My mini-review of Koningsdam post dry dock

[OlsSalt]

3 hours ago, Coolcruise02 said:

Thank you for the very informative video! We were on the sailing before the dry dock. Those Lido chairs were embarrassing. I can't believe they weren't replaced.

 

Our embarkation at San Diego was also horrible, so clearly this is not isolated to just Vancouver. I get tired of people blaming the "port authorities".  HAL has to take responsibility for making it better!

 

Can't wait to see more of your videos!

 

I suspect the only way "HAL can make things better"  in San Diego or Vancouver is to stop using those ports.  Why do you think HAL wants their embarking customers to have a bad experience?

[Coyote Chris]

2 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Did you happen to inquire as to why the terminal staff weren’t “policing arrival times”?  (This is not a snarky question; I am truly curious.)

 

Our check-in time was 10:00am and the place was swamped.  Suites/4*/5*/Club Orange all have priority check-in so that would impact assigned check-in times.  Likewise, those arriving via HAL transfers wouldn’t have any say in what time they were delivered to the port. 

 

I guess you could say there are a multitude of reasons as to how check-in times are impacted, including those who don’t “self-police”.  I have not been retained to find a solution so do not have a grasp on where all the speed bumps lie.  It seems to me that passing the buck may take the heat off one person but it does a disservice to all, no matter who’s passing it.

I noticed something in San Diego the last cruise.  I went through port security, which HAL has no control of, and then got in a line to get my pic taken.....no windows, no ques...THEN HAL sat me down for Boarding group B.  So yes, they were policing the actual time you boarded, but not sat. 

[Coyote Chris]

57 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

I suspect the only way "HAL can make things better"  in San Diego or Vancouver is to stop using those ports.  Why do you think HAL wants their embarking customers to have a bad experience?

Cruise ship Pax capacity is going up 43 percent by 2026.  Just like airports, the Port/City etc of San Diego is gonna have to expand if they want the hotel rooms/food sales/docking fees/jobs....At Spokane International airport, its one expansion project after another.....I am not being judgmental about all of this.....but its a fact.  The only other way is to make sure the port docking times can be accommadating for all cruise ships seven days a week or start docking at 5p and sailing at 5 a.  

[Florida_gal_50]

5 hours ago, zgscl said:

Sorry, they were probably getting my food! 🤣

Not on my last cruise 😛.  I watched them one day and they were getting food literally for hours around noon. All the cabanas were rented out but it never seemed to be that full.  They certainly weren’t as efficient as they were on the koningsdam.  If I could get my own ice that would be great.  Used to be cold towels, saw that one day after I asked.  Love an Arnold parlmer saw that one day only.  It’s pretty much impossible to get small things.  

[PACD_JG]

16 hours ago, luv2cruzuk said:

The library has been blanked out on the deck plan. See photo, and the doors are locked right now. See additional photo. 

Thank you.  Here's hoping it will look like Daunt Books in Marylebone by this summer.

[lavictoria]

On 4/29/2023 at 1:53 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

That seems needlessly complicated.

The Coca-cola Freestyle machines offer combinations of close to 50 sugared/NSA flavours of Coke products. You get a big plastic cup with a chip in it that allows the machine dispense into it. Regardless of your paying for the package - if you don't carry your cup around with you, you can't get pop from the machine - nor can staff.

It is meant for kids or people who mostly only drink soda. Why they include it with the SDP is beyond me.

[mcrcruiser]

Thanks for the video update post dry dock .  Happy to read that those tattered Lifo chairs were reupholstered  .  They were very obviously worn on our Dec 2022 cruises

[BermudaBound2014]

4 hours ago, lavictoria said:

The Coca-cola Freestyle machines offer combinations of close to 50 sugared/NSA flavours of Coke products. You get a big plastic cup with a chip in it that allows the machine dispense into it. Regardless of your paying for the package - if you don't carry your cup around with you, you can't get pop from the machine - nor can staff.

It is meant for kids or people who mostly only drink soda. Why they include it with the SDP is beyond me.

 

Same machine on RCL, except you get the cup 'free' with certain room categories. 

[oaktreerb]

On 4/30/2023 at 9:59 PM, OlsSalt said:

 

I suspect the only way "HAL can make things better"  in San Diego or Vancouver is to stop using those ports.  Why do you think HAL wants their embarking customers to have a bad experience?

There are not a lot of West Coast ports that want cruise ships.   Our February cruise out of San Diego was so easy!  Boarding was complicated by the arrival of bus passengers but it moved along and did provide for expedited passengers eventually!  We went through the line, security, and directly to the ship.  When we disembarked we didn’t even have to show passports, just our smiling faces!  Couldn’t believe it was so easy!

 

Vancouver is just ramping up for Alaska cruises.  It will get better, they do this every year.  Just not all year long like Ft Lauderdale and Miami.  

[Skorpora]

On 4/30/2023 at 6:11 PM, *Miss G* said:

 

The US CBP were not allowing NEXUS or GE card holders expedited entry.  Everyone had to get to the back of the long snaking regular line. 

We were able to go in the NEXUS line with no problem on April 13 in Vancouver. We were onboard in about an hour. We arrived at the terminal around 11am.

[luv2cruzuk]

18 hours ago, lavictoria said:

The Coca-cola Freestyle machines offer combinations of close to 50 sugared/NSA flavours of Coke products. You get a big plastic cup with a chip in it that allows the machine dispense into it. Regardless of your paying for the package - if you don't carry your cup around with you, you can't get pop from the machine - nor can staff.

It is meant for kids or people who mostly only drink soda. Why they include it with the SDP is beyond me.

I love the freestyle machines. I’m sure it would be cheaper for HAL to give access to this rather than me keep getting a can of soda. 
 

Perhaps using those machines they can’t monitor the 15 drinks that you are allowed on the SBP. 

[Laminator]

On 4/29/2023 at 6:59 PM, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

Seven years might not have taught you the cautionary tale of using absolute language, but it did teach you how to secure exceptional casino rates. I think we would all agree that the later is much more valuable in the real world 😄

 

Did you get the corner suite on your May sailing? 

Adjoining SA's so I am happy. As long as it wasn't those SQ's or whatever they are called on deck 10. I would have canceled.

[BermudaBound2014]

1 minute ago, Laminator said:

Adjoining SA's so I am happy. As long as it wasn't those SQ's or whatever they are called on deck 10. I would have canceled.

 

That is wonderful! Congratulations :). Enjoy your trip.

[*Miss G*]

14 hours ago, Skorpora said:

We were able to go in the NEXUS line with no problem on April 13 in Vancouver. We were onboard in about an hour. We arrived at the terminal around 11am.

 

Out of curiousity, how did they funnel the NEXUS holders through the process?  Did you just go straight through to the desk and bypass the machines or did they have some machines set up for expedited entry?

[Skorpora]

3 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Out of curiousity, how did they funnel the NEXUS holders through the process?  Did you just go straight through to the desk and bypass the machines or did they have some machines set up for expedited entry?

We just went straight through to the desk. No machines. They were also processing the disabled passengers there, so it was a bit slower. I should also mention that we also had expedited boarding due to 4* status. I had heard someone mention that they were made to sit and wait, but we were ushered straight onboard. I think we may have just been in the right place at the right time!

[reposado]

Tried looking but dont see it.. anyone know if koningsdam replaced its dated carpet in the rooms during the dry dock?

[highscar]

Would appreciate it if anyone on the K can tell me if you can order bottle of Smirnoff vodca for the room and the cost.  No mixes.  It is not on the list for pre order as it was earlier this year.  It is a very small list now and the prices are ridiculous. Thank you.   

 

 

 

[Skorpora]

1 hour ago, reposado said:

Tried looking but dont see it.. anyone know if koningsdam replaced its dated carpet in the rooms during the dry dock?

We were in 6139 and no, same old carpet. It was really worn near the door/bathroom area. 

[reposado]

6 minutes ago, Skorpora said:

We were in 6139 and no, same old carpet. It was really worn near the door/bathroom area. 

 

Thats too bad. Thanks for the response. 

[Ms. Alpha]

I sailed on this same cruise and think the OP did a FAIR review.  I have sailed on the Koningsdam before and was also disappointed with the "disjointed" function of the Crows Nest.  On previous cruises on Kdam and other HAL ships we enjoyed the Crows Nest as a quiet place to sit and admire the view (during daylight) and just read and relax while enjoying coffee and a cocktail.  The shore excursions dept was operating out of the computers opposite the coffee bar, that in the past were the remains of an internet cafe.  In other words they were passenger accessible computers - something that seems to have gone the way of the dodo.  With the library still under renovations in the old Microsoft Studio  (between the World Stage and the Rolling Stone Rock Room) the Crows Nest functioning as a library/card room/puzzle area as well as a cafe/lounge.  Hopefully this will be sorted out once the renovations are complete.  We love the forward facing seats by the windows but found the chairs themselves very low and awkward to get in and out of.  I was also surprised to see the port side of the Crows Nest operation as an Art Studio with several different types of classes.  I didn't participate but the classes seemed to always bwee full and I heard several people say you had to be there 30 min early to get in as they limited capacity.

 

Overall we enjoyed our second trip on this ship, but did notice that staffing levels are below what they should be.  We got used to standing in line a lot on the first few sea days but things got better as the passengers adapted to the routine. That being said EVERY crew/staff member we interacted us were very friendly and helpful and always greeted us with a smile and a good morning/evening, even if just passing by.  

 

Thanks for your review and videos, luv2cruzuk!  Looking forward to more.

[rj59]

Great, fair video

1. The buffet chairs are an abomination. They're heavy, so difficult to move and get frayed so easily. The entire buffet area has too little seating, since the food sections expanded so much. 

2. When I went on K. in December, I was going to get the coke package, but none of the freestyle machines worked.

3. The gelato place is wasted space, since anyone can get free scoop ice cream in the buffet.

4. The walking track is ridiculously small and dangerous, with very low side windows that don't offer any wind protection. The upper outside decks are confusing and irritating, since one side you can't get through because of a crew smoking/surfing area (not a good look). 

5. The showers are the best I've had, with huge space and (gasp) no shower curtains or gross tub.

6. I was happy to see it possible to get around the outside lifeboat deck, but at the rear it goes to the space of one person, with no mirrors at corners, also dangerous and irritating for the many who are used to walking miles on a HAL promenade. 

[luv2cruzuk]

On 5/12/2023 at 6:52 AM, Ms. Alpha said:

I sailed on this same cruise and think the OP did a FAIR review.  I have sailed on the Koningsdam before and was also disappointed with the "disjointed" function of the Crows Nest.  On previous cruises on Kdam and other HAL ships we enjoyed the Crows Nest as a quiet place to sit and admire the view (during daylight) and just read and relax while enjoying coffee and a cocktail.  The shore excursions dept was operating out of the computers opposite the coffee bar, that in the past were the remains of an internet cafe.  In other words they were passenger accessible computers - something that seems to have gone the way of the dodo.  With the library still under renovations in the old Microsoft Studio  (between the World Stage and the Rolling Stone Rock Room) the Crows Nest functioning as a library/card room/puzzle area as well as a cafe/lounge.  Hopefully this will be sorted out once the renovations are complete.  We love the forward facing seats by the windows but found the chairs themselves very low and awkward to get in and out of.  I was also surprised to see the port side of the Crows Nest operation as an Art Studio with several different types of classes.  I didn't participate but the classes seemed to always bwee full and I heard several people say you had to be there 30 min early to get in as they limited capacity.

 

Overall we enjoyed our second trip on this ship, but did notice that staffing levels are below what they should be.  We got used to standing in line a lot on the first few sea days but things got better as the passengers adapted to the routine. That being said EVERY crew/staff member we interacted us were very friendly and helpful and always greeted us with a smile and a good morning/evening, even if just passing by.  

 

Thanks for your review and videos, luv2cruzuk!  Looking forward to more.

Thank you so much for your kind words. 

[luv2cruzuk]

I'm excited to share my latest food video review with you all! I know a couple of you were awaiting this, and I apologise for the delay. Editing took a bit longer than I expected, but I wanted to make sure I put together a thorough and informative review.

 

This one is a bit longer than my previous videos (24 minutes) so I hope you can spare the time to watch until the end. I promise it will be worth it! 

 

As always, I want to emphasise that these are just my personal opinions and tastes. Everyone's palate is different, so take my review with a grain of salt (pun intended!). 

 

I look forward to hearing your comments.

 

 

[PACD_JG]

6 hours ago, luv2cruzuk said:

 

 

I look forward to hearing your comments.

 

 

Lee-doh.  🙂

[WannaSea]

Really enjoyed watching your Koningsdam food review. Your comments were very useful with an appropriate description to complete the well composed and edited video clips. Though I may not order the same, your information will be helpful to me for dining choices on my upcoming K cruise. Nicely done.