Ms. Alpha

Back now from 18 days on the Koningsdam.  I used the Thermal Suite almost every day and only once or twice were all the Thermal Loungers full.  I'd go in the steam room for a few minutes and when I checked again there was one availabe.  A couple times there were only 2 or 3 in use.  I usually went mid afternoon and showered there, then went back to my cabin to dress for dinner.

The first time I tried the Thermal Suite there was a special price offered for the last 7 days of a longer cruise.  This past cruise there were a couple specials offered for single use at a specific time.  I guess the offerings depend on how many full cruise passes are sold.

Your itinerary will also influnce dining line ups.  We were in some ports till later in the evening so not everyone was back on board for early dining and we were sometimes seated in the upper (Fixed) DR so it was helpful to arrive after the seating window for Fixed and have a chance at unclaimed tables.

Just off the Koningsdam 18 day Hawaii (RT from Vancouver) last month.  In the past we have mostly had fixed dining, but booked to late to get that this time.  We missed having the same waiter each night who learned our preferences for beverages, but we had a great experience.  We considered trying to make a reservation to get the same table each night, but didn't bother since we had planned to use speciality restaurants some nights.  In the MDR we had a 2-top a few nights and shared tables on the other night ranging from 4 to 8-tops.  We had wonderful dinner companions each time (even had the same couple twice - completely random).  There always seemed to be a line up when the MDR opened, but if you waited 30 minutes or so it eased up.  We were given pagers 2 or 3 nights but never had to wait long.  One night the pager went off before the glass of wine I ordered in the Ocean Bar arrived!

A party of 5 might take a bit longer to seat so I would look into reservations if you are concerned.

I sailed on this same cruise and think the OP did a FAIR review.  I have sailed on the Koningsdam before and was also disappointed with the "disjointed" function of the Crows Nest.  On previous cruises on Kdam and other HAL ships we enjoyed the Crows Nest as a quiet place to sit and admire the view (during daylight) and just read and relax while enjoying coffee and a cocktail.  The shore excursions dept was operating out of the computers opposite the coffee bar, that in the past were the remains of an internet cafe.  In other words they were passenger accessible computers - something that seems to have gone the way of the dodo.  With the library still under renovations in the old Microsoft Studio  (between the World Stage and the Rolling Stone Rock Room) the Crows Nest functioning as a library/card room/puzzle area as well as a cafe/lounge.  Hopefully this will be sorted out once the renovations are complete.  We love the forward facing seats by the windows but found the chairs themselves very low and awkward to get in and out of.  I was also surprised to see the port side of the Crows Nest operation as an Art Studio with several different types of classes.  I didn't participate but the classes seemed to always bwee full and I heard several people say you had to be there 30 min early to get in as they limited capacity.

Overall we enjoyed our second trip on this ship, but did notice that staffing levels are below what they should be.  We got used to standing in line a lot on the first few sea days but things got better as the passengers adapted to the routine. That being said EVERY crew/staff member we interacted us were very friendly and helpful and always greeted us with a smile and a good morning/evening, even if just passing by.  

Thanks for your review and videos, luv2cruzuk!  Looking forward to more.

On 12/27/2022 at 5:37 PM, CA Oceanfront said:

How deep is the T-Pool on Kdam?

On board now and happened to notice the sign today said 3‘4” but we are halfway to Hawaii so it was sloshing around LOL!

On Koningsdam right now and was disappointed to not see the usual rotation of Lincoln Center Stage.We will have to wait and see if there are any classical show on the World Stage 

Thanks for the post.  DH is not a big drinker (maybe a drink or 2 per month at home, probably a bit more on ship) so because the packages must be ordered by both passengers we will probably only do the Quench package to cover soft drinks, water, mocktails and coffee drinks.  I could still buy a wine package to get a glass or two with dinner.  Something to think about but we don't cruise till Oct.

Glad to hear.  We haven't cruise for almost 3 years (life got in the way), but have 2 upcoming cruises booked on the Koningsdam!

I agree both are worth seeing. We've done both twice.  Our most recent trip was to Hubbard (early July) and I kept waiting to get closer since our first visit we got very close.  It was still spectacular, but not as awe-inspiring as our first visit which was in mid- August.

Our first Glacier Bay visit was in late May, compared to late July for the second.  Both were spectacular and the commentary from the Park Ranger was a definite bonus so I would go for Glacier for the best "intro to glaciers" experience.

We did the 14 day Alaska itinerary on the Maasdam and the Canaletto menu was different. I know for sure that we did not have Beef Carpaccio offered because DH and I were looking forward to it. When we asked, we were told the menu had been the same for 2 years and would be changed soon. The ones posted look like what we remembered from last season.

We also had a beef steak option for the Large Plates (because we tried it). I only remember 4 choices for pasta, but I may be wrong.

Although this was our first time on the Maasdam she felt familiar to us as our first HAL cruise was on her sister, the Ryndam. We were a bit concerned about her being an older ship, but for the most part she was in great shape. If you looked really closely there were minor blemishes (finish was worn on the bathtub for example) HAL was doing their usual continual maintenance sprucing up paint and varnish and continuing to do work on the A/C (although we didn't have any issues, we did get a notice one port day that the system would be off for a few hours.

We hope to get another chance to sail with her while she is still in the HAL fleet!

Just got off 14 days on Maasdam and we had a port side Vista that was above the Explorations Cafe. Never bothered by any noise at all. It was a last minute upgrade and I had carefully chosen our original OV on the Lower Promenade, but thought we'd safe over the Library/Explorations Cafe. Turned out to be handy when craving my Latte fix!

Especially happy for us as we board the Maasdam today! Waiting at hotel for shuttle now. :):):)

We got to celebrate Canada Day at home and head to Seattle tomorrow to sail on the Maasdam on the 4th! Maybe no fireworks but we can make sailaway our celebration!:)

Timed it just right to see the Noordam backing out! We will be in Juneau next week on the Maasdam! Been packing tonight.

and looked at the link and happened to A dam ship pulling AWAY from the pier. We will be in Juneau next week and hope we get a sail in like the Noordam had this trip!

We are heading out in 3 weeks for our 4th trip to Alaska. In past trips we have seen Hubbard Glacier, Glacier Bay, done a small boat trip on Portage Lake with viewing of Portage Glacier, a helicopter tour of Mendenhall where we walked on the glacier. All very unique experiences. If this might be your only trip to Alaska, see as many different glacier experiences as you want!:D

We did a 12-day cruise tour with HAL in 2004 that started in Fairbanks. We had all our bags delivered to (and picked up from) our rooms in Fairbanks and Anchorage, but had only carry-ons with us while in Denali with larger suitcases meeting us at Anchorage hotel.

It's been a while so I don't know if procedures have changed.

From looking at the posts on the roll call, the square dance group will be 50 - 60 people. Not enough to take over the Crow's Nest full time. As others have said, the Dancers are paying for an Alaska cruise too, and will not have activities booked in conflict with prime Glacier Viewing Time. We know the caller involved (we are not part of his group) and he would NEVER exclude anyone from being in an area where dancing is going on as he wants to promote a POSITIVE image of square dancing!

Relax and enjoy the anticipation! It won't be long now:D

The dates/times are booked when you board. I guess that's the trade off for the slight break in price.

They had Formal Night in the dining room (now would probably still be Gala Night). Biggest party in the main show lounge, but also at a couple other venues as well. The Lido Buffet also had a special menu after midnight. Christmas decorations were up when we boarded, but on New Year's Eve some of these were replaced with New Year's theme in the party venues, then the decorations were phased out over the last couple days.

When you go to the HAL website select the PLAN tab. Choose Alaska as your destination and you will be given options to refine your search. If you look under Region you will see Land and Sea options as well as Cruise options.

It's been a while for us, but we did a 12 day package where we started in Fairbanks, took the train to Denali, then continued by train to Anchorage before boarding a 7 day Seward - Vancouver cruise. On a more recent 7 day round trip out of Vancouver, there was a group that got off in Skagway to continue on land, while another group who had been on a land tour boarded to continue with us. A great sampling of what Alaska had to offer. Lots of options regarding where on land you visit, and number of days on each segment.

Happy planning!:D

Ahh. Jim beat me to it. We are heading out on the 14 day trip he mentioned in 35 days!!!

Something we noticed is that if both sides of the buffet are open, they offer the same standard flavours, but the variety flavours were different.

We were on the Westerdam last month and most sea days saw a demonstration of different types of dishes with samples and recipes to follow. Apparently their are classes you can sign up for and actually participate in preparation of a dish, but I have heard these can be cancelled if not enough people sign up. Ask at the front desk early in the trip if you are interested.

I just got off the Westerdam 2 weeks ago from a 20 day repositioning cruise. I purchased a 7 day pass for the spa and found it to be relaxing and quiet each time I visited. I never saw more than 4 or 5 others in the hydro pool or thermal suite and noticed staff coming in often to clean up and replace used towels. I was using a wheelchair and found the staff very attentive and checked on me if I was by myself, brought me water and held doors as I went from one area to the next.

On the Lido buffet DH usually brought my food or wheeled me through the lineup and went back for his own after getting me to a table. I found the staff helpful in bringing us juice and coffee at breakfast or iced tea/water at lunch.

We enjoyed Dive In burgers several times during our cruise and except for a 25 minute wait right at noon on a sea day, we found the wait short and the burgers great. We usually took our pager and went inside to find a table and sides to accompany our burger.

I'm sorry you were disappointed but this does not sound like the same ship I just left.