Here's another idea but maybe you've already done this.

Is Explore 4 something that you will get full value out of? If not, ask for pricing without it and see if that helps with your decision.

We are leaving on K dam this Sunday for the same 10 day itinerary you are looking at (I think). We started out booking an inside and watched the pricing changes HAL posted. We switched to a balcony recently when prices lowered. We really wanted to sail on the K dam and wanted the itinerary - so for us having an inside was totally acceptable and we could have been content with an inside. We didn't want one on the highest or lowest deck - just a personal preference. We don't mind inside cabins. If you are going on the 10 day, you booked an inside and ended up not liking it at least it's a short cruise. If you are going on the 21 day cruise, I'm not sure that's the time to tryout an inside for the first time. However, I do,think that at some time you might want to try one out. My thinking is that for the money, I would rather sail more times in an inside than fewer times in a balcony.

As far as feeling the roll of the ship more with an inside, we have never been bothered by motion so I can't speak to that.

Have you considered going ahead and booking an inside and then watch for pricing drops? We even considered the obstructed view balcony since prices were so much better. We haven't heard any feedback about those cabins but would have taken one of those.

Good luck with your decision.

That's what has me confused - the two different times - but arriving at 4 am and needing to be in Nassau the next day, maybe 4 pm is preferred time. Port schedule says 4 am-4 pm.

 

You wouldn't think she'd have her first leaving from her new winter home port in the dark. And on her first visit to the US, arrive and leave in the dark - but she will be back in FLL Sunday the 13th with her regular time schedule. We'll see on Wednesday.

I copied this off the CC roll call for the 9th and was posted on Nov 2nd

"IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION:

Please be advised that ms Koningsdam arrives the U.S. from Europe on Wednesday, November 9, and will therefore be required to undergo a crew inspection and Coast Guard Drill requiring participation from all crew members. These formalities must happen prior to embarking our guests for the next departure.

Consequently, we are unable to provide early embarkation for guests on the

ms Koningsdam sailing from Fort Lauderdale on November 9. Instead, check-in will begin at 3:00pm and embarkation will begin shortly after. In order to

enhance the check-in and boarding experience for all guests; please do not

arrive prior to the start of your cruise check-in time.

3:00pm ? Deck 7 & Deck 8 (Schubert & Navigation)

3:30pm ? Deck 4 & Deck 10 (Beethoven & Panorama)

4:00pm ? Deck 5 & Deck 11 (Gershwin & Sun)

4:30pm ? Deck 6 (Mozart) & Deck 1 (Main)"

Then yesterday (according to the same roll call thread) HAL has been sending out notices that if the US Coast Guard inspections is completed earlier than predicted that folks will be able to board earlier. However, it doesn't mention an earlier sail away.

If this is true, they can't sail at 4:00pm. Your point about not having any daytime sailing on the 9th is so accurate - what a shame. However, on the 13th there should be a daytime sail away around 4pm and I will be on it. So excited to see the Kdam and then sail her.

Schedule is still showing Koningsdam as 4 am [at the sea buoy] Wed the 9th - early arrival for all that clearance and leaving time of 4 pm.

 

Will they do a ceremony/water spray when she leaves??

Has the sailing time changed for Kdam on the 9th? The HAL website still shows it at 10pm for the first sailing on the 9th. Then on the 13th it is listed as 4pm. We were told that the reason for the 10pm sailing was due to this being the first time Kdam was in FLL and needed to be checked out by various agencies re safety and compliance etc.

Excited to see her on Wednesday!

It's nice to see so many extended families on Christmas cruises. They're all sitting together in the MDR chatting and laughing. It's a wonderful sight.

 

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I also enjoy seeing families wearing matching shirts that they had printed up special for the cruise - like "2016 Smith Family Christmas Cruise" or whatever the occasion is. I know some of you might be rolling your eyes about this but I happen to think it's such a festive/special thing to do.

Certainly don't know for your dates, but my 2015 Christmas/New Year's Cruise on the Prinsendam met and exceeded my Holiday expectations!

 

The ship was nicely decorated. Upon leaving Port Everglades, there was a tree-lighting ceremony in the forward Atrium with Hot Chocolate and Christmas Cookies and the Cast and some of the Crew singing Carols along with the guests.

 

Christmas Day had some special programs and New Year's Eve on the Prinsendam was an absolute BLAST! At least, for this Senior Citizen. It was the most enjoyable New Year's Eve I have had in years. So much so, that my traveling companion and I have booked the Nieuw Amsterdam's New Year's Cruise for this year.

We did the same Prinsendam cruise a year or two before you and also loved it. I went in to it thinking that it wouldn't be much and I was wrong.

As far as the OP and cruising the week before, I don't know if there would be much - other than nice decorations like others have already said.

Congrats on your upsell - another reason to look forward to your cruise.

Did HAL offer you other categories too or was it just for the category you ended up with?