The Inside Cabin - Live on the Koningsdam Coastal California

[DAllenTCY]

Arrival times are now being enforced in San Diego for the Koningsdam.  Your Group and time queues are posted outside of the terminal.

 

Usually entry will be prior to your printed Boarding Pass time.

 

If your friends are Group is C and you are B, and you wish to board together.....Group C is your only option.

 

Arriving 3 hours early is not a good idea for you.

 

As of last week, dropping your luggage early has been an option; however, if verbal abuse continues toward our ground staff we reserve

 several options.

 

Please read your Boarding Pass Arrival time and adhere to it.

 

Thanks.

 

David

 

 

[Stakeout]

as a guess.. the last time we were on the Koningsdam the Casino was so small and tight --which made for a crowded place.. with Covid-- maybe they moved some machines to the Ocean Bar to avoid the overcrowding as an alternative venue .. we'll be on for 8 back to backs on Nov 14 thru Jan 9

20 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

13 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Arrival times are now being enforced in San Diego for the Koningsdam.  Your Group and time queues are posted outside of the terminal.

 

Usually entry will be prior to your printed Boarding Pass time.

 

If your friends are Group is C and you are B, and you wish to board together.....Group C is your only option.

 

Arriving 3 hours early is not a good idea for you.

 

As of last week, dropping your luggage early has been an option; however, if verbal abuse continues toward our ground staff we reserve

 several options.

 

Please read your Boarding Pass Arrival time and adhere to it.

 

Thanks.

 

David

 

 

David.  Do you work at the cruise terminal?

 

When we arrived on the 31st.   We drove in with a driver service and they let us right in to drop our bags.    We were already past our checkin time and we walked over to the terminal and got in about a 20 minute line.    At the door to the terminal they checked out boarding pass and we continued inside.    Since we were so late (2:00 checkin) I doubt anyone was really left.   
 

But when we drove in we noticed another line of people outside the cruise terminal gate.   I couldn't figure out why they were queued up outside.    Were these early arrivers waiting for their time?  
 

not sure if Disney had the same arrival schedule or not.  

are the passenger arrival times driven by the cruise line or the port ? 

 

[cruise kitty]

14 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Arrival times are now being enforced in San Diego for the Koningsdam.  Your Group and time queues are posted outside of the terminal.

 

Usually entry will be prior to your printed Boarding Pass time.

 

If your friends are Group is C and you are B, and you wish to board together.....Group C is your only option.

 

 

 

As of last week, dropping your luggage early has been an option; however, if verbal abuse continues toward our ground staff we reserve

 several options.

 

Please read your Boarding Pass Arrival time and adhere to it.

 

Thanks.

 

David

 

 

 

Hi David, I'm hoping early luggage drop off is still an option in two weeks 🙂. Can't believe the staff is being verbally abused... yikes !  Hopefully someone on next Friday's cruise will be able to let us know if early luggage drop off is an option... since we are all sharing a car, & staying in same hotel, we need to arrive at same time...  we'll go with group D which is the later check in amongst us... guess we will be getting brunch before boarding 😉

 

(& thank you @The-Inside-Cabin for letting me hijack your thread a little 🙂

[figmentdj]

2 hours ago, cruise kitty said:

 

Hi David, I'm hoping early luggage drop off is still an option in two weeks 🙂. Can't believe the staff is being verbally abused... yikes !  Hopefully someone on next Friday's cruise will be able to let us know if early luggage drop off is an option... since we are all sharing a car, & staying in same hotel, we need to arrive at same time...  we'll go with group D which is the later check in amongst us... guess we will be getting brunch before boarding 😉

 

(& thank you @The-Inside-Cabin for letting me hijack your thread a little 🙂

Same here. Apologies for the high-jack, but we will be renting a car, hope to drop off luggage about an hour earlier than our check in time, return the car, then walk to pier (without all our luggage) for our 1:20 check in. Hope this is doable.

[KirkNC]

I would be shocked if they did not allow you to drop off your luggage.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Here is a new video - much the same as the check in Video - a little of the Halloween party.   I am working on more content, but doing videos is harder than writing a blog I am discovering.   Bear with me as I sort thru this learning curve.  Constructive comments appreciated.

 

 

[Florida_gal_50]

Would love to hear more about the ship.  How has the weather been? How are the seas?  Have you been to any of the specialty restaurants?  How is the food in the mdr?  Have you heard how many are on board? Thank you. 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

14 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Would love to hear more about the ship.  How has the weather been? How are the seas?  Have you been to any of the specialty restaurants?  How is the food in the mdr?  Have you heard how many are on board? Thank you. 

The weather in San Francisco was fantastic.   The seas were a little rough last night, but not too bad.

 

We went to Canaletto's, Rudi's and the Pinnacle.  All were excellent and exceeded expectations.   The Pinnacle experience was the best we ever had in out many years on HAL.

 

MDR service was outstanding - food was great - We have read about a few growing pains in the first 2 cruises, but they seem to have ironed them out nicely.

 

1600 onboard 

[Florida_gal_50]

5 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

The weather in San Francisco was fantastic.   The seas were a little rough last night, but not too bad.

 

We went to Canaletto's, Rudi's and the Pinnacle.  All were excellent and exceeded expectations.   The Pinnacle experience was the best we ever had in out many years on HAL.

 

MDR service was outstanding - food was great - We have read about a few growing pains in the first 2 cruises, but they seem to have ironed them out nicely.

 

1600 onboard 

Thank you for the information. Good to hear the food is good.  I’ve never liked the Canaletto before but on the n. Statendam it was fabulous.  I hope your experience was the same. I should have also asked about the Internet.  I know posters on the previous cruises said it sucked.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Thank you for the information. Good to hear the food is good.  I’ve never liked the Canaletto before but on the n. Statendam it was fabulous.  I hope your experience was the same. I should have also asked about the Internet.  I know posters on the previous cruises said it sucked.

Internet is below expectations.    Even in port San Francisco it wasn't very good.     But its all sorta relative - compared to 8 years ago its great.  I mean wifi is now in all the cabins.   I was able to upload a 600 mb video to YouTube in about 4 hours - not great - but that would have been impossible earlier.    Wifi phone calling and Facetime is OK.    

[Florida_gal_50]

8 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Internet is below expectations.    Even in port San Francisco it wasn't very good.     But its all sorta relative - compared to 8 years ago its great.  I mean wifi is now in all the cabins.   I was able to upload a 600 mb video to YouTube in about 4 hours - not great - but that would have been impossible earlier.    Wifi phone calling and Facetime is OK.    

Thank you again.  Ouch 4 hours!  Wifi has been ok on my cruises pre pandemic.  Not like land of course.  I wish hal would fix this issue although maybe it’s the have it all that is causing issues.

[Lorabelle]

We were on the 10/24 sailing and luggage drop off was not an option.   We walked over to the port from our hotel.  Everyone was lined up outside the gate in the front parking lot.  No one was allowed to enter the port area until check in began at 1:00.  I asked 3 different members of the port staff and each one told us that we could not drop our luggage.  We arrived there about 11:30 and we wanted to drop our stuff and then go relax somewhere until time to board.  Everyone in line had their luggage with them. 

 

We saw hotel and airport shuttles arrive, and they were ushered through the gates, and came out without passengers, so I assume those folks were able to drop their luggage and stand in a separate line within the secured port area.  Not sure if they would have been allowed to leave the port area once they were inside, though.  

[KirkNC]

Wow, another surprise.

[DAllenTCY]

Here is what has been going on lately in San Diego.  You arrive at the terminal and ask if you may drop off your luggage.

 

Our answer has been "Yes" but please return and line up according to your Arrival Time on your Boarding Pass.  Arrival times are posted outside the building.

 

It sounds rather simple to me.

 

However, once inside the security gate, many of you prefer to make your way to the facility entrance and argue that you have either:

 

           Never received an arrival time or cannot find it on your Boarding Pass/iPhone

 

           Need immediate seating for a disabled member of your party or a lavatory ASAP

 

           Argue that it is either too sunny or too hot to stand in line outside

 

           Request a wheelchair that you didn't need minutes ago

 

           State that it is too far to walk to the check in counter (ship is 975 feet long/ 110 feet wide)

 

We try to keep meet or best your expectations; however, 1,400 guests cannot all arrive at the same time and you know that.  Arrival times are distributed by Holland America in order to smooth the embarkation experience for you.  Ground staff are merely assisting in that endeavor.

Please realize that in each Arrival Group there are 250 guests.... 1 pm, 1:20 pm, 1:40 pm.....etc.

 

This next sailing.....there is a group as late as 3:40 pm.

 

Please be patient, as we observe CDC and CPB requirements for your sailing.

 

David

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

[Laminator]

47 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

Here is what has been going on lately in San Diego.  You arrive at the terminal and ask if you may drop off your luggage.

 

Our answer has been "Yes" but please return and line up according to your Arrival Time on your Boarding Pass.  Arrival times are posted outside the building.

 

It sounds rather simple to me.

 

However, once inside the security gate, many of you prefer to make your way to the facility entrance and argue that you have either:

 

           Never received an arrival time or cannot find it on your Boarding Pass/iPhone

 

           Need immediate seating for a disabled member of your party or a lavatory ASAP

 

           Argue that it is either too sunny or too hot to stand in line outside

 

           Request a wheelchair that you didn't need minutes ago

 

           State that it is too far to walk to the check in counter (ship is 975 feet long/ 110 feet wide)

 

We try to keep meet or best your expectations; however, 1,400 guests cannot all arrive at the same time and you know that.  Arrival times are distributed by Holland America in order to smooth the embarkation experience for you.  Ground staff are merely assisting in that endeavor.

Please realize that in each Arrival Group there are 250 guests.... 1 pm, 1:20 pm, 1:40 pm.....etc.

 

This next sailing.....there is a group as late as 3:40 pm.

 

Please be patient, as we observe CDC and CPB requirements for your sailing.

 

David

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

All that winds up doing is clogging up embarkation and slows down everyone. 

Edited November 6, 2021 by Laminator

[tompeter]

7 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Here is what has been going on lately in San Diego.  You arrive at the terminal and ask if you may drop off your luggage.

 

Our answer has been "Yes" but please return and line up according to your Arrival Time on your Boarding Pass.  Arrival times are posted outside the building.

 

It sounds rather simple to me.

 

However, once inside the security gate, many of you prefer to make your way to the facility entrance and argue that you have either:

 

           Never received an arrival time or cannot find it on your Boarding Pass/iPhone

 

           Need immediate seating for a disabled member of your party or a lavatory ASAP

 

           Argue that it is either too sunny or too hot to stand in line outside

 

           Request a wheelchair that you didn't need minutes ago

 

           State that it is too far to walk to the check in counter (ship is 975 feet long/ 110 feet wide)

 

We try to keep meet or best your expectations; however, 1,400 guests cannot all arrive at the same time and you know that.  Arrival times are distributed by Holland America in order to smooth the embarkation experience for you.  Ground staff are merely assisting in that endeavor.

Please realize that in each Arrival Group there are 250 guests.... 1 pm, 1:20 pm, 1:40 pm.....etc.

 

This next sailing.....there is a group as late as 3:40 pm.

 

Please be patient, as we observe CDC and CPB requirements for your sailing.

 

David

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

Isn't it great, dealing with the public......LOL

[sprinkles]

@DAllenTCYso what is your honest suggestion for DH and I.  But first, a little background.  In our 50’s, however I have Multiple Sclerosis and DH has a severely broken back that was medically repaired (not things anyone can tell by looking at us).  Neither one of us can stand for very long, hubby usually stands in line while I sit.

 

Pre COVID, I was never one to rush the ship.  Used to go have a leisurely lunch and usually arrive just around 2pm or after and walk on the ship etc.  That apparently won’t work for this cruise.  We have a 1:20 check in next Sunday in San Diego.  Have no problems dropping off bags and going back over to the Mexican place on the pier and hanging out where I can sit in shade and have access to the restroom (both a necessity with MS).  However I am fairly sure I won’t be able to see the line for the ship.  I remember two years ago in the middle of our b2b getting off the ship and being told to be back no later then 2:30 pm.

 

I have no desire to order a wheelchair (although I have in the past).   So now what?  Can hubby and I take turns standing in line or are those few benches constantly taken (or heck even removed for COVID protocols ).

 

Tammy

[visagrunt]

17 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Here is what has been going on lately in San Diego....

           

 

 

 

           

 

 

          

 

 

 

 

 

This is really useful information.  Thank you, David

Edited November 6, 2021 by visagrunt
add text

[cruise kitty]

23 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Here is what has been going on lately in San Diego.  You arrive at the terminal and ask if you may drop off your luggage.

 

Our answer has been "Yes" but please return and line up according to your Arrival Time on your Boarding Pass.  Arrival times are posted outside the building.

 

It sounds rather simple to me.

 

However, once inside the security gate, many of you prefer to make your way to the facility entrance and argue that you have either:

 

           Never received an arrival time or cannot find it on your Boarding Pass/iPhone

 

           Need immediate seating for a disabled member of your party or a lavatory ASAP

 

           Argue that it is either too sunny or too hot to stand in line outside

 

           Request a wheelchair that you didn't need minutes ago

 

           State that it is too far to walk to the check in counter (ship is 975 feet long/ 110 feet wide)

 

We try to keep meet or best your expectations; however, 1,400 guests cannot all arrive at the same time and you know that.  Arrival times are distributed by Holland America in order to smooth the embarkation experience for you.  Ground staff are merely assisting in that endeavor.

Please realize that in each Arrival Group there are 250 guests.... 1 pm, 1:20 pm, 1:40 pm.....etc.

 

This next sailing.....there is a group as late as 3:40 pm.

 

Please be patient, as we observe CDC and CPB requirements for your sailing.

 

David

           

 

Thank you, all we need is the ability to drop off our luggage, & we'll be heading to brunch & many mimosas lol...   it's unfortunate that some people can be entitled jerks. 

[DAllenTCY]

There are no benches, no water fountain, no wheelchairs outside the terminal.

 

Your best option is to arrive on time according to your Boarding Pass and ask where is my queue?

 

David

[sprinkles]

20 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

There are no benches, no water fountain, no wheelchairs outside the terminal.

 

Your best option is to arrive on time according to your Boarding Pass and ask where is my queue?

 

David

Thank you, nice to know that they removed the benches from in front of the terminal.  

[zgscl]

On 11/5/2021 at 8:36 PM, DAllenTCY said:

However, once inside the security gate, many of you prefer to make your way to the facility entrance and argue that you have either:

 

           Never received an arrival time or cannot find it on your Boarding Pass/iPhone

 

           Need immediate seating for a disabled member of your party or a lavatory ASAP

 

           Argue that it is either too sunny or too hot to stand in line outside

 

           Request a wheelchair that you didn't need minutes ago

 

           State that it is too far to walk to the check in counter (ship is 975 feet long/ 110 feet wide)

 

And of course there is the "surely this doesn't apply to me, I am special" 

 

Thanks for the all the info on boarding. Looking forward to being there in a week! 

 

 

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Finished our first week.  One more to go.  
 

we got something new this evening.  A small ( 4inch by 6 inch) paper booklet with 14 blank pages called "Journeys" along with a cruise log in the form of a sticker to put in the booklet. 

Edited November 7, 2021 by The-Inside-Cabin

[Chart Room Princess]

We boarded today. Our boarding time was 2:20 pm. We got here from the airport at 12:30. I asked a Holland employee about boarding earlier. He said no problem and we are in our cabin at 1:30pm.