Bick53

Has anyone have experience with Stromma Tours?

They advertise a 12 day Multi Destination HOHO Bus and Boat Ticket at a  very affordable price.

Thank you for your assistance 

Looking for a Hotel in Buenos Aires - convenient to the Cruise Port and the International Airport to spend a couple days before our 32 day cruise on the Sapphire Princess - March 4, 2024.

Thanks in advance for your suggestions and recommendations. 

Currently on the Koningsdam - 24 day Mexico and Hawaii Cruise.

I  am very disappointed with the food choices from appetizers to dessert in the MDR and have been eating more often in the Lido.

By comparison - our last HA cruise was on the Volendam - pre Covid and would never miss a meal in the MDR.

I believe that this is a cost savings strategy which is regrettable.

We are currently on the Koningsdam and arrived at the pier in San Diego this past Saturday at  our 1:10 PM boarding time.

The place was a zoo. No one showed any interest in what time slot we were assigned.  People in front of us had been assigned 2:00 PM and had arrived about the same time we did.

Two hours later we were finally on board. 

Currently on the Koningsdam and they don't enforce a dress code for the Gala / Dressy nights.

I feel that on these nights - Men should be dressed Business Casual with appropriate pants and a collared shirt at a minimum.  I personally wear a sports jacket but the majority don't. 

If people want to wear, sweatpants, shorts and t-shirts on these nights - there are plenty of alternative options. 

Interior room on the Koningsdam is the smallest room I have ever had on a cruise ship. 

No chair just a stool. 

1 hour ago, RuthC said:

If she likes filet mignon, she can get that without the wasabi in Tamarind. 
However, there isn't too much else for a 'picky' eater, including much in the way of side dishes, unless she also likes rice, for example. 

Unfortunately - I love the Food in the Tamarin and it is one of the Specialty Dinners in our HIA Package.  It may be a two dinner location meal night. 🤣

Very helpful suggestions.  Thank you very much.

I'm looking forward to our dinner at the Tamarind but my Wife is a very picky eater - no Asian or Seafood. Will they accommodate her by serving something from the everyday offerings that are served in the MDR?

As previously stated  - We are sailing on the 24 day Koningsdam Cruise - January 7, 2023 out of San Diego. 

Many have mentioned that Verify isn't  being used at check-in. Are any Paper Documents required or are we good with digital files saved on my cell phone?

Thanks. 

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Last month no cars or people let in SD port area before 10:30 AM, even though we had a 10 am boarding time.  No taxis either.

 

Thanks 

2 hours ago, ScottishMaid said:

Maybe about 10:30. We could drive our car in then.

Thanks 

We are sailing on the 24 day Koningsdam Cruise - January 7, 2023. 

Our boarding time is 1:10 PM.

Is it possible to check our luggage at about 9:00 AM and then return at our boarding time?

Thanks. 

11 hours ago, oakridger said:

Yes, you can/should pre reserve your 3 HIA dinners and I also strongly recommend that you reserve Rudi's Sel de Mer (extra fee) before the cruise as well, if you are interested.  It was sold out on my last cruise after I had to cancel my pre booked time.  I've read that other ships are filling bookings early also.  Have fun!

 

~Nancy

Thanks - we have pre-booked the 3 restaurants that are included with our package. Are additional gratuities required or added above our pre-paid ones?

13 hours ago, REOVA said:

Check if you have restrictions on which  restaurants you can choose from (usually 1 of each with no repeating which is fine to try all three). We space them out on sea days and book them prior to boarding before our day/time is full. (Yes sea days will have some dressy nights in MDR but we haven't found their menu what it used to be so alternate dining is just as well). Some say ship auto assigns nights and times but we've always are able to book our own times to make sure we don't get stuck with odd hours (during shows, events, too early or too late, etc). 

Thanks - we have pre-booked the 3 restaurants that are included with our package. Are additional gratuities required or added above our pre-paid ones?

We are sailing on the Koningsdam embarking January 7th for 24 nights. We have three  free Specialty Restaurants and free Gratuities as part of out Package. What does the average person do in this type of situation? 

I am a Canadian and purchased a 12 month Trip Cancellation and Trip Insurance Package from Blue Cross with Pandemic Coverage.  The cost was based on a trip we are taking in March to South Africa- $20,500 CDN. and our age - 69 & 67. The price for the Policy was just under $2,000.

The Coverage also has Flight Delay bonus coverage which provides access to Hotels,  Airport Lounges and Meal Vouchers depending upon the length of the delay. 

3 hours ago, loveheart said:

Not yet but I will do in January. I have read reports on here from people who have done this.

I am no expert on the self administered Covid Test but on the HAL website it states that self tests must be witnessed by a medical individual via teleconference. I'm paraphrasing but it also wants a receipt with the date and passport number for the individual tested. 

I am cruising on the Koningsdam on January 7th for the 24 day Mexico and Hawaii Itinerary and I  wouldn't want to be turned away at the port and trying to find a place to get it done before the ship sails.

3 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Here is another interesting website - sea state forecasts 

 

http://www.stormsurfing.com/cgi/display.cgi?a=enp_height

 

The ship's motion between San Diego and Hawaii can be much more than you might expect.    

Thanks for sharing the website.

6 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

It will be cooler out to sea.  Probably mid 50's slowly increasing to low 70's as you close on Hawaii.  More Here   https://www.pacioos.hawaii.edu/weather/model-temperature-pacific/

 

Thank you very much. Very much appreciated.  I will definitely add a warm jacket or sweater to my packing list.

Temperatures on the Sea Days.

I know San Diego will average mid 60's and the Hawaiian Islands in the 70's. 

Am I correct in assuming that our days at sea will have similar temperatures?

7 hours ago, CaribbeanBound said:

Agree the beach near Kauai pier is AWESOME and isn't likely to be real busy.  

 

In Honolulu there is NOT a close beach to walk to.  You can however take The Bus from the pier to Ala Moana Beach Park (about 10-15 minutes) which is a lot closer to the pier than Waikiki Beach.  When pau (done) with your beach time, the Ala Moana Shopping Center (largest open air shopping mall in the USA with more than 350 shops and restaurants and over 160 dining options) is just across the street, which is where you would pick up the bus anyway to return to the pier.

 

Thank you very much. We have been to Honolulu before and this gives us a great way to spend the day there. 

22 hours ago, adoris said:

Totally agree with Torquer’s suggestion of the beach at Nawiliwili.  It is a short walk, maybe 10 minutes from where the ship docks.  Safe beach with restaurants right there.  
On a side note don’t miss the ship coming in and out of the port at Nawiliwili…it’s amazing,

Thanks for the tip about coming  into and out of Nawiliwili. I will be making sure we don't miss it.

22 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

imo safest beach in Hawaii is Wiki  beach Honolulu  on Oahu . The way the rock formations keep predators out of the swim area  .Looks like a giant salt water pool  . Gets busy at times  

Thank you.