Koningsdam or Zuiderdam

[Tedferg]

Looking at an October 7 day Mexican Riviera, Oct 24 Koningsdam Oct 30 Zuiderdam, 2021. Any preference in these ships ?

 

This would be our first time on HAL

[CruiserBruce]

It would depend far more on routes, fares, etc.

 

Do like KDam.

[DaveOKC]

Been on both (the Z several times) and in general K is a nicer and much newer ship.   K also has several additional dining venues, especially the Tamarind.  Also has the Dutch Cafe, NY Pizza and a dedicated area for Club Orange dining.  Pre-Covid, I always felt that the crew on the Z was top notch, but of course that coulde change now.

 

I do think that the cabins are a bit bigger on the Z, but there are more categories on the K.  The Z has alot more Signature and Neptune cabins, so it is much easier (IMO) to get an upsell offer and I have done this on almost every sailing I have done on the Z (I book a Signature and wait for an upsell to a Neptune).

 

 

[kdakda]

Hmmmmmm.........   we've sailed on both in the past 3 years and had a wonderful time on each.   The Zuiderdam has a bit more of the classic decor and look to it, which I happen to like.   Our room stewards (balcony room) were excellent.   Food was good.   Have nothing negative to say about it (unless you want to get into Holland's decision to significantly change the Promenade deck on all their newer ships).

We took an upsell to a Neptune Suite on the Koningsdam and really loved the room and the balcony and and eating in the Club Orange dining room.  Our room stewards were excellent, but I thought they were no different from the ones on the Zuiderdam.   The overall decor of the ship seemed "modern" to me and I didn't think it was as beautiful (but DH thought it was just fine).   Both had great sandwiches at Dive In, and he really, really liked the gelato offerings on Koningsdam (extra charge).   This ship also had the self serve soda machines, which he took advantage of, being addicted to Diet Coke.  

We'd sail on either of them again, without any hesitation.  And are currently booked on the NS, the sister ship of Koningsdam.

[WisRiver]

We have sailed on both (Zuiderdam twice and Koningsdam once) in the past five years.  I liked the additional food choices on the Koningsdam, NY Pizza (one of my favorites), Tamarind and Dutch Cafe.  Nothing stands out about the choice of rooms, since we had aft verandas on all voyages.   All things being equal, I would choose the Koningsdam.  

[kazu]

One thing that is a plus for many are the showers in the cabins on the Koningsdam.  However, if you happen to be someone who enjoys a bathtub, you won’t find them on that ship unless you book at least a Neptune Suite, I believe.

 

Worth taking a good look at the deck plans for the cabins.

[NCTribeFan]

I really liked both.  Had a larger, square J interior on Z, which was lovely for a solo cruiser.  I upgraded myself to a verandah on K, which was a very nice cabin but, honestly, I just don't get much use out of the balcony and since I'm usually solo, I prefer to keep my costs down.

 

If the prices are similar, it would depend on the itinerary for me.  If both price and intinerary are similar, I'd go on K again.  Maybe.  Next cruise for me is December on Nieuw Amsterdam and I'm again in one of those J interior cabins.  Don't have those on K.

[idiebabe]

We've also been on both Ships several times each as well Kdam's Sister Ship, Niuew Statendam.  Both are great Ships but the Pinnacle Class offers more Dining Options on Lido, Specialty Restaurants and Dutch Cafe as many mentioned above.  Also,  Rolling Stone Rock Room on the Pinnacle Class Ships is a plus.

 

I prefer the Dining Room Seating layout on Vista Class to the Pinnacle Class Ships but Pinnacle Class has the Club Orange Restaurant if you wanted to try that instead of the Main Dining Room.

 

IMO, you can't go wrong with either Ship but being First Timers on HAL you may want to try Koningsdam!    

 

 

[LynnSD]

Any advice on best verandahs on Koningsdam?

[Tedferg]

Thanks for the inputs, itineraries and fares are the same. Z is on just one itinerary. When I add California Coastal all itineraries are K - date is better to so K it is 🙂

[DaveOKC]

5 minutes ago, LynnSD said:

Any advice on best verandahs on Koningsdam?

Have not actually stayed in one, but we picked V6100 and V6115 for our March cruise.  6100 is Port side, 6115 Starboard.  They both have extended balconies and are angeled so you can see forward.  Close to midship elevators/stairs so easy access to most places on the ship.  Also, cabins above and below us, so should be quieter.

 

[ATC]

We have been on the K twice and all the Vista class ships at least once. We were VERY impressed with most of what K had to offer but due to casino smoke issues we will not be going on a Pinnacle class ship for the forserable future. Which is a shame since we had hoped to 

try Rotterdam for 24 days this October.

[Tedferg]

Two follow up questions please, sorry if these are perennial and answered elsewhere.

HAL offer includes Signature beverage package, what does this include ? Also offers 'Big Stateroom upgrade to Verandah or Ocean View. What does this mean ? 

[DaveOKC]

11 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Two follow up questions please, sorry if these are perennial and answered elsewhere.

HAL offer includes Signature beverage package, what does this include ? Also offers 'Big Stateroom upgrade to Verandah or Ocean View. What does this mean ? 

Sounds like the current View and Verandah promotion.  In our case on the K, we were able to book a Verandah cabin for the price of an Oceanview one.  I think the other option is Ocean view for price of Inside (but not certain).  One negative is that they only give you a "guarantee" cabin - Verrandah for example - thus it can be anywhere on the ship.  We paid about $100 extra to pick the Verandah cabin we wanted - well worth it IMO as with a guarantee you can end up with a restricted view, or above/below noisy areas (like the pool or showroom), etc.

 

As to the Signature beverage package, I would look at the HAL website for exact details, but basically you get something like 15 drinks a day (can also be soft drinks, water, liquor, beer, wine. etc).  I think the limit on the price of the drink is $11, but again, look to the website for details (you do not pay the drink service charge, unlike some other cruiselines, but I often tip a $1 or $2 anyway).

 

Like many things in life, all of this comes with a price - you normally pay more in your base fare when you book with these promotions, so evaluate the pricing closely.

 

[Boatdrill]

I'd chose the Z.

No need for a megaship on that itinerary.  

[idiebabe]

1 hour ago, LynnSD said:

Any advice on best verandahs on Koningsdam?

I stayed on Deck 4 once and although the Balcony is deeper the Overhang isn't and people can look down on you unless sitting close to the Wall of the Ship.  We like Deck 7 or 8 and prefer being close to the Elevators either Mid-Ship or Aft.

[cruiserchuck]

54 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Two follow up questions please, sorry if these are perennial and answered elsewhere.

HAL offer includes Signature beverage package, what does this include ? Also offers 'Big Stateroom upgrade to Verandah or Ocean View. What does this mean ? 

 

The fine print of the offer states:

 

Stateroom upgrades are available in select stateroom categories and are subject to availability of the staterooms in the higher category. 

 

Signature Beverage Package has a daily limit of 15 beverages, which includes all beverages priced at US$11.00 or lower. Guests must order beverages one at a time and must be 21 years or older for alcoholic beverages. Sharing is not permitted. Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and refuse service for any reason, including service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated guests. Package excludes purchases made in Signature Shops, Mini Bar and In Room Dining, or beverages on Half Moon Cay.

[FlaMariner]

Both are great ships but if all was equal I'd easily choose the Koningsdam.  Newer ship with newer stuff. 

[Tedferg]

Thanks for clarification, on Princess I find their Beverage package includes most alcoholics drinks whereas Celebrity basic package was more limited.

 

When I did a test booking the Verandah was obstructed view on deck 4 it did give a cabin number. Website is acting up and does not show itineraries for a Search, so cannot be specific.

[TXCruiser78660]

16 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Thanks for clarification, on Princess I find their Beverage package includes most alcoholics drinks whereas Celebrity basic package was more limited.

 

When I did a test booking the Verandah was obstructed view on deck 4 it did give a cabin number. Website is acting up and does not show itineraries for a Search, so cannot be specific.

If your internet is better go to HALfacts.com and you can look up cabin numbers for reviews and pictures of the different classes of ship cabins on both ships.  Also Google Roger Jett Photography for bar menu prices.

Edited April 13, 2021 by TXCruiser78660
Add additional info

[Tedferg]

6 minutes ago, TXCruiser78660 said:

If your internet is better go to HALfacts.com and you can look up cabin numbers for reviews and pictures of the different classes of ship cabins on both ships.

Thanks that site works fine. I think there is a problem with HAL site, I make the selections for Destination, Duration etc. but the next screen does not show cruise options, I tried with Edge and Chrome browsers - same result.

[TXCruiser78660]

15 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Thanks that site works fine. I think there is a problem with HAL site, I make the selections for Destination, Duration etc. but the next screen does not show cruise options, I tried with Edge and Chrome browsers - same result.

Unfortunately, it is not unusual for HAL's site to have issues.  

[Florida_gal_50]

28 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

Thanks that site works fine. I think there is a problem with HAL site, I make the selections for Destination, Duration etc. but the next screen does not show cruise options, I tried with Edge and Chrome browsers - same result.

Same for me at work (desktop)and at home (iPad). It does work on my phone though.

[kazu]

2 hours ago, cruiserchuck said:

 

The fine print of the offer states:

 

Stateroom upgrades are available in select stateroom categories and are subject to availability of the staterooms in the higher category. 

 

Signature Beverage Package has a daily limit of 15 beverages, which includes all beverages priced at US$11.00 or lower. Guests must order beverages one at a time and must be 21 years or older for alcoholic beverages. Sharing is not permitted. Beverage management reserves the right to revoke the package if misused and refuse service for any reason, including service of alcoholic beverages to intoxicated guests. Package excludes purchases made in Signature Shops, Mini Bar and In Room Dining, or beverages on Half Moon Cay.

 

The only discrepancy in this it that it has been reported numerous times on these board that the Signature Beverage package does not include non alcoholic beverages in the limit.  In other words, they don’t count towards the 15 limit.  I haven’t tested it myself but thee was a You Tube video by A CC member posted after his chat with the Beverage manager.  I’ll see if I can find it.

Assuming those reports are right and they have come from accredited CC members IMO that means that only the alcoholic drinks count for the package.  I’ll see if I can find the relevant post and you tube video.

[TracieABD]

I have been on the Zuiderdam... not my favorite ship. I don't want to get in trouble here, but I sort of felt like Mardi Gras threw up all over the ship. I think I did a "live from" on that sailing... about a million years ago.

 

So by default, I would chose the Konigsdam.