hawkeye3d

we found that the laundry service on K'dam was in by 9 out by 5, really fast

Bob

On our K'Dam cruise our M&G group universally agreed that our first impressions did not reflect the negativity shown in the reviews. Sure she is different from the other HAL ships, but nothing prevented us from a very enjoyable cruise. Sail on her again, sure in a minute. I take reviews with a grain of salt and set out on each cruise to have a good time.

Bob

One thing about the Mussels and French fries, the portions were large, couldn't finish the mussels. The mayo is served on the side

Bob

The initial consensus at our M&G was that the reviews badly represented the real ship. Sure things are different than the other HAL ships, the library is almost non existent, sitting on the toilet your knees touch the shower, chairs in the Lido are heavier than other HAL ships, but for every minus, real or imagined there are pluses. Like life itself there are trade offs and I would sail on her again in a heartbeat

Bob

I concur with a prior answer, internet on the K'dam was slow. I didn't have any problems getting connected from our cabin, 4137 but others have told me that connectivity was spotty. To bad that such a new ship is tied to something equivalent to a dial up modem.

Bob

Pizza is a vast improvement over what they used to serve, its pretty good, made to order. My only lament is you can't order by the slice anymore.

Bob

http://cdn.cruisecritic.com/aW1hZ2VzL3VzZXItaW1hZ2VzLzU3Yzg0MTc4Mjk3NTY0MDY1Nzg2NTAuanBn/eyJ3aWR0aCI6MjAwLCJoZWlnaHQiOjIwMH0/koningsdam-holland-america-34229.jpg

The after most lifeboats are tenders and do provide a more obstructed view. This is cabin 4137

Bob

there are standard US style outlets on both sides, as well as USB ports with several more outlets and a USB outlet by the desk

Bob

There is no self service laundry on K'dam. On the other hand both of my laundry submissions were returned later the same day, great service. As to the reviews, K'dam is a new ship and she had some teething problems to be sure, however it was the consensus at our M&G that these reviews were way off base, Our initial impression was that K'dam exceeded our expectations and during the subsequent two weeks she certainly met and often exceeded my expectations. Without a doubt the friendliest dam ship I've been on

Bob

Last week on K'dam there were plenty of tuxedo's worn on Gala Nights. The attire ranged from the minimal colored shirts(a few) to Tuxedo's with the majority being coat and tie's

Bob

My experience with a PCC went something like this, She introduced herself in an e-mail and asked if she could be any help/quote etc. I got her quote and compared prices with my regular on line TA. The online TA was a whole lot less expensive.

Then I got another e-mail following up on the quote my reply sums up.

"Good morning,

The last email I got from you was over a year ago, May 2015

Pardon me for being blunt, but if waiting 13 months to follow up is your idea of good customer service then heaven help Holland America.

I am quite content with how I purchase and manage our cruises and have no need for your services."

enough said

Bob

I can't believe that no one has answered this :confused:

Bob

Setting here sipping my morning coffee, I find some of the comments quite amusing. Reminds me of comments some people make about hotel rooms, they are not happy unless the room has a view, or is large or whatever it takes to make them happy. We have cruised with three different lines over the years. My main concerns on a cruise, comfy bed, good food, entertainment, ports, and the fact that we are on vacation. All of the nit picking that is going on about various aspects of design, pictures, so on and so on. I feel that some people have way to much time on their hands and let to many trivial things bother them. This is my opinion and others are certainly entitled to theirs.:)

I couldn't agree more, come on folks lighten up a bit. Wait and see what she really looks like and what the reviewers say. No one is going to like everything every time. We are on her in August and I can't wait.

Bob

We used Dicky Woollard ( https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g294217-d3824148-Reviews-Do_Go_See_Hong_Kong_Private_Tours-Hong_Kong.html ) and he was absolutely great wouldn't hesitate to recommend him

Bob

I only paid the $18 when I brought wine aboard, and only when my pack was x-rayed on the ship. When x-rayed on shore you could just walk on. We did encounter several instances where they wanted to confiscate our wine and we had to insist that a manager be called. After the second occurrence the manager just waived the $18.

Bob

You or your TA, if you use one, have to get written permission from HAL. That process can take over 30 days. In our case HAL lost the first request and our TA had to do it over. Also visas for China have to be procured.

Bob

Formal night has been replaced by "gala night". There are several multi page threads about this. The long and short is you can wear pretty much anything from a tux down to a colored shirt and slacks.

Bob

And not to bust ur balloon but no self respecting redneck would ever use the term "Part Deux"

Bob

Here's what I experienced and posted in May. HAL was all over the place, enforcing, not enforcing, not understanding their own policy.

On the MS Rotterdam recently we found varying degrees of enforcement and confusion on the crew's part.

Bottle #1 at the first port we let them confiscate to be returned the last night of the cruise. This corkage wise was a free bottle consumed the final night

#2 paid the corkage and brought to our cabin.

#3 the “wine police” wanted to confiscate my 2 bottles, I refused, told them to call their supervisor as no amount of explaining would convince them of HAL’s policy. Supervisor came and allowed us to proceed with our wine. Met him later in the Lido bar and he apologized and charged me for only 1 bottle.

#4 not asked to stop at the “wine police”.

#5 and #6 x-ray on the pier took wine to cabin. In 2 of 3 occasions pier x-rays were not repeated when boarding.

#7 same as #3 met same supervisor and paid my corkage.

People on ship wine tours were allowed to bring wine aboard and they do check cabin numbers.

We were on Rotterdam a month or so ago and we couldn't connect to Yahoo mail for the entire 18 days. G mail worked but not Yahoo. I assumed that they were blocking the site. Wi-Fi was slow but better late at night.

IMHO internet connectivity is totally stone age, and I for one would even be willing to pay a little more for a faster connection.

Bob

We were on Rotterdam a few weeks ago in 1916 which we found out was directly over the "pump room". There was a little noise everyday but nothing disturbing, until one day when there was a loud hum. We called guest services and they sent someone to check. They offered us ear plugs and we explained why that wasn't a solution. The lady went away promising to look into the matter. About 20 minutes later the hum stopped and we got a phone call explaining what happened along with an apology. The next day we received a card and a small plate of candy.

I am going to try and avoid the bottom deck from now on

Having had 2 cruises ruined by blisters, now minus one toe. I bought some really good walking shoes and good padded socks. No problems since. Perhaps its true that an ounce of prevention..........

Othe MS Rotterdam recently we found varing degrees of enforcement and confusion on the crew's part.

Bottle #1 at the first port confiscated and returned the last afternoon.

#2 paid the corkage and brought to our cabin.

#3 the “wine police” wanted to confiscate my 2 bottles, I refused, told them to call their supervisor as no amount of explaining would convince them of HAL’s policy. Supervisor came and allowed us to proceed with our wine. Met him later in the Lido bar and he apologized and charged me for only 1 bottle.

#4 not asked to stop at the “wine police”.

#5 and #6 x-ray on the pier took wine to cabin. In 2 of 3 occasions pier x-rays were not repeated when boarding.

#7 same as #3 met same supervisor and paid my corkage.

People on ship wine tours were allowed to bring wine aboard and they do check cabin numbers.

I did notice more lower priced wines this cruise on the ships offerings but for 5 euro’s or so plus the $18 I get a better selection at a better price bringing wine aboard.

Bob

Agree with the OP, however when reviewing future cruises with similar itineraries we see that Princess skips many ports. Looks like HAL is more port intensive which we prefer.

Bob

My experience, a few months ago, is that this is anything but a quick process. I notified HAL of our intentions to leave the ship for an overnight. HAL informed me that I had to request this through our TA. I e-mailed our TA and he e-mailed HAL. HAL’s “policy” is to answer within 72 “business hours”. We waited and once that period passed called the TA, he called HAL and they had lost the first request. The TA repeated the details to HAL over the phone, and the 72 business hour clock started again. At the end we finally did get a letter from HAL via the TA.

Bob