LIVE from the Koningsdam Holiday Sailing - Dec. 17th - Jan 7th - exploring my first Pinnacle Class ship 🤞

[kazu]

14 hours ago, vino100 said:

I have always loved your many live reports. Such a help to so many. 
we will be on the konsingdam in May and have CO. Are there 2 tables of 8 in that dining room? 
thanks and enjoy your next week. 

 

We double checked the tables at CO for you this morning.  the 2 large tables are tables for 6 - not 8.

 

But what could work well are 2 tables of 4.  There are two relatively close together with another set of 2 tables of 4 right behind them.

 

Reservations are not needed for CO though so hopefully if you talk to Aris you could make some kind of arrangement for those?

 

The tables are affixed so we didn’t see any way they could be moved to put tables together.

[mcrcruiser]

Jacqui it was a pleasure for Marianne & I to meet you 😃  .Even though it was the first 5 day cruise . We will look toward meeting you again  should our cruises cross on HAL ships  .  

 We did book the March 30 ,2024  .14 night solar cruise to the Mexican Riviera with many more ports south of  Puerto Vallarta  while we were on board  Dec 20th .This cruise is on Zaadam. 

 Glad that your foot  has been healing & so sorry that some one knocked you down & not sorry  . Most people we meet are very nice & kind . 

  How was your big Meet & Greet ?  

 

  We wish you a very Happy ,Healthy New Year  & wonderful New Years Eve on Koningsdam  /wish we were there !!

 

 Marianne & Cliff

 

  

[dobiemom]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

I did a lot of walking (for me) yesterday especially coming back on the ship.  For disembarkation we were allowed to use the A deck which is an easy walk.  On turnaround day last time when I stayed on we could use A deck to re-board.

 

But, coming back on board later it was not permitted so I had to do the long walk — Grrr.  By evening my foot was feeling unhappy so I bypassed evening activities and retired earlier than usual.

 

Now to my busy schedule for today 🙂 

Grrr. 
I’m sorry to hear they made you do the long walk. 

[kazu]

2 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

Jacqui it was a pleasure for Marianne & I to meet you 😃  .Even though it was the first 5 day cruise . We will look toward meeting you again  should our cruises cross on HAL ships  .  

 We did book the March 30 ,2024  .14 night solar cruise to the Mexican Riviera with many more ports south of  Puerto Vallarta  while we were on board  Dec 20th .This cruise is on Zaadam. 

 Glad that your foot  has been healing & so sorry that some one knocked you down & not sorry  . Most people we meet are very nice & kind . 

  How was your big Meet & Greet ?  

 

  We wish you a very Happy ,Healthy New Year  & wonderful New Years Eve on Koningsdam  /wish we were there !!

 

 Marianne & Cliff

 

  

 

Thanks Cliff.  

 

San Diego is not a usual port for me to sail out of (last time was 6 years ago) as it’s too hard and long to get to but who knows what the future holds?  Never say never 😉 

 

Our Meet and Greet was great - met a lot of CC’ers and very enjoyable.  Elizabeth @crystalspin did a great job!

[kazu]

Here is today’s dinner menu in the MDR:

 

 

 

 

 

Trying to remember what the special is tonight in CO.  Hoping I can find out.

[kazu]

Here is today’s lunch menu in the Lido:

 

 

 

[kazu]

And the dinner menu in the Lido:

 

 

[kazu]

Busy day at sea.

 

Went to the solo cruisers lunch in the MDR and had fun sitting with CC friends.  Then a quick run (figuratively speaking) to shore excursions to get a screw up fixed, to Billboard for Bingo tickets and off to wine tasting.

 

Good thing I went to the MDR - heard that the LIdo was an absolute zoo.

Better get moving - more later…..might be some grumbling heard (remember, I’m honest 😉)

[kazu]

How many times can you be one away at Bingo?  LOL,   I think I set a personal record.   Personally, I think I was jinxed by the CD. She pointed to me this morning and said “we have winner here with us:,”. Thanks for nothing.

 

Warning - it’s grumble time so bypass if you don’t want to hear it.

Went to the solocruisers lunch in the MDR.  Other than sitting with great CC friends, I saw nothing special.  Appetizers and main course were served at the same time.  Ugh.  Where is the flow?  Guess they want us out fast.

Started the struggle to get to shore excursions to fix another charge which they said last segment wouldn’t happen again last segment. Pat and Ann & I looked down and saw a lady with CO sign which would have let me avoid the long lineups.

Every time I got downstairs (one floor) the sign was gone and so was she.  Happened 3 times.

 

I figured lunch time when I was done would be a good time.  I only waited 15 minutes to get the $85 back that I had already paid.  I got a song and dance that it’s a glitch and they go through it will fix it by day 4, or maybe day 6.  Then some line that you know we don’t fix it earlier in case a tour cancels. It only makes sense. WTH?  It’s not a credit it’s a debit.  I replied back “well, it doesn’t make sense to me to be charged for something that I already paid for”.  He had to agree and since I was there he reversed it for me.  I have no intention of lining up on the last or 2nd last day to get it fixed.

 

Same issue last segment.  when they told me it would be fixed it wasn’t and I’m not standing in that lineup again. 

 

Went to the wine tasting - last week we were all seated and it started at 2 pm.  Today, they didn’t open the doors until 2 pm.  We didn’t start until long after 2:15 - closer to 2:30.  They apologized saying they weren’t expecting so many people - why not?  I saw her list - they knew full well how many they invited.

Thought we had our Tamarind bookings fixed up earlier and when Ann got to Bingo she checked her app and it was not the dining time we chose - she went back down while I guarded her cards and when she got back- it was for 3 people - she goes back - we think it’s fixed and then it’s Nami Sushi.  In the meantime we have lost our times and we think it’s fixed - I have no idea since I have no reservations on my Navigator -not impressed.

 

Someone here doesn’t know what they are doing.   Ann is probably one of the most patient people I know (much better than I.  I can get making a mistake once but not over and over).
 

My friend has HIA and free casino drinks and is being charged for every drink.  They tried to tell him there should be something on his card - there is nothing on mine - I have had to tell a few waiters I have HIA.  They promised to have it fixed and so far, nada.  He’s a fighter and will win - but how many times do you have to fight for something you already paid for?

 

It will be what it it will be.  We’ll try to make sure all is good when we go on the first.

They had Pat in my room at one point WTH?

 

Sea View Bar does not compare at all to my Oosterdam cruise.  I have had to go the bar many times to get a drink - but of course, that’s when I get the good one.  I have no idea if he’s charging me a double for it - don’t think so.  I haven’t come close to going over my HIA limit 😉 

 

Anyways that’s my grumble for the day,.  There seems to be an issue and it gets frustrating.

[ChinaShrek]

33 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

My friend has HIA and free casino drinks and is being charged for every drink.  They tried to tell him there should be something on his card - there is nothing on mine - I have had to tell a few waiters I have HIA.  They promised to have it fixed and so far, nada.  He’s a fighter and will win - but how many times do you have to fight for something you already paid for?

 

 

Their room key should have HIA in the top right corner. If it does not, they will be charged for drinks throughout the cruise. I would have them issue him a new room key. Otherwise, every drink will be charged.

[BetsyS.]

Jacqui - I hope things will improve for you from now on.   Good luck with Bingo the 

next time you play! 😊

[dfish]

I had similar problems on Nieuw Statendam last October.  First I was credited for an excursion when I shouldn't have been.  Then, they charged me for an excursion that was cancelled.  Then I was charged for a PG dinner that I had prepaid.  The manager of the PG said they do that and then they remove the charge at the end of the cruise.   Why on earth would they do that?   She was quite surprised that I wanted to use my prepaid meal instead of being reimbursed for it.  

 

On my evaluation form I stated that the accounting department needed to start over from scratch.  I've never seen such a mess.  I never used to have problems on my account, but every cruise since the restart has been a mess.   

 

Otherwise, all is fine.

[vino100]

8 hours ago, kazu said:

 

We double checked the tables at CO for you this morning.  the 2 large tables are tables for 6 - not 8.

 

But what could work well are 2 tables of 4.  There are two relatively close together with another set of 2 tables of 4 right behind them.

 

Reservations are not needed for CO though so hopefully if you talk to Aris you could make some kind of arrangement for those?

 

The tables are affixed so we didn’t see any way they could be moved to put tables together.

thanks for checking this out for me. I was hoping for larger tables, but I don’t want to give up CO. 
enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

[0106]

Hi Jacqui-

Grumble all you want…we learn from your experiences.

 

The only thing I can say is I check my account every morning on the Navigator app.  If there is a discrepancy, I send a message on the app.  On the Oosterdam in November, I was charged for a “free” excursion and 3 different days charged for a drink even though I had the HIA package.  When I checked the app the following morning, the incorrect charges had been credited. Never had to go to guest services. 

 

I was served apps and main course at the same time when I went to the MDR at lunch.  Never went back.  Noted it on my survey.

 

As far as the late start for the the wine tasting, my husband is on Lombardi time.  The Green Bay Packers coach said, “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.” ( I realize this reference may not work for a Canadian.)

 

I hope you have an excellent dinner at Tamarind.

 

No staff will ever compare to the service we got at the Seaview Bar in November!

[kazu]

3 hours ago, ChinaShrek said:

Their room key should have HIA in the top right corner. If it does not, they will be charged for drinks throughout the cruise. I would have them issue him a new room key. Otherwise, every drink will be charged.

 

Theirs does not nor has mine and this is my third segment.  I have been asked if I have a package at the beginning

 

there is NOTHING on my card and I have HIA all through and have no been charged so go figure..

 

[kazu]

2 hours ago, dfish said:

I had similar problems on Nieuw Statendam last October.  First I was credited for an excursion when I shouldn't have been.  Then, they charged me for an excursion that was cancelled.  Then I was charged for a PG dinner that I had prepaid.  The manager of the PG said they do that and then they remove the charge at the end of the cruise.   Why on earth would they do that?   She was quite surprised that I wanted to use my prepaid meal instead of being reimbursed for it.  

 

On my evaluation form I stated that the accounting department needed to start over from scratch.  I've never seen such a mess.  I never used to have problems on my account, but every cruise since the restart has been a mess.   

 

Otherwise, all is fine.

 

 

Yes, I call the accounting stupid and i have no time for stupid or patience to trust them to give it back 😉 

 

2 hours ago, vino100 said:

thanks for checking this out for me. I was hoping for larger tables, but I don’t want to give up CO. 
enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

 

For what my word is worth - I WOULD NOT give up CO. MDR is a mess.  CO is civilized as dining should be.   I was happy with the MDR on the Oosterdam but would not be happy here every night based only on 2 experiences and line ups at both decks.

 

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

Hi Jacqui-

Grumble all you want…we learn from your experiences.

 

The only thing I can say is I check my account every morning on the Navigator app.  If there is a discrepancy, I send a message on the app.  On the Oosterdam in November, I was charged for a “free” excursion and 3 different days charged for a drink even though I had the HIA package.  When I checked the app the following morning, the incorrect charges had been credited. Never had to go to guest services. 

 

I was served apps and main course at the same time when I went to the MDR at lunch.  Never went back.  Noted it on my survey.

 

As far as the late start for the the wine tasting, my husband is on Lombardi time.  The Green Bay Packers coach said, “If you’re not 15 minutes early, you’re late.” ( I realize this reference may not work for a Canadian.)

 

I hope you have an excellent dinner at Tamarind.

 

No staff will ever compare to the service we got at the Seaview Bar in November!

 

 

Thanks.  We were really spoiled on the Oosterdam with that Sea View staff.  I don’t think I have ever tipped so much money ever on a cruise.  The bills were flying - but those guys were so good to me and my foot and me in my wheel chair.  I’m sure if I was in that situation here I”d sit until the morning.  The guys are great but……

 

I sent a messenger on the app on the 2nd segment about the same shore excursion issue.  It was never acknowledged nor fixed so I ended up in a line up to get it fixed.  Front desk couldn’t do it.

I didn’t waste time with it this time and just dealt with it.
 

 

[ChinaShrek]

26 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Theirs does not nor has mine and this is my third segment.  I have been asked if I have a package at the beginning

 

there is NOTHING on my card and I have HIA all through and have no been charged so go figure..

 

Well, that's good. 

[mcrcruiser]

15 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks Cliff.  

 

San Diego is not a usual port for me to sail out of (last time was 6 years ago) as it’s too hard and long to get to but who knows what the future holds?  Never say never 😉 

 

Our Meet and Greet was great - met a lot of CC’ers and very enjoyable.  Elizabeth @crystalspin did a great job!

Jacqui glad to hear all is well & the Meet & Greet  was successful 😁. 

 

We booked the 14   night solar Eclipse Mexico cruise on Zaandam  March 30 ,2024  , This cruise goes  to ports further south  than  the ports that KDam is doing  .It is within the 90 day opening date still for  the extra OBC  . We did book on Dec 20th on the ship .you might be interested in that cruise since it is a full  Solar  Eclipse & HAL should have experts on board for the Eclipse at sea

 

Cliff

[kazu]

Good morning from the approach to Cabo San Lucas.  

I’m on whale watch - LOL.  Saw some yesterday and there have been a number on our approach and some were really close to the ship.

Looks like this might be a good day to visit Cabo!  😃 

 

The 3 of us are 5* and in Club Orange so we don’t need tender tickets.  Will just head down when they announce and get on and go hunting for a possible private whale excursion.  

 

[kazu]

13 hours ago, vino100 said:

thanks for checking this out for me. I was hoping for larger tables, but I don’t want to give up CO. 
enjoy the rest of your cruise. 

 

Here are some pics of Club Orange when it is empty:

 

 

 

These are the tables I think would work for you - the 2  four tops beside each other and in front of the other.

 

[kazu]

Our pilot is on the way:

 

 

And here is today’s Daily:

 

 

 

 

 

I was surprised that there are 3 different New Year’s Eve parties - I suppose with the number of people on board, it’s the only way to do it.  I thought they did something with the bell at the Sea View pool but see nothing there?

 

Bingo was not kind yesterday.  One person won 3 of the games!!!  But while waiting to meet my friends for dinner, went to the casino for a bit and for once, it was kind 🙂   It was even kinder to the lady next to me.  She won over $1200. She said not to ask how much she has spent.  LOL.
 

[bennybear]

Happy new year! 

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Here are some pics of Club Orange when it is empty:

 

 

 

These are the tables I think would work for you - the 2  four tops beside each other and in front of the other.

 

 

Thanks for the pictures.  I always loved the look of CO on the Koningsdam.  So bright and serene.  Also, I’ve seen the 4-tops on both sides of the room (in your pictures) turned into 8- and 10-tops.  Was never bothered by any noise from them because my favourite table is the one in the back corner.  😊

[oaktreerb]

@kazuI’m sorry to hear of your issue with the Club Orange line at the front desk.  There should be a roped off area at the far end of the CS desk indicating Club Orange and if no one is waiting there the desk clerk will assist others.  If you stand in the Club Orange roped off area you become priority and someone will come to assist you.  Even if they are short of personnel at the desk, you are priority.  

 

It sounds like there are too many “guests” onboard, compounded by too many issues and inexperience of staff.  The K will soon be sailing to Hawaii, hopefully fewer kids will be onboard and the crew will have time to adhere to a “tight ship” service mentality.  I’ll be on the second of the Hawaii sailings.  I sure hope they get their act together before I get there!

[Sea42]

Are they requiring people to sign for drinks? I've seen reports that they are on some ships. If when presented with the slip to sign for drinks or specialty restaurants, and the charge is wrong, can you just refuse to sign the receipt?