RSVP Feb 5-12, 2017 on the Koningsdam

[azcruiser999]

Booked!:)

[Boytjie]

Booked!:)

 

Woo hoo!

[rojjodc]

Discussion about the Divina is just slightly off topic. The title of this thread is 2017 Koningsdam. :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

Actually I do not think that is off topic. I believe that RSVP is not wedded to Holland America for life. MSC may very well make another push for RSVP business in the future, as may other lines, so comparing the ships amenities and strengths/weaknesses would be proper. I just spoke with another RSVP cruiser this past weekend who thought the MSC Divina was the best ship RSVP had sailed on recently, and that surprised me.

[Boytjie]

Actually I do not think that is off topic. I believe that RSVP is not wedded to Holland America for life. MSC may very well make another push for RSVP business in the future, as may other lines, so comparing the ships amenities and strengths/weaknesses would be proper. I just spoke with another RSVP cruiser this past weekend who thought the MSC Divina was the best ship RSVP had sailed on recently, and that surprised me.

 

MSC will have to improve a LOT before I would go back! Nice ship, but inconsistent service and food.

 

Just some history: RSVP had used HAL for a number of years and the people were restless and asked for a new ship/cruise line. MSC came along with a good offer but were lacking, so much so that the same people were wishing we were on HAL instead. To add insult to injury, we were docked in San Juan next to either the Eurodam or Nieuw Amsterdam and so many people were saying: "we want to be on THAT ship!"

[rojjodc]

The cruise is nearly sold out - only two outside cabin categories and one outside obstructed view balcony category is widely available, and there couldn't be that many of those categories. 5 various categories (outside, inside, balcony) are listed as 'limited', which usually means just a few cabins. I don't ever recall this cruise selling this well before.

[Cruiser Bruiser]

The cruise is nearly sold out - only two outside cabin categories and one outside obstructed view balcony category is widely available, and there couldn't be that many of those categories. 5 various categories (outside, inside, balcony) are listed as 'limited', which usually means just a few cabins. I don't ever recall this cruise selling this well before.

 

Yeah, RSVP seems to be getting its mojo back. And Koningsdam has been super appealing, too. I just got a survey yesterday from HAL asking how important certain things like a library were to me as a cruiser. The line and its new management definitely seem to be very future oriented.

 

It should be a fun trip.

[Cruiser Bruiser]

Well, somehow I booked too many cruises even for me. I actually have enough vacation time on the books, but on impulse I booked an extra cruise to Europe in October when I was already going to Europe in December (the price was just too good!), and then I booked a cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio in March. Again, such a good price. So with cruises in September, October, December and March, February just seemed to be one too many.

 

I'm sure everyone will have an awesome time, and I will just have to book a Koningsdam cruise some other time. Cheers.

[rojjodc]

Well, somehow I booked too many cruises even for me. I actually have enough vacation time on the books, but on impulse I booked an extra cruise to Europe in October when I was already going to Europe in December (the price was just too good!), and then I booked a cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio in March. Again, such a good price. So with cruises in September, October, December and March, February just seemed to be one too many.

 

I'm sure everyone will have an awesome time, and I will just have to book a Koningsdam cruise some other time. Cheers.

 

CruiserBruiser - out of curiosity, did you have a solo cabin that you canceled? Or the cheapest interior category? I'm already booked, but was talking to a friend about calling RSVP to see if any solo or cheap interiors are available and to get on a waiting list.

[Boytjie]

Well, somehow I booked too many cruises even for me. I actually have enough vacation time on the books, but on impulse I booked an extra cruise to Europe in October when I was already going to Europe in December (the price was just too good!), and then I booked a cruise from Buenos Aires to Rio in March. Again, such a good price. So with cruises in September, October, December and March, February just seemed to be one too many.

 

I'm sure everyone will have an awesome time, and I will just have to book a Koningsdam cruise some other time. Cheers.

 

Boo! :mad:

[Ugly Bear]

Good news. Not only have I booked a cabin, but also I am gorgeous and otherworldly. And I have ZERO attitude.

 

There are no party themes listed yet, so I will assume that they will all be uncostumed, nude affairs. I am already working out frantically, trying to achieve a negative percentage of body fat.

 

I just came from GALA Choruses in Denver, where Matt Alber appeared, so I am not alarmed that he does not appear on this year's list of entertainers, as I am tided over until July 2017.

 

For the past two years, I struggled all year to come up with a cabin door decoration scheme, only to have the perfect idea pop into my head at the last minute. This year will be no different.

 

Fifth cruise, fourth with RSVP.

[Boytjie]

Good news. Not only have I booked a cabin, but also I am gorgeous and otherworldly. And I have ZERO attitude.

 

As Sister Helen Holy would say: "Well..."

 

There are no party themes listed yet, so I will assume that they will all be uncostumed, nude affairs. I am already working out frantically, trying to achieve a negative percentage of body fat.

 

Actually one theme is out there already, if you look carefully. Red themed tea dance the last day. The rest will be announced about two months before the cruise, with one to be chosen by us a little later.

 

I just came from GALA Choruses in Denver, where Matt Alber appeared, so I am not alarmed that he does not appear on this year's list of entertainers, as I am tided over until July 2017.

 

I don't think any entertainers have been announced yet.

Edited July 13, 2016 by Boytjie

[patrick401ca]

Anyone booked a hotel already? We booked at the Worthington for four nights before the cruise.

 

I've stayed at Cabanas before but never the Worthington. Anyone have any experiences there they could share?

[Guest]

Partner and I live in Ft. Lauderdale. Been on about 35 cruises. This will be my first gay one.I an sort of an introvert, and not real big on crowds. Looking to have a good time. Thanks.

[Ugly Bear]

I've stayed at Cabanas before but never the Worthington. Anyone have any experiences there they could share?

 

I have also stayed at both. How does the Worthington stack up against the Cabanas?

 

The Worthington is huge: three resorts all crammed together. Bigger population, often busy. The Worthington section has the best pool. It's more motel-like.

 

The Worthington is convenient to the beach, as compared to the Cabanas being convenient to Wilton Manors. There is more of a beach-goer, laid-back/do-nothing vibe there. However, the Worthington, being bigger, also has the tendency to attract groups ... as in, more than once, there has been a group of men there in straight marriages looking to live it up for a long weekend without their wives around.

 

That said, I have given myself a lifetime ban at the Worthington, and won't stay there again.

[Boytjie]

Partner and I live in Ft. Lauderdale. Been on about 35 cruises. This will be my first gay one.I an sort of an introvert, and not real big on crowds. Looking to have a good time. Thanks.

 

Welcome to RSVP! Even if you are an introvert I bet many people will engage you and draw you out of your shell.

 

A few years ago when they still had a formal night, a group of us were escorted to a table where one guy was sitting. He obviously felt so awkward in that situation and then a group of people that all knew each other joined him. We immediately engaged him and included him in the festivities.

[monumax]

We have stayed at both The Cabanas and The Worthington complex, and enjoyed both in different ways. This year we are staying at The Worthington (actually the Alcazar part). The pools and hot tubs are nice, and the Saturday cocktail party is fun. See you there!

[patrick401ca]

We have stayed at both The Cabanas and The Worthington complex, and enjoyed both in different ways. This year we are staying at The Worthington (actually the Alcazar part). The pools and hot tubs are nice, and the Saturday cocktail party is fun. See you there!

 

 

Looking forward to meeting you there Max!

[RandRCruiser]

I'm staying this year with the Dan Howell group at that hotel, 2 days before, and 1 day after. I may come over to the Worthington and get a guest pass. I stayed in Villa Venice 3 years ago and loved it! Just wanted to try the all inclusive Dan Howell experience this time.

 

Jeff

[Darrell6t]

RSVP called and a Signature Suite has become available, so we are now booked into the cabin we tried to get back in February. I was pleasantly surprised. I guess their wait-list process actually works pretty well.

[Boytjie]

RSVP called and a Signature Suite has become available, so we are now booked into the cabin we tried to get back in February. I was pleasantly surprised. I guess their wait-list process actually works pretty well.

 

Glad you got what you originally wanted! They seem to work their wait lists pretty well.

Edited August 14, 2016 by Boytjie

[Trickie Dickie]

The hubby and I managed to get on this cruise today. We were on the waiting list. This will be our first RSVP cruise. We have done 5 Atlantis cruises and actually will be on the Allure cruise a couple of weeks before this one. :D

 

Cheers!

[Trickie Dickie]

We have stayed at both The Cabanas and The Worthington complex, and enjoyed both in different ways. This year we are staying at The Worthington (actually the Alcazar part). The pools and hot tubs are nice, and the Saturday cocktail party is fun. See you there!

 

We booked Villa Venice (Part of the Worthington Complex) today. We will be there in between the Atlantis and RSVP cruises Jan 29 to Feb 5th. :D

 

I miss Coconut Cove so much!

[Boytjie]

The hubby and I managed to get on this cruise today. We were on the waiting list. This will be our first RSVP cruise. We have done 5 Atlantis cruises and actually will be on the Allure cruise a couple of weeks before this one. :D

 

Cheers!

 

Welcome aboard!

[Trickie Dickie]

Welcome aboard!

 

Thanks! I'm curious how RSVP will differ from Atlantis. :D

 

The Ship looks incredible. I was on Nieuw Amsterdam and it seemed cramped to me. I hope this ship is more wide open. The pictures show great looking venues.

[Boytjie]

Thanks! I'm curious how RSVP will differ from Atlantis.

 

A little less circuit party but still plenty of dancing going on.

 

As someone explained the differences at an "Ask RSVP" session (it may have been Charlie Rounds): the names say it all - Atlantis Events vs RSVP Vacations. That was at the time that Rich Campbell acquired RSVP and some Atlantis staff commented about an upcoming RSVP cruise's program: "there must be a mistake, you have events scheduled before lunch."

 

The Ship looks incredible. I was on Nieuw Amsterdam and it seemed cramped to me. I hope this ship is more wide open. The pictures show great looking venues.

 

I never perceived the HAL ships to be cramped.

 

Koningsdam is 9 feet wider, so maybe that helps. :D