SLC1954

I was on the Koningsdam 30 March-5 April 2024 and the MDR for dinner at 5:30 it was extremely chaotic and the crew that first greeted you to ask your cabin number was not very friendly. It was the most inefficient dining experience I have ever had. Prior to that cruise I had been on the Zaandam (sister to Volendam) and the MDR experience was the complete opposite. I will be on the Volendam for 2 weeks in July and so look forward to that cruise. I feel you will enjoy your Volendam cruise. The only thing I miss is the Grand Dutch Cafe, but I would rather be on the “small” ship anytime.

My meals in the MDR have been very enjoyable. I guess I’m making good choices, as I have no complaints. I have also had a great meal at the Pinnacle Grill this cruise. The steak tartar and scallops were perfect. My only complaint is they were out of Baked Alaska.

I am on the Zaandam currently. I have the HIA package, when you order a drink in any of the bars they will print out a ticket asking for additional tips. The 18% gratuity/tip that is already charged is listed plus there is a blank line for any additional you may choose to add or not. You can just but a 0 on that line. Unfortunately this adds extra time to get your drinks on board.

Another point of view, I landed at Boston Logan at 5:00 pm from Denver and met several cruisers on our flight all staying at different hotels. I had chosen the Hampton Inn Seaport. Everyone I met here staying will be on our cruise. I was able to utilize the FREE yes FREE bus from Logan airport to the Seaport District (Silverline 1). I had a 3 block walk to my hotel. Well worth spending no $$$ on transportation. I had a lovely dinner with “High Point Cruiser” at the Lord Hobo restaurant. Overall a great day for the day before our cruise. I’m settled in with a port view awaiting the Zaandam tomorrow morning.

I am sailing on that date also (Zaandam) and my app will not accept a security photo either. No worries though, they will take a photo at the pier during check-in. I have tried to add any events to the My itinerary and they don’t show up there but I do get a check mark on the events page that I have marked an event. Don’t stress about it, as long as you have your boarding pass you will be good to go.

I feel it comes down to the wording. Elite status gives you priority boarding not priority check-in.

Book 6102, I have stayed in both cabins multiple times, it’s the first cabins I check when I sail on those ships. It is a cozy cabin, the plus side is that it has two windows and you can step out the side door at any time. The big down side is you hear the shows from the main theater every night until 11:00 pm.

If you can book 6100, there is much more room than 6102. I have stayed in both cabins. I do love them both. The area at the front on deck 6 is always open. This is the view out of 6100

I always choose the side where the whales are. 😉

The warning is is just fine print like drinking hot coffee, yes there is a very weak magnet in the Medallion, My question to you is, have you removed every magnet in your home, including those that may be on your refrigerator. Oh and don’t forget what will you do if everyone piles into the elevator with their medallions? Working in a Cardiology lab, it takes a very strong magnet to reset a pacemaker.

My last HAL cruise from San Diego did not have a luggage program. :( The sea port and air port in Seattle are under the same transportation umbrella, and that is why Seattle has the luggage transfer. On my last Alaska cruise I used the service and with the aid of my AirTag, I was able to track my luggage as it moved from Pier 91 to SeaTac onto my plane.

I wondered what was going on when I checked the location of my favorite ships. Thanks for the update. Looks like you are on your way again.

The 250 internet minutes, laundry, ect. are not and never were shareholder benefits. The only benefit that being a shareholder has is on board credit and that the amount depends on the length of your cruise.

I’m on the “Testerdam” now, I usually tip when it is unsolicited, but with this new sign for your drink/give me a bigger tip, is driving me nuts. It takes twice as long to process your order. I used to go to the bar, ask for sparkling water or wine, hand my card to swipe and on my way I go. Now you have to wait for them to print the receipt, put in in a folder with a pen the stand over you hoping for more money.. HAL should just up the gratuity to 20% instead of making the bar staff beg.

I am able to track my airtag at the same time on 2 separate devices. My iPhone and my iPad, both have different phone numbers. It is all about having each device set up to locate the airtag in the registration process.