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I have been onboard with this group before (we were not part of the group) and I can tell you that they 1. will have shows in the main theater during the day, 2. some shows on the Lido deck in the evenings (it will be roped off and you can still walk through the area or sit way off to the side) and 3. expect them to take over the Crow's Nest ALMOST EVERY NIGHT (either as a private party or just hanging out), and 4. private events like "meet and greet" during the cruise.

FYI - Once DH and I walked into one of their main theater shows by accident (no sign by the door that it was a private event, we just heard music), sat in the last row way up in the balcony and a few minutes later, 2 of their organizers demanded we leave immediately.

Being their first cruise post-covid, it's hard to know group size but it was about 100 or so. If you're Irish and like Phil Coulter's music, it's worth looking into this group - oh, and only the name is Tranquil...it's a rowdy Irish group. 😀

Add to Groups Onboard:

Phil Coulter's  25th Annual Tranquility Cruise

January 14-25, 2023

Rotterdam

This is an Irish music group and they tend to take over the Crow's Nest almost every night for private parties.

Yes, we have done several cooking classes at NicolesTable.com! The first time we got off the cruise ship it took us a few cabbies to find one that would take us - I printed out a map of the island to show them the way to their home as a backup. Most cabbies are looking for customers who want all day island tours so it might take you a bit to find one willing, but keep trying, it will be worth it! A day you will always remember and the pics you take will be the envy of all your friends. Tell Adam and Nicole that Jim/Judy from Cleveland sent you - we're going back for our 4th time in Jan 2023. They will arrange a ride back to the ship - Nicole feeds them well! Enjoy!

If you're a foodie, try www.NicolesTable.com - we did the Cooking with Rum class and it was outstanding! It's in a private home on top of a hill overlooking St. John's Bay (you'll see your cruise ship in the distance from their lovely patio). You'll cook, eat and laugh and have a memorable experience. We're going back in January for more! The hardest part will be trying to find a cab driver willing to take you there from the cruise port - most are looking for all day tours, but keep trying and offer a generous tip.

Bon voyage Infi! We have friends sailing with you Dec 22-29 - if you run into a funny Irish guy drinking in the Crow's Nest with his blond wife, ask them if they are from Cleveland. He will have the best stories. And do not try to out drink him...he is a professional musician!

jedm49,

you will LOVE Nicole's Table! Hubby and I went there January 30, 2019 and we were the only people doing her "Cooking with Rum" class (there while in port from cruise) and we are returning in early January 2020 to spend 8 nights there in their AirBnB and cook some more! And we will be checking out the island too! Can't wait!!!

I had considered going with a group to Cuba next January but the cost of the 7-day cruise on the Veendam was a little steep for what was basically a 7-day Caribbean cruise. Now this group is not going to Cuba at all and I'm wondering how these passengers will feel after paying extra $ (other 7-day similar cruises are much cheaper) to go to either Nassau/Half Moon Cay instead of Havana? Even a $100 OBC wouldn't be worth it. HAL executives must be going nuts trying to figure out what to do and not lose lots of $$$ over this.

Nicole's Table on Antigua is the best! Nicole/Adam welcome you into their lovely hilltop home and you cook a fabulous meal then eat on their huge back patio. Cooking with Rum class was excellent. Highly recommended.

Thanks everyone! Bracing for snowmageddon right now in Cleveland this weekend and glad we have a direct flight to Florida on Tuesday. Everyone I talk to right now is soooo jealous.

Looking forward to cooking with rum class at 'Nicole's Table' on Antigua - how could it NOT be great??!!

Told DH to bring along our scarlet Ohio State U. flag to wave off the back of the ship during sailaway....

Hubby says he wants to bring a few honeycrisp apples when we board in Ft. Lauderdale. I told him the worst that could happen is that they take them away.

Never mind... I found the answer on another board. No fruit allowed at embarkation.

This is not what I wanted to hear right now. Thinking of booking a Cuba cruise next year on Veendam since we have "been there/done that" to all the HAL cruises offered during January in the Caribbean.

Now having serious second thoughts...yikes.

I know all about not bringing fruit off the cruise ships, but what about bringing your own fruit onboard at embarkation? Hubby loves honeycrisp apples and is trying to eat healthy. The granny smith apples in the cabin fruit bowls are like rocks, he says. (For the record, I tried doing a search here and got nothing with "fruit" and "apple" just got me threads about using Apple computers while cruising.)

Yes, I know it's a crazy question, but if you love honeycrisps like he does - you understand. Thanks in advance.

Bon Voyage Tractor Tom! You will be sailing with our friends in the Phil Coulter Tranquility Cruise Group (Irish music). You will see them take over the Crow's Nest many nights and have private shows in the theater in the afternoons or by the midship pool in the late evenings.

Koningsdam

11-Night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer

January 23-Feb 3, 2019

out of FLL going to St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Martinique, Antigua, St. Thomas, Half Moon Cay

Our first aft- cabin (I might bring our red Ohio State University flag to wave off the balcony for sailaway!)

Thanks for the input everyone! Next step will be to see the Future Cruises Director while we are on the Koningsdam in 2 weeks to see what deals are offered for the Cuba cruises.

My mom and I visited St. Petersburg, Russia in '95 and it also was eye-opening since capitalism was just starting to become more common there - just as it is happening in Cuba now.

A question for those of you who have been to Cuba... DH and I are debating sailing on the Veendam next January 2020 to go on the 7-day cruise to Cuba with a group of friends. We've been through the Panama Canal twice, several Eastern/Western Caribbean, and the ABC islands...and feel like we're stuck on reruns of islands. And looking through next year's catalog it seems like there is very little variety when it comes to sailing in the Caribbean in January (when we can take a cruise).

In a few weeks we will be sailing on the Koningsdam for 11 nights and also wondering if sailing on the Veendam will be a letdown because we would be going from one of the newest HAL ships to its oldest one in the fleet.

Part of me wants to visit Cuba only because it has finally opened its doors to US tourists (in my lifetime) - sooooo to those of you who have been there, would you go back again? And those who haven't been there, is it on your bucket list? And is it worth sailing on the Veendam to see it?

P.S. I'm also disappointed that the Cuba itinerary does not include Half Moon Cay.

Add: January 16-27, 2019; Zuiderdam; Phil Coulter Tranquility Cruise (Irish Music)

We will be sailing on the Koningsdam in a few weeks - but in a VS cabin in the aft - DH and I were wondering how we could get a Pinnacle dinner in our cabin (for the reduced $ rate, of course). If steak and lobster are on the regular room service menu, perhaps there would be a way to get the side dishes as well? Suggestions, ideas fellow cruisers?

Thanks for the link. I had tried doing a search and didn't see anything. Definitely like using the loungers in the clamshell. Don't like the idea of sitting on the sand, especially when there are so many lounge chairs available!

We are booked on the K-dam in January in VS5221 - our first aft cabin also. Hoping for no issues!

Getting ready for our cruise in January 2019 and noticed that on Half Moon Cay there is the usual Clamshell rental/2 lounge chairs for $39.95 (gee, this price has gone up in the last few years!!) and also something called a Manta Sun Shelter Rental for $11.95. Wondering what the difference is and can anyone post a pic of this Manta Sun Shelter?

I love all the berry-type pie/tart desserts! Blueberry, strawberry...if it has a crumb topping, all the better!!!

We did the ABC islands last January 2018 on the Koningsdam and loved it! Book a snorkel trip on Bonaire on the Woodwind - Dee and her crew will show you a great time. We are booked again on the Koningsdam for the other cruise that you are considering in Jan 2019! Loved the ship - and we have done these islands (St. Maarten, St. Kitt, Barbados, etc) before and are hoping the islands are somewhat back to normal in 2019.

Simple solution...have your husband reserve one of the meeting rooms on the ship for his guitar playing. I have seen one of the piano bar performers do this and with the door shut, he won't offend anyone!