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

[0106]

4 hours ago, Desert Cruisers said:

At what level do passengers get invited to this luncheon?  Recently on the Oosterdam  TA crossing, there was a late afternoon cocktail party but it was for 4 stars and above.  No special lunch.  

I am 3 star and was on the Rotterdam TA in October,  I received an invitation to the Mariners lunch and a cocktail party by the Lido pool for 3 star and above.

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Haljo1935..thank you so much for the info on the doors.

I have a magnetic sign for our cabin door.  Will make it easier for us to find our cabin after out and about for the evening!

I like it! I'm sure it will look great whichever door it clings to. I'm a tad envious as I'm not retired, so my sign would have an extra activity listed - work. In this case, shorter is better 😉

[Haljo1935]

My view from the Billboard Onboard couch

Do they serve food at Billboard? Like maybe during happy hour?

 

 

Edited January 4 by Haljo1935
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[AryMay]

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Ok, here we go. Which to do first - talk about the most recent sighting of the 4 legged passengers or the incredibly adorable animal invasion at the Lido?

Don’t leave us hanging! Is there another chapter to the dog story? 

[jeh10641]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

I like it! I'm sure it will look great whichever door it clings to. I'm a tad envious as I'm not retired, so my sign would have an extra activity listed - work. In this case, shorter is better 😉

I have been retired since I turned 70 in 2011. Work is a four letter word I do not use in mixed company.

 

Jim

[jeh10641]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

My view from the Billboard Onboard couch

Do they serve food at Billboard? Like maybe during happy hour?

 

 

Two years ago on Rotterdam after 4 PM (1600), snacks were served along with a taste of Trivia.

Jim

Edited January 4 by jeh10641
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[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, AryMay said:

Don’t leave us hanging! Is there another chapter to the dog story? 

There are at least 2 more chapters. I waited to see if I could put a bow on the novella, but just when I pull out the spool of shiny satin, ta-da here we go. So, this evening when I'm back in my cabin, I'll give you an update. I'm too busy watching this show right now, lol.

Edited January 4 by Haljo1935
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[Haljo1935]

54 minutes ago, jeh10641 said:

I have been retired since I turned 70 in 2011. Work is a four letter word I do not use in mixed company.

 

Jim

You are my hero - congrats!!

[SonuvaBeach]

12 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

No ruler to measure, but took a couple pictures using the Daily as a "size guide." Note that the safe has about a 1" lip all the way around it so the opening is approx 1" narrower then the inside. See the screensot close-up of the backside of the Daily for reference on the size of the lip.

The edge of the page is touching the wall of the safe.

The Daily is longways in the safe w/the top edge touching the inside of the safe. You can see how much room is left - just remember the "lip" around the safe. If the computer just fits, you may have to angle it to clear the lip.

My laptop fits w/o issue but it's a baby 13"

Thank you! Based on the size of the paper, there should be plenty of room!

[SonuvaBeach]

10 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Yes it will accept my Dell Inspiron 15 inch laptop.  You need to insert it at a 45° angle through the door and not flat, but it will sit flat on the floor of the safe

Thank you! 

[jeh10641]

13 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

You are my hero - congrats!!

Hi,  Haljo1935,

There are not enough words in the dictionary to let you know how much I have enjoyed your Koningsdam reports these past couple of weeks. You should write a novella or even a novel. My w... career was spent in publishing. I look forward to reading more of your reports.

Jim

[NCTribeFan]

I'm going to seriously consider buying a spa pass for my sailing.  I've only spent a few hours in the spa (I think that was back on Zuiderdam several years ago).  I loved it.  With so many sea days, and typically a few when it's cooler outside, I can see me taking advantage of those heated loungers.

[Haljo1935]

9 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

I'm going to seriously consider buying a spa pass for my sailing.  I've only spent a few hours in the spa (I think that was back on Zuiderdam several years ago).  I loved it.  With so many sea days, and typically a few when it's cooler outside, I can see me taking advantage of those heated loungers.

You know, I thought the spa would be packed because of having so many sea days and wondered if I would get the value from it. But, there has always been room so it's been great. Other than a couple times, the hydra pool has had room.

I'd say, water's great - jump on in!

[Haljo1935]

Couple bridge players sitting at my Lido lunch table. They're commenting about how slow the line moves due to lack of servers and how much they did not enjoy Canaletto. I have only grapped lunch up there a couple times and have not eaten at Canaletto this cruise, so I can't comment on either except to say I haven't had issues. But it's definitely a matter of timing 

The tables have promptly been cleared when I've been there. 

[Haljo1935]

Mama Mia - here we go again 🎶

No, not happy Abba songs and fabulous Meryl Streep kind of Mama Mia. The really are you serious, that's a sad swing and a miss kind of Mama Mia that I do not want included on my list of firsts.

Opened cabin door after relaxing spa time and YAY was greeted with a HAL chocolate 🍫 😋 only to wonder if Steward left it to cushion the blow of me having to deal with the morning's breakfast tray 🤔 which he also left.

So, things happen and maybe he forgot, but he moved it from the table in front of the sofa to the bed, placing it on top of the blanket that he had spread out after making the bed.

Although there was an unrolled silverware napkin indicating perhaps I wasn't finished (there were 2 on my tray & I really only need 1), I think the empty bowl, empty plate and empty cup might have indicated otherwise. Oh wait, in fairness to Steward, I may have wanted to snack on the tomato later, so best leave it. 🙄

Surely, he would have seen it in a final sweep of the room before he left 👀 My untrained, non-professional eyes saw it in a very brief sweep on entry. Ugh😳

First time this has happened. Is that unusual that I've never before returned to a dirty tray so late in the day (it was almost 3pm ships time) in almost 50 cruises or have I been fabulously lucky and should have been buying lotto tickets?

 

Absolutely not worth mentioning to anyone on the ship; it really is a small thing that doesn't ruin my cruise. It's just a little odd based on my experience. I showed you guys since you're along for the ride and thought I'd take a very random poll to see how often it happens 🤔

[StLouisCruisers]

I can see no reason the tray should have been left in your cabin.  He must have forgotten!  Yay for the chocolate though.  😛

[BetsyS.]

I agree that the tray should not have been left in your cabin. Strange that it was left on the bed and not on the table.

[pmjnh]

@Haljo1935 wait.. I thought you had an inside cabin.. that looks like Window.. did I miss something?

I agree,cabin steward shoul have taken the tray. 
have loved your narratives… but did you get feedback regard the d-o-g-s????

[Haljo1935]

So, speaking of the 🐕 🐶 here are a couple updates.

Last we talked about them, I was going to speak w/GS and share my pictures and videos. Instead of going to GS, I requested a meeting with Rene Tuinman, Hotel Gen Mgr. I didn't feel like rehashing multiple times and, honestly, he's the person w/authority to take action. And I consider it a serious enough matter that his position needed to know w/o editing. 

It took a day, but I was notified of a 15 min slot to meet with him. After reviewing the pictures and videos, he took pictures of select ones and said he would also review security footage. He declined my offer to email them to him.

He did apologize on behalf of HAL that I had been negatively impacted, said I was not the first passenger to bring this to their attention but was the first one w/documentation, said he would be speaking w/them about the seriousness of the situation and that he hoped I understood that he was in a very sticky (his word) place. They had what appeared to be valid paperwork (his phrase), but my documented issue of them being a nuisance was also valid. While he could not disembark them (again, his wording) he could extend an offer to move me since I was physically so close to them. Having a conversation with them and increasing the distance between us, he hoped would resolve the matter.

As we were both on our way to the Mariner Lunch, he asked me to check w/John, GS Mgr, after the lunch to see what was available and to arrange my move. A couple hours (and a visit to calming heated ceramic loungers) later, I was moved. Same deck, same side, but there were now a couple turns and an elevator separating us.

I packed up myself and just had Housekeeping load on a luggage cart and deliver to the other cabin. I do that on B2Bs, too - even though they'll help pack, I just do it myself.

So, there ends another chapter in the chronicles of "My Life at Sea with Service(?) Animals."

"Oh, but wait," you say - "there were a couple more chapters, this is only 1 chapter (long, but still, only 1) - you owe us more."...

Edited January 5 by Haljo1935
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[BetsyS.]

Thanks for the update! I'm so glad you requested a meeting with Hotel General Manager and that you had documentation.  Good for you! I'm happy they moved you! 😊

[Haljo1935]

Yesterday's lunch was from my favorite place (well, TBH, not THE favorite place [we all know I'm a Thermal Spa addict] but my favorite food place if you don't include PG for candied 🥓) GDC. Order placed, waiting on this

when this happened 

 

I was standing at the edge of this counter, so once again in very close proximity to them

She moved over to stand against the wall - I guess that keeps the petting out of the traffic flow 

 

I'll be back, like Paul Harvey, with rest of the story in a bit. I hope it's the last of the story - I don't intend to pack the shiny satin ribbon so I need to put a bow on something🎀

In case you're not tracking the days, this was AFTER my meeting with Hotel GM.😳

Previously posted the bar menu; here's the other ones

 

[Mary229]

16 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Yesterday's lunch was from my favorite place (well, TBH, not THE favorite place [we all know I'm a Thermal Spa addict] but my favorite food place if you don't include PG for candied 🥓) GDC. Order placed, waiting on this

when this happened 

 

I was standing at the edge of this counter, so once again in very close proximity to them

She moved over to stand against the wall - I guess that keeps the petting out of the traffic flow 

 

I'll be back, like Paul Harvey, with rest of the story in a bit. I hope it's the last of the story - I don't intend to pack the shiny satin ribbon so I need to put a bow on something🎀

In case you're not tracking the days, this was AFTER my meeting with Hotel GM.😳

Previously posted the bar menu; here's the other ones

 

So she was able to have two service dogs.  HAL needs to shape up, I can understand someone in management not passing judgement on one (perhaps) but not two.  Be sure you include this information in your survey.  

Edited January 5 by Mary229

[Haljo1935]

I know I've been remiss in mentioning entertainment; I've been a bit distracted by the dog situation and it has kinda thrown me off. Seriously.

I mentioned to one of my usual tablemates, that I thought conversations had taken a southward spin and I was spending too much time surrounded by negative energy. Absolutely not directed at her or anyone at our table - they're a fabulously lovely group!! It was a general statement about conversations and energy at large - excursions (did I tell y'all about the horrible experience at Pearl Harbor?), port trips, spa talk, other meals... just the overall vibe on the ship. Told her I need to change that and reshuffle my head.

So, anyway, I think in all the drama, I failed to talk about entertainment. Here goes - it'll be brief. Oh, and unfortunately, I have no names of any of the performers from RSRR, BB King's or BillboardOnboard.

RSRR is awesome - they're great, really talented, haven't heard a bad thing coming from there other than the art auctions @oakridger 🫣

BB King's has been solidly good. Billboard Onboard is worth avoiding. The female singer is so bad; every time I try to stay, I cannot get through 1 song when she starts in. No joke, it's brutal; like bad school talent show brutal. The guy may be good, but I react to her voice like novacaine-free dental surgery at which point he's erased from my memory. Since it's an open venue, I now avoid the area when I see they're on. Sorry...

Comedian Bob Boronkay (an award winning broadcaster in a previous career) was pretty funny. Went to his early show (6pm) on World Stage; don't know if the later show (8pm) is more mature since I haven't seen it. Last night he was in BB King's; again, didn't see it so don't know if it was different. 

Gravity is a 3-pc female group performing on World Stage. They were ok - not bad, but not outstanding. I think they would be better individually as they just don't harmonize well. When they sang solo, they were each really good. During the intro, 1 of them said they had only been performing together about 8 months, so they probably just need time to gel.

Step One "Humanity" was good - my first time seeing it and unless it changes, have no need to go again. But I'm glad I went - don't get me wrong, it was good, but a "one and done" for me.

I haven't seen the other comedian Steve Caouette, singer Derek Floyd (does music of Lionel Richie - bummed I missed him), piano player Elliot Finkel or Step One "Move." 

As for special shows, I did not attend any of the Polynesian or Hawaiian shows - just not enough time or schedule conflict, but talk is they were all good. The Crew holiday performance was very good - it's not a recurring show, though, also just a special. I would go to other crew performance and would like to see them added in to the regular entertainment rotation.

[cbr663]

Been following along and enjoying so far.  I believe we have experienced a dog on every cruise that we have been on (always see the dog elimination grass on the Promenade deck, rarely see the dog).

 

Would love it if you share your thoughts on sailing in an inside cabin, especially with so many sea days.

[BetsyS.]

I'm sorry to tell you that your Dallas Stars lost tonight to Colorado Avalanche in OT 5-4. Their next game will be Saturday, 1/6 at 8 PM Eastern Time opposite Nashville Predators. 

        Have a wonderful day tomorrow. I hope you will have great weather! 😊

I love HAL's pea soup!!!