LIVE - Koningsdam Oct 17th - ¡Mexican Riviera!

[cruise kitty]

20 minutes ago, aring75 said:

Hi cruise kitty. Yes, they are requiring masks onboard. The general rule seems to be, If you are walking, wear your mask. It’s okay to remove while seated at a dining table or lounging at the pool. However, they are still requesting social distancing. 
 

Also, some venues require a mask. Like the casino and on elevators. 
 

We received this health advisory information sheet when we boarded. (I have no idea why it’s so wrinkled, sorry!)

 

 

 

thank you!  Much easier to know in advance & be prepared with a good supply of the disposable ones 🙂

 

[bandp407]

Aring75 ~Thanks much for taking us along once again. Enjoyed your live from the Edge! Can’t believe how much time you take keeping us informed!! 
 

DH & I were on the Summit 3 weeks ago - our first cruise since Nov 2019. With 250 onboard we were so spoiled & it was great sailing once again. The crew & ship were amazing! We will be on the Reflection end of Nov & HAL’s Rotterdam the end of March. We sailed the Nieuw Statendam in March 2019 & loved it. Our March 2020 was cancelled. 😥 . Saw you took the Abbott at home test, which we purchased as well. We leave two days after Thanksgiving & have no idea where we would  find a rapid Antigen test. It’s gotten harder & harder. Would love a backup kit but none are available with an expiration beyond Dec. HOPING HAL EXTENDS their protocols & 100%vaccination requirement through March & beyond 🤞🤞!  We felt safer onboard the Summit than at home in Florida!!
 

Very much look forward to your comparison of Koningsdam & Edge . 
 

‘Enjoy an amazing cruise on a beautiful ship!! 

[canadarocks]

Thank you so much for this AWESOME "Live from" !! 

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, aring75 said:

We were up very early this morning and walked by the fitness center around 6:30 am. Saw people on treadmills already, so it looks like that’s right. 

The daily schedule you provided showed the 6am opening. Love those early workouts!!

[Hogladyrider]

@aring75......fresh flowers....another nice touch we absolutely loved about HAL!

 

We visited BB Kings every evening....absolutely loved the live entertainment and getting to know the performers as well......at the time of our cruise one of the male lead signers was from Orlando, FL!

 

Such great live entertainment on HAL including the dueling pianos!

[canadianbear]

@aring75 did you try the latte at Dutch Cafe?   Their quiche was delicious too.  I hope they still offer great food.  

[aring75]

Quick Update. 
 

There are movies on demand on your in-cabin television. There’s quite an extensive collection (some pretty recent) and there’s no charge. 
 

I think this is a great perk. Many people (especially on cruises right now) may prefer to limit their social interactions at least for the time being and this is a nice benefit. 
 

Obviously you don’t really go on a cruise to sit in the cabin and watch movies all day, but it can be nice for some down time. 

 

Thought it was worth a mention. 😊

[aring75]

6 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

Such great live entertainment on HAL including the dueling pianos!

Yes! One thing we love about HAL compared to other lines is the abundance of live music. 
 

We do sometimes enjoy the fun production shows too though. 

[aring75]

7 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

@aring75 did you try the latte at Dutch Cafe?   Their quiche was delicious too.  I hope they still offer great food.  

 

Oooh. That quiche looks yummy! I will definitely look for it!!

 

 

Sigh. I think they may have to roll me off this ship by the time we get back to San Diego. 

[westcoastsue]

16 hours ago, zgscl said:

 

Thank you so much for the great report! The Grand Dutch Cafe looks lovely! I think this may be my new hangout. 

Happy to hear the service issues in the MDR from the first week seem to be resolved. Also, looks wifi is up and running, so it sounds like all is well. 

I agree - beautiful spot to watch the world go by and drink coffee.

[Hogladyrider]

@aring75.....one more perk of HAL the in cabin on demand movies FREE.....we watched several and enjoyed every one of them.

[canadianbear]

12 minutes ago, aring75 said:

 

Oooh. That quiche looks yummy! I will definitely look for it!!

 

 

Sigh. I think they may have to roll me off this ship by the time we get back to San Diego. 

 

We found all the food at the Dutch Cafe delicious.   We’d often go there for my latte fix and a snack or more 😜
 

You mentioned the movies on the tv-I’m not one that can sit and watch a movie but the year we spent 21 days on the Koningsdam I actually enjoyed watching several while relaxing in bed at night.  Hubby would start snoring but I enjoyed the movies!  
 

 

[Heartgrove]

Yesterday's departure (10-17-2021) from San Diego of the Koningsdam has been uploaded on YouTube by San Diego Webcam. It shares footage with HMS Spey and HMS Tamar which departed immediately pretty much in her wake. The Koningsdam footage can be found at: 00:00-07:47, 16:32-16:46 and

33:24-34:00 .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFIAuIZeuTI&t=1006s

 

Edited October 18, 2021 by Heartgrove

[Heartgrove]

 

Sorry, I can't get the link to start at 00:00.

Edited October 18, 2021 by Heartgrove

[CampbellsAK]

Thank you for all of the great photos - especially of the menus - and information. We are trying to figure out what the mask policy is in the gym. At our gym at home, you can take your mask off if you are using a "cardio" machine - bike, elliptical, treadmill - for the duration of your workout. You have to put it back on when you finish. When I talked to a Ship Services rep a week ago, they said masks weren't required in the gym but from several live posters on the last cruise I get the impression they are required. Also wondering if masks are required on the Promenade Deck. Have a lovely cruise! 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I don't see any mention of MS Studio classes in the posted When and Where's.   What is going on in that space?  Just forward of the Rolling Stone Rock Room.

[maggieq]

Can you confirm on where masks are mandated to be worn?  I ask as we are looking at a HA cruise to Alaska next year.  
 

thanks and thanks again for taking us along with you cruising again. 😊 

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, CampbellsAK said:

Thank you for all of the great photos - especially of the menus - and information. We are trying to figure out what the mask policy is in the gym. At our gym at home, you can take your mask off if you are using a "cardio" machine - bike, elliptical, treadmill - for the duration of your workout. You have to put it back on when you finish. When I talked to a Ship Services rep a week ago, they said masks weren't required in the gym but from several live posters on the last cruise I get the impression they are required. Also wondering if masks are required on the Promenade Deck. Have a lovely cruise! 

I would believe what posters say on this board over someone in ship services that has likely never been n one and doesn’t have a clue about what goes on in one.

[bluesplayer]

The Crow's Nest bar is no longer?

[Cruises are us]

This is a bit random, but I have a question about boarding.  Did you board at your assigned time?  Are people being held to their assigned times, or is it being ignored?  Curious because we board this ship in a few weeks.  Thanks!  

[aring75]

5 hours ago, CampbellsAK said:

We are trying to figure out what the mask policy is in the gym.

If I can find out a definitive policy for masks  in the gym, I will let you know. 

[aring75]

5 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

I don't see any mention of MS Studio classes in the posted When and Where's.   What is going on in that space?  Just forward of the Rolling Stone Rock Room.

I see the Microsoft Studio on the maps, but I don’t know for sure. I’ll look for you. 

[aring75]

4 hours ago, maggieq said:

Can you confirm on where masks are mandated to be worn?  I ask as we are looking at a HA cruise to Alaska next year.  
 

thanks and thanks again for taking us along with you cruising again. 😊 

Pretty much this. 
 

You have to wear a mask when walking around. Down the hallway, on the way to dinner. When walking from your cabin to the pool deck. Etc. 

 

You can take your mask off at your dining table, once you reach your pool lounger, anytime you are eating or drinking. 
 

They want you to wear your mask in the casino. Also in the theater or in lounges unless you are actively eating or drinking. 
 

The paper we received upon boarding, said we need r to wear them on shore excursions, however, on our Caribbean cruise on Equinox, I know we were required to wear masks on the way to the tour and while on buses, but we could take them off at the beach, on the boat, most outdoor activities. 
 

I will report back on shore excursion requirements. 
 

HTH

[aring75]

3 hours ago, bluesplayer said:

The Crow's Nest bar is no longer?

Yes. There is definitely a Crow’s Nest Bar. 

[aring75]

2 hours ago, Cruises are us said:

This is a bit random, but I have a question about boarding.  Did you board at your assigned time?  Are people being held to their assigned times, or is it being ignored?  Curious because we board this ship in a few weeks.  Thanks!  

Our assigned time was 1:00 pm. We arrived shortly after 12:30 pm. 
 

It seemed that quite a few people showed up early. (Earlier than we did.) When we went through, I saw a seating area with signs for different boarding times. For instance, one section said 1:00, another said 1:30, also 2:00. I think if you arrive before the ship is ready, you will probably have to wait with your boarding group until they are ready for you. 
 

I would say that arriving a little early is okay, but do not expect to board early. You may have to wait.