Your Favourite Things & Top Tips for the Koningsdam

[debsjc]

It's just over a week till we set sail on Koningsdam from Amsterdam to the Norwegian Fjords. I've read some mixed opinions about this ship, but tell me the good bits!

Would love to hear about your favourite spots, the best food, any any other useful snippets of info :D

 

We have a standard verandah cabin on deck 6 aft, and have pre-booked 1 Pinnacle Grill, 1 Canaletto and a Thermal spa pass.

[sppunk]

The Grand Dutch Cafe is marvelous - do go there often. Sel de Mar is also a fantastic dining option.

 

We sailed her last Nov/Dec and I did a live blog, which you can read here. It might give you some tips/insights.

 

We absolutely LOVED her.

[Lady Arwen]

We just spent two weeks aboard Koningsdam. Beautiful ship! Loved Pinnacle Grill and Caneletto. The New York Deli is terrific for custom made pizza and sandwiches. The Market Buffet is fine, some hits, some misses. Food in the MDR is good, too, although nothing really memorable. The Dutch Cafe is very nice, but unfortunately cannot compare to Princess International Cafe, both in quality and variety of food and it's limited hours......International Cafe is open 24/7.

 

The sitting area around the main pool is lovely. We parked ourselves in a corner with two sofas and a coffee table and spent many hours there reading, snoozing and eating. The most comfortable pool area we've ever seen.

 

We had only one problem....smoking in the casino. We love to spend our evenings there and it was horrible! Going back to Celebrity for awhile until HAL (and Princess) eliminate casino smoking. If you're okay with it, then you will enjoy Koningsdam.

[catl331]

Be sure to hit the Tamarind at least once. We like that better than the PG.

[freestyling]

We enjoyed dining at the Culinary Arts Center. It is a fixed menu with allowing choices of main entree and dessert. Red or /and White wine is built into the price of the meal. Food was very good IMHO. You can watch them prepare it via video monitors located thru out the venue. For $39.00pp I thought it was a very good value. They switch between 2 menus Basil and Lavender. Both were good. We also enjoyed the Grand Dutch Cafe not only for their food offerings but the premium beer and great coffee. Have a Great cruise.

[Stella1250]

I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of Koningsdam when you return. I am on her 6/25 for the same cruise!

[Reagan0712]

Spent two weeks on the Koningsdam last summer and agree with the other posters. However, I don't recall smoking in the casino and I spent quite a few evenings in there. The B.B. King Blues Club group was excellent.

Loved going up to The Crow's Nest in the evening when the lights were turned down. It was a great place to unwind from the day's excursion, but, from what I've read I'm not sure that would be possible any longer.

[wesport]

Grand Dutch Café Pea soup and grilled cheese. YUM

World stage is phenomenal. BBC presentation was very enjoyable

All the specialty restaurants were great

Don't miss Sel de Mer

Sitting area around the back of the ship was very relaxing

Doing 21 days on her 8/6

Third cruise this year on the Koningsdam

[ctutu1]

I am looking forward to hearing your impressions of Koningsdam when you return. I am on her 6/25 for the same cruise!

 

Me, too! We are on the 6/25 cruise and staying on for another week. Can't wait!

[BSR]

The Grand Dutch Cafe is marvelous - do go there often. Sel de Mar is also a fantastic dining option.

 

We sailed her last Nov/Dec and I did a live blog, which you can read here. It might give you some tips/insights.

 

We absolutely LOVED her.

Is there a charge for the Dutch Cafe?

 

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Forums mobile app

[freestyling]

Dutch Cafe charges for coffee, beer, etc but the food "behind the glass" is free of charge.

[Retired 07]

It's just over a week till we set sail on Koningsdam from Amsterdam to the Norwegian Fjords. I've read some mixed opinions about this ship, but tell me the good bits!

Would love to hear about your favourite spots, the best food, any any other useful snippets of info :D

 

We have a standard verandah cabin on deck 6 aft, and have pre-booked 1 Pinnacle Grill, 1 Canaletto and a Thermal spa pass.

Thanks for this post! We are on your cruise too. I've also read some mixed and negative opinions about the Koningsdam, and was starting to have second thoughts. After reading these answers you got I feel a lot better about the ship.

[debsjc]

Thank you for all the great responses so far, it's really good to hear your experiences.

 

I definitely can't wait to try out the Dutch Cafe, and the New York Deli. Unfortunately there are quite a few foods I can't eat for medical reasons, so the Tamarind doesn't really work for us (did try it on the Eurodam though)

 

Is the Dutch Cafe open for all meals, and if you don't purchase a beverage is there somewhere to get just water? I love desserts, do they have any cakes or sweet things in there?

 

We don't visit the casino much, so luckily the smoking won't really affect us. I definitely plan to check out the BB King band & the World Stage (maybe not for BBC documentaries though, I get too many of those at home!!)

 

sppunk - I will check out your blog, thanks

 

Stella & ctutu1 - I will definitely report back, but it might not be until after you sail - hope you have a fantastic vacation too.

 

 

Retired 07- It's always good to hear the positive things, to help you get excited before a trip :cool:

[*Miss G*]

We sailed her last Nov/Dec and I did a live blog, which you can read here. It might give you some tips/insights.

That was a very entertaining read. Thank you. I've even forgiven you for keeping me up late.