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LIVE - Koningsdam July 3 - July 17 Norway B2B

sldispatcher

By sldispatcher,
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sldispatcher

sldispatcher

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Quick observations

 

The ship does not seem crowded at all. That may change with a show or the like, but so far, not crowded. The dining room had a steady number of patrons coming in, but no one really stood around all that long of a time.

 

MDR service for us was different. So far, other than a cheerful sommelier Marlon, the staff have been efficient, but far from friendly. That’s neither good or bad. But what it resulted in was a slower paced dinner service. I have to say, it was almost refreshing to not be ordering within 5 minutes of hitting the table.

 

No menu covers, just paper menus with small print. I don’t want to reward the bean counters in Seattle for this one. My guess is the excuse or plausible explanation has to do with infection transmission and the menu covers. I’m not completely buying that. I think it is about $$. This is not to be filed in the “complaint” folder just yet. It actually made photographing the menu much easier. Just seemed a bit like a banquet dinner method instead of giving a restaurant feel to the MDR. Again, it is a pattern that almost appears bipolar with regards to design and service.

 

Overall, dishes were probably a little better than I expected. You won’t go hungry. I learned a long time ago from a well-traveled cruiser to always order “one for the table”. I tend to ask and observe what everyone else is ordering then add my order in along with an appropriate entrée or dessert for the middle of the table for everyone to try. I did that tonight. Went out on a limb by agreeing to the steak that the waiter recommended while getting a pork chop for the table. Guess what several people liked? The pork chop! Same went for the dessert. The no sugar added Lemon Torte was yummy to everyone else’s tummy. Both were placed in the middle of the table for people to sample. It is also fair to say that everything that showed up was at the right temperature for serving and eating.

 

The wait staff have nifty hand held ordering devices. Not sure how this is speeding up or slowing things down, but once again, I would be interested to know if there are some would be assistant waiters back home still waiting on a phone call to go to work. The outsourced labor may have very well been outsourced by technology. Someone more in the know would have to elaborate.

 

It was odd having a rather miniscule selection of bread at the table (5 pieces of bread for 6 people). In all fairness, after 30 minutes, the waiter offered to refill the basket. I’m thinking that, again, there was some waste going on with tables not eating all of the bread and quite a bit being thrown away. Someone counting expenses probably observed that and decided to reduce the bread service to save a few dollars and cut down on waste. You can look at it either way. I would prefer a little training such that the waiter, while pouring water, is also asking about bread at the get go.

 

First time in a while that I have had to ask for more water at both lunch and dinner. Just plain odd. However, after asking for it the first time, the table was better attended with water refills.

 

One cannot discount the effect of reviews of a cruise based on the present mix of passengers. The staff is quite aware of nationality mix as they know their income has a relation to that mix. Let’s just say that the ratio of certain nationalities ranks much higher in their outlook based on cultural habits of tipping and kindness. I’m going to bet that once the ship hits the Caribbean, the positive review ticks will go up dramatically. That’s because, in my humble opinion, your fellow cruisers have as much to do with the opinion of the cruise as the staff of the ship.

 

To all ship builders: the thermostat should be able to move more than 4 degrees from the hottest to the coldest. We will address tomorrow, but if the room can’t get any cooler than it is now while set on “cold”, you have a disaster waiting to happen in the Caribbean season. Those of us born and raised south of the Mason-Dixon line love our air conditioners almost as much if not more than our grandmothers and church. You have been warned.

 

 

Right now, I would have to say that this is HAL trying to be a competitor to Celebrity’s Solstice class. I would say that they are probably going to hit that mark with some and miss at others but it is just not fair to draw a final conclusion at this point. In fact, in some areas, they already have beaten the Solstice class. The number of venues, more tasteful distribution of music and entertainment (the blaring mess in the atrium of the Solstice Class all hours of the day and night is just tacky to me).

 

As much as HAL gained a reputation for being for the “old greys”, I caution them not to throw that demographic out of the back of the ship and into the wake. I’m one of the mid-lifers who much prefers tranquility over energy. I’m on the ship to relax and be pampered, not put through a Richard Simmons level of zaniness. There are other lines for that. So HAL, rise to the top. Don’t settle for being “just as good as”. Remember how you got here. Remember who will still have the discretionary income when times get tough again.

 

Sitting here on the aft of the ship on Deck 5, I’m watching the wake of the ship line up like a very long runway back towards the European mainland. The sound of the screws in the water is so comforting as it creates the thin white lines of into the horizon.

 

Tomorrow is a day at sea and are very much looking forward to it. The little blurb of the presentation we saw tonight from the onboard lecturer was quite good. He is repeating tomorrow and I will definitely be present for that.

 

The food, cabin, and ship have beat my expectations so far. If you told me this was the only ship I could ever sail on, I would not be sad. My tea leaves say it will only get better over the next 14 days.

 

We have had a really good first day aboard the Koningsdam.

 

If you forced the question on me right now as of today would I book the ship again? I would answer 100% yes.

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sldispatcher

sldispatcher

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About 80% overhang. I wouldn't mind more. No soot so far. No noise from above or below. In warmer climates, depending on the sun, might actually be tough to be out on the balcony if getting direct sun.

 

Won't matter, the view and sound trumps all of the above.

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sldispatcher

sldispatcher

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I lied.

 

The ship is a bit more crowded than one thinks.

 

2 examples. First was breakfast. I can’t remember ever having to wait in line to get into breakfast for the MDR. It had been open for more than 30 minutes and the line was still 10 minute wait. That was because the system is built in that you must put in your room number and then slide over to get seated. Again, there was not the usual line up of 5 – 10 wait staff to escort people to a table. They couldn’t keep up. It was not all that unpleasant, BUT, if you are a cruise line asking for premium prices and billing yourself as a premium line, you best treat the customer that way. Again, Seattle needs to worry less about technology and stock price and worry more about retaining customer base. The RCCL/Carnival crowd is not going to look at you anytime soon no matter what you do.

 

That being said, breakfast was good and everything served at the right temperature. Veggie frittata was especially tasty and done well. Service was on par. Unfortunately, the long line at the door never ceased.

 

The second example is that public areas are indeed fairly thick with people. The cruise ship planners (not just this line) are squeezing more and more people onto ships. You wonder why Oceania or Azamara can so easily peel off the higher spender cruisers, this is one of the main reasons. We were at the lido right as it opened and already had a table. We were able to access food stations without much trouble. However, within 15 minutes the place was swarming with people and almost all tables were occupied. The nice thing is you can always find quiet in your cabin or some of the less trafficked areas of the ship. I don’t want you, the reader, to run away from the ship based on what seemed like a few extra folks in the public spaces. I also think that is in part due to the difference in cruise duration. There is a “rush” for people to see and do when it is only a 7 day cruise.

 

The food in the lido was quite freshly prepared. Cod fish and chips were noted to be especially light.

 

Out on the pool deck, the usual cruise sun worshippers were occupying most every spot. A 4th of July apple pie and ice cream line was formed with big pans of steaming apple pie and a calliope of colors of toppings, ice creams, and the like.

 

A repeat morning lecture series by Ian Paige was very well attended giving one hour devoted to the geography, sociology and culture of Norway while the second lecture was on the history of the Vikings.

 

Any issues have been reconciled regarding the air and toilet and guest services has done quick follow up.

 

Tonight will be dining in Tamarind. I am looking forward to that dining experience with the variety of flavors and preparation styles.

 

We are going to purchase the laundry package (which appears to have been raised since last HAL cruise of a couple of years ago by 30%). That was planned before leaving so no big deal.

 

The internet works at a very acceptable speed if you ask me. Connectivity has yet to be a problem.

 

Overall, still very pleased with the ship and how things are going. Don’t mistake observations as criticisms.

Happy 4th of July!

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shrimpboat123

shrimpboat123

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I lied.

 

The ship is a bit more crowded than one thinks.

 

2 examples. First was breakfast. I can’t remember ever having to wait in line to get into breakfast for the MDR. It had been open for more than 30 minutes and the line was still 10 minute wait. That was because the system is built in that you must put in your room number and then slide over to get seated. Again, there was not the usual line up of 5 – 10 wait staff to escort people to a table. They couldn’t keep up. It was not all that unpleasant, BUT, if you are a cruise line asking for premium prices and billing yourself as a premium line, you best treat the customer that way. Again, Seattle needs to worry less about technology and stock price and worry more about retaining customer base. The RCCL/Carnival crowd is not going to look at you anytime soon no matter what you do.

 

That being said, breakfast was good and everything served at the right temperature. Veggie frittata was especially tasty and done well. Service was on par. Unfortunately, the long line at the door never ceased.

 

The second example is that public areas are indeed fairly thick with people. The cruise ship planners (not just this line) are squeezing more and more people onto ships. You wonder why Oceania or Azamara can so easily peel off the higher spender cruisers, this is one of the main reasons. We were at the lido right as it opened and already had a table. We were able to access food stations without much trouble. However, within 15 minutes the place was swarming with people and almost all tables were occupied. The nice thing is you can always find quiet in your cabin or some of the less trafficked areas of the ship. I don’t want you, the reader, to run away from the ship based on what seemed like a few extra folks in the public spaces. I also think that is in part due to the difference in cruise duration. There is a “rush” for people to see and do when it is only a 7 day cruise.

 

The food in the lido was quite freshly prepared. Cod fish and chips were noted to be especially light.

 

Out on the pool deck, the usual cruise sun worshippers were occupying most every spot. A 4th of July apple pie and ice cream line was formed with big pans of steaming apple pie and a calliope of colors of toppings, ice creams, and the like.

 

A repeat morning lecture series by Ian Paige was very well attended giving one hour devoted to the geography, sociology and culture of Norway while the second lecture was on the history of the Vikings.

 

Any issues have been reconciled regarding the air and toilet and guest services has done quick follow up.

 

Tonight will be dining in Tamarind. I am looking forward to that dining experience with the variety of flavors and preparation styles.

 

We are going to purchase the laundry package (which appears to have been raised since last HAL cruise of a couple of years ago by 30%). That was planned before leaving so no big deal.

 

The internet works at a very acceptable speed if you ask me. Connectivity has yet to be a problem.

 

Overall, still very pleased with the ship and how things are going. Don’t mistake observations as criticisms.

Happy 4th of July!

 

What Internet Packages are being offered on the Koningsdam? Is there an Unlimited Package and if so, what are the rates?

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sldispatcher

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Evening update – At Sea

 

The further we get into this, the more you can tell that the Koningsdam is just different. It is not the same breed as some of the other HAL offerings. It is definitely more in line with the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. My biggest concern is that this is going to ultimately create such a difference across the brand that the less informed cruiser could pick HAL and have two very different experiences on two similar itineraries. That can be dangerous, if you ask me. Part of a brand is consistency in delivering the product. I’m more open than maybe some to a willingness to experience and revel in those differences based on what sort of trip I’m looking to take. It is so easy to see why this ship could tick off a HAL brand loyalist. It’s also easy to see how this ship could create a new HAL loyalist. It’s like comparing breeds of animals that might be very diverse. Where do you begin? Is it even fair? Oh well, enough of that useless theorizing.

 

Dinner at Tamarind – flavorful combinations with no long waits between courses. In fact, there was not much of a wait right after we ordered before the soups arrived. Every dish ordered seemed to be quite tasty and well received. We did appetizers family style in the middle of the table. I really think the main courses, for the most part, could have been done that way but we were discouraged from doing so. As it turns out, that was probably for the best as everyone ordered what was most appealing to them. I won’t go into details, as the menu is easily found online.

 

The deck 10 position for Tamarind is excellent for views and sunlight. I’m always glad to have a fine dining experience where the cruise line has not buried the restaurant in the bowels of the ship with a few portholes or views of the life boats. Kudos to the designers for that.

 

We meandered our way through a not crowded deck 3 thru a casino with no evidence of smoke stench and into the World Stage for our first real taste of the wrap around screen. Some major props to the show producers for finding a mix of songs that was not stuck in the 60’s or 70’s. Neither was there a constant line up of overdone Broadway songs. Instead there was everything from U2 to Enigma to the Beatles all done to new arrangements with an up tempo. I have two college music graduates traveling with me and neither commented on off key performances or the like.

 

The screen was blazing bright high definition color. The effects are carried out quite well and there was definitely some thought put into each electronic set piece. I expect to see this sort of technology deployed across multiple vessels over the next few years as it cuts down on set piece construction.

 

All of the dancers and singers were equal to or better than we had witnessed on other lines or other trips. Here is a tip: exit the world stage on the lower level Deck 2 exits and miss the lumbering herd going through deck 3.

 

I can say that we witnessed more positive smiles and greetings than the previous day from the ship’s crew. That is a good thing and hope that it continues. Even with some of the hustle and bustle as reported in a previous reply I posted, the ship seems calm. We meet very few people in the actual hallways. Elevators have become much easier to grab.

 

If you will allow, I would like to pass along my interpretation of any “vibration” on the aft section as has been reported. Being my 6th aft cabin journey on different vessels, this one has really been no different than any other. We are, after all, on a cruise ship in the notorious North Sea with a steady wind blowing in from the northeast. Is there a slight wobble (not a roll)? Yes. Is it bothersome? Not in the slightest even to the most squeamish of our group affected by motion sickness.

 

The cabin is tight. Nothing is rattling or rolling as the ship slices through the water.

 

 

By the way, another item to note was that there was no special offer to bundle specialty dining. I was hoping there would be, so if you are interested in grabbing your choice time slots, I would do so shore side before the cruise.

 

We have Culinary Arts Center (CAC) reservations next week. I wish HAL would listen to some of us (don’t think they do), I could give them three or four big reasons it is struggling (if it indeed is).

 

#1. Don’t sell beverage packages and then try to sell a dinner with wine included. That’s paying for the same thing twice for some people. Likewise, if one doesn’t drink, then why pay for the 2nd highest meal on the ship with such an upcharge??

 

#2. Publish a menu. How are you going to entice people to trust that the $39/person is worth the effort?

 

#3. Open it for lunch as a $5 option.

 

The concept is great and will be anxious to review and actual experience there. The upcharge just appears way too high for the aesthetics of the room. Give people the option of dinner purchase and then wine purchase on top of that and see what happens.

 

A couple of observations about THIS trip and the Royal Dutch Café. From the American perspective, eating is a sit down, consume, leave affair. My limited experience is that the European style is sit and …well…sit. So turnover there appeared to be pretty horrible with limited seating ever going to be available. I hope it will be open on a port day so we can at least try it while our sisters and brothers across the pond actually will release the seats in there. Will be interesting to hear how the Caribbean season goes for this same experience. I’m guessing turnover will be much better.

 

Sea days are just wonderful for me personally. It is a process that can’t be enjoyed by just anyone. The tension starts to melt away when you realize that the only thing you really have to worry about is what to eat next. I could easily do 8 days or more at sea between ports on a nice ship such as the Koningsdam.

 

And make no mistake about it, this is a nice ship. All in our group have been loving the cabins compared to other similar ships. It is not your father’s HAL-liner though. Keep that in mind. This is more like Celebrity and HAL had a love child and the Koningsdam was the result.

 

 

It definitely is a breed unto itself.

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Karennella

Karennella

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Re the Dutch Cafe; it is not just a European habit to linger in cafes and restaurants. On our cruise (the first part) we had 300 Australians and we too are in the habit of lingering. If we book a table in a restaurant here it is pretty well assumed that we have the table for the night. Thus we do not want the service to be too fast.

Our group had late dining on our cruise and our server would joke that he had ordered our taxi, that the shuttle bus was on its way etc when he wanted us to leave.

These are the sort of issues that HAL have to consider when they look at where to market their cruises. On the second part of our cruise we were told there were 1700 Dutch guests and English was very much the second language.

By the way, the toilet problem seems to be a design issue on the K. Quite a few of the public toilets were on the blink in May. We found you had to press the button exactly in the middle but even then occasionally it would take a few minutes to flush. Was quite annoying at times. Also we had the often quoted problem with the temperature of the shower going up and down all the time.

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sldispatcher

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Glided into Flam today. Just as beautiful as before.

 

Ironically, flyers went out last night listing the menu for the Culinary Arts Center. Although both are nice, the $39/person surcharge including wine flight for people who don't drink or who already have the beverage package is going to cause us to reroute to a different location for dinner.

 

Whoever designed the logistics of the CAC will probably be rewarded for the slow moving train wreck that it has reportedly become. Sad, as it looks really good.

 

Also of note, this is now twice in 3 days that a long hair has shown up. First in a water glass, today on room service breakfast plate in an omelet.

 

We arrived to breakfast at the MDR and walked right up to the podium, but the dining room managers were not seating anyone with any gusto and the line quickly backed up.

 

Not sure how far up the ladder these things are going...but it almost feels like there is a culture shift taking place in the organization and it is not in the right direction. Carnival Corp could have easily taken HAL up a notch and left Princess to fight it out with Celebrity.

 

Again, these are little things that are observations. But they add up over time.

 

Looking forward to a nice bus trip to the top of the mountains surrounding Flam.

 

Report back later.

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cbz

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Oh my, I hope you don't pass up the CAC! We ended up going twice to experience both menus. The food was great, the service was amazing and it was simply a fun experience! I thought it was a very good value for everything they provided. YMMV of course, but we loved it!

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tamsno

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Thank you so much for taking the time to share your observations with us. You write very well and I so agree with your "keep your expectations realistic" style. I'm really looking forward to being on board in August. Enjoy your journey.

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OceanPatter

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sldispatcher, we love your observations! We were on the Koningsdam in May to Norway, and are re-living the trip through your eyes. It was our first HAL cruise, and we gave it a 5-star review. (And because we like new ships, we may not try the older HAL ships.)

 

Thank you for taking the time to give us your immensely-thorough impressions. A wonderful read!

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sldispatcher

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Invasion of the Ship Snatchers

 

For the last 4 ½ hours we have been sailing through the Sognefjord headed back out to the North Sea. We thoroughly enjoyed sail away from Flam. Towering rock cliffs with vertical faces, spindly sheets of cascading waterfalls finding their way amongst the craggy stone and hardwood forests. The day was glorious with plenty of sunshine and clouds mixed together. We had room service cheese and nut tray along with cheese quesadillas since we would be dining late tonight.

 

Flam was quite the busy place. I had waited a bit too late to purchase the Flam railway tickets independently as I do not think that I really wanted to hand over $149/person for the trip. I know that sounds a bit stingy, but those who have gone before can comment further if they wish. We had done the trip before and so I had not placed a high priority on that trip.

 

This evening, they had an ABBA show in the World Stage. My wife was thrilled and wanted to go. Considering that she is not a night owl and was willing to go to the 10pm show, I was more than happy to accommodate her wishes. I only knew one of the songs. They were talented, but I had just as soon had my head put into an armadillo shell and beat with a hammer. For having 3 shows an evening, this one was standing room only. The theater was packed to the gills.

 

Currently, I’m sitting out on the balcony looking at a cotton candy sky of blues and pinks as the sun sets in the northwest. It is 1105pm and it is still daylight. The fjord is quite wide and deep here but small Norwegian villages still dot the shore and are lit up enough to see details. The water is icy navy blue and the ship’s wake provides that soothing roar and reassurance that we are headed towards our next adventure in Stavanger.

 

Dinner in the main dining room tonight…and that’s what I now must say in regards to the theme of this post. Something very odd has happened. All of a sudden, HAL of old showed up in the dining room tonight! Exquisitely presented dishes. Wait staff that acted both professional and warm (we even sat at the same table). It wasn’t over the top by any means, but service was snappy and right on. That includes breakfast. We also were able to walk right up to the counter and requested a familiar table. I even saw managerial staff that were somber, inattentive, and not playing well with others come alive with smiles and checking on tables.

 

All over the ship there was a different attitude. Even breakfast this AM it was noticeable. Prime Rib and Turbout were the chose entrees around the table and we had a putanesca spaghetti for the middle of the table that got raves all the way around.

 

For those have been following along, you know I have not been a HAL apologist, brown noser, etc. I never learn much from those type of reports so I that is not my style here. I still reach down and say that this ship is HAL’s answer to Celebrity. They have beaten them a good bit on the rooms as far as we can tell. Tonight they matched or exceeded them in the dining room.

 

When I asked 3 of the traveling folks what star rating they would give the ship so far, all 3 answered 5 star. I am going to reserve my rating until the end. As I sit on the balcony looking out over the deep blue sea and vast remoteness matched only by Alaska, how could I give it anything else but a superlative rating?

 

So if you see the crew of the Koningsdam that got snatched off the ship last night, please do not send them back.

 

The current staff suits us just fine! We’ll keep ‘em.

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