TylerRose

We arrived in Tuscany a few days ago. Weather is delightful... We cannot wait to meet up with you & Tom on board... This cruise is gong to be wonderful!

Awaiting flights! (Spending a few days in Tuscany prior to voyage). So very excited! This is our first premier voyage. I promise to post lots of pics and info when we return.

She has finally spread her magic wings. Had booked one of the single OO cabins as a guarantee,when I got the assignment I received what I booked-no upgrade to even a regular outside category.

My great TA called HAL and asked about an upsell to a regular outside and was told there wasn't any offer but it hadn't been advertised yet but they are now going to offer an UPSELL to any VERANDAH for $249.00. SINGLE !

I now have a VA 6088 . [emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji2][emoji313][emoji313][emoji313][emoji313][emoji313]

Happy Dance !

 

 

 

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Sooooo excited for you!

See you next week!

Blog share available on line!

I had hoped there would be more pics of "handover"... :(

I always pose with my "new car"...

Ask and I shall receive I guess. Micky Arison put this up on Instagram seconds ago

 

TY so much for posting this.... I am soooo excited!

I am compiling "emergency info" to share with the family (& office) we are leaving behind. Aside from our flights, Itinerary, a C&P of HALS emergency info:

What info do you leave behind?

What do you make sure you copy & bring? i.e. prescriptions, passports?

BTW, I am including HAL's C&P in case anyone else may be searching for this info.

They no longer seem to include individual ship phone numbers...

Hal's current C&P:

"At some point in your travels you may experience an emergency. With this in mind, the following emergency phone numbers are available for your use. Representatives are on hand to assist you in any way they can, including assistance with travel delays and contacting loved ones. During our regular business hours, please call: 800-426-0327.

Representatives are available from 5:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (Pacific Time). Outside of these hours and during holidays, please call 888-361-8803, or 206-301-5293.*

*This number is for emergency use only; please do not call unless you are experiencing an emergency of a critical nature.

Additionally, you can call the ship directly from the shore. We recommend that you use this for the most critical emergencies only: Connecting to a Holland America Line vessel at sea is simple by using Ship Dial Service. A credit card is required for all inbound phone calls to a ship. The rate is $USD16.00 per minute and billing begins at the time specified.

Please have the ship's name, your party's name and stateroom number before you call.

Instructions:

1. Dial 1-800-993-5483 (US). From outside the U.S. access 1-321-837-6106.

2. Listen to the announcement.

3. Listen to the menu and select the number that corresponds to the ship you are calling.

4. If you receive a busy signal or message, please hang up quickly and try your call again.

Please print this page and give it to whomever you wish for dialing instructions.

TY for your patience. we depart in morning... & I still have so much to do I am worried I will forget something. :confused:

I will be on April 8th... but am unlikely to have access or the know how.

I am sure Lisa & others will post live updates.

We will take lots of pics & post periodically... (DH is a photographer)

and I will write a thorough pictorial review after our return.

TY so much for taking time to post. I will be on the lookout for similar on K and post back.

We were not "invited" either... I feel unloved.

BTW, there is far more info to be found on line about the christening cruise than the premier voyage. (& we embark in 2 weeks)

Koningsdam looks like a magnificent ship- & while I am jealous of those fortunate enough to participate in the dedication & all its special events... I am excited for all of us to enjoy her journeys!

I read eagerly each entry as well. Postings & pics he shares with us are wonderful.

After much debate & further discussion with HAL... I did decide to book the suite elite package. I am posting this update ONLY in hopes of perhaps helping others reach a decision.

The Koningsdam continues to have very limited release of ships onboard "voyage extras" info being shared- with us or as she insisted "them".

BUT- here is what I have had confirmed for those wondering:

As defined on http://www.hollandamerica.com/assets/cruise-vacation-onboard/Onboard_Gifts.pdf- an extended on board indulgences link:

Suite Elite Package (for Neptune Suites only) — includes access to

Hydro Pool◆ and Thermal Suite; initial suite beverage setup; $50 Beverage Card; Pinnacle Grill dinner; Culinary Arts Center class; premium winetasting; Internet Card for 100 minutes; daily turndown truffles; deluxe flower arrangement

For this- the PREMIER 7-day VOYAGE of the Koningsdam embarking on April 8, 2016: the suite elite package is $807 (HAL must be contacted for other package price specifics--- & she said they are limited--- especially spa & hydro pool at this point)

Hydro Pool◆ and Thermal Suite= will cost $300 for week

initial suite beverage setup includes 2 bottles of wine & 2 liquor (min $40 per bottle)… to be chosen aboard & she said we can choose all wine if preferred =$160

$50 Beverage Card: on line description "to be redeemed for a variety of beverage selections from soda, espresso and non-alcoholic beverages, to wine, beer and spirits".

Pinnacle Grill dinner is $58 for 2- reservations to be made aboard- I will cancel current reservation once aboard for refund and take its time slot

Culinary Arts Center classes start at $29pp on other ships. She was unsure of price on K (bookable only on board)... She did not know if it was upgradeable to lunch or dinner classes?

premium wine tasting is $80… she did not know if it would be held in PG grill as on other ships or upgradeable to BLEND- bookable only aboard.

She did not know cost of BLEND-

Internet Card for 100 minutes costs $55 on other ships… she did not think K would have new unlimited internet packages, but if so-believed upgrade would certainly be available?

deluxe flower arrangement= $40

daily turndown truffles... I do not know their fee--- only their calories :D

Price wise- I don't see any big savings... but our mariner status also does not offer us enough perks for it to be a loss.

It will encourage us to take advantage of all options & we always use the hydro pool almost daily- especially on port intensive cruises.

I was promised refunds if anything is unavailable because of private bookings or venues are not ready for this voyage.

I decided we already splurged on the suite... this was a further perk for our first premier voyage.

I will review after our adventure it's package perks.

Woo-Hoo. Just got the email reminder that said Bon Voyage is in 30 days. Time to book those shore ex and dining.

I just wish they would open the booking for Sel De Mer.

 

 

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SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!

After reading posting from a fellow cc member about already booking the De Libreje night in the Pinnacle, I rechecked our reservations to see if it was now among our options. But no- so I guess there will be NO De Libreje night on this voyage. :(

I do plan to check in on Sel De Mer after boarding... and cooking & wine in the Blend...

There are so many exciting new experiences the K has to offer! I hope to explore as many of them as time allows.

See you in 30 days!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D

It is quite a bit of money. All the package really is is a bundling of items that one can typically purchase/arrange on their own. I have no idea how much hydro pool/thermal suite access for two would be, but some of the other items (internet, PG, beverage card, etc.) add up to $267. The description doesn't give the number of bottles for the beverage setup. If you factor in $40/bottle, and I'm sure you'd get at least two bottles, that's another $80. If the thermal suite is $300 for two, now we're up to about $650. Still out $150 so either the thermal suite is more or you get more bottles in your beverage setup.

 

I suggest that, if you still are thinking about the package, you inquire about the cost of the other two items. And factor in if you get any Mariner discounts on the PG dinners, winetasting. If you do get discounts, then I would pass on the package and get the items that you really want.

 

You really need to want each and every item in that list otherwise it's less expensive to get what you want by purchasing outside of the package.

The HAL person I spoke with did not have specifics available on costs for culinary classes because Koningsdam is a new format and will differ from previous classes.

"Wine tasting" will also be a different offering- because they are having classes to create your own blend... so no price known yet.

Additionally, she did not know if it was just a tasting... or creating your blend-

(she did not think there would be any tastings on board since it is a "class offering".)

Honestly... her available specifics were quite limited.

She was able to advise me:

beverage setup refers to 2 bottles of wine & 2 bottles of hard liquor to be selected on board

and for this 1 week voyage- the thermal suite will be $300 for 2.

We have not booked anything yet. As SilvertoGold advised, we are debating booking just what we are absolutely sure we will use. This just seemed to push me to experience it all...

I am sure other cc members will post live updates... but add me to the list. (consider yourselves warned however- I can be overly wordy & it's my DH who is the photographer). :rolleyes:

I am hoping to sign on for the ships tour if offered. (We participated in one on the Eurodam... up & down & all around... an aerobic navigational exploration!

It is like a puzzle & all the pieces must fit perfect- working together to keep all of us pampered.

It's easy to forget there is a whole "city" living in way too close quarters down below- keeping everything running 24/7.

Honestly--- I never thought of any ships trash disposal the same way again!

My goal is to explore as many new venues as she has & take advantage of all offerings.

It is to experience the premier sailing of the Koningsdam that we chose this journey for. It's destination the exciting reward.

Hopefully at our CC gathering we can plan a cabin crawl & check out as many different types of cabins our members are in and post pics. :D

ty for sharing link... we just watched :D

loving your posts!

I contacted HAL.

The Suite Elite Package willl be available on the premier voyage of the Koningsdam.

The one week package for 2 on this 7 day voyage will cost $807 :eek:

I am looking forward to your review of this Premiere voyage.

Are you going to do a "Live" report?

Honestly, I had not given any thought to a live review. Not sure my perspective would be all that exciting. Others will I am sure...

If not- I would be honored to share the experience with anyone I suppose who actually chose to read it.

I am considering booking one of the Signature Packages to make our cruise extra special. Could you please share any experiences you have had with them.

They are defined as followed in this C&P:



Cellar Master Package — includes Wine Navigator’s Choice of 5 bottles;

standard winetasting; premium winetasting; Pinnacle Grill dinner; wine related gift set; Holland America commemorative bottle of wine

Well-Being Package■ — includes access to Hydro Pool◆ and Thermal Suite; Fitness Class; spa treatment; daily fresh sliced fruits; Holland America bathrobe with monogram of choice

Suite Amenities Package (for all Suites, excluding Neptune Suites) —

includes complimentary laundry and pressing; Holland America bathrobe with monogram of choice; in-stateroom High Tea or daily canapés; fresh flowers; special VIP debarkation procedures; special VIP debarkation lounge; Pillows a la Carte Menu; initial stateroom beverage setup; $50 Beverage Card; Pinnacle Grill dinner

Suite Elite Package (for Neptune Suites only) — includes access to

Hydro Pool◆ and Thermal Suite; initial suite beverage setup; $50 Beverage Card; Pinnacle Grill dinner; Culinary Arts Center class; premium winetasting; Internet Card for 100 minutes; daily turndown truffles; deluxe flower arrangement

Since we are guests in a neptune suite, it is the Suite Elite Package specifically I am considering.

Are the prices per cabin.... or per guest???

We are very excited to sail on the ms Koningsdam's PREMIERE VOYAGE on April 8th from Rome. It will be our first chance to sail on a new ship. Alas, aside from a date change & voyage name changes- HAL has shared little info about our voyage beyond its itinerary.

Most of the "fanfare" is being reserved for the CHRISTENING CRUISE.

They advertise Christening celebrations, a "Taste of the Mediterranean" event, Frozen Planet: The Concert, a Gala dinner & Royal Koningsdam Ball.

I am soooo excited & have been since the announcement of the ms Koningsdam.

Alas, I am also more than a bit jealous of those on her May Christening voyage who are "invited to the celebrations.".

So, perhaps I am way too late to the party to ask, BUT:

What is a PREMIERE VOYAGE like?

TY for sharing link

I am very excited to sail on the Konigsdam Premier Voyage. (our first premier voyage). Yet, so little chatter shared by HAL or online for a sail 67 days out...

I would love to hear some past adventures with inaugural cruises.

Any extra festivities it would be wise to pack an additional festive or themed outfit for? (just in case)

...or do they save the special &/or commemorative celebrations for ships christening? :confused: