Multi Part Detailed Review of the Kdam to Alaska from a First Time Cruiser

[BroncoBobblehead]

1 minute ago, bobomonkeyrage said:

Awesome! I hope you have a great time! 
While the app is garbage, the feedback feature is great. We submitted feedback for several of the people I mentioned and all were very appreciative. One crew member mentioned that most people use it exclusively to complain so positive feedback is taken very seriously. It's a very simple, easy way to recognize the people who work so hard.

I'll be all over this - great to know!

[Crew News]

19 minutes ago, bobomonkeyrage said:

That is something my wife and I started discussing today. Maybe it's only because it was such a foreign experience for us, or because we just got home, or maybe we just got VERY lucky, but at this point there is very little we would do differently if it were the same itinerary. 
We would love to one day visit different places. Panama Canal is a bucket list place. Maybe for our 30th...
Other than that, we would discuss HIA and whether we would want to do that again or simply drink less. We wouldn't have done the Mendenhall Glacier after knowing how spectacular Glacier Bay would be. We would not eat at Canaletto at all but might eat lunch in specialty dining more. 

Hopefully, you tried the Grand Dutch Cafe almond cookies as well as those those huge chocolate chip cookies.  The NY Pizza & Deli above the indoor pool is one of my favorite relaxation spots.

 

As time passes and you read more CC posts, perhaps your HAL Alaska experience will convince you to return to both. 

 

Feel free to ask lots of questions in your Panama Canal cruise planning.

 

 

[bobomonkeyrage]

15 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Hopefully, you tried the Grand Dutch Cafe almond cookies as well as those those huge chocolate chip cookies.  The NY Pizza & Deli above the indoor pool is one of my favorite relaxation spots.

 

As time passes and you read more CC posts, perhaps your HAL Alaska experience will convince you to return to both. 

 

Feel free to ask lots of questions in your Panama Canal cruise planning.

 

 

We didn't do much as the Grand Dutch Cafe, although we should have. One of the disappointing things for me as a beer guy was that due to supply chain issues they weren't able to get in any La Trappe beers. La Trappe is a Dutch Trappist that is among my favourites and the menu listed two that I have never been able to find in Canada. After discovering their (understandable) supply issues, we didn't return. Clearly a mistake.
NY Deli and Pizza was great! 3 or 4 nights on our way to bed we stopped for a late night pizza to take back to the room as a late night snack. It was great! One night I tried the "buffalo" wings. They were good, but definitely not Buffalo. It was more of a dry Asian rub. Good, but not what was advertised. 
We'll start dreaming about the Panama Canal. Years from now we will be well researched thanks to these forums and people like you!

[bcummin]

Happy Anniversary!!!

You did well.  Your cruising days have just begun.

Barbara

[albingirl]

Thanks for a great review.  Love the details and appreciate your taking the time to do so.

[SilvertoGold]

Phenomenal review! Loved  reading every word, every description of your first cruise. HAL seems a good fit for you and your wife.  Maybe some day you will introduced the girls to this experience.  The waiters love kids and go all out for them.

 

We spent 7 weeks on the Koningsdam: your witty and in depth impressions really brought back fond memories for us.  That the Hotel Manager and Exc Housekeeper showed up at your door after your experience is excellent!  This is HAL at its best.  So glad you enjoyed your time on this ship!

 

 

[SDARCH]

Great review.  Glad you got to experience Alvin and Christian!! 

[rodndonna]

14 hours ago, bobomonkeyrage said:

We wouldn't have done the Mendenhall Glacier after knowing how spectacular Glacier Bay would be.

 

We were on your cruise - had a great time also. It seems we really lucked out with spectacular weather for Glacier Bay - our pictures all look photoshopped!

 

I recall the weather in Juneau was pretty poor (we spent it in the Red Dog saloon), which would have dampened the Mendenhalll Glacier experience I expect. Do you think if the weather had been reverse (great in Juneau and bad for Glacier Bay) you would still think the same?

 

I am wondering if we have been spoiled now having been to Glacier Bay in perfect weather. Not a bad thing - haha.

 

 

[mexico8]

I so enjoyed reading your positive review and your great sense of humour.  So nice to read about someone who appreciated how hard the HAL staff work to please the passengers and that you passed on your comments to those in charge.  It means so much to the staff and great that you took the time to do it.   

 

We have cruised hundreds of days with HAL and our most disappointing cruise was the Alaska cruise.   We did not see much in terms of glaciers and thought most of the ports looked the same and we didn't care for any of the shops we saw in the ports.   To each his own I guess.

 

Thanks again for taking the time to make all those posts that were so enjoyable to read.

[WDeany]

Oh my God!!! One of the best and inclusive reviews I have ever read.  Thank you so much for your insight and am so glad you had a good time.  Enjoyed the whole experience with your words!!!  Thanks again.

[LuAnn]

Thanks for a super fun review that brought me laughs and smiles!! So glad you had such a great time. I love to cruise and happy to hear that you did as well. 

[cabland]

Really great review - loved "experiencing" it through your eyes.  Honestly, the only things I would have done differently would have nearly doubled your cost (i.e. helicopter to glacier, tracy arm fjord  excursion, possible train ride, etc.)!

[PNWcruzin]

Awesome, glad you had a great time. My self started cruising at early 30ish. HAL was first cruise taken. Had same great experience as you. Tried other future cruises on other cruise lines, none of which compared to HAL for overall experiences. Moved up from inside cabins, to now we only cruise in suite cabins. When you get older, you appreciate the finer things in life, are worth the extra $$$. 

 

We did/do most our cruises with our daughters, they always have things for them to keep occupied while we have some private time for ourselves.

We are only a few cruise days away from three star status. We are set to cruise on the Z...dam on June 29 out of Alaska, this will be our fourth Alaska cruise.

Would love to meet up with folks like yourself in future cruises. It's easy to catch the HAL bug, the only way for a cure is to book another cruise 

 

 

[SLOTheta]

Thank you for your wonderful review. We started cruising 7 years ago when I was in my 30s, and have been hooked ever since. We’ve only been on HAL and wouldn’t want to switch. We leave for Alaska from Seattle next Sunday and can’t wait. 
 

The one upside of your gambling is that you’ll start to receive awesome casino cruise deals, we are in a Veranda with the HIA and prepaid grat, mid ship and it was $1600/pp with the casino rate. We often get offers for free cruises. We are waiting for a free/way reduced cruise deal for Mexico over Christmas. We took one in 2019 right before Covid and it was amazing. 

[bobomonkeyrage]

On 6/24/2022 at 11:04 AM, rodndonna said:

 

We were on your cruise - had a great time also. It seems we really lucked out with spectacular weather for Glacier Bay - our pictures all look photoshopped!

 

I recall the weather in Juneau was pretty poor (we spent it in the Red Dog saloon), which would have dampened the Mendenhalll Glacier experience I expect. Do you think if the weather had been reverse (great in Juneau and bad for Glacier Bay) you would still think the same?

 

I am wondering if we have been spoiled now having been to Glacier Bay in perfect weather. Not a bad thing - haha.

 

 

Ship mates! How awesome! 
You may well be correct. Even though we were prepared for the liquid sunshine in Juneau, the spectacular weather in Glacier Bay definitely added to the magnificence. I have no desire to find out if the opposite would be true!

Edited June 28, 2022 by bobomonkeyrage

[bobomonkeyrage]

On 6/25/2022 at 1:04 PM, PNWcruzin said:

Awesome, glad you had a great time. My self started cruising at early 30ish. HAL was first cruise taken. Had same great experience as you. Tried other future cruises on other cruise lines, none of which compared to HAL for overall experiences. Moved up from inside cabins, to now we only cruise in suite cabins. When you get older, you appreciate the finer things in life, are worth the extra $$$. 

 

We did/do most our cruises with our daughters, they always have things for them to keep occupied while we have some private time for ourselves.

We are only a few cruise days away from three star status. We are set to cruise on the Z...dam on June 29 out of Alaska, this will be our fourth Alaska cruise.

Would love to meet up with folks like yourself in future cruises. It's easy to catch the HAL bug, the only way for a cure is to book another cruise 

 

 

My daughters can't wait to go on the "big boat"

[Steelrz]

Signed up for the boards just to thank you for such a detailed review. I enjoyed every word!  We will be first time cruisers as well, on the Koningsdam in May 2023, and I will look out for that beer you wanted to try and raise a glass to you!  
 

Appreciate all the insight you provided! 

 

 

[friendswithdave]

I also appreciate the comprehensive review. We have been to Alaska and the Kdam before, but am always looking for up to date info. We are sailing on the Kdam in late July and it's good to see your positive review. Glad you had a great experience, and thank you again for sharing it with us!