Just back from KONINGSDAM Premier Voyage

[erewhon]

Thank you for your interesting review.

[teamflames]

Btw do you have any photos you can share?

 

 

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[dot73]

Looking forward to boarding her on May 22 for ms Koningsdam's first Norwegian fjords cruise; even more so after reading your review. Thank you!

 

I am looking at this cruise for next year. If you get a chance, I would love to read your comments when you get back.

[iflyrc5]

Does the new digital information system work with Android devices or only iphone and ipad?

[midgecruiser]

Great review. Thank you for taking the time to introduce us to this new style of ship. Looking forward to sailing on her.....hopefully soon.

[teamflames]

In their world cruise blog those on Amsterdam did a tour of the big K. Here is a link Join Pete and Judy on their FIRST World Cruise on the Amsterdam

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2295499

 

 

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[teltrainer]

Thanks for sharing your experience on the Koningsdam. Can't wait to see her!!

[TylerRose]

Thanks for your review. We were on the Amsterdam and had a chance to get a tour. Your review helped answer some questions.

 

How was traffic flow after the shows thru the Casino? It looked tight..

 

Was the Blend in use very much? Notes?

 

Did the photo lab use facial recognition or the old style pictures on the board? We saw some new TV screen devices in the photo lab..

 

Could you punch a hole in your cruise card? We heard that was not allowed.

 

Did you need to put your card into a slot in your room to activate the lights and AC?

 

We saw three scenes from Musicology....looked fabulous! Glad to hear they still have a band and live singers on the world stage

 

Thanks!

 

Reading ahead on comments, I am glad Lisa was able to answer your questions. (I hope to sail with her again someday :D )

 

I was never bothered by after show traffic... the shows were great- so people mingled out with smiles on both levels- and the congestion caused by photo gallery on other ships is a nonissue on K since it is not near MainStage. Only 2 HAL shows were ready for our cruise... (I got a peak at a 3rd in production during our ships tour & it looked great). Musicology was a modern dance show & the first dance only show I personally have viewed on a HAL ship. I really enjoyed it. Ten very talented dancers. The other show was a typical music review with dance, vocals, musicians & LOTS OF COSTUME CHANGES. The stage went from standard 270 degree setup to 360 degree with the addition of chairs "on stage". Stage was then in the round & every performer rotated and geared their performance towards all directions including the full audience. I was pulled into one of the dance numbers and had a ball. We watched a comedian & musician from builtin "boxes" on the showroom walls with good visualization as well.

 

I also put my card in a sleeve- so I do not know about hole punch option.

 

I am not sure I ever saw the BLEND in use. It was $129 and shown on schedule of options many times... but it is far more likely I simply did not pass by it at the right time.

 

I did not ever see or smell a hint of smoking in casino... but am not a player.

 

Traffic flowed... I am unsure what wait might have been for elevators... we always headed towards the music walk, but it did not look bad?

 

And, as Lisa already stated- yes, facial recognition with portraits. It also allows them to waste less paper- but they do print pics for you to view and still have wall displays of varied pics. But we preferred to look at pics on screens off to side and not search for pics. They were all very good & I see the benefits of a studio having the option to actually create its own space and use it in the way it chooses. We never made it back to buy any pics and I am curious to see if we will be contacted online at a later time with jpeg options?

[SC_GAY_Cruiser]

Tyler - did you ever see Notes - the whiskey/scotch tasting area?

 

I am a big single malt scotch drinker and this could be a place for me to enjoy one evening!

 

dave

[TylerRose]

Welcome home and thank you for your review! So happy to hear about Adagio. What did you do in the ports?

 

 

Sadly, this was a very short cruise with only 4 port stops...

We embarkeed in Civitavecchia, Rome after 5 wonderful days touring in Tuscany somewhat exhausted and relieved our first day on K was a sea day!

 

Our First Port Stop was in Dubrovnik, Croatia. We took HAL's Dubrovnik & Croatia's Countryside tour. We do not watch Game of Thrones or have the ambition to "Climb the Walls" as most choose, so this seemed our best option. As a HAL tour- I have mixed opinions. I am glad we went... Dubrovnik was an interesting walled city with a lot of history. But after our "history tour"- she gave us nearly 2 hours to explore on our own & most of us eyed each other & wondered "What now?". (There are plenty of alley ways, shops & eateries though) Afterwards we loaded our bus again and headed towards a lovely eatery on the river with a old water mill & a lunch of traditional foods & wines. But, by now it was 2:30PM... we were all hungry and those of us with early seating returning to ship at 4:30 wondering "🍷🍴 dinner???"

So, feedback on the 61/2 hour tour... NO- it was not worth US$199.95PP. A reverse timing and making lunch earlier would improve it. If I visit again, I would go to Dubrovnik on our own & eat there in one of its charming pubs... and not wonder how to fill the two hours while awaiting boarding a bus...

 

 

Port Stop 2: Greece: Kerkira, Nisos (Corfu) & we took HALs Achillion Palace & Private Villa tour.

I have very mixed feelings on this one. The Palace was interesting... but we were there too long. And LUNCH was literally at someones 🏡 home. When I asked to use the ladies room, I walked inside house, was guided by a young child who had been laying on belly coloring, through a bedroom to its bathroom. Fresh towels had been placed out for groups use... but a toothbrush and personal belongings were also present and I felt quite invasive.

That explained... it was very pleasant. They set up a homemade buffet of local favorites with plenty to eat. They hired two musicians & two dancers to entertain us & views were lovely. Our tables were setup on both a lower grassed area and upper deck & I haven't a clue how they deal with bad weather!?! Fortunately, we had a lovely day & a pleasant afternoon. So, I think they overcharged at US$199.95PP... BUT, it made for a very pleasant port day, chats with new cruise mates, homemade food, & a nice view. After spending nearly a week residing on a vineyard in Tuscany precruise, I am not sure what else we might have done...

 

Port Stop 3: Katakolon (Olympia), Greece This one is a no brainer: YOU MUST VISIT OLYMPIA if you are there and have never been. Busride is depressing- witnessing regions financial conflicts and garbage strike. And I highly recommend you bring water and a snack since their onsite food & gift shop were both closed. There is A LOT of walking that could be difficult for many- and minimal shade- and that also needs to be considered.

I might have preferred museum first, since it might have enhanced park explanations... but it is VERY CROWDED & I am sure every group has every movement accounted for and planned accordingly.

BUT, the Ancient Olympia & the Museum tour (with 1/2 hour or so each way transport) lasted 4 hours, we had a great guide, & at US$89.95PP covered all the key points and I left with a true understanding of the early olympics and egos involved. On the bus ride back, you had option of town drop or back to ship... I had had enough of the heat & sun and opted for ship- but it looked like nice touristy shopping.

 

 

Port Stop 4: we took aprivate tour in Naples to Amalfi coast which was lovely, there for I have no HAL tour info to report back.

 

Hope this helps...

[TylerRose]

Thank you so much for your review. You did a fine selling job! You mentioned that your Neptune Suite was larger than other cabins that you had had. Did you mean larger than the Neptune Suites on the other ships?

 

Actual suite layout and our personal cruise style are a bit different now... so honestly I am not quite sure. Someone who actually measured will need to respond.

We are now empty nesters. We have always had a our son on the sofa... with a rollaway for our daughter pushed against it... with the foot of our bed against that. So, in spite of the extra space a suite offers... no amount of space requiring 2 teens inches apart is EVER spaced far enough apart.

SO... for me, a sofa with a coffee table surrounded by two chairs and then a fair amount of walking space before the bed seemed larger & I do think it was- but could easily be wrong.

What I am sure of- is the bathroom definitely is larger! There is a big tub and glassed in shower stall in the bathroom room with large double sinked vanity. It has entry through cabin door- as well as the toilet.

Toilet area has a door on both cabin side and bath side- and also has its own sink. I did not miss the dressing area at all.

[Cruising-along]

Thank you for the detailed info about your ports. :):)

Yes, Dubrovnik is easily done on your own, I remember we walked the wall, sat by the water, and ate seafood in a cafe. Very relaxing.

 

Interesting about your Achillion tour! We also went there, but our tour must have been shorter -- I don't remember having lunch but if we did, it wasn't in a private home. :D

 

Olympia is on my bucket list. :) Love the Amalfi Coast! Sounds like a nice cruise even if there were only 4 ports -- and I'm very jealous of your time in Tuscany. :)

[TylerRose]

Wait you mean the new ship isn't terrible and you'll never ever ever sail her?!

 

Glad you had a great trip and thanks for the awesome, clearly-designed review!

 

FWIW I grew up in Longview and worked as a designer at the Morning Telegraph about 10 years ago (got married at church on the loop!). I say this just to express my deep prayer that you this week go to Stanley's for me. kthnx.

 

K is the next generation for HAL and I understand many traditionalists fearing change &/or disliking changes they have heard about or seen on line.. But she is just another HAL ship option... and for us, now our favorite.

If you were at TMT 10 years ago- in design- I am sure we have met. My husband is a very active freelance photographer with an active TMT history (Scott Lieberman).

Ahhhhhh, Stanley's. Always a tough choice between them & Country Tavern. But I shall think of you next time we have ribs.

[TylerRose]

Does the new digital information system work with Android devices or only iphone and ipad?

 

I used an iPhone- but saw people using other devices.

[TylerRose]

Tyler - did you ever see Notes - the whiskey/scotch tasting area?

 

I am a big single malt scotch drinker and this could be a place for me to enjoy one evening!

 

dave

 

Notes was a small, classy display corner with lots to offer. We passed by... but did not shop. However, whoever designed it, did a nice job with the space.

[teamflames]

K is the next generation for HAL and I understand many traditionalists fearing change &/or disliking changes they have heard about or seen on line.. But she is just another HAL ship option... and for us, now our favorite.

 

If you were at TMT 10 years ago- in design- I am sure we have met. My husband is a very active freelance photographer with an active TMT history (Scott Lieberman).

 

Ahhhhhh, Stanley's. Always a tough choice between them & Country Tavern. But I shall think of you next time we have ribs.

 

 

 

Thanks for pointing this out, it is a different option. Hal will be best served by providing different options.

Some seem to be making out this is the end of cruising as they know it.

[sppunk]

K is the next generation for HAL and I understand many traditionalists fearing change &/or disliking changes they have heard about or seen on line.. But she is just another HAL ship option... and for us, now our favorite.

If you were at TMT 10 years ago- in design- I am sure we have met. My husband is a very active freelance photographer with an active TMT history (Scott Lieberman).

Ahhhhhh, Stanley's. Always a tough choice between them & Country Tavern. But I shall think of you next time we have ribs.

Please email me (canderson AT gmail DOT com). We've met but I know Scott VERY well (FB friends and I edited his photos, etc). Small world, eh?

 

I was just kidding about Kdam - we sail her in November and I cannot wait. HAL has needed to evolve badly and they have done so.

[Max Circus]

Thank you for the great review.

 

For the behind the scenes tour, did you book that the first day at the Front Desk? Or if not how did you find out about it? Wasn't sure if it is something that can be booked in advance.

 

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[dot73]

"Port Stop 3: Katakolon (Olympia), Greece This one is a no brainer: YOU MUST VISIT OLYMPIA if you are there and have never been. Busride is depressing- witnessing regions financial conflicts and garbage strike."

 

Wow, we were there in June 2014 and the garbage strike was on. I wonder if it's still the same one. :eek:

 

The ship's excursions are outrageously priced in Europe. The best way to see places like the Amalfi coast is by getting together with other passengers on the roll-call and hiring private guides with Mercedes SUVs. It may not be cheaper, but at least you will see a lot more. I hate bus tours. You spend more time climbing on and off the bus or waiting for people who refuse to follow the time restrictions.

 

Thank you for your review. I am so looking forward to my cruise on the K-Dam. I usually skip the evening shows but I think I will try a few this time.

[Dejlig Ko]

I am looking at this cruise for next year. If you get a chance, I would love to read your comments when you get back.

 

Definitely!

[Himself]

Thanks for the report. Sailing thus ship should be fun in early December

[TylerRose]

Thank you for the great review.

 

For the behind the scenes tour, did you book that the first day at the Front Desk? Or if not how did you find out about it? Wasn't sure if it is something that can be booked in advance.

 

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I have never seen it offered as an excursion or prebookable cruiseship activity & doubt it ever would be.

 

On previous HAL ships, I have seen the ships "Behind the Scenes" tour offered as a special option for purchase as a "special event offering" on a future daily schedule.

 

This was NOT the case this voyage on K.

 

It was the very first request I made of the Concierge after embarkation. He said there were 8 other requests made ahead of us... and that was just from the Neptune suites. (I have no idea how many requests had been made at front desk).

No specifics were made available until midweek after repeated requests... and no advertising for a ships tour on this voyage were ever offered. (But again, most of us had toured other ships previously and made our requests early enough for them to already have a wait list). We were stalled & told the tour option had still not been decided on... (this is a work in progress & frankly, they don't want to emphasize all this involves).

On Wednesday, (day 5) we were finally told there WOULD be a tour, split between our final 2 days if enough people still chose to pay to participate.

There was a minimum of 6 participants required.

Most guests had withdrawn their request for 2 reasons:

Day 1: was on sea day (but conflicted with other offerings)

Day 2: occurred while ship was in port. We had to assemble 3:30 for a day we were not due back on board until 5:30. We were told it is a security issue & not alterable. Exploration of the bridge & other areas could only be made available to us at that time.

Two guests participating in HAL tours missed day 2's tour. One joined us afterwards for Q&A with hotel director Stan. We altered our land tour & due to traffic- just made it back panting from the sprint! :eek:

It was very interesting and as far as Behind the Scenes Tours go- I rather liked that they were still in final set up mode and I could see a bit of what was involved.

So- if you want to go on a behind the scenes tour- ASK... if it doesn't occur, at least you tried. And if it does- you are already on the list for the option. We only ended up with 6 participating. I am not sure how many HAL hoped for... (or how many cruisers really wished they knew it existed as an offering!)- but for us it was a great number.

[Max Circus]

I have never seen it offered as an excursion or prebookable cruiseship activity & doubt it ever would be.

 

On previous HAL ships, I have seen the ships "Behind the Scenes" tour offered as a special option for purchase as a "special event offering" on a future daily schedule.

 

This was NOT the case this voyage on K.

 

It was the very first request I made of the Concierge after embarkation. He said there were 8 other requests made ahead of us... and that was just from the Neptune suites. (I have no idea how many requests had been made at front desk).

No specifics were made available until midweek after repeated requests... and no advertising for a ships tour on this voyage were ever offered. (But again, most of us had toured other ships previously and made our requests early enough for them to already have a wait list). We were stalled & told the tour option had still not been decided on... (this is a work in progress & frankly, they don't want to emphasize all this involves).

On Wednesday, (day 5) we were finally told there WOULD be a tour, split between our final 2 days if enough people still chose to pay to participate.

There was a minimum of 6 participants required.

Most guests had withdrawn their request for 2 reasons:

Day 1: was on sea day (but conflicted with other offerings)

Day 2: occurred while ship was in port. We had to assemble 3:30 for a day we were not due back on board until 5:30. We were told it is a security issue & not alterable. Exploration of the bridge & other areas could only be made available to us at that time.

Two guests participating in HAL tours missed day 2's tour. One joined us afterwards for Q&A with hotel director Stan. We altered our land tour & due to traffic- just made it back panting from the sprint! :eek:

It was very interesting and as far as Behind the Scenes Tours go- I rather liked that they were still in final set up mode and I could see a bit of what was involved.

So- if you want to go on a behind the scenes tour- ASK... if it doesn't occur, at least you tried. And if it does- you are already on the list for the option. We only ended up with 6 participating. I am not sure how many HAL hoped for... (or how many cruisers really wished they knew it existed as an offering!)- but for us it was a great number.

Thank you for those details. Very helpful.

 

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[TylerRose]

And Finally... Some pics from our voyage:

 

Love at first sight:

 

Embarkation:

 

 

[TylerRose]

The main dining room:

 

 

Gala Night:

 

 

Ran in to LAFFNVEGAS