joseph123

When you enter the Lido deck on the starboard side there is comfortable furniture immediately on your left. In front of the Seaview bar there are tables and chairs. All of that area is non-smoking. The smoking section begins at the end of the bar. There are tables, chairs and comfortable couches and chairs in the smoking area as well.

Helen

So no smoking at the bar, but the area towards the back with the nice furniture similar to the port side photo shown, will allow smoking? My cabin is directly below this area on the starboard side, now I am wondering if any smoke will filter down. I specifically chose to be on that side thinking smoking would be allowed on the other side. Sorry to sound like a smoking snob, but after having smoked for 25 years and finally being able to kick the habit some time ago, I really prefer and need to be away from any smoking now. After researching this quite thoroughly before booking, I am quite surprised that they would just change it like this out of the blue.

A little confused? What Bar on the Deck above Seaview Bar allows Smoking? The Bar on the Deck above that’s in the middle by NYDeli is Smoke-Free. Also, on all the Ships we’ve been on they no longer allow Smoking at the Seaview Bar itself (just at the tables).

It is the Sun deck bar on the open deck directly above the Seaview bar. Sorry to hear they changed this. I just watched a video that was taken evidently when the smoking was allowed on the port side and it looked as if every table on that side had ash trays on them and people smoking. The other side appeared much nicer with all of the comfortable furniture, I hoped they changed the furniture so that it is not all on the smoking side. Looks like there will be no smoke free outdoor aft bars :( .

Just wondering if indeed the smoking section has been moved from the port to the starboard side on the Koningsdam? The official doc that HAL puts out defining their policy states that it is on the port side, which is the opposite side of the bar. I am hoping that it is still on the port side and the bar will not be filled with smokers, especially since the bar on the deck above allows smoking. That would mean no outdoor smoke free bars in the rear of the ship?

Just wondering if anyone can report on the condition of the beach and foliage at Secret Harbor. I am considering a beach day there or at Sapphire in mid-Feb and am hoping someone might be able to post some pics or provide a review. Photos pre-hurricane look really nice. Looks like the resort there will not reopen until sometime next year and is still without power.

Sapphire looks pretty bad, others are saying that the damage is not so much but this clearly shows much damage and defoliation. Just wondering what beach would be the best to visit in early Feb, Megan's Bay or Sapphire? Any recommendations as to which will be in better shape by then?

I am scheduled to dock in St Thomas on the Koningsdam on Feb 22, 2018 and am wondering if the ship will dock in Havensight or Crown Bay. Does anyone know? Can't seem to find information on Google. Also, planning on visiting either Sapphire Beach or Magen's Bay and trying to determine which would be most convenient via taxi from wherever the ship docks.

So you are allowed to bring bottles on HAL but not Carnival? Are they not owned by the same company? I would think they would have similar policies.

Wow, that is surprising! I would think they would want to place some controls on this to protect their potential revenues. Are you allowed to bring it into the dining rooms or is it just for consumption in staterooms?

I presume the internet quality and pricing would the same on the Koningsdam? Since that is their newest, most state of the art ship, I would think the technology would have been updated to whatever is the latest and greatest. I will not be pleased if I have to pay for this expensive service for my upcoming cruise on the Koningsdam and it is as unreliable and slow as others report here. Do they not offer compensation or discounts if the service does not work?

I understand the policy for bringing wine onboard and incurring a corkage fee for anymore than 2 bottles brought onboard at embarkation, however I am just wondering what the policy is relative to soft drinks. Would I be able to bring a few bottles onboard in my carry on or would they be confiscated at check in?

We were permitted access to the round deck on the bow for the "scenic cruising" past the Pitons in St. Lucia. The deck was only accessible via water tight doors at the end of the halls on deck 5 forward. There is a step over - think pics of submarine doors you see in movies - that could be a bit of a problem for guests with mobility issues.

 

 

Interesting that there was some access to this forward facing deck space. I was wondering what purpose it served. It looks like such a wonderful viewing area that I would think people would like to gain access to for more scenic cruising.

There seems to be much more lounge and table seating in the main pool area vs sun beds for a ship of this size. It will be interesting to see how that space is utilized on busy sea days in the Caribbean. Are either of the pool areas designated for adults only? I am hoping the pools will not be overly crowded and overrun with children since it seems like HAL caters to a more mature clientele. If there will be some form of live entertainment at times it would be nice..

Since the Koningsdam is so new, I would presume that these proposed changes will not be implemented for a few years our until it goes into dry dock. I read in a different post that they were going to address passenger comments that there should be a more extensive library than what is there currently. If the space is that underutilized, they should find some purpose for it. The was a similar lounge on the Solstice when I said on it and that too seemed to be very under-utlilized.

Is there any live music or entertainment featured poolside on the Koningsdam during Caribbean cruises? I see from other posts that they do not use the big screen with loud music or videos during the day which I think would be a good thing for me, but it would be nice to hear a good steel drum band or other form of live entertainment poolside on occasion.

Thanks all!!!

 

 

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Can anyone provide the most up to date pricing for internet packages on HAL? Also, are there discounts to published rates on embarkation day? Can't find any pricing info on the HAL website.

Thank you, I appreciate the reply. One other question, do you know if all balconies have a footrest for the chairs or is it only the larger balconies? I like this feature since is enables you to use the chairs more like a lounger. These were offered on the Solstice and I see at least some of the balconies on the Koningsdam offer them, but it looks like maybe only one vs two.

Can anyone comment on the location of cabin VF8193? It is the last verandah cabin just below the aft pool deck and is only partially covered. It seems to have some type of walkway above it. Just wondered if there will be any privacy or noise issues with this location.

Does anyone know if there is a link or a doc that outlines the latest internet package pricing and costs for the specialty dining options onboard the Koningsdam? I cannot find anything on the HAL site.

Hi Joseph, we are looking at booking an aft balcony, deck 12 on the fantasia. Do you have any pics you could share please? Or tips

 

Here are some pics for you. I did post a review on the cruise that you can go out an read. In essence, I loved the aft cabin and think it is the best possible location and was the best thing about my cruise. Photos show the cabin and the view experience each night, this one sailing out of Naples at sunset with the isle of Capri off in the distance, another as we were entering the port of La Spezia. Views and the sound of the wake were simply breathtaking. I felt as if in my own private yacht in the back of the ship. The rest of the experience and dealing with the buffet was not so good as you will read in my review. Hope this helps your with your decision.

Good luck. As I said, should not be a problem in your cabin. Last several cruises I have been on out if US since they have tightened guidelines, I never saw that. Maybe just more frequent for me on this cruise since the aft cabins are more secluded, or maybe I t is more then an MSC thing.

I was amazed. Must be a European thing, they clearly state it is prohibited but people break the rules on the balconies and those secluded rear staircases.

If you don't mind kids you will be happy on the Fantasia. Screaming kids everywhere! That should not be surprising since MSC does not charge for kids. I purposely chose to sail the Med in May thinking most of the kids would still be in school. The pool decks including the rear "Zen" area that was supposedly only for adults was always packed with people and almost impossible to find a chair. We stayed out on our aft balcony and avoided the top decks at all cost. For me I have learned with this cruise that the smaller the ship the better.

Just got off the Famtasia last week and had cabin #9244, an aft cabin next to the exterior stair well. I absolutely loved the cabin and leaving the door open each night to hear the wake and enjoy the sunsets was really great. No problem at all with noise or vibrations. Now as far as all other aspects of the cruise, not so good, but more on that will follow with my full review later. Be warned, lots of smoking all over the ship, on the balconies and the rear exterior stairwells. Never s problem with smoke coming in the cabin, but very surprised this was not better regulated.

I also will be in Barcelona for one day only on a cruise from 9 am to 6 pm on May 18.

 

Here is my proposed itinerary that I am hoping will be doable, I will have to report back to tell you how it went, hooping it is not too aggressive to do in such a short period of time.

 

- Take the port bus to Les Ramblas/Gothic District and spend time there.

- Walk to the Plaça de Catalunya and pick up the Barcelona City Tour Bus (Green route, note there are 2 lines with different routes), and take it to the Seafront/Barceloneta District and spend some time there.

- Pick up the bus here and take it to La Sagrada Familia and spend some time there.

- Take the bus from here to Park Guell.

- Take the bus from here to the Modernist District/La Pedrera.

- From here, transfer to the orange west route to return to

the ship, or can opt to take the full clockwise route to see the commanding view over the city from the Jardins del Mirador if time allows.