kwbtraveler

3 hours ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

I completely agree with you that both adequate medical insurance and medical evac is important.  We are fortunate in that DH is a retired Federal worker and BCBS follows us around the world.  And if we are a continent away from the U.S. Med-Jet accompanies us.

Is med-jet a separate policy; or is it covered by BCBS?

This is great feedback from everyone. Thank you so much. We will be booking our cruise this week & really can’t wait to get this trip underway.  So looking forward to this trip. 

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

If cruising with our 15 year old grandson a few years ago can be used as a guide, he won't spend enough time on the balcony to make the extra size worth it. Go for the quiet, not the extra square footage.

You’re probably right about that.  Were you on the K’dam; and did he/she find enough to do on board. My grandson’s thinking: food, gym, pool and basketball - in that order. 

34 minutes ago, saskacruiser said:

We were in 4154 and never heard a thing from below.

How about noise from elevator area?

Thank you. Yes, I realize these are connecting. We were on deck 5 last trip and had no issues with noise above or below us; but did have some with the connecting cabin next door.  We threw a towel against the door and that helped. 

Since there will be 3 of use on this trip (adding 15 year old grandson) I was trying to take advantage of the larger balcony. 

Thanks again. 

1 hour ago, boards said:

We did not hear any noise from the world stage.  The ride was fine.  We had a little windy weather, but the ride was fine.  The balcony with the wind was not to good to sit out in though.   We normally do not book that far forward, (we booked a guarantee obstructed view deck 4), but were assigned this cabin.   We would do it again.

Thanks for the update. I might be looking at an aft cabin on deck 4. We were aft on deck 5 our last cruise; and looked down on the huge balcony below us. There will be three of us this trip & I thought the larger balcony would be a plus. 

Looking at getting cabin above MDR on Koningsdam - perhaps 4209, 4207 or 4180.  Has anyone experienced noise issues above the MDR?  Appreciate any info. 

2 hours ago, fatcat04 said:

Very possibly. At any given time there seem to be a non-refundable deposit fare, a promo fare, and then a more base type fare without the promo but generally higher than the non-refundable. But then there can be other stuff available due to codes or private sales. It is frustrating but until you call, many times you don't have a clue what all is available. Our last cruise we got a silly good deal on a base type refundable deposit fare  (no bells or whistles, no OBC, or complementary anything) by calling HAL direct. Never saw a better price with or without a promo for that category cabin in 7 mos of watching fares.

Thank you!  I give HAL a call then and see what they have to offer. 

1 minute ago, fatcat04 said:

Once I find the cruise, I call HAL and start by asking for the best fare with a refundable deposit and then work my way from there with any and all available HAL promos or any codes I might be eligible for, private sales, welcome back, free or reduced 3rd/4th. If HAL is reasonable, I book with them and then I take those numbers and compare with the big box TA's and use a TA comparison tool as well.  The website only ever gives you 2 prices and generally only one has a refundable deposit. So, I just always call.

Ok. Does that mean there is likely lower available fares that HAL can quote?  Would that be what the TAs are quoting?

There sale ale now seems to be called “Best Fare”; but again I only see a higher quote than last weekend. 

That would make sense; but HAL is offering no perks at all on the cruise.  And, there was nothing advertise on it last weekend either..

1 hour ago, boards said:

We were in 4033 (Oct. 2018) and we thoroughly enjoyed it.  The size was just fine and especially the balcony.

2 questions. 1.  Any noise from the world stage?  2. How was the ride up forward (we normally have an aft cabin. )

Is it common to see huge price swings on the HAL site?  Last weekend I was looking at a 13 day Med cruise that priced out at around $4600 for 2 adults and 1 child Cat V on Deck 5 (Koningdam).  Now it’s pricing out at $5311.  I can’t believe.  However, if I go out to cruisecomplete it prices out at $4670 with $75 OBC.  Is this common?

I brought one of these...

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00Q2SK6TE/ref=sspa_dk_detail_2?psc=1&pd_rd_i=B00Q2SK6TE&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=f52e26da-1287-4616-824b-efc564ff75a4&pf_rd_r=3YF4R59WXWN024353Z99&pd_rd_wg=q0zBq&pf_rd_s=desktop-dp-sims&pf_rd_t=40701&pd_rd_w=UHgCJ&pf_rd_i=desktop-dp-sims&pd_rd_r=eef94846-cb1b-11e8-80f2-5f2216a1cfe5

Did you just pack it you suitcase?

my son is 6'2 and he slept on the sofa bed on the Konigsdam on the January cruise no problem for 11 days we were in room 4154 which had the double sized balcony. FYI if you get up to go to the bathroom at night DO not get the vista suite or your gonna have to crawl over him to get to the bathroom. The verandah is the best you just cant get to the balcony while he is sleeping or the bed is out

Wow! Thanks for the feedback! I'm glad he will fit. Frankly, I was worried about getting to the bathroom in the Vista Suite. Plus, I'm usually up before everyone else - in the shower & out the door. Thanks again!

Ken B.

Hi everyone,

The wife and I are taking our 6 ft. tall 15 year old grandson on a 12 day European cruise on the Koningsdam next May. We are debating between booking a Veranda vs. a Vista Suite; but the real question is:

Will he fit (and be comfortable) on the sofa bed? He'll probably 6'1" by May 2019!

I'd love to get some feedback from those who've experienced these sofa beds.

Many thanks!

Ken B.

We loved it! Nice deluxe cabin with a sofa. The balcony was very large! You could fit 10 people on it no problem. However, you still only get 2 chairs and a very small table. Would have loved to have had a larger table to eat at, but not a deal breaker. You are situated right over where the BB King Blues Band plays and it was quite noisy the nights they played....usually til about 10:30pm. We stay up late, so not an issue. I would highly recommend these cabins, as long as you are okay with being so far forward.

Thank you for the quick reply. Yes, I've read that these are nice cabins, with a really big balcony. We were in 4013 and moved up to 4005 as the review I read said that they couldn't even hear the stage performances.

When I called to move forward today; the agent said she was surprised that we were moving more forward. Are most people worried about the motion?

WRT table: What about using the inside coffee table out on the balcony?

4020

Hello Lady Arwen. How was your stay in 4020? We are going to be in 4005 (after seeing the good review on HALfacts). So I was wondering?

Here is a Youtube video of drone footage which gives you a good view of the forward and aft balconies: https://youtu.be/T6A6UWMErLk. 1:05 is a good view of the partially covered forward VB balconies and 1:27 shows the aft balconies. Reviews has said they are half covered, much like the Caribe deck balconies on Princess grand class ships.

 

Here's another:

Loved the video! Thanks for posting it.

We were in cabin 4020 with a huge balcony. Loved it! However, the evenings that the BB King band played, it was like they were in our cabin.......very loud. Not a deal breaker for us, as we stay up late, but could be an issue for some people.

Well then I guess I better bring my ear plugs; as I'm a little more forward in 4011 next month. Was it really that loud?

What time does the World Stage shut down at night?

I'm sitting on the Inspirations Serenity Deck; and I can say that the ship does have the HUB app working. I didn't use the chat features; but was able to use it to keep track of my expenses while on board.

I was hoping to use it this weekend on the Inspiration. Maybe next time.

Thanks! Sounds like it will be easy to get the service.

Does the currently utilize the Carnival HUB app?:)

Ok then - so when I get settled I just turn on my device, find the ships WiFi, and then choose a plan (probably an option on their Ship's Web Page?