Tom47

2 hours ago, Aardvaark said:

Either ship will do just fine for the cruise.  On the land portion you'll be accompanied by hundreds of tourists.  You'll stay in nice places with hundreds of tourists.  You'l ride school buses at Denali with tourists, similar to the cruise.

If you have the time and money, get off the beaten track.  Fly out to Nome for a couple of days, and to Kotzebue, just above the circle, to see Inuits' lives.  If your tour ends in Anchorage, rent a car to go to Homer for a day or two.  Perhaps a day in Kodiak.  

And if you can't do it on one trip, remember what you're missing so you can do it the next time.

Best wishes for your discovering.

 

Thanks.

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @Tom47 you can use an older version of the Navigator App on your phone, it doesn't have to be on a tablet. That was my post that @0106 so graciously reposted, so if you need help, just let me know.

Thanks, I am still trying to find the right one.  I have sent an email to HAL app support.

I have been on Celebrity cruises with a Catholic priest aboard.  They are usually retired priests or about to retire.  But there are not as many RC priests anymore.  Locally, the Buffalo diocese  has started the "family parish" system--1 priest serves 3 or 4 parishes.

3 hours ago, 0106 said:

@Tom47See if post#7130 on this thread helps you download the Navigator app.

 

 

Thanks.  I am working on it.

1 hour ago, Tom47 said:

Thanks Sue

I tried using my tablet, also no go.

2 hours ago, bob brown said:

If they want to keep most of AQV's customer's, it might be a good idea to make it happen.  Otherwise, some other player might enter the market, (besides Viking), and take some of them...

🤷‍♂️

They also introduced a referral program-$500 discount

2 hours ago, wdw1972 said:

I think your options are either upgrade to a newer phone or do without the app. If you have a tablet that might be compatible (depending how old the tablet is). Once onboard you can see  your account, menus, etc via the tv in your stateroom, and you'll receive a paper copy of the daily activities. Having the app on your phone isn't "necessary" but in my opinion improves the cruise experience in terms of being able to check many things right from your phone.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Thanks Sue

I have joined the  Mariner program.  I rec'd an email urging me to install HAL app on my phone.  But a notice popped up:  "This device is not compatible with the app."   I have an android phone and it accepted RCI and Celebrity apps.  Any suggestions?

33 minutes ago, bob brown said:

That’s no help to me, as I haven’t sailed on either previously.  Now if they would “merge” their loyalty program with the former AQV, since they purchased some of their vessels, that would give me some “status”…😉

It took them years to agree to merge PS with ACL, after requests from cruise pax.  We cruised PS 1st time in 2019 and it was an issue then.   I doubt AQV will happen, but you can live in hope.

I have rec'd brochures from Vantage Explorations.  They must have purchased Vantage Travel mailing list.

1 hour ago, bob brown said:

Has anyone cruised this line more recently?

They have merged loyalty programs with ACL, parent company, about 4 months ago.

Great review.  Thanks!

10 hours ago, cruisingrob21 said:

Both ships are great for very different reasons.  

 

If you want newer with lots of entertainment venues and are okay with more people - the Kdam is a good choice.

 

While the Z-dam is older, and shows its age in some spots, its still very well taken care of.  She definitely is representative of a different era of cruising - one with wide promenade decks, lots of outdoor viewing, and a large yacht feel.  

 

In Alaska, I personally really enjoyed when we sailed on the ms Amsterdam, which is a very near sister to the Zaandam.  We were fortunate and got a random 7 day voyage in mid summer when she was mainly only doing 14 day Alaska voyages.  We all had a great time - there are so many more places to see the scenery and just embrace the environment that Alaska offers.  If that sort of a trip entices you, then the Z-dam is your ship.  I recall we only had 1 line the entire time we were on board, that was to get off the ship in Juneau as we had just docked.  It cleared in less than 5 minutes.

 

I still remember sitting on the aft decks of the Amsterdam with a bottle of wine reading some Jack London stories as we sailed through the Lynn canal. I still keep this phot as the background on my phone because its calming for me - wide open promenades with plenty of loungers and beautiful scenery.  You will have plenty of spots like this on both ships, but more of then on the Z-dam, and fewer people also.

Your pictures did not load--only a blank screen.  Thanks for your thoughts.

10 hours ago, cruisingrob21 said:

Both ships are great for very different reasons.  

 

If you want newer with lots of entertainment venues and are okay with more people - the Kdam is a good choice.

 

While the Z-dam is older, and shows its age in some spots, its still very well taken care of.  She definitely is representative of a different era of cruising - one with wide promenade decks, lots of outdoor viewing, and a large yacht feel.  

 

In Alaska, I personally really enjoyed when we sailed on the ms Amsterdam, which is a very near sister to the Zaandam.  We were fortunate and got a random 7 day voyage in mid summer when she was mainly only doing 14 day Alaska voyages.  We all had a great time - there are so many more places to see the scenery and just embrace the environment that Alaska offers.  If that sort of a trip entices you, then the Z-dam is your ship.  I recall we only had 1 line the entire time we were on board, that was to get off the ship in Juneau as we had just docked.  It cleared in less than 5 minutes.

 

I still remember sitting on the aft decks of the Amsterdam with a bottle of wine reading some Jack London stories as we sailed through the Lynn canal. I still keep this phot as the background on my phone because its calming for me - wide open promenades with plenty of loungers and beautiful scenery.  You will have plenty of spots like this on both ships, but more of then on the Z-dam, and fewer people also.

Your pictures did not load--only a blank screen.  Thanks for your thoughts.

Thanks everyone for comments.  We have booked a midship veranda cabin on a Y4L cruise tour, Aug 25, 2025 on Konigsdam.  

5 hours ago, crystalspin said:

We sailed a B2B on the K'dam over New Years 2022-23. It was the MDR that was crowded! We ate all meals in the Lido (saving several specialty restaurant dinners), always able to find seats and mostly with lots of space between other diners (we were avoiding contagion even then). There were no circulating alcoholic beverage servers, but there was a small bar on each side of the ship where you could fetch your own. Stewards with pitchers did refill water/lemonade/iced tea. We also like the Tamarind upcharge restaurant, which is not on the Zaandam.

 

OTOH we sailed the Zaandam on a 14-day Alaska cruise, and it was just perfect for that. The Oceanviews on the Lower Promenade are just steps from the largest balcony on the ship -- the true promenade! Just be sure not to book under the MDR galley on Deck 4 as they cook all night!

Thanks Crystal and YW

54 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I would pick the Koningsdam because it has verandah cabins.  We use our balcony frequently, particular when viewing nature.  The Zaadam has no standard balcony cabins, only suites.

Thanks

28 minutes ago, RuthC said:

You are looking at the smallest vs the largest class of ships in the fleet. 
For Alaska, I would pick the smaller of the two. The Zaandam can fit into the docks, especially the docks closer in to the towns visited. 
There is plenty of viewing area along the Lower Promenade Deck, with comfortable seating available. This deck is somewhat covered by the lifeboats overhead, which can be important in inclement weather. 
The passenger load doesn't overwhelm the small towns, either, like the Koningsdam would. 

Thanks

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

Have sailed both...just did 14 days on Zaandam. Nothing wrong with either. I would however, take Koningsdam, as it has more entertainment and dining venues.

 

I take understaffing comments with a truckload of salt. People blame everything on understaffing. Conversely, after 14 days on Zaandam that was totally jammed to the gills (Eclipse cruise), I never felt there was any shortage of staff, in any way, at any time.

 

 

Thanks

Hi

We have never cruised on HAL and are planning on booking a 2025 Alaska cruise/land tour with Denali and Yukon.  I have identified 2 ships, Zaandam(older and smaller) and  Koningsdam(newer and bigger).  I have read some posts on this board that the Lido on current Koningsdam  cruises is crowded and understaffed.  Is this true across the board on all HAL ships?  Any thoughts pro or con?

Thanks

Tom

2 hours ago, bob brown said:

Anyone do the St. Lawrence Seaway on the Pearl Seas, Pearl Mist?   Wondering how their food compares with AQV...

We did it last Sept and found the food to be very good, except for 1 meal, where the lamb was terrible.  The waiter offered me lobster tail, which I accepted.  It was delicious.

3 minutes ago, br111 said:

 

Can I pop in and ask an ACL food question? We've seen great reviews of them, but wondering about the amount of choice... A few menus I've seen online list just one appetizer, one soup/salad and then only three entrees. I realize smaller ships won't have extensive menus but it seemed a bit limited.

We were on an ACL Columbia river cruise in 2022 and found the food very good.  Pearl Seas is owned by ACL and they have now merged loyalty programs..

3 hours ago, clockwork58 said:

) At the same beverage machines, you can use any type of water bottle to get water/ice for free right? (I remember this from last cruise on Adventure)

Beverage machines that accept computer chip will not refill your water bottle.  You get a computer chip bottle with soda package or other drink packages.
4

About 10 yrs ago I used the ATM on a Celebrity ship.  The fee was $6, in addition to my bank fee.

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I’m not in a danger zone, but my hometown is and so much of the state is in danger 😟

My wife and I have visited Vermont several times.  She loves covered bridges and we have seen every one in Vermont.   See    https://www.vermontbridges.org/cb_tours/keatings/keatings_ultimate_cb_tour_2005.shtml