Live Review Koningsdam Feb 17-March 23, 2024. Hawaii/Tahiti

[Sherry H]

We must have been an exception and very lucky.  Got off the Koningsdam Feb. 17th (18 day circle Hawaii) when you got on.  Ate in the main dining room every night except one.  In at 5:00 out by 6:00.

Waiters were great and food was exceptionally good.  No complaints!

 

[SonuvaBeach]

43 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

It’s hard to go wrong during whale soup time, but we had quite the show-

-4 different sets of mom/calf/escort.

- one full out adult breach 

- multiple calf pickle breaches

-3 peduncle throws

- a 5 whale competition pod. 

- 1 mugging (where the whales got so close we had to turn off the engines.)

This is for you Cheryl! I had to reduce the resolution for this crappy internet, so the photos may be a bit grainy...

Edited February 26 by SonuvaBeach

[BermudaBound2014]

@SonuvaBeach wow Jim- you captured a spy hop and I missed that entirely!!! Bravo again 🙂

[BermudaBound2014]

Tonight’s dinner- a huge plate of freshly stir fried veggies because I’m detoxing from booze and unhealthy food (until tomorrow haha).
 

You’ll never get anything this fresh or hot in the MDR and it took all of 5 minutes 😉 

 

Of course- I know many of you really enjoy a more formal dining experience where you are waited on. The lido certainly isn’t for everyone, but I do think the food here is fresher, hotter, and healthier than the MDR  IF you order right. They have been doing a great job  offering a different freshly grilled fish every night and the chop chop salad has everything this girl could ever want for dinner. 
 

Look at this plate of hot healthy goodness…

Edited February 26 by BermudaBound2014

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, canadianbear said:

@BermudaBound2014 we do too & I don’t know how to delete them.  

@BermudaBound2014 I  received 3 notifications on the Dec 21 - Jan 6 HI cruise. I wasn't able to delete the messages, but once I clicked on them they stopped showing on notifications. 16 days - 3 notifications. 🤷‍♀️

[julia]

@BermudaBound2014....  shhhhh (I'ma gonna share a food secret).  Take a lovely drink or two (wine, beer, cocktail, whatever) back to your cabin and order the "bento box" from Tamarind (room service, small upcharge).  There are two bentos to choose from, one sushi oriented, one more veggie/tempura.  Served beautifully.  Turn on some soft music, and indulge in a fine, quiet, dining experience. (We enjoyed this on our balcony often last year, but have kept it hush hush). 🫢

You're welcome.

[TableGirl]

21 hours ago, js1357 said:

Does anyone know why they aren't showing movies by the pool in the evening?  They're showing them in the freezing world stage every day at 2 pm, but nothing at night outside under great weather conditions. I tried to do a let us know and got no response.

I would do the "Let Us Know" again and be sure to check the box that you want to be contacted.  (Assuming that box is still there.)

[josumello]

10 hours ago, TableGirl said:

Can I suggest you write a note to the Food and Beverage Manager to ask for a meeting about a problem in the MDR?  Apparently, it has been an ongoing problem according to others.  I can't imagine HAL doesn't have people who read these threads.  Maybe they don't.  I'm scheduled to be on this ship for a 22 day Hawaii trip but I'm not sure it's wise after reading this.  My traveling friend won't be happy with such service.

We are on this cruise next year and have open dining. After reading your experiences I am contemplating changing to late fixed dining. Am I correct that late fixed dining is at 8:00?

[highscar]

Late dinning was 7:30 this month on Koninsdam. 

[josumello]

7 minutes ago, highscar said:

Late dinning was 7:30 this month on Koninsdam. 

Thanks. I think that will work better for us 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, josumello said:

We are on this cruise next year and have open dining. After reading your experiences I am contemplating changing to late fixed dining. Am I correct that late fixed dining is at 8:00?

It does seem to vary, but as @highscar reported, late was 7:30 when I was on last month.

[josumello]

6 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

It does seem to vary, but as @highscar reported, late was 7:30 when I was on last month.

My TA just changed it for me. Can I see this anywhere on website or app? 

[whogo]

Good comments on the quality of food in the Lido, BermudaBound2014. Some people don't seem to realize that the main dining room operates on a similar system to the Lido, except the food service workers plate the meals from heated pans out of your sight and the plates are carried to the dining room where they may sit for a while before being placed in front of you.

 

In the Lido you can see how the food looks before ordering it, some things, like your stir fry veggies, are prepared as you order them. The Lido does not plate the food as attractively, but they also don't stack food. Why any kitchen would stack a steak on top of cheesy grits and cover it with a dab of crab meat and béarnaise sauce is beyond me. Phoo yuck. (We still eat most dinners in the dining room.)

[Breezy66]

On Kauai we did a doors off helicopter ride from Airborne Aviation (bought thru Viator) it was expensive but so worth it. We got there really early for our trip- Mike who does the safety briefing wntertained us with all kinds of stories about the island. Max the pilot gave us a great tour- even played music from movies that have been filmed there.  It was amazing. The 2nd pic shows the Koningsdam

[BermudaBound2014]

After graduating High school I got on a plane (all by myself, never had been on a plane before) and moved to Waikiki where I worked on a charter fishing vessel for a few years before starting college. Just about gave my parents a heart attack. My mom always said “I raised her to be independent but not this damn independent.” Apparently I was doing gap years before it socially accepted practice. 
 

My goal today is to just explore my old stomping grounds to see how much things have changed in over 30 years. 
 

I walked from the ship to the Ilikai near Honolulu yacht harbor. We used to do happy hour here.  Very easy 3.5 mile walk with the detour through the Ala Moana beach park. Weather is quite lovely. Not too hot with a stiff breeze. Currently chilling with a cocktail and waiting for a 10 min shower to pass.

 

Figured I might as well post the menus and dailies while I’m thinking about it and have 5G.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

The Ilikai hasn’t changed a bit other than the happy hour pricing being just a weeee bit more than I remember.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited February 26 by BermudaBound2014

[canadianbear]

We decided to go to the Apple Store first thing instead of waiting for my 4:45 appointment.  Thankfully it was an easy fix & I’m a happy camper!

 

There has got to be Gastrointestinal or something going around as s&p shakers gone from tables, utensils gone & given to you by staff, water, tea etc given by staff-no self serve.  Be careful everyone. 

[cruisemom42]

21 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

I’m not sure if this Happens every cruise but we keep getting invitations via messenger in the app. 
 

These two were for lido dinners

 

As you know, I'm not a Lido fan (or any buffet) but some of these specials sound ALMOST good enough to tempt me there. Although, looking at your menus for MDR it seems many (most?) of them are on offer there as well.

 

[gizmodog]

Seems from looking at menus all drinks are above the signature package. 
do they allow you to upgrade to premium once you are on board?

[BermudaBound2014]

2 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

As you know, I'm not a Lido fan (or any buffet) but some of these specials sound ALMOST good enough to tempt me there. Although, looking at your menus for MDR it seems many (most?) of them are on offer there as well.

 

Come to the other side. It’s hot and fresh over here 😉 
 

Here is tonight’s lido invitation and this dish is on the mdr menu (above). I don’t think the menus are much different at all. 

[BermudaBound2014]

1 hour ago, gizmodog said:

Seems from looking at menus all drinks are above the signature package. 
do they allow you to upgrade to premium once you are on board?

plenty of drinks at or below $11-? Just not the fancy ones. I’m sure they will take your money to upgrade onboard- but hopefully someone with personal experience will help,

[DJ Cruisers]

Late this morning they removed all silverware and salt and pepper from the tables.  Once the salt and pepper goes you know there has been an uptick in sickness,  At lunch beverage stations were manned by crew.  Only question is what virus is causing the change, Norovirus, Covid?  Both?  

 

I still see the same disgusting behavior from some passengers.  The woman who

Tables were cleared of salt and pepper shakes, and silverware late this morning.  At lunch the crew were serving the beverages from the stations.  When the salt and pepper shakers go you know there is an uptick in sickness.  Is Norovirus causing this change or Covid?  Hope they give out some info.

 

Still seeing the same disgusting behavior at Lido.  A woman licking her fingers and then picking up the tongs at Lido.  The man who jammed his whole hand into the walnut jar at breakfast instead of using a spoon, etc.

 

We are trying really hard not to get sick on this cruise.  Having had Covid on the last two cruises in Sept. and Dec. was not fun.  We've never had Norovirus on the 75+ cruises we have taken but that is easier to avoid at least for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Haljo1935]

11 hours ago, josumello said:

My TA just changed it for me. Can I see this anywhere on website or app? 

Have your TA send you an updated booking confirmation - you should see it there, along with bed configuration. 

[canadianbear]

I took another for the team as I tried my first ever Weng Weng.  Wow, it’s strong.  MrBear got a sprite which I kept adding to it.  @POA1 I’ve learned from you! 

[cruisemom42]

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

Come to the other side. It’s hot and fresh over here 😉 

 

Nah, I'm good. 😆

 

I just enjoy "dining", even if it's not always as "fine" as it once was.

 

I try not to let the word "healthy" pass my lips when I'm traveling. At least, not when traveling for pleasure. 

 

Truthfully though, I've never really had a big problem with food not being hot. If that happened a lot, I might feel differently.