QuattroRomeo

Dailies:

Laundry info sheets.

We did the same cruise on the same ship last year, about 3 weeks earlier than this one. It was far from full capacity then. Although early in the season, the weather was fantastic then, sunny, clear, and even hot at times. Interesting to compare this year at full ship status. It didn't seem overly crowded, though. A few lineups of course but not terrible. Weather was definitely cooler, foggy, raining etc. Some paperwork to get started:

We are just off our 7-day Inside Passage cruise on the Koningsdam, June 24- July 1. Thought I would share some photos (mostly food!!) and thoughts, as I always enjoy reading others' reviews and there is always some little nugget of info that proves useful to somebody else. We booked quite last minute (May 27) as there was a good Canadian funds deal on inside cabins. Now, I do know that many have shared how small these rooms are on Pinnacle class, so we thought that for 7 days, we will find out if we can stand it. You know, for the future!! More cruises = a good thing.. Anyway, being last minute, we couldn't book Club Orange. I called 4 times after booking, and 10 days before departure, managed to get CO!! Couldn't believe it. The upgrade option was of no use, they only had one other inside to offer and we liked the one we had better. But I was happy. Then the Tuesday before sailing on Saturday, I got an upgrade offer too good to refuse. So, we ended up with a Family OV. So much for the " inside experiment"... When we got on board there were signs at the Guest Relations desk reading "We are sailing at full capacity, No upgrades available".. So I guess we did okay!

Thanks for your comments! Your upsell offer sounds pretty good. A few CO questions to compare with Pinnacle ships: Were you offered an additional entree at dinner? Or cappuccino? Fresh orange juice at breakfast? At guest services, was there a CO line? In the stateroom, were you given the thicker bathrobes?

There are tables, chairs, couches and armchairs(patio furniture) on the aft deck 9. Plus Seaview Bar.Smoking side is starboard (side where the bar is). Loungers are around the pool, and extreme aft. Tables, chairs and couches are covered overhead.

We are on a 7 day on Koningsdam. Escargot was on the menu last night. Only time I remember seeing it.

Yes, on Kdam this week. There are at least 6 armchairs in the new library. (Photos when I get home). There was a comedian once on World Stage and he did a set on the Music Walk, too. There is a new act on the WS, a group called Major Fourth. 3 guys and 1 gal singing hits. They are okay. Humanity was on the other night.

We'd love to see a jazz music station on the stateroom tvs! The current selections aren't the greatest..

We're on the Koningsdam now so I asked the host at Canaletto about the menu. Still using the old one, and changing over to the new one July 29.

Absolutely fantastic review! Thank you for sharing. Do you think you have become addicted to cruising?!? 🚢

Hi Joyce- welcome to Cruise Critic! You have many good questions, so I suggest you start a new thread and then you will attract lots of members who have been on Nieuw Statendam before. Just go to the main page of the Holland America board and click on "Start a New Topic". From what you are saying, it does not seem to be worth it for you to buy the HIA (Have it All package). You are better off just paying as you go. (Just gets charged to your stateroom). You can buy a glass of wine. Or you could get one of the wine packages, for 4 or more bottles.(You can buy the package online in advance, or when you are on board). If you don't finish the bottle they will store it for your next meal. Have you registered yet for your Holland America online account? There you will find the online pre-purchasing options for your cruise. Under Beverages, you can browse the wine options. As Cruise Suzy said, you will also find distilled water there. It is near the bottom of the page. $2.95 gallon. If you order online, it will be waiting for you in the stateroom. You do not have to pay for plain water or tea. You can get juice with your breakfast. If you want mineral water or tins of water then there is a charge. You can get iced tea and lemonade free in the common eating areas. The Lincoln Centre Stage (LCS) feature ended recently, unfortunately. But maybe others can help tell you what music has been available on this ship recently. Same for info about the pools. They are not all completely shallow but I don't know how deep. Somebody will know! Here is a link to information about Nieuw Statendam dining, entertainment etc on HAL's main website: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-nieuw-statendam/1.html

Thank you for expanding my travel vocabulary, which now includes: lumptop, shinty and throw--up!!! I couldn't help but wonder what they use as a term for what we call "throw up"... (Apparently, it is "boke"...) And, that certainly is quite an array of tabloid newspapers!

Cheers to the sea day!! It can be quite unnerving and exhausting to get turned around in a foreign place, especially if English is not the primary language. ( I'm sure they feel the same in reverse..) We have been in that situation a couple of times, too. Chalk it up to experience, I guess is all one can say! Your review is very interesting and enjoyable to read. Here's wishing you and your family fully enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Long is good!!

Yes, sea days are pretty precious on a port-intensive cruise! The spa looks great. Not sure I'd want to plunge into the sea in June! But you had the sauna to warm you up. Glad you are enjoying everything!

Agree! Your narration really adds to our appreciation of your adventures!

It does sound like you had a perfect day! The food tour sounds quite interesting. Light lunch, indeed!.. It is great that your teens are liking the onboard experiences. Is there something on the ship they tend to gravitate to? I assume they are exploring quite a bit!?!

What a wonderful start to your cruise! Yes the staff are so nice, And I love the chocolate souffle!

So happy for you! Your first Bon Voyage!! 🍾🍾🍾

We did the same thing- there are long, narrow strips of lined paper reading "Dear ....." (whatever the Mgr. Name is)". Ours read "Dear Wessel" on the Rotterdam. We took a stack of papers and filled out 1 per crew member to be recognized. I also took a photo of each one, before depositing them in the box at Guest Services. Then, I was able to rewrite them on the post-cruise survey verbatim. One of the crew told me it helped to do it the second time because that went to headquarters, unlike the papers. Politics on the ship can sometimes dictate what happens, unfortunately.

Hope you guys have a smooth (as possible) embarkation day! After your arduous journey to the port, you are getting in cruise mode at the hotel..! 🍷 We are also doing this cruise on 6/24. Did the same ship and cruise last year and it was half empty... Won't be this time around!

Magnets and adapters mentioned earlier are definitely good suggestions. Also, drug store items tend to be either scarce or extremely expensive onboard. So bring a few bandaids, analgesics, allergy meds, tums, sunscreen, eye drops and the like. And whatever anti-nauseants you prefer. You may have booked some specialty meals already, but if you haven't, book them now- especially for sea days- they are very popular on sea days. Same for spa stuff. We usually book a specialty restaurant on embarkation night, when they tend to be quiet. The MDR (main dining room) can be hectic that first night!

Don't feel too badly, OlsSalt- we used to bring lots more clothes, too. But of course it was affordable to add an extra suitcase when flying back then!

They are also available on the day when they have the "sale" tables out in the aisle. I think it was on deck 2. The sale has some watches, earrings, scarves, purses etc and vases.