talavera_7

We will be departing out of Vancouver in September. Does anyone have recent experience with early boarding in Vancouver?

We will miss Lincoln Center. It was not always well attended, perhaps that is the reason.

Thanks, it looks like we are under the Lido Market.

Hi

Soon to board the Koningsdam

I just realized that I got upgraded (from an obstructed balcony) to a VE Veranda, aft on deck eight. It is under the Lido. Do I need to worry about noise?

Thanks!

Bonnie

I’m sailing tomorrow on the Kdam. Just completed Verifly vac and negative test. Does this mean that we don’t need to carry those documents?

Does this mean that BB King Blues Club is no more?

Great news! We love BB King.

Does this mean that BB King Blues Club is no more?

I made 15 cruises on different cruise lines (MSC, Costa, RCL, Seabourn, Oceania, etc), but I have never seen a ship in such an awful condition. Disembarked two days ago in Seattle from the cruise on the HAL Oosterdam (Alaska - 16th to 23th of july 2017). Here are the pros and cons:

 

Pro:

- First time in Alaska was wonderfull

- Good food (sometimes in the Lido Market is was not very warm)

- friendly and fast service in the Bars and the Cafe

- Neptune Suite with a large veranda

- non-alcoholic-drinks not too expensive

- nice piano-players and a good band in the B.B.King-Venue

 

Cons:

- extrem worn out ship (take a look at the pictures)

- Lido Market extremly crowded - you have to stay in line nearly at every station

- 25 minutes waiting time for a burger is a joke (then it was cold)

- dirty cabin at embarkation (hairs everywhere, letter from the past cruiser in the safe, in the bathroom it smelt like urine, veranda was dirty too, we found cigarette ends on the veranda, and so on)

- even as a suite guest, you have to pay for every specialty restaurant visit

- AC in the cabin was a joke (either it blows warm oder cold and directly on the bed)

 

Here are a few photos of the condition of the ship

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AhC_Kl3PLPX42AUIv0SoiW3d-wBz

 

I was really happy at disembarkation to leave the ship. I would not go back on the ship (even it is free) and would not recommend such a dump place. Maybe in Western Europe there is an other "unterstanding" about "cleaning" and "condition of a ship".

 

And best of all, we had a few people getting the Noro Virus! Maybe it is because of the missing cleanness!

 

best wishes

• We just disembarked from the cruise after yours, beginning on July 23. We had a great cruise with smooth seas and good weather. We were in a humble outside obstructed cabin and I did notice some chips in the bathroom floor and that the couch looked a bit shabby, but our bed was clean and fresh and the cabin was very clean with no bad odors at all.
  

Our positives:

• Alaska
  
• BB King Blues club band was excellent with outstanding vocalists.
  
• Lincoln Center Stage artists were wonderful, only complaint is that the programs at 30-40 minutes were too short.
  
• Great food in the MDR
  
• Friendly, welcoming, efficient HAL crew
  
• Flat screen TV with lots of on-demand programming and live news
  

Slight Negatives:

• Long wait for our dinner orders in Canaletto
  
• A few chips and scratches in paint and finish
  

We had a great cruise and would not hesitate to board the Oosterdam again!

We were on the Konningsdam for two weeks (Norway) last Summer. I mostly loved the ship. Pros: Dutch Cafe, good entertainment options. We especially loved Lincoln Center classical concerts and the BB King Blues club at night.

We had and Outside cabin and it was very nice. There is a great flat screen TV with a large selection of on-demand content.

The cons were the lack of a good library and the wrap around deck. There is no room for deck chairs and in some places it is too narrow for two walkers to pass each other.

The buffet was great and the MDR was great. We would gladly sail her again.

Whatever you choose will be great. Just take lots of reading to catch up on. I always load up my Kindle and iPad before sailing.

We just got off of the Koningsdam to Norway. The library only had a few travel books. It is not really a library, just a small strip between the Coffee counter and the windows. There are a few computers facing out. The one time that I tried to read (my own book) there, I was driven out by a loud "Name that Song" event. I enjoyed many things about the ship, but the library was not one of them. I advise taking your own books or a loaded Kindle as I did.

We are sailing out of San Diego on the 20th! Can't wait. Does anyone know how festive Christmas eve and Christmas night are in the MDR?

I too am packing some serious sequins.