Life and Live from Koningsdam on her New Year's cruise 26 Dec 21 - 02 Jan 22

[swin26]

10 hours ago, zelker said:

Yay, Chiefs!!!  

As a Steelers fan, it was a very sad game!!

[Copper10-8]

Day 1 - Sunday 26 DEC 21 - Embarkation Day

 

We got in the hooptee, pulled out of the driveway and left the homestead at 1012 hours (10:12 AM) exactly after saying goodbye to Stiv, our cat who stayed in the family room, no doubt knowing exactly what was going on and not happy about it! Maria’s mum Carmen will be “cat-sitting” for the week. We soon thereafter entered the northbound 110 Freeway, followed by the transition to the south-bound 405 Freeway, aka the San Diego Freeway for our destination, the City of the Padres. Took the 74-toll road which makes the drive a tad shorter by-passing Santa Ana, John Wayne Airport, and Costa Mesa and thankfully discovered that traffic was pretty light which put big smiles on our faces. We dealt with the usual congestion back on the (now) Interstate 5 Freeway going through Alisa Viejo and, after passing Camp Pendleton, oorah!, in the Oceanside/Carlsbad area.

 

Once in San Diego itself right around 12:00 Noon, our usual plan is to pull into the cruise terminal lot and off-load our luggage, handing it to a porter. Got that done no problems. We then drove to our usual long-term parking lot on Pacific where we got a nasty surprise in that the lot was closed off with a big sign stating “Lot Full, Go to Lot A”. Awwwrighty then, but guess what? Lot A turned out to be full also so that meant "Trouble in River City!" What is a mother to do?

 

Luckily, we spotted one of those airport-style renal-type, sorry, rental-type vans, vans driving by with the name of that "lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine on it" (trivia question) and decided to follow it to its long term parking home. Sho 'nough, this turned out to be a multi-story parking structure which would take our Caddie jalopy for a mere twenty greenbacks a day/night. Still took a while finding a vacant spot inside that structure, cruise ship parking in SD seems to be at a premium, but we got it done! Their shuttle took us back to the B-Street Pier and we were good to go.

 

Check in was at our assigned time of 1:30 (we were six minutes early) and, due to #@$&!# Covid now involves a new process. The entire southeast part of the B Street cruise terminal has been turned into a "health check process" where you follow a taped off "slinky" path until you wind up at the health check screening agent. He/She will need to see your original #@$&!# Covid vaccination record as well as your#@$&!# Covid test result taken within 48 hrs. of sailing. Once satisfactory accomplished and checked off, one proceeds in a westerly direction through said terminal for the obligatory airport-like security screening which is conducted by contract security. Last up is the actual check in process which was completely new as it was completed via "facial recognition" machines manned by an agent. It "spits" out a little paper boarding pass with minimum info on it. Your actual /ship's I.D./room key is in a sealed envelop in the mail slot outside your cabin. Pretty cool process. Although there was a pretty good crowd in that slinky when we first entered the terminal, it took all of twenty minutes from that time until we were done and entered k-dam via the shoreside/airport like gangway at Terminal B in San Diego.

 

Our cabin is on Shubert deck, starboard side, smack caddy corner from the Neptune Lounge where concierges Patrick and Christine “reside” and do one heck of a job keeping their guests happy.

 

More to follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 27, 2021 by Copper10-8

[Boytjie]

14 hours ago, cruzingnut said:

Glad there is yet another "live from" thread to follow!  Hope you have a great and healthy cruise! 

 

One thing I'm wondering about is where on the ship is the group of cabins set aside for quarantine (crew or passenger).  Thinking about the KDam for the fall and looking at cabins right now. 

 

Linda R.

Not relevant to this cruise or this ship at all, but just an example: On our August cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam the cabins on deck 4 and 6 forward of the forward elevators were reserved for that (the fire doors were closed). 

[madera1]

Thank you for sharing your experience sailing once again . Have a safe and fun vacation.

[Marion B]

   Thanks, John, for posting.  I wish you, Maria and all aboard as fabulous a cruise as we experienced from December 5 - 12.  We had good times in 7075 and think Patrick and Christine are the best.

   If you get the chance, can you tell Patrick that Mr. Smith is healing and hoping to be ready for our upcoming cruise next month?  (With all the turmoil on disembarkation day Patick managed to contact Flight Ease and get us a wheelchair from cabin to cab.  He is a gem).

   Hope you make it to the Rolling Stone Rock Room and enjoy it as much as we did.  Being there with people smiling, laughing, dancing and rocking out was like life back in 2019.  That band just about blew the roof off the K.

[Deep68]

15 hours ago, cruzingnut said:

Glad there is yet another "live from" thread to follow!  Hope you have a great and healthy cruise! 

 

One thing I'm wondering about is where on the ship is the group of cabins set aside for quarantine (crew or passenger).  Thinking about the KDam for the fall and looking at cabins right now. 

 

Linda R.

We disembarked Koningsdam on Sunday. The section set aside was towards the back of the ship on deck 4.  There were closed fire doors near the aft elevator. We originally had a cabin on deck 4 then were  moved/had a free upgrade to a cabin on deck 5 (eventually took a paid upgrade to a neptune suite). I am sure we got moved as our cabin would have been in the quarantine section. 

Edited December 27, 2021 by Deep68

[Deep68]

13 hours ago, Arlo92106 said:

Thank you for posting, we are hoping to go on the January 2nd cruise.  Are they making you wear masks at the pool?  A Holland rep told me on the phone I would need to wear a mask at ALL times, even outside????

We disembarked on Sunday. Masks were not required outdoors including around the pool unless there was a large gathering. 

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, Marion B said:

   Thanks, John, for posting.  I wish you, Maria and all aboard as fabulous a cruise as we experienced from December 5 - 12.  We had good times in 7075 and think Patrick and Christine are the best.

   If you get the chance, can you tell Patrick that Mr. Smith is healing and hoping to be ready for our upcoming cruise next month?  (With all the turmoil on disembarkation day Patick managed to contact Flight Ease and get us a wheelchair from cabin to cab.  He is a gem).

   Hope you make it to the Rolling Stone Rock Room and enjoy it as much as we did.  Being there with people smiling, laughing, dancing and rocking out was like life back in 2019.  That band just about blew the roof off the K.

 

Showed your message to him/Patrick on my phone in the NL around 11:00 AM this morning. He placed his hand over his heart and wishes you all the best for a speedy recovery!

 

And yes, we watched/listened to the Rolling Stone Rock guys at 10:00 PM last night. Those guys are very talented; even heard "I have a fever and can use more cowbell" 😉 followed by "Don't fear the reaper" of Blue Oyster Cult fame

Edited December 27, 2021 by Copper10-8

[zelker]

@Copper10-8 John, have you noticed any differences in NL protocols from your Alaska cruise this summer? (e.g., are they still allowing everyone to self-serve F&B in there?)  Thx.

[sandiegoscribe]

We're also on the Jan 2 cruise, and like others on that sailing, we are most interested in what happens on this cruise. Thanks for being our eyes and ears on this cruise and have a safe and fun cruise.

 

Ron and Mary James

[Deep68]

52 minutes ago, zelker said:

@Copper10-8 John, have you noticed any differences in NL protocols from your Alaska cruise this summer? (e.g., are they still allowing everyone to self-serve F&B in there?)  Thx.

Not John but last week in the Neptune lounge there was no self service. Food and beverages were served by the concierges. In the lido there were some self service beverage areas.

[iflyrc5]

5 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

Day 1 - Sunday 26 DEC 21 - Embarkation Day

 

We got in the hooptee, pulled out of the driveway and left the homestead at 1012 hours (10:12 AM) exactly after saying goodbye to Stiv, our cat who stayed in the family room, no doubt knowing exactly what was going on and not happy about it! Maria’s mum Carmen will be “cat-sitting” for the week. We soon thereafter entered the northbound 110 Freeway, followed by the transition to the south-bound 405 Freeway, aka the San Diego Freeway for our destination, the City of the Padres. Took the 74-toll road which makes the drive a tad shorter by-passing Santa Ana, John Wayne Airport, and Costa Mesa and thankfully discovered that traffic was pretty light which put big smiles on our faces. We dealt with the usual congestion back on the (now) Interstate 5 Freeway going through Alisa Viejo and, after passing Camp Pendleton, oorah!, in the Oceanside/Carlsbad area.

 

Once in San Diego itself right around 12:00 Noon, our usual plan is to pull into the cruise terminal lot and off-load our luggage, handing it to a porter. Got that done no problems. We then drove to our usual long-term parking lot on Pacific where we got a nasty surprise in that the lot was closed off with a big sign stating “Lot Full, Go to Lot A”. Awwwrighty then, but guess what? Lot A turned out to be full also so that meant "Trouble in River City!" What is a mother to do?

 

Luckily, we spotted one of those airport-style renal-type, sorry, rental-type vans, vans driving by with the name of that "lovable street urchin who meets Princess Jasmine on it" (trivia question) and decided to follow it to its long term parking home. Sho 'nough, this turned out to be a multi-story parking structure which would take our Caddie jalopy for a mere twenty greenbacks a day/night. Still took a while finding a vacant spot inside that structure, cruise ship parking in SD seems to be at a premium, but we got it done! Their shuttle took us back to the B-Street Pier and we were good to go.

 

Check in was at our assigned time of 1:30 (we were six minutes early) and, due to #@$&!# Covid now involves a new process. The entire southeast part of the B Street cruise terminal has been turned into a "health check process" where you follow a taped off "slinky" path until you wind up at the health check screening agent. He/She will need to see your original #@$&!# Covid vaccination record as well as your#@$&!# Covid test result taken within 48 hrs. of sailing. Once satisfactory accomplished and checked off, one proceeds in a westerly direction through said terminal for the obligatory airport-like security screening which is conducted by contract security. Last up is the actual check in process which was completely new as it was completed via "facial recognition" machines manned by an agent. It "spits" out a little paper boarding pass with minimum info on it. Your actual /ship's I.D./room key is in a sealed envelop in the mail slot outside your cabin. Pretty cool process. Although there was a pretty good crowd in that slinky when we first entered the terminal, it took all of twenty minutes from that time until we were done and entered k-dam via the shoreside/airport like gangway at Terminal B in San Diego.

 

Our cabin is on Shubert deck, starboard side, smack caddy corner from the Neptune Lounge where concierges Patrick and Christine “reside” and do one heck of a job keeping their guests happy.

 

More to follow

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper - following you reports and have a question.  You mentioned the "48 hour" pre-embark Covid test requirement - isn't it actually "2 day" pre-embark?  From what I am reading on the HAL site it is "2 days".  We are flying out the morning on a Monday and boarding on Wednesday to FLL and were planning on doing the HAL recommended monitored self test before heading to the airport which would be the 2 days prior but more like 54 hours before boarding.

 

Looking forward to following your reporting.

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, zelker said:

@Copper10-8 John, have you noticed any differences in NL protocols from your Alaska cruise this summer? (e.g., are they still allowing everyone to self-serve F&B in there?)  Thx.

 

Yes, basically no self-service in there - see my upcoming post arriving here shortly 😉 

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, iflyrc5 said:

Copper - following you reports and have a question.  You mentioned the "48 hour" pre-embark Covid test requirement - isn't it actually "2 day" pre-embark?  From what I am reading on the HAL site it is "2 days".  We are flying out the morning on a Monday and boarding on Wednesday to FLL and were planning on doing the HAL recommended monitored self test before heading to the airport which would be the 2 days prior but more like 54 hours before boarding.

 

Looking forward to following your reporting.

 

 

Yep, a negative Covid test is required within 2 days / 48 hrs of embarkation 😉 

[Copper10-8]

Day 1 - Sunday 26 Dec 21 - Embarkation Day (con't)

 

Our luggage was waiting for us in the cabin; the advantage of dropping it off early! Since it was now close to 2;00 PM, time to have a bit of lunch which we accomplished on Deck 3 mid-ships at the Grand Dutch Café where we each had a “Broodje Kroket” and shared a “frietten & mayo” in a triangle paper bag, the old-fashioned Dutch way to serve them. Had that really good lunch and then moseyed about twenty feet to port to our muster station, 3D where a crew member (one of the shoppies in real life) gave us a short and sweet brief with instructions to watch the onboard “Safety at Sea” video and listen to the captain’s safety speech over the P/A. This is the current “Covid-style” muster procedure on HAL which eliminates large groups getting together and standing in very close proximity to one another. Btw, your TV channel is set to that safety brief and one is unable to change channels until after you watch/listen to the entire brief; good idea!

 

We unpacked and then visited Patrick and Christine in the Neptune. Under the current Covid procedures there is no longer any self-service inside the NL. Having said that, the two concierges are more than happy to get you whatever drink and/or nibbles your little hear desires.

 

Around 3:15 PM, Captain Henk Draper came on over the ship’s P/A system with his safety announcement as well as our departure and route info once leaving Point Loma behind us, making a hook shank to port and heading southbound towards Mehjeeko. At 4;12 PM, after a group of late arriving pax were onboard – others, not being able to make it, will join us in Cabo on Tuesday -  Koningsdam let go of her lines and shoved off her berth with Capt. Henk backing his big ship up, turning her around in San Diego Bay, being vewy, vewy careful not to back her into the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72), berthed at NAS North Island, followed the perimeter of that same Naval Air Station North Island, and headed towards Point Loma and the Pacific Ocean where the pilot was dropped off on his fast boat.

 

Our two stateroom stewards are Bayu, the lead, and his assistant Wayan who together have 32 cabins on Shubert Deck assigned to them. So, with this particular cabin we are assigned comes the perk to consume breakfast and dinner inside Club Orange which is located on Deck 2, aft, starboard side, just in front of the main dining room. Club Orange is the domain of its manager, Tisar from Indonesia, and his assistant, Kasama from Thailand. We showed up at 7:00 PM and, although they were busy on the first night, Kasama took us to a nice table. Our main steward turned out to be “Sweet and Low” who took good care of us. Maria had the Salmon and I had the pasta dish, both very good!  

 

Post dinner, we spent time taking in the B.B. King’s All-Stars in their two-story BB Kings Lounge on Deck 2 forward, port side. As usual, great voices and instrumentalists! Btw, a little story: The current HAL rules re: wearing a mask state that masks are mandatory “indoors, except when eating or drinking or in your own stateroom, which includes elevators and indoor entertainment venues, all retail shops, and in the casino” This includes wearing masks prior to being seated in all dining venues and the Lido Market, when walking between lounges, and when dancing in the lounges. Masks are also required to be worn outdoors if in large gatherings and when physical distances cannot be maintained. These requirements rare posted in several pieces of paper that are handed to pax and was a part of Capt. Draper’s safety announcement. Still, as is always the case, certain individuals feel that rules such as these apply to others, but not to them as was the case last night in the BB Kings Blues Club on the dance floor with two couples cutting a rug among others who were masked up.

 

To our right where we were seated/back of the lounge was a female “three-stripe” officer obviously enjoying the good music on her own. We found out later on that her name was Amanda and she is the entertainment director. She obviously saw the two couples dancing sans mask and, to Amanda’s credit, she did not hesitate to walk onto said dance floor and reminded the four individuals that, guess what, masks are required. So, she took care of that issue single handedly and forthwith! Awesome job Amanda! Keep up the great work!

 

At 10:00 PM, we wandered from the BB Kings Club to the nearby Rolling Hills Rock Room where the four-person band who performs in there started their set of by playing 45 min worth of really good rock & roll music incl. songs from Steppenwolf, Blue Oyster Cult, Bruce “The Boss” Springsteen, and others1 Very cool!  They were replaced at 10:45 by Clara & Colin next door at Billboard Onbord.

!

We called it a night around 11;00 PM with those HAL beds and multitude of pillows coupled with the motion of the ocean making for a comfy deep sleep! Tomorrow, Monday is our first sea day as we are heading south along the Baja California coast

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Passing Old Point Loma light

Edited December 28, 2021 by Copper10-8

[nw gardener]

Beautiful photos,  thank you for taking us along.

[Florida_gal_50]

Good to hear the kroket are back on the ship.  Also good to hear that kasama is still in club orange. She’s a lovely person that I enjoyed talking to on my cruise in November.  She does a great job. Glad they are keeping an eye on the masks.  It was quite bad in in casino for non compliance in November.  Hopefully the no smoking has fixed that situation.  

[Copper10-8]

Day 1 - Sunday 26 Dec 21 - Embarkation Day (con't)

 

A bit of the BB King Blues All Star band, with apologies for the blurriness because they move while playing and my little Canon Power shot can't handle that. Also, a look at the Rolling Hills Rock Room band with the keyboard player apparently having just stepped out of the ZZ Top 1933 Ford Coupe😉 These guys - wait for it - simply rock!! Last is the HAL bag left on our bed by Bayu and Wayan 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 28, 2021 by Copper10-8

[Copper10-8]

On 12/26/2021 at 11:08 AM, XBGuy said:

@Copper10-8. I am looking forward to your reports.  A few pre-cruise questions:

1. What hotel is that in San Diego?
2. Can you leave your car in at the hotel during your cruise, or do you have to move it?
3. If leaving your car at the hotel is OK, can you walk with your luggage to the pier or do you arrange some sort of transportation--cab. hotel shuttle, other?

 

Howdy XBGuy; we didn't stay in a hotel, we drove down from L.A, so can't answer your questions, sorry

[Hogladyrider]

@XBGuy...when we cruised HAL out of San Diego we utilized a stay/cruise plan at Comfort Inn.  Included a nice room, free breakfast, we left our truck at the hotel all week.  Also included is an Uber ride to & from the port that the hotel arranges.  It worked great for us.

 

We walked across the street to the docks and enjoyed a stroll up & down the waterfront.  Plenty of waterfront restaurants to chose from for dinner.

 

When we cruise again out of San Diego we will choose this option again.

 

We drove in the day before from Yuma.

[westcoastsue]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Good to hear the kroket are back on the ship.  Also good to hear that kasama is still in club orange. She’s a lovely person that I enjoyed talking to on my cruise in November.  She does a great job. Glad they are keeping an eye on the masks.  It was quite bad in in casino for non compliance in November.  Hopefully the no smoking has fixed that situation.  

We loved Kasama in Club Orange too

[Deep68]

2 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Good to hear the kroket are back on the ship.  Also good to hear that kasama is still in club orange. She’s a lovely person that I enjoyed talking to on my cruise in November.  She does a great job. Glad they are keeping an eye on the masks.  It was quite bad in in casino for non compliance in November.  Hopefully the no smoking has fixed that situation.  

Yes Kasama was lovely last week too in Club Orange. Last week virtually no one wore masks on the dance floor, so interesting that they are enforcing that this week.  They did keep announcing that you should wear them on the dance floors but it did not seem to encourage folks to wear them.

[highland cruiser]

Thanks for taking us along on the cruise. Safe travels.  Looking forward to your future posts. 

[Florida_gal_50]

10 hours ago, Deep68 said:

Yes Kasama was lovely last week too in Club Orange. Last week virtually no one wore masks on the dance floor, so interesting that they are enforcing that this week.  They did keep announcing that you should wear them on the dance floors but it did not seem to encourage folks to wear them.

I think that since they were not allowed to dock in Puerto Vallarta and had crew with covid cases they’ll be keeping a much tighter lid on things.  They should have all along.  

[fsdj1097]

Thanks so much for taking us along Copper!  We sailed on the October 10th K-Dam California Coastal.  We also had Bayu and Wayan as our Cabin Stewards.  We were in cabin 7083 which sits caddy-corner across from the Neptune Lounge.  We agree that Patrick is a keeper!  Please tell all 3 that Sam and Cyndie say hello and thanks for making our cruise so memorable!  Enjoy the K-Dam and tell everyone that we'll be back onboard for Alaska in June 2022!