Koningsdam ~ first sailing after first dry dock ...

[1964IceCreamLady]

3 hours ago, Dogstar said:

... as soon as we get aboard, fetch some beverages, prepare for the obligatory Mustard Drill ( 🤪 ) & celebrate vacay-time at Sail-Away with a Bon Voyage wave back to y'all. 🤟🏻

 

I thought it changed to the Munster Drill?   🤣

 

Bon voyage!  Looking forward to your updates!  I see Miss G posted re: Club Orange and Neptune.  

I am most interested in the Tamarind area, with Silk Den? Nami Sushi?  🙂

Edited December 10, 2018 by 1964IceCreamLady

[flyrobinfly]

Bon voyage, Dogstar and Mrs. Dogstar! Looking forward to any reports, photos and tidbits.

[Himself]

On ‎11‎/‎11‎/‎2018 at 10:12 AM, twodjs said:

The music walk revision (hopefully with windows along the Queen's Lounge to isolate noise bleed) and a smoke-free casino would be my two items. Fingers crossed!

The Windows at the Queens Lounge would be a BIG PLUS!!!!!!!

[Dogstar]

Munster Drill 🤪 completed. Gangway pulled away. Lines are dropped. Sail Away has started. 🎉

 

***

 

[ @VMax1700 ] Stairwell still in casino between Decks 2 & 3. 

 

[ @mytleturtle] Retreat ~ Family Cabana appears to have 2 x loungers, 1 x sofa, 2 x small tables. 

 

***

 

Lots more of The Mission to complete. But first it's time for another research beverage. 🤣

[VMax1700]

Thanks Dogstar!

Just waiting to give you a wave as you pass!

Enjoy your trip (and the bevvies)

[1964IceCreamLady]

Watching y’all leave

[canadianbear]

@Dogstar:  hope you’re having a great time on the ship!  Please take photos of your cabin-the cruise with my friend in January is in a balcony-hoping us ladies get along, lol.  

 

Don’t eat too much at the Dive-In or Dutch cafe!

[blueboro]

On 12/10/2018 at 12:11 PM, *Miss G* said:

Okay, here’s the scoop on the Neptune Suites and Club Orange.

 

1.  There are no more Pinnacle Grill breakfasts!!!!  😭 We must join the unwashed masses in the new Club Orange “dining room” venue on Deck 2 aft.  (The old Culinary Arts Centre.)  For both breakfast and dinner.  Dining room hours apply.

2.  The Neptune Lounge has had a makeover.  It is fully enclosed (no windows) and all food items are crammed at the front with a big old shelving unit between the food and the concierge people.  Very claustrophobic and unwelcoming and very tiny compared to other Neptune Lounges.

 

More to come.

 

The Culinary Arts dinners were some of the highlights of our recent K cruise...sorry they did away with it.

[mytleturtle]

Thank you for the update on the family cabanas!

 

[Dogstar]

*** posting from Siint Maarten beachfront bat WiFi so no photos today ~ slow! Will share pics later ***

 

[ @0bnxshs ]

• Drydock (re)construction ~ completed; no visible evidence of debris, contractors, etc.

 

[ @VMax1700, @diamondj, @flygirl2 ]

• Smoking area ~ designated permission restricted to (i) Casino (Deck 3, Promenade), (ii) Sun Bar (Deck 11, Sun), & (iii) Sea View Pool 'starboard side' adjacent to Bar, contrary to HAL FAQ's 'port side' notation (Deck 9, Lido). Sorry, as non-smokers we vote 'Fail'. 👎🏻

 

• E-cigarettes ~ designated permission same as Smoking, plus  staterooms; mildly noticeable periodically in stateroom corridor. Sorry, as non-smokers we vote 'Epic Fail'. 👎🏻👎🏻

 

[ @aliaschief ]

• Rolling Stone Rock Room ~ new venue, replaced Lincoln Center Stage location across from Billboatf Onboard (Deck 2, Plaza); Fantastic! 💃🏼🕺🏼

 

[ @aliaschief ]

• Lincoln Center Stage ~ relocated to Queen’s Lounge; shared with BB King’s Blues Club (Decks 2 & 3, Plaza & Promenade). 🎶

 

[ @rothbury ]

• Billboard Onboard ~ yes, appies buffet during 1600-1700h cocktail hour (Deck 2, Plaza). 🍻

 

[ @aliaschief ]

• Club Orange ~ new VIP program, dining venue replaced Culinary Arts Center space (Deck 2, Plaza). 🍊

 

[ @rothbury ]

• Notes, Blend ~ both survived makeover (Deck 2, Plaza). 🍷

 

[ @*Miss G* ]

• Wine Steward ~ interactive, knowledgable & attentive 'human' service, not a self-serve 'tablet', in Main Dining Room; we purchased the Somelier Suite 'Cellar No. 1' 6-bottles package in MDR (Early seating, table for 2, starboard window; Deck 3, Promenade). 🍾🍷

 

• HAL Connect ~ Internet data packages are (i) Social Plan ($14.99 USD per day, or $84.99 USD for 10 days*), (ii) Surf Plan ($24.99; $129.99*), Premium Plan ($29.99; $179.99*); *note ~ unknown if there was a 11-day option to match our cruise length since I only checked on Day 2. 📱💻

 

Other observations ...

 

• Stateroom throne ~ angled design unchanged, at least in our 'VA' Verandah; while a snug fit (I'm 6'3" tall) it's functional for the intended purpose. 🚽

 

• Hot tubs ~ operating hours are when? Time is not posted anywhere adjacent to the pools/tubs, in the daily hardcopy 'When & Where' or the online 'Navigator'; For us early'ish risers they were unavailable at 0700h, 0800h, 0900h; Attendant eventually opened Lido Pool tubs at 0920h on Day 2 morning, at least. Remaining days/times TBD. 🛀

 

• Digital Photo Package ~ we paid $99 USD in advance; offered onboard, with prints, for $299.99 USD; digital service not functional upon embarkation; Photo Centre (Deck 3, Promenade) is placing our hardcopy prints into a folio while awaiting system access in the next day or so of this voyage; Results TBD, but in the interim since it's unlimited we're having a ton of fun having photos taken at every opportunity instead of avoiding the ship photographers like we usually do. 📸

[fatcat04]

" Digital Photo Package ~ we paid $99 USD in advance; "

 

How did you buy it in advance? I have looked all over the website to find this option and don't see it. Is it only on certain ships? Ours being a big family cruise, we would love this for the very reason you mentioned, getting tons of pictures with all of us, grandparents, parents, and kids.

[Cruise Suzy]

For my February Koningsdam cruise, the Digital Photo Package is available under Already Booked -> Manage My Bookings -> Cruise Activities -> Gifts & Indulgences -> Photo Packages.

[fatcat04]

1 hour ago, Cruise Suzy said:

For my February Koningsdam cruise, the Digital Photo Package is available under Already Booked -> Manage My Bookings -> Cruise Activities -> Gifts & Indulgences -> Photo Packages.

That's the issue. There was no Photo Packages option under Gifts and Indulgences for our upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. And under Packages there are no photo packages. That's too bad. 

GIFTS & INDULGENCES

• Packages
• Flowers
• Shipboard Credit
• Collector's Gifts
• Culinary Indulgences

[1964IceCreamLady]

Digital Photo Package ~ we paid $99 USD in advance; offered onboard, with prints, for $299.99 USD; digital service not functional upon embarkation; Photo Centre (Deck 3, Promenade) is placing our hardcopy prints into a folio while awaiting system access in the next day or so of this voyage; Results TBD, but in the interim since it's unlimited we're having a ton of fun having photos taken at every opportunity instead of avoiding the ship photographers like we usually do. 📸

 

Yea!!!  Just bought!  So happy!  

[DC1979]

3 hours ago, fatcat04 said:

" Digital Photo Package ~ we paid $99 USD in advance; "

 

How did you buy it in advance? I have looked all over the website to find this option and don't see it. Is it only on certain ships? Ours being a big family cruise, we would love this for the very reason you mentioned, getting tons of pictures with all of us, grandparents, parents, and kids.

 

I never even thought to look for this. I learn so many things on here. Just bought this for my cruise in May. We don’t generally buy the photos because I think they are overpriced individually, but with this package we will actually pose for a few photos and it will be nice to get some group shots of all of us without having to ask someone else!!! Thanks 🙂 

[msmoxie]

9 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

For my February Koningsdam cruise, the Digital Photo Package is available under Already Booked -> Manage My Bookings -> Cruise Activities -> Gifts & Indulgences -> Photo Packages.

 

6 hours ago, 1964IceCreamLady said:

Digital Photo Package ~ we paid $99 USD in advance; offered onboard, with prints, for $299.99 USD; digital service not functional upon embarkation; Photo Centre (Deck 3, Promenade) is placing our hardcopy prints into a folio while awaiting system access in the next day or so of this voyage; Results TBD, but in the interim since it's unlimited we're having a ton of fun having photos taken at every opportunity instead of avoiding the ship photographers like we usually do. 📸

 

Yea!!!  Just bought!  So happy!  

 

For those who purchased the photo package--if we are in 2 rooms (with 2 separate booking #s), can we share a package, or we need to buy 2?

 

[msmoxie]

7 hours ago, fatcat04 said:

That's the issue. There was no Photo Packages option under Gifts and Indulgences for our upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. And under Packages there are no photo packages. That's too bad. 

GIFTS & INDULGENCES

• Packages
• Flowers
• Shipboard Credit
• Collector's Gifts
• Culinary Indulgences

It doesn't appear as an option for me, either!

[kazu]

12 hours ago, fatcat04 said:

That's the issue. There was no Photo Packages option under Gifts and Indulgences for our upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. And under Packages there are no photo packages. That's too bad. 

GIFTS & INDULGENCES

• Packages
• Flowers
• Shipboard Credit
• Collector's Gifts
• Culinary Indulgences

 

Ditto.  No photo packages seen here either.

[iflyrc5]

It may be that some of the ships do not have this new service yet and that is why it is not showing up for some folks.

[fatcat04]

40 minutes ago, iflyrc5 said:

It may be that some of the ships do not have this new service yet and that is why it is not showing up for some folks.

My thinking too. It's a shame too because I would buy it in a heartbeat. A digital only package is all we would need and I prefer prepaying for most things. 

[Dogstar]

***

Posting from Anse Mitan (Martinique) so beachside wifi is slow. Here's a few pics to go along with my earlier comments ... more to follow as time & wifi permits.

***

[fatcat04]

1 hour ago, Dogstar said:

***

Posting from Anse Mitan (Martinique) so beachside wifi is slow. Here's a few pics to go along with my earlier comments ... more to follow as time & wifi permits.

***

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well at least this Club Orange looks a bit nicer than the one on the N. Statendam, which kinda makes no sense since this was a rework in dry dock and the N. Statendam is brand spanking new. The chairs at least look more comfy on K-dam.

Have you seen many folks using it in the breakfast and dinner hours?

I am still not convinced that when this goes fleet wide and an area is carved out of the MDR for Club Orange seating, that this perk will be much to crow about. Pinnacle breakfast was/is so pleasant and relaxing. I have never heard one complaint about it. Maybe they are hoping the other perks will bolster the program.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, Dogstar said:

Posting from Anse Mitan (Martinique) so beachside wifi is slow. Here's a few pics to go along with my earlier comments ... more to follow as time & wifi permits.

 

Great pics!  Thanks so much for taking the time to share with us 🙂 

[kazu]

44 minutes ago, fatcat04 said:

Well at least this Club Orange looks a bit nicer than the one on the N. Statendam, which kinda makes no sense since this was a rework in dry dock and the N. Statendam is brand spanking new. The chairs at least look more comfy on K-dam.

 

 

I was thinking the exact same thing.

 

It does look better than the N Statendam.  Very strange.

[msmoxie]

11 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

It may be that some of the ships do not have this new service yet and that is why it is not showing up for some folks.

I'll be on the Koningsdam, too! 🤷‍♀️