Hawaiian Holiday 🎄🍾 LIVE from Koningsdam Dec 21-Jan 6: join me for my 1st solo cruise & 1st inside cabin!

[ArizonaStorm]

15 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

This is truly the Cruise of Firsts: breakfast mate did not enjoy her crepes; Server came by asking the obligatory "how is everything?" Her reply of "horrible, it's awful" got a response of "please enjoy." As we shook our heads, Tablemate said she expected him to ask what was wrong or at least offer to bring her something else, instead the Server kept walking.

Sheez...

Upside, I have a lovely view from the library 

I hope Tablemate notes this incident on her post-cruise survey, along with the name of the waiter.  It's an unacceptable response in any restaurant -- sea or land.  Maybe the waiter is at the end of their contract and no longer cares -- but it is still a reflection on the cruise line.

[Haljo1935]

11 minutes ago, ArizonaStorm said:

I hope Tablemate notes this incident on her post-cruise survey, along with the name of the waiter.  It's an unacceptable response in any restaurant -- sea or land.  Maybe the waiter is at the end of their contract and no longer cares -- but it is still a reflection on the cruise line.

I'm certain she will; she was beyond frustrated. Couple days ago, her DH scooter was missing after breakfast. 5 hours later it was located and returned to them - another "oh my" moment. 

I will mention it since I was there and saw/heard firsthand her reaction to the crepes when got them and to the Server's response and inaction. It was strange 🤔 

[jeh10641]

On 12/23/2023 at 11:55 AM, Haljo1935 said:

No way they're service dogs - I have not encountered service dogs that bark when people simply pass by like these do. They bark apparently when the cabin steward or whomever visits the cabin (a lot of "sh, be quiet" coming from there). I'm no expert, but my experience is barking is not an alert service dogs do. I will stop there, but just ugh.

I'm hoping they just need a couple days to acclimate and will only say something if they don't. I would like to delete the other pictures I have, rather than using them, and get on with the festivities of this cruise!! 🥳

You may not be able to tell there are 2 dogs - one in red, the other in green. Maybe their holiday colors? That would be cute.

They do not look like service dogs, if they are indeed them.

[Haljo1935]

Question - have you read enough about the "stuff" and want more happy talk? Or do you want to know when things go sideways?

I'm asking because we're in this together and I want to give an accurate representation of this cruise, but I don’t want to bring anyone down with the negative news.

So, let me know where you sit on the Real-O-Meter.

Maybe @POA1 can sprinkle some Awesome Dust on us - here's our location to help you find us 😉

Unpleasantries aside, I am having a marvelous time - the seas are beautiful, I've met some wonderful people and we have a sparkly clean new year ahead of us. 🥳And I'm off to enjoy a PG New Year's Day brunch (my first)!!😊

[Destiny0315]

17 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Couple days ago, her DH scooter was missing after breakfast. 5 hours later it was located and returned to them - another "oh my" moment. 

As I understand it the ship's security team released this photo of a suspect of interest in the missing scooter incident onboard.😉

 

[BetsyS.]

Thanks so much for giving us all a complete report on everything - the good as well as the bad. In my opinion, I think it's helpful.

         I don't understand why the crew member did nothing when he saw that the dog 

was off leash.

          When the dog ran into your cabin, he could have knocked you off your balance. Thank goodness that didn't happen.

          As for the waiter, he should have offered to give your tablemate something else.

On the plus side, I love it when the waiters sing a song for a birthday or anniversary. I 

always enjoy that.

           Thanks for all your reports and pictures. Your brunch should be great! 🥂😊

[jeh10641]

On 12/24/2023 at 6:25 PM, ottahand7 said:

I find their chicken and tuna salad for sandwiches are excellent.  I don't eat the bread either so I would ask for it on a plate and would enjoy it on my salad .  

My wife and I also eat "breadless" sandwiches.

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, jeh10641 said:

We had a "sideways" inside cabin on Rotterdam. Look at cabins 1140, 1146 on the Main Deck (#1).

Jim

Yep, that's what mine looks like 😊

[Huskerchick]

21 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Question - have you read enough about the "stuff" and want more happy talk? Or do you want to know when things go sideways?

I'm asking because we're in this together and I want to give an accurate representation of this cruise, but I don’t want to bring anyone down with the negative news.

So, let me know where you sit on the Real-O-Meter.

Maybe @POA1 can sprinkle some Awesome Dust on us - here's our location to help you find us 😉

Unpleasantries aside, I am having a marvelous time - the seas are beautiful, I've met some wonderful people and we have a sparkly clean new year ahead of us. 🥳And I'm off to enjoy a PG New Year's Day brunch (my first)!!😊

I do have a question about the PG Brunch is this different from the regular lunch menu and is it offered because it's a holiday? 

[Hogladyrider]

@Haljo1935....I am in for the "good, bad and ugly" of it all.....more spa pics if you can.

 

I am following @TxTeach79 New Years cruise on Carnival Celebration, they had the exact same decorations and hats etc as you did on Koningsdam!  Of course I understand they are under the same ownership so it makes sense.

 

Pulled our suite case out today and started the "gathering" process 28 days and counting down!

[Crew News]

2 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

We are booked on January 28 2025. What date is your cruise?

Jim,

January 11, 2025.  I will have all of the latest menus and daily programs posted for you.

[Haljo1935]

35 minutes ago, Huskerchick said:

I do have a question about the PG Brunch is this different from the regular lunch menu and is it offered because it's a holiday? 

Menu bills it as the 1st (yay - they got the memo this is a Cruise of Firsts!!) Annual... inferring it will be offered on future NYD cruises, So, yes, I believe it is being offered for the holiday. It is a different menu than PG lunch. 

 

[Haljo1935]

1st PG brunch was mostly good. Ended up w/2 of the red velvet thingy (1 was delivered w/the berries, before the steak; another was delivered w/the steak);  hopefully Karma (server) will enjoy the 2nd one, Lord knows I don't have room for it.😏

Berries were fabulous- ate them all - why do I do that?

 

Dessert was good- way too much for 1 person

Steak was a bit too red for my liking, but at least it wasn't dry and had good flavor.

 

 

 

Edited January 1 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Menu bills it as the 1st (yay - they got the memo this is a Cruise of Firsts!!) Annual... inferring it will be offered on future NYD cruises, So, yes, I believe it is being offered for the holiday. It is a different menu than PG lunch. 

 

Menu is identical to the 2023 NYD PG Lunch with two changes:  price of Bloody Marys dropped $1 and the bottomless Mimosas (free last year) are now $19.  New background, too.

Edited January 2 by Crew News

[Huskerchick]

Yum! Everything looks great. We are on for Easter wonder if they do something similar. Thanks for the food porn 😋

[trishbk]

2 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

They do not look like service dogs, if they are indeed them.

I have been a 4-H Dog Leader for 6 yrs where I taught 9-18 yrs old kids how to train their dogs in obedience training. Before that I showed AKC Obedience.  I have young kids in 4-H whose dogs are more well behaved than these little dogs on your cruise, even their very young puppies!  I also have neighbors who train puppies for Guide Dogs for the Blind for more than 20 yrs. If the dogs cannot make the  “cut” to advance for Guide Dogs for the Blind, they typically are trained to become therapy dogs for individuals who are at risk for seizures or military warriors who are paraplegics.  The dogs on your cruise are not service dogs! One hint for me is the woman wearing high heeled sandals. If your dog is for a disabled person, they do not wear heeled shoes. One of the things that disgusts those who train puppies for the blind is that anybody can get their dog listed as a service dog. I am on the Jan 30 Hawaii cruise, and if  someone brings a dog on a cruise that disrupts my experience on the cruise, I will report it immediately. I will try Guest Services first and then will go to Rene the Hotel Manager. 

[Haljo1935]

27 minutes ago, Huskerchick said:

Yum! Everything looks great. We are on for Easter wonder if they do something similar. Thanks for the food porn 😋

I hope they do - I know you'll update us in a couple short months 😉

I would like to see a special brunch menu on each of the special holidays. And they do feel special. 

Edited January 2 by Haljo1935
Typo

[ArizonaStorm]

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Question - have you read enough about the "stuff" and want more happy talk? Or do you want to know when things go sideways?

I'm asking because we're in this together and I want to give an accurate representation of this cruise, but I don’t want to bring anyone down with the negative news.

So, let me know where you sit on the Real-O-Meter.

Maybe @POA1 can sprinkle some Awesome Dust on us - here's our location to help you find us 😉

Unpleasantries aside, I am having a marvelous time - the seas are beautiful, I've met some wonderful people and we have a sparkly clean new year ahead of us. 🥳And I'm off to enjoy a PG New Year's Day brunch (my first)!!😊

It's all interesting.  Every cruise has a mix of goods and not-so-goods.  Fortunately, 95% of every day is good.  The other stuff is just "life".  If I were sitting at home, I'd have plenty of bad moments, too.  (I've had three nights of neighborhood fireworks to frazzle my nerves.  Last night was the worst, as it went on for over four hours.  Sociopaths!)

 

When I step aboard the Koningsdam on January 13 (Birthday #66) for the same cruise, I'll wipe the slate clean and focus on creating my own memories.  YOUR comments and attachments are uniquely helpful to me, as I'll likely have the same crew and meals and activities.  So, thank you so much!

 

Also, when I step aboard the ship on the 13th, the ruling monarch of Denmark will be Queen Margrethe II.  She announced yesterday her plan to abdicate the throne on the 14th of January.  Her elder son, Frederik, will become the "Koning" -- the King of Denmark on that day.  It will be fun to be sailing on the King's Ship on that day.  The Captain should make an announcement of some sort.

[Haljo1935]

2 minutes ago, ArizonaStorm said:

It's all interesting.  Every cruise has a mix of goods and not-so-goods.  Fortunately, 95% of every day is good.  The other stuff is just "life".  If I were sitting at home, I'd have plenty of bad moments, too.  (I've had three nights of neighborhood fireworks to frazzle my nerves.  Last night was the worst, as it went on for over four hours.  Sociopaths!)

 

When I step aboard the Koningsdam on January 13 (Birthday #66) for the same cruise, I'll wipe the slate clean and focus on creating my own memories.  YOUR comments and attachments are uniquely helpful to me, as I'll likely have the same crew and meals and activities.  So, thank you so much!

 

Also, when I step aboard the ship on the 13th, the ruling monarch of Denmark will be Queen Margrethe II.  She announced yesterday her plan to abdicate the throne on the 14th of January.  Her elder son, Frederik, will become the "Koning" -- the King of Denmark on that day.  It will be fun to be sailing on the King's Ship on that day.  The Captain should make an announcement of some sort.

Yes, I read about Queen Margrethe abdicating; I think Captain should recognize it and will be curious to hear what he says.

I, too, step onto each ship with no expectations other than thinking this is so exciting, I am going to have a great cruise! I try my best to make that happen, so it feels a bit strange to me to be talking so much about things that are not right. But I am still having a great time and not once have I heard myself say I wished I was anywhere else. 🫡

Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

[ottahand7]

4 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

We are booked on January 28 2025. What date is your cruise?

Jim,

We are also joining that cruise backing it up with Hawaii South Pacific in February. 

[jeh10641]

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

January 11, 2025.  I will have all of the latest menus and daily programs posted for you.

Awesome. We were on Rotterdam in early December 2021 when it still had that "new ship" smell. HAL is our favorite cruise company.

Jim

[nw gardener]

@Haljo1935, thank you for your time posting about your cruise,  the good and not so good 🐕.  How do you feel about your first solo, and first inside cabin?  I'm thinking of doing a similar cruise in 2025 on the Koningsdam.

[jeh10641]

36 minutes ago, ottahand7 said:

We are also joining that cruise backing it up with Hawaii South Pacific in February. 

Hi, ottahand7,

Have you joined the Cruise Critic Rioll Call for that cruise? I am on it already. I look forward to meeting you as I have viewed many posts by you in the past. By the way - your name is...?

Jim

[NCTribeFan]

3 hours ago, Crew News said:

January 11, 2025.  I will have all of the latest menus and daily programs posted for you.

 

I'm also on the 1/11/25 sailing.

[Crew News]

7 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

 

I'm also on the 1/11/25 sailing.

We have a roll call already started and you are welcome to join.