The Inside Cabin - Live on the Koningsdam Coastal California

[BigMattT]

I won a nice jackpot on one of the slots in the Ocean Bar while waiting for dinner.

 

The Ocean Bar was otherwise deserted anytime we walked past.

 

Despite my win, I’d agree the aesthetics aren’t great with them there. The machines are very quiet, but they block the view. 

[Boatdrill]

19 minutes ago, matthewthompson87 said:

Despite my win, I’d agree the aesthetics aren’t great with them there. The machines are very quiet, but they block the view. 

The view out the windows ?  Where you can see the ocean ? That's a Princess ploy...clutter the outdoor deck space and interiors so views of the ocean and horizon are blocked, otherwise passengers may get distracted by the beautiful view, and remember they're on a ship.

[Florida_gal_50]

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

So sacrifice ambiance just to save a few bucks, no thanks.  Cheaper is not better in my book. That’s the biggest problem with HAL, they are rapidly becoming the Walmart of cruise lines.

What ambiance?  The bar is empty 80 percent of the time. Hal is already the Walmart of the seas. I see no other cruise line trying to make a buck selling steak and lobster for $30.  

[Susanmaz]

Please explain how the checking photos are being done.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

5 hours ago, Laminator said:

I get all of that. I am asking this particular poster. On my upcoming cruise on the Rotterdam 6 of the 8 of us are 4 star mariners and the other 2 are first time cruisers. We have 2 Neptune Suites, an SS and an inside. The Neptune Suite pax, all 4 stars, have a 1pm boarding time. The new HAL cruisers have a 2pm check in time in an SS and the other 2, which are 4 star mariners, in the inside have a 3pm check in time. The 4 stars should have priority boarding but don't. I am sure HAL has a valid reason for doing this. Instead of all of us going early and clogging up the check in process we will be going in 3 separate shuttles. 

I think it has more to do with peoples arrival times on flights etc.   If you are coming in same day from airport they probably slot you based on that.  People checking out of hotels probably get earlier times - locals like me with flexibility probably get late times.    My time changed 3 times in 3 days - not sure why.   I am certain that the times are all on the honor system.  

 

Everything was open for normal lunch onboard etc if you had a early check in time.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

3 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Tacky as well.  Maybe they will be in the bathroom soon.

 

Edited November 4, 2021 by The-Inside-Cabin

[The-Inside-Cabin]

26 minutes ago, Susanmaz said:

Please explain how the checking photos are being done.

You have the option to upload a photo from your phone on the Navigator app before you leave.   During check in the person will judge if your picture is clear enough etc and if not, they will take another very quickly with a handheld webcam type camera.      If you check in using one of the Ipad kiosk devices, that device will take your picture if necessary.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

38 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

What ambiance?  The bar is empty 80 percent of the time. Hal is already the Walmart of the seas. I see no other cruise line trying to make a buck selling steak and lobster for $30.  

The slots seem out of place in that area.    I thought  I was in the Las Vegas airport where slots are everywhere of course.   They do have the volume turned OFF - so quiet -but .....

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 hour ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

I never saw a soul go near them on Koningsdam last month.  Luckily.

Interested to hear others' observations.

There are about 15 machines in that area.    Usually 4-5 people playing when I walked by - hardly a good survey though 

[KirkNC]

17 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

Sad

[The-Inside-Cabin]

6 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

Sad

When I first walked by I did a double take as I thought I got turned around and ended up back in the Casino.

[Sir PMP]

4 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Tacky as well.  Maybe they will be in the bathroom soon.

You mean the one in your cabin..?

[Florida_gal_50]

41 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The slots seem out of place in that area.    I thought  I was in the Las Vegas airport where slots are everywhere of course.   They do have the volume turned OFF - so quiet -but .....

I don’t disagree.  I think hal is trying to go down a different path now and to me it doesn’t speak class.  

[canadianbear]

19 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I don’t disagree.  I think hal is trying to go down a different path now and to me it doesn’t speak class.  

Our first ever cruise was in 2008 on the old Ryndam in a Neptune suite.  I thought we had died & gone to Heaven.  It was so “classy” in our opinion both the suite & perks, the breakfast in the Pinnacle, and in the MDR when the waiters with their white gloves cleaned off the crumbs etc.  Times have certainly changed and we are more open to try other cruise lines.  Sad, because we had liked what HAL was, not what is has become.  We have one long cruise on HAL next year then will branch out.  (We did try Celebrity in  a sky suite and it was outstanding). 

[kangforpres]

This is really stupid and tacky, maybe if enough complain they will move them (I mean formally complain on your survey's and even send an email to corporate addressed to Gus.

[cruise kitty]

3 hours ago, R.T. said:

Not seeking privilege.  Arriving from the airport with another couple in the same taxi with boarding times an hour apart.  Asked for planning purposes, we're all willing to board at our assigned times.

we have the same situation, traveling with others, staying at same hotel, had planned on getting transport together, however, our check in times are different

[AncientWanderer]

4 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The slots seem out of place in that area.    I thought  I was in the Las Vegas airport where slots are everywhere of course.   They do have the volume turned OFF - so quiet -but .....

 

It's worrisome.  DH and I discussed while onboard that there seemed to have been a very aggressive marketing campaign directed toward gambling.  There was a lot more play going on than what we've seen before and there was a lot more smoke in the air in the Music Walk area.  

I've tried hard not to fault them for it too much, as just getting people back on board post-pandemic is uphill work.  They've gotta do what they've gotta do.  But for us...not really our thing.  So it's a trend we'll keep an eye on.

[zgscl]

Definitely not thrilled with adding slots to other locations on the ship. Now they just need to add online gaming to the Navigator app and a slot machine to each cabin so you don't even have to leave your room. 

[KirkNC]

12 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Our first ever cruise was in 2008 on the old Ryndam in a Neptune suite.  I thought we had died & gone to Heaven.  It was so “classy” in our opinion both the suite & perks, the breakfast in the Pinnacle, and in the MDR when the waiters with their white gloves cleaned off the crumbs etc.  Times have certainly changed and we are more open to try other cruise lines.  Sad, because we had liked what HAL was, not what is has become.  We have one long cruise on HAL next year then will branch out.  (We did try Celebrity in  a sky suite and it was outstanding). 

We are heading the same way.  We are trying to use up FCC from our aborted 2020 WC but then heading to lines with smaller ships and better food.

[figmentdj]

9 hours ago, zgscl said:

Definitely not thrilled with adding slots to other locations on the ship. Now they just need to add online gaming to the Navigator app and a slot machine to each cabin so you don't even have to leave your room. 

Some lines already have slots for money on their app. So you could literally play anywhere on the ship. Just an observation not an opinion.

[farjar]

18 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

I never saw a soul go near them on Koningsdam last month.  Luckily.

Interested to hear others' observations.

Got off the Koningsdam on Oct. 31.  Played the 5 poker machines near the Ocean Bar on several occasions.  Never was very crowded possibly because our cruise was only 1/2 full.  Preferred the quiet atmosphere there over the noise of the main casino where they have 8 poker machines.  Sat next to a woman who was playing $2 10 at a time ($20 per bet) compared to my $.25 per bet. She had it up over $1000 then later I saw her putting in more money.  Did see a man win $600 on poker and a women betting  $.75 on a reel machine win over $1200. First time I've gambled on a HAL ship.  Interesting they let you charge your gambling to your room bill.  Probably encourages people to gamble more than having to insert cash.  I was happy to have an alternative location to leisurely gamble. 

[SilvertoGold]

16 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

There are about 15 machines in that area.    Usually 4-5 people playing when I walked by - hardly a good survey though 

15?  What?  Are they insane?  I don't care how quiet these slots are, this is just tacky.   I could possibly see them in the CN,  a larger, open area, but in a nice, classy, comfortable bar?

[kangforpres]

These aren't even on the same Deck as the Casino. Are there slot machines in the Ocean Bar on the other Pinnacle class ships?  Putting slot machines with I'm guessing about an 87% payback is a great way to raise post-pandemic revenue but HAL never struck me as being a big Gambler's cruise line compared to Carnival or RCI.

 

The whole atmosphere of the Ocean Bar is relaxed and a great happy hour location with maybe a piano player, now they've turned it into a Nevada Bar

 

I do gamble on HAL and get Casino Promotions but this is just stupid overreach on their part

 

-Paul

[The-Inside-Cabin]

13 minutes ago, kangforpres said:

These aren't even on the same Deck as the Casino. Are there slot machines in the Ocean Bar on the other Pinnacle class ships?  Putting slot machines with I'm guessing about an 87% payback is a great way to raise post-pandemic revenue but HAL never struck me as being a big Gambler's cruise line compared to Carnival or RCI.

 

The whole atmosphere of the Ocean Bar is relaxed and a great happy hour location with maybe a piano player, now they've turned it into a Nevada Bar

 

I do gamble on HAL and get Casino Promotions but this is just stupid overreach on their part

 

-Paul

 

[Sir PMP]

12 hours ago, zgscl said:

Definitely not thrilled with adding slots to other locations on the ship. Now they just need to add online gaming to the Navigator app and a slot machine to each cabin so you don't even have to leave your room. 

Yes, and enjoy your sea cruise..