slabeaume

Does HAL still give the onboard credit to CCL stock holders?  If so, is there an email address to send proof to, or are you still required to mail in proof?  Thanks, Sue

We were just at St. Kitts on a HAL cruise Nov. 29-Dec. 10. Went to Cockleshell. Might have gone to South Friars if I'd read a review like yours, but we had gone to Cockleshell once before and really liked it. If you're interested in seeing it, you can check it out in my blog here: http://crusanwithsusan.blogspot.com/2017/12/2017-nov-28-dec-12-11-night-hal.html

Did I miss photos of the dining room?

 

 

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Wondered if anyone would notice that. You would have to look in my blog from last year's cruise to see them. We didn't make it to the dining room this cruise---a first for us!

I've found that the normal underwater settings have the flash on, for some strange reason. You can shut the flash off, but when you turn the camera off and back on, you have to turn the flash off again. So---I created a custom setting with the underwater setting and the flash off. Now I just have to remember to put it on the custom setting instead of the underwater setting.

As for not taking really clear pictures in not so clear water, I find that common with all the underwater cameras I've had, but the Olympus ones do seem to have a better preview and review screen. Some of the others I were so dark I couldn't tell what I was taking a picture of, or took a picture of.

I also do a little photo editing to practically all my pictures. Usually that clears up the "muddiness" right away.

Your blog was wonderful. Thank you for sharing. I am looking for a new underwater camera and am wondering what camera you used to take your photos

I'm currently using an Olympus TG-5. I say currently because over the years I've gone through a few underwater cameras. But I've come to the decision that I like the Olympus underwater ones best.

I was surprised that our recent Koningsdam cruise didn't have any Pickleball meet ups. But they did have equipment to set it up yourself. I never saw anyone playing pickleball, though.

great review. I guess they decorated for Christmas after first part of your collector cruise. Too bad you didn't get to snorkel Curacao, too---almost as good as Bonaire.

Thank you for reviewing your cruise.

Great photos, the Atrium Christmas decorations very similar to those on Maasdam..

There was a Christmas tree?????!!!! I totally missed it!

 

 

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It wasn't too loud if you sat up on level 10

Around the ship a bit

 

 

 

 

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I love all the real flower arrangements on HAL ships

Just in case you were curious about the O cruises, here's a link to my blog. We really didn't participate in the O experience, but we sure did enjoy our cruise!

Click on the link below

Our O cruise

See you on board!

Thanks for the great review. We were signed up for that cruise, but couldn't find good airfare rates on the return due to Thanksgiving so we're going on the Nov. 29th cruise. Hope we have as much fun as you did!

I loved the VQ location. I wish they had offered us that upgrade again. Although I don't know if I would have liked one close to the ourside doors---view down would be of the bridge and there could be noise from the movie. We were in one by the elevators and loved it.

Have only been to Aruba of the places you mentioned. I'm an avid snorkeler, so it doesn't take much to please me while snorkeling. It wasn't the best snorkeling ever, but we had a great time snorkeling during our port day here about a year ago. If you'd like to check out my blog and pictures of it, click HERE then click on aruba.

Great shore snorkeling right from around Bonaire! We haven't been to Klein Bonaire due to weather last time we were in Bonaire, but did go to Eden Beach. Went there before on another cruise and LOVED it. We also went to Aruba and Curacao and loved the shore snorkeling there, too. I blogged about it with lots of pictures Here

Hello Susan,

Outstanding pics and descriptions! This is the best "tour" of the K'dam I have seen. We have sailed her once and will be leaving on a 21 day in two weeks.

 

I see that you are from Buford, GA. We are almost neighbors! We are Lawrenceville, just past I-85 off of Buford Drive near the Gwinnett Braves stadium. Who knows, maybe we'll get to cruise together sometime.:cool:

 

Jim

Wow, we actually live on Mall of Georgia blvd close to I-85 on the WEst side of it. Looks like we'll be cruising shortly after you.

Your pictures are amazing...lots of details. We got our assignment today. We got 10054. I've read some posts about noise from the outdoor TV. Did you experience this, or hear of others near that did?

I am quite excited for this upgrade.

From our room nearer the elevators, we didn't hear any noise other then from our neighbors on occassion. We were originally assigned a room in the 10050's, but I actually called and asked if we could have one of the ones nearer the elevator and they changed it with no charge. I would love to stay there again.

Flanagan's---but you'll need a car to get there.

there are a lot of complaints about the promenade deck for walking, but they did put a walking track on the 11th or 12th deck. It is rather short, but you could go off the track and walk the length of the deck pretty easily. I believe they call it the sports deck and have exercise equipment as well as a court on it, too. It's a great place to go to catch sunset since hardly anyone uses it. For a ship with so many people on it, I found it surprisingly empty.

I would do a snorkel excursion---or take a taxi-- on St. Thomas. Coki is pretty, but quite crowded. I have a blog of many of the beaches we snorkeled at on St. Thomas here: St. Thomas snorkeling

We've tried a couple places on Grand Turk, but found the snorkeling right by the port to be pretty good. Plus the free lounge chairs and Margaritaville pool right there are great. I have pictures of Grand Turk snorkeling here: Grand Turk

We were upgraded to a VQ last year, I think it was something like 10035. I did think that ones closer to the front of the ship would have an obstructed view to the water directly below because of the bridge being there, but the outward views are great! I do think the verandahs might be smaller then the ones below, but they were big enough for 2 chairs and an ottoman (with the chair turned a bit to the side). We liked the room and location on the 10th level. Didn't feel much motion. I have some pictures of our room here:

http://crusanwithsusan.blogspot.com/2016/10/holland-americas-koningsdam-ship-class.html

Amber Cove is a pretty spot. The water near the port was really murky when we were there, but there is a beach off to the left, around the point that looked interesting. If we go back we'll probably check that out. But the time we did go there, we hung out at the free pool/bar area---a good substitute for Margaritaville at Grand Turk. If you'd like to see my blog from there, check out:

http://crusanwithsusan.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-12-7-amber-cove-dominican-republic.html

WOW and I do mean WOW! Thank you for taking the time and energy out of your own well-earned vacation to do this for the rest of us. So much wonderful information given with so much humour.

I am sailing on the .koningsdam Non 29-Dec10,2017 on the same itinerary as you.

I am new to HAL and sailingeith a DF( that's dear friend for those of you with slightly off-centre brains).

After so many negative comments about this your review was refreshing. Sorry- I think I just posted part of this.😱

I won't care-I'm on a ship with a friend who makes me laugh so what's not to like?

Thanks again for an amazing review. I loved every minute of it.

Sheila

I'm surprised there are so many negative comments. Like you say---you're on a ship with dear ones and you don't have to do anything you don't want to! I'm sure you'll have a great time!

I have one of the reviews on Halfacts. I also have a blog with lots of pictures. If you'd like to see pictures of the VQ room, click on Koningsdam in this blog: http://travelingwithsue.blogspot.com/2016/12/2016-dec.html