NewCruiser-2023

@BLH613 Glad you have options and that I hadn't reached you too late. We had the same issue with the late flight...ours leaves shortly before midnight. We would have loved to drop them at the airport early, but yeah, the two-hour limit definitely wouldn't work for us, nor would the luggage lockers in the port that close at 5pm (really, on a Saturday?). Thankful for these hotels! We leave Aug 12, return Aug 19. Do you set sail then Aug 19? We are taking the Koningsdam to the Inside Passage. First cruise and hoping for a fun time and peeks of sunshine.

@BLH613 So sorry for the delayed response! Yes, I heard back from the folks at the Pan Pacific hotel the very day I wrote to their general email. This is the response: "Yes we can offer to store the luggage with our Bell Desk team at the front of the hotel. It is gratuity based please talk to them and they can help you Regards Esy" So no formal arrangements were made; we're just hoping the folks at the Bell Stand do have room, and I guess we'll plan to tip the person who takes it and the person who is there when we retrieve it. Having worked in the hotel business for many years, I do feel good about this option, and, agree that this would be most convenient. When are you traveling? If I remember I'll let you know when we get back how it worked out. Apologies again for the late response. So many things to get in order before the trip - two wks from now we'll be in the terminal waiting to check in!

Last question (for now) - I'm seeing a lot of mentions in videos that some ships have just 1-2 electrical outlets per room and no USB ports for device charging. Does anyone know the latest on the Koningsdam? Should we be bringing a power strip from home? (Every video that mentions it does say to make sure it's "non-surge protected," so I do know that, I just don't know if it will actually be necessary.)

THANK YOU!!

Is there a clothesline in the shower in case small items are washed in the sink?

Wow, the prices are really something! We have a month before we sail, but I've been buying things at home on the chance that we might need them on the ship and be hesitant to pay ship prices. I'm so glad I did. The $24 bonine was $5.64 on amazon...and I got the $12 motioneaze for $2.98. Saving where I can makes the cruise and excursions expenses not quite so painful 🤪Thanks again for all the details you're sharing.

Thank you for the quick response! This is good to know.

I have a question regarding laundry on the Koningsdam. Does anyone know if there are washers/dryers for DIY laundry on the ship? Or is their laundry service the only option?

@cabland The backdrop in every one of these car pictures is just stunning. The Hyundai people should be using these for advertising. Seriously, the pictures of their car out in nature on their website can't compare to these. So beautiful.

That's interesting. I thought I searched it pretty thoroughly. It did seem strange that we were the only ones with this dilemma. I sent the hotel an email asking about this...how much they currently charge, if arrangements need to be made ahead of time, etc. We disembark at 7am. Hopefully that's early enough!

Thank you, Glaciers! I will look into this as well. Sounds like a really good option.

Thank you so much! I can't believe after weeks of off and on looking online, I get such a great recommendation from my new cruise critic friends! I just read the reviews for one of my many Vancouver partner locations, and they are good. And it's open 24 hours for easy drop-off and pick-up. I so appreciate the assist!

Our HAL cruise disembarks at 7am, but our flight home doesn't leave until late that night. We need a place to store our suitcases while we spend the day in Vancouver. My husband found a luggage locker, but it closes at 5pm...on a Saturday, really? We also found a service that contracts with local business to store your bags in their stores, but that gets terrible reviews. A youtube cruise couple took their Alaskan cruise out of Seattle where a luggage valet works with the ships to take your luggage from the ship to the airport and checks it in for you. You put it outside your cabin door the night before you disembark and don't see it (or have to lug it anywhere) again until you line up at baggage claim at your home airport. Wowza. We don't need something THAT amazing, but we'd love to not have to drag our bags all over Vancouver with us that day. Anyone have experience with this??

Oh, good. We're not the jammies OR slippers in public type, but it's good to know casual/dressy casual will suffice.

Thank you!! I so appreciate the information...AND the pictures. The photo of folks in the pizza area is especially helpful, because I can see how the cruisers are dressed. I started to panic after reading the original (official?) review of the Koningsdam from 2016 (?) where it mentioned tuxedos and gowns not being necessary but also not being out of place in the specialty restaurants. We're in our 50s, and our sons are in their mid-20s, and none of us are planning on getting that gussied up!

Thank you for your post. I appreciate the details and the pictures of the paperwork. Good to know what room service breakfast options are, and having a heads-up about laundry costs and procedures is very helpful. Also appreciate the tip to use the bathroom before beginning the pre-boarding waiting game. This is invaluable to first-time cruisers. Forgive my newbie questions, but I take it Club Orange is exclusive access to extra dining options and the bypassing of various waits. Does the cost to upgrade to CO vary or is it a set price? And can I ask how much? What is Family OV? And the Delft tiles...they look like coasters. Are those for use in the cabin, a purchase option, or a gift from HAL? (Sorry - really showing my naivete!)

Thank you, cabland! This wasn't too long OR boring. We are taking our first cruise (same route) on the Koningsdam in six weeks, so we really appreciated all your in-depth reviewing and insider knowledge. The photos were a wonderful addition. Glad the bum knee didn't prevent you from making the trip.