BBT

Thanks for this review. I am on Regal March 19/23.

First time on this ship and first time with Princess. Are there formal nights or any nights or situations calling for a jacket & tie? I am used to NCL where things are pretty loose for the most part, although I do dress a little for some occasions.

Thanks for any replies.

City View and Old Time Trolley will allow you to stay on for the entire tour or allow you to hop off and back on at any stop. The Conch Train Tour does not allow hop on/hop off

Conch Train had HO/HO when I used it in January.

Con (minor): One of the windiest ships I have been on. Blew my flip flops off my feet while walking from Spice H2O forward coming around the port funnel. :D

Great ship, great entertainment.

Enjoy your cruise!

I wonder if cruise lines are taking pages from the cell phone companies where the new customers are given better phone/plans than long time existing customers.

You've sailed 10 times with us so you're likely coming back. Always trying to get future cruisers.

Interesting review. Having recently been on HAL where I felt entertainment deprived you given me reason to consider Carnival in the future.

thanks!

Thank you for that comprehensive review. Based on other threads, changes in Ocean Bar will eventually affect other HAL ships. The combos that played dance music are gone. Were the piano players there on a regular basis?

In Ocean I only saw the piano player a couple of times. Just might have been timing as this was not a venue I was particularly interested in. Most evenings piano was 5:30 to 6:15 and 6:45 to 8:45. The venue was used for other events during the cruise as well.

As to the two piano players in Billboard Onboard played almost every night, but the times could vary. Some nights three shows, others only two. Each set would highlight a different musical theme or genre. The last set each night was usually requests, which were very well attended. I enjoyed these guys.

This venue is also used for other activities, as is usual on most ships.

This is not a review so much as a description of my experience and thoughts of my Western Caribbean Cruise on Ms Koningsdam January 15 - January 22, 2017. I didn`t experience everything so this is limited to what I did.

I have cruise HAL before but it was 15 years ago on the previous Westerdam. I may make note now and then of changes/differences I noticed.

I chose this cruise primarily because of the cost. I cruise solo and this was the best price I could find. I just wanted to get away and the ship/itinerary itself really didn`t matter.

Embarkation at Port Everglades was smooth. Pretty fast too it seemed. I was in Group 15 for boarding and I don`t feel I waited all that long. There was a large Christian group sailing on this cruise which boarded pretty early and even so it didn`t seem to impact boarding speed much at all.

Once onboard the first difference I noticed between 15 years ago and now was that there was no HAL crew member dressed in traditional garb & white gloves escorting me to my room. Pretty much just pointed in the right direction. No real big deal. But a difference.

My cabin was inside on Deck 6 starboard aft.The cabin itself was nice and big enough for me. Lots of storage. Two people should have been comfortable. Nice big shower. Room for two! Only a little bench/stool for seating though. That`s a negative in my book.

But. Here is a little slip from what I expected from HAL. Found and old tea bag in a bedside drawer. Who leaves a tea bag in a drawer? And why wasn`t it found & removed prior? Also the little liner for the fruit basket was dirty with pieces of old dried fruit and skins. That shouldn`t ever happen either.

Other than those things I was fine with my cabin. My cabin steward was great as well and handled any requests promptly.

I found the ship itself to be quite nice. The layout was generally pretty easy to navigate. I only got turned around a couple times.

Food. Overall food was quite good. Only had one main dining room meal that wasn`t so good. Weiner Schnitzel was tasteless. Blah.

I found the coffee on this HAL cruise to be much better than it was 15 years ago. A nice improvement. The best coffee of the cruise was the French press coffee in The Pinnacle Grill.

I only ate in the main dining room 3 times during the cruise. Usually was able to just walk up when I wanted and get seated. Might an advantage of sailing solo.

I found the main dining room to be very bright. It seemed pretty spacious to me. But it didn`t feel special like I have experienced on other ships. Also curious at noting that some tables had very cheap salt and pepper shakers. An odd thing to note but when trying to give the ambiance of fine dining it is something I noticed.

Other food options:

The New York Deli pizza was very good. I wanted to have more of it but was never hungry enough (another good thing, or bad thing if you want to try out different eating experiences). I liked the hot dogs from Dive In as well.

The Lido Market buffet was good. Different ffrom other ships where you serve yourself but here they have servers behind the counters getting & preparing food for you. This worked pretty well for the most part., Popular stations could be slow. The stations are set up t showcase different foods, like sweets and fruit, baked goods, sushi and Asian, more traditional American, salads, ice cream and so on. Everything I had was quite tasty and no complaints at all regarding the food. One thing I didn`t like is that there were no trays. Made it hard to get foods from different stations & sit down to eat at one time. I would get a salad then have to go get my main meal separately.

For the most part the servers were quick to get you drinks when you sat down and quick to clear and re-set tables, Good marks.

One highlight from the Lido Market was a mid-afternoon snack I had. Fresh carved roast beef on a deli bun. Really good. Nice and tender meat and cooked just right.

I liked the salads they would make to order. Lots of variety available. And as big or small as you would like.

I did two specialty restaurants:

Pinnacle Grill. Oh so good! I had been craving a good steak for some time and I was not disappointed here at all. Excellent filet cooked just right. I really enjoyed it. The wine recommendation was spot on. Only mistake here was mine. I initially ordered the large filet and then my server suggested the 5 oz lobster tail. Sure! I should have switched to the small filet. With the sides and appetizer I was stuffed and could not quite finish my steak. Almost criminal.

The decor and ambience were what one would expect in a nice old-style steak house. Great service as expected. Big thumb up.

Canaletto. This one is a little mixed. First the food. Again, excellent. I had the seafood alfredo, with a really good salad before hand. The wine recommendation was again on the money. I recommend eating here.

Canaletto features plates that are meant for sharing. They had no problem cutting portions down to a single size for me.

Where Canaletto let me down is primarily its location forward of the Lido Market. This made it noisy and there was a lot of traffic walking by in the corridor. A lot of trays and carts running by from the Lido Market kitchen and prep areas. I felt a little too much on display which I don`t like. If they could maybe close off the corridor walls a little bit would maybe enhance the atmosphere a little.

Entertainment:

This is the area I felt most let down on this cruise.

Koningsdam is a music themed ship and that is reflected by the lounges along Music Walk on Deck 2.

Let me first say that all the musicians I saw were very good. I have nothing bad to say about them or the talent. There is also a good variety acommodating many tastes.

My first complaint is that there isn`t enough music going on. Shows are generally short, 45 minutes.

The best music show was the two pianists in Billboard Onboard. They were great and this was reflected by their shows being the best attended. Each set would have a differrent theme with the late night request show being their best show. They interacted with the crowd really well and did some great improvisations. A+ for these guys.

Queen`s Lounge/BB King`s Blues Club featuring the BB King`s Blues Club All Star Band. This was my biggest disappointment with the music. I suppose it was my own fault expecting such a venue and band name to provide me with blues music, which I love. Nope. The whole week I only heard two blues songs. Otherwise, Motown, Earth, Wind and Fire, Prince and so on. No knock on these guys for their abilities. Great musicians and singers. Just not what I wanted and expected to hear. But I was in the minority. Most people that stopped by here enjoyed them and there were a lot of people dancing to the music. I heard from a crew member that the band is told to play certain selections to staisfy the customers. Mission accomplished.

The Lincoln Center Stage. This one surprised me in how much I enjoyed the performances here. I am no classical or chamber music aficionado but the 5 young ladies performing here were very good in my mind. I liked how they added some more contemporary tunes to the mix. Too bad some casino noise from the deck above trickled down the staircase.

The Ocean Bar I found odd. I didn`t see much ever going on in here. A pianist a couple nights. He was good and played a continuous strings of tunes when he was on. I found the venue oddly laied out, with the bar and one seating area separated from the piano area by a wall. The area near the piano also suffered from engine noise. To me this venue may be too big for its intended use.

i only saw one main theatre show - a magician. I liked his show and thought he gave a great performance. I sat on the aisle slightly to left of the stage pretty much in the middle of the theatre, Very good sightlines.

A note on some things that weren`t there or maybe I missed them. No real sail away party. They announced one but it seemed so low key as to miss it. Was there one?

Also a couple times leaving ports of call it was announced therre would be drinks of the day and hors d'ouvres at the Sea View Pool. I never saw anybody going around with trays of food.

Speaking of pools, why was there rarely a band playing near either the Lido Pool or the Sea View Pool? There was space and equipment in place for them. Instead at the Sea View Pool they used the obvious space for a second, temporary bar and then the steel drum player would have to set up top the side when he did play. Piped in music otherwise. Disappointing.

I was happy that HAL has done away with formal nights and are instead going with Gala Nights. While I certainly won`t begrudge people dressing up if that`s what they like I am glad it isn`t mandatory. I did see a good number of people dressed up on these nights, including a fair number of gowns and tuxes. On another sailing I might have been inclined to join them.

As usual the crew members were great. Always smiling and polite and with a greeting whenever they saw you. This is something that helps make cruising so enjoyable.

I may be missing a few things. A few things I wanted to do but missed out because I timed it wrong, like a few shows in the main theatre. Some of my ratings seem low but really those are mostly ones I didn`t use (like fitness) so can`t assess them.

Overall, I enjoyed my cruise. It was good to get away to the sunny Caribbean while home was cold and snowy. It just wasn`t the best cruise I have been on.

My conclusion is that HAL & I are not much of a match.

I did a solo cruise on Koningsdam Jan 15/17 in Cat L inside on Deck 6.

For me it was plenty big. Lots of storage (I do tend to over pack a little). Bathroom a little tight but nice big shower which I like.

No seating other than a little storage cube bench stool which slides under the desk. So TV watching is done lying in bed, if TV on a cruise is your thing.

I think it would have worked for two, as long as the two have previously cruised together and can figure out how to work with the space at hand.

Don't think I would sweat it too much. How much time do you plan on being in your cabin anyway?

Enjoy your cruise.

:cool:

Although NCL has changed their stated policies regarding connected rooms, I would talk to someone at NCL to see if they will give you a variance since you are a single parent. They may have some leeway that booking online does not allow.

That's if you haven't tried this approach, that is. Never hurts to try.

Even if not in a solo you can join the solo get together and meet up with other solos. Just do it in the beginning as that is the best time to find a group you fit in with. It is also ok to enjoy some alone time. I have had great times planning excursions with others on this site and then joining up with them other times in the week.

Unless things have changed you need to be in a Studio cabin in order to meet the solo cruisers in the Studio Lounge. Access retricted to Studio cruisers.

Unless you mean set up solo/singles meet ups outstide the lounge?

Hey all. Cruising solo this time around..Im very excited and nervous too.. I am very quiet and shy,however friendly.. Im not the parting type but still fun.. Can anyone tell me about there solo cruising experience? I will be on the breakaway June 11-18, 2017(bermuda) sailing..Need some friends to hang out with lol. I am 40yrs old and female if that matters.

I cruise solo now and have for my past three cruises. I have enjoyed the experiences although they have varied.

You don't mention ship but I will relate a little of my NCL experience.

I did solo on Epic in 2014. I enjoyed it very much as I usually do like NCL. So many activities and great entertainment. These things help with solo cruising.

If you are in a Studio cabin then by all means take advantage of the solo cruisers activities and join the groups that meet at the Studio Lounge. When I was on Epic there were organized activities & dinners set up by a dedicated cruise director staff member. Solo cruisers were also encouraged to set up their own activities. There was a white board in the Studio Lounge where the solos could leave notes for dinners, excursions, activities and so on.

So you don't have to be alone if you don't want to be. If your are in Studio I encourage you to attend the first night solo gathering in the Studio Lounge to meet your fellow solo cruisers and maybe establish a 'solo buddy' cruise friendship.

If you're not in a Studio cabin then you will be a little to your own devices. I have not had a problem with that as I already do many things alone so I am adaptable. Usually pretty easy to strike up conversations and at least nodding acquaintances on a cruise ship.

I have cruised solo on RCL & HAL as well and I think NCL was the best with RCL a not too far second.

Hope this helps a little.

Go. Flower & enjoy!

Smooth sailings.

Since you seem to enjoy history, and interesting information here is a Norwegian Cruise Line historical tidbit for you.

At Great Stirrup Cay, notice the large tender to the right in your pic of boarding the tender for the return to Epic? That is either Little Norway I or Little Norway II. They were tenders that were once carried aboard SS Norway, NCL's flagship back in the later 90s & early 2000s. It was my first cruise and got me hooked.

The interesting thing about these two tenders is that they were registered separately as indpendent ships, with their own call signs & signals. The fact that SS Norway carried them on the bow made SS Norway the only passenger ship to carry its own registered ships. Not boats.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Your whole adventure seemed epic including the cruise.

Hope you cruise again and post another fun to follow review.

:):)

A light lunch of traditional Jerk chicken, fries and Jamaican Rum Punch (or just Punch) is served and included in the tour. It's incredibly good, but not enough to fill you up. Still you'll be satisfied until you make it back to the ship.

 

It's as good as it looks.

 

On our way back, we pass by a Jamaican grade school. The kids waved.

 

Gas prices...in Jamaican dollars of course. Still energy is expensive on Jamaica since it's imported. The government is looking into alternative sources such as hydroelectric plants.

 

As we head back we are told we will be taken to port gift shop area. We have a choice at this stage to either get off and make our own way back to the ship or to shop for 30 minutes and take the bus back. Any chance I have to get out of a tour group, i'm on it! So I part from Beverly and the gang (after she asks for a tip before I could even get my wallet out of my pants) and move along. Be advised, even in the main tourist areas, the Jamaicans that work in these areas will try to make a little extra on the side by quietely asking if you want to buy Marijuana. Again. Just don't.

 

Making my way back with Norwegian Epic in the background.

 

Jamaica was certainly an incredible port to visit. Really it was. Yet, if we are keeping score on my favorite ports so far, I would have to say it is Grand Cayman in 2nd place, Cozumel in 3rd and Jamaica in 4th. But wait! We've only visited 3 islands so far? Indeed, so far.

Jerk with fries? FRIES? No rice & peas and festival? You got jobbed.

Enjoyed your review. Was on Epic in 2014 Eastern Caribbean and enjoyed myself thoroughly. Loved the entertainment options at that time. I assume The Cavern has replaced the Fat Cats Jazz and Blues club that was onboard.

I was recently on Koningsdam. Quite a few scooters and chairs and walkers aboard. We had two tender ports, Half Moon Cay & Grand Cayman. Not sure how tendering to Half Moon Cay was handled but mobility impaired people were using beach wheel chairs with big wheels out on the sand. Lots of help from friends and family moving them around.

At Grand Cayman there was one passenger using a scooter on my tender. She did have to walk to get on/off tender but Koningsdam crew took care of her scooter at the ship and the pier. The tender crew didn't touch the scooter.

My bus excursion in Grand Cayman had two people with walkers. The driver handled them with no problem.

The Lido pool on Koningsdam even had a lift to access the hot tubs.

HAL does seem to make an effort to accommodate those with mobility issues.

Hope this helps a little.

Hope you can get it worked out. Some good advice here.

Just got off Koningsdam on Sunday Jan. 22, 17.

Only dancing I saw during my week was in the Queen's Lounge/B. B. King's Blues Club. Only when the B.B. King's Blues Club All Stars Band was playing. They played very little blues and from what I could determine this was an effort to please couples that liked to dance.

I can't say anything about other venues. I only went into Crow's Nest a couple times and it was nearly empty both times. Ocean bar has piano music and there was nobody dancing when I went by the venue.

For me this ship was a little disappointing entertainment-wise.

I just might have to pay the fees. I just want small amounts if need be when going ashore. I have some cash now but looking in case I feel I need more.

I`ll figure it out. The main thing is that I CAN get cash from the ship in some form. Or from the ATM on my credit card.

Thanks.

Koningsdam, Western Caribbean Jan. 15/17.

Well, that's quite limiting.

What if I authorize $1000 on my card at pursers desk & ask for cash from that?

I apologize in advance if this is posted elsewhere, but I haven't seen an answer that quite satisfies me in my searches.

I am travelling with limited cash but ample credit card room. Can I get cash advanced to me from my onboard account, with the balance naturally settled at the end of the cruise? In the past I have used travellers cheques to get cash for going ashore.

Thanks & smooth sailings.

Thanks so much for the replies and the link. It was all very helpful and I kow I can pack a little lighter. I always have nice pants & shirts with me for evening dining. So I think I am covered and my packing decisions have become MUCH easier.

For a solo cruiser I got a great fare and even my air fare is a bargain.

Looking forward to it and hoping my week away is very cold at home. Ha!

:cool:

Hi All.

Solo cruising HAL for first time in 15 years on January 15/2017 Konigsdam 7 day Western Caribbean.

I know HAL has made some changes over the time I have been away. My primary concern is dress code for dinners on a 7 night cruise, especially with Anytime Dining. I am not especially keen to get dressed formally, so what are my choices?

Thanks in advance and smooth sailings to all.

Bart told me he was going to be on Epic til February. Now did he mean UNTIL February or thru February. I didn't ask for a clarification. No matter as the OP is cruising in March. Hopefully there will be a good blues band in place for his cruise.

My first two cruises passports were surrendered and returned at end of cruise. We didn't have keycards & I honestly forget how they verified re-boarding passengers at each port.

I was on this same cruise & I can attest to the 'wind tunnel' by The Markeplace. It's pretty windy when it blows your flip flops off your feet!

I was in an aft Studio stateroom & I noticed a side-to-side shimmy when in the cabin. Other than that the motion of the ship wqas normal to me.

Glad you had good dinners in the main venues. Other than the first night's dinner in Taste, and my last night's in Manhattan they were pretyy so-so for me. Much more to my liking was Cagney's & La Cucina.

badcrusing's complaint is minor compared to mine. I chose NCL specifically due to their brochures. The brochures showed young, vibrant, well dressed people. Yet when I was on the ship all I saw were people like me, bald, overweight men in loud Hawaiian shirts. The brochure showed happy people in the casino. Obviously they were happy because they were winning. (Is anyone happy because they are not winning?) Yet when I gambled, I did not win. I don't even want to talk about the pool. When I was at the pool I did not sit beside a gorgeous young blond who was totally into me. When I did meet a gorgeous young blond and attempted to strike up a conversation I heard such words as "I'm calling security" and "Restraining Order". Please contact me if anyone is interested in joining my class action suit.

Maybe I should join. My brichures showed lots of empty lounge chairs by the pools. :D

I can't/won't comment on some of the OP'S points as I don't travel with family and kids si I am not affected. I'll only say he presented the issues well, and the points appear to have merit. I know NCL staff monitor CC, so maybe there will be some changes in response.

My cruise chair hogging wasn't as bad as I have seen it on other cruises. Hit & miss I guess.

My Studio cabin was toward aft. I too noticed sounds & vibrations from the thrusters. I also noted what I call a side-to-side shimmy evry once in a while.

I still enjoyed the ship, but with so many choices out there I'm not sure I'll be back anytime soon.