LIVE from the Koningsdam Holiday Sailing - Dec. 17th - Jan 7th - exploring my first Pinnacle Class ship 🤞

[Vict0riann]

Now we will be talking about the “four J’s”!

[Copper10-8]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

..................................

 

Randell was in charge - I will probably get in trouble for the spelling on that one but I asked and did the best I could.

 

Rodel.....................but close again 😉 Enjoying your excellent reporting, keep it up! 🧐

[dfish]

13 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

 

 

Most certainly however, I wouldn't want to be known as a WWII Japanese fighter plane, would you? 😳

Probably not, but I taught middle and high school for 30 years and pretty much answer to anything that isn't foul.

[dmcfad2]

On 12/18/2022 at 3:31 PM, kazu said:

Apparently there are 600 children on board - at least that is what I was told.  I believe it now as…..

Looks like there will be no swimming for kazu in the Sea View Pool.  It’s been taken over by kids diving and splashing.

 

normally I have always found the Sea View Pool to be a quiet, relaxing spot. 

I am on N. Statendam right now. 300 kids and they are all in the Sea View pool on sea days. 😢 I love kids, but I want a pool space for adults. The sign says Over 18 only, but it is not enforced. 

[Copper10-8]

3 hours ago, dfish said:

Probably not, but I taught middle and high school for 30 years and pretty much answer to anything that isn't foul.

 

Thank you for your 30 years of teaching our youth!

[lazey1]

22 hours ago, kazu said:

Tree lighting ceremony was last night.  I missed out on the pic I really wanted as some kind soul ignored my cane and knocked me to the ground.  

 

@kazuOh my God, Jacqui. If it weren't for Bad Luck you wouldn't have any luck at all.  I sincerely hope that only your pride was hurt. Your photos are beautiful and I am enjoying every post you make. I hope to meet you on a cruise someday.

Jane

 

 

[1of4]

I am so sorry to learn that you were pushed @kazu.  Unfortunately, I can attest that your size has absolutely nothing to do with it and I often comment to DH that I feel like a large ghost for how often I am run over, bumped or tripped.  I swear the cane is a futuristic tool to make the user invisible!

 

I’m still so relieved that you flew when you did.  So many are now stuck no matter if it is on planes, trains or automobiles.  All our roads are closed but stores open…figure that out!  We are in day 2 of a major blizzard and it isn’t going to let up for Christmas either.  I am thinking of you in the warmth and hoping you are able to relax.  
 

From our house to your cabin, Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

[bennybear]

Yikes, so sorry to hear you were knocked down, not once but twice!  Unbelievable and no apologies!  Grrr!  
 

The cruise looks lovely!  Sending you wishes for a pleasant .Christmas celebration!   All the best! 

[BlackJack2]

Hi Jacqui - 

Just got on Cruise Critic for the first time since our cruise in November and saw that you are currently on the Koningsdam!   Hope you are having a fantastic time and that your foot is holding up well.  

We've haven't sailed on a Pinnacle Class ship yet, so I would love to hear your impressions on the Koningsdam.  

Happy Holidays and have a great time!

~Betsy

[kazu]

4 hours ago, lazey1 said:

 

 

Thanks kindly, Jane.

 

3 hours ago, 1of4 said:

I am so sorry to learn that you were pushed @kazu.  Unfortunately, I can attest that your size has absolutely nothing to do with it and I often comment to DH that I feel like a large ghost for how often I am run over, bumped or tripped.  I swear the cane is a futuristic tool to make the user invisible!

 

I’m still so relieved that you flew when you did.  So many are now stuck no matter if it is on planes, trains or automobiles.  All our roads are closed but stores open…figure that out!  We are in day 2 of a major blizzard and it isn’t going to let up for Christmas either.  I am thinking of you in the warmth and hoping you are able to relax.  
 

From our house to your cabin, Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

 

 

Great pics Gail.  👍 Yes, it’s a mess in NB too.  I knew if I waited for this segment to fly out I had no hope in H of getting out.  Well, if I end up ‘stuck’ in San Diego - as long as they have room, I’ll go to the Westgate.  Loved it there.

 

Hope you can deal with all the mess 🤞 

 

1 hour ago, bennybear said:

Yikes, so sorry to hear you were knocked down, not once but twice!  Unbelievable and no apologies!  Grrr!  
 

The cruise looks lovely!  Sending you wishes for a pleasant .Christmas celebration!   All the best! 

 

Thanks very much Brenda.  A joyous Christmas to you too.

 

30 minutes ago, BlackJack2 said:

Hi Jacqui - 

Just got on Cruise Critic for the first time since our cruise in November and saw that you are currently on the Koningsdam!   Hope you are having a fantastic time and that your foot is holding up well.  

We've haven't sailed on a Pinnacle Class ship yet, so I would love to hear your impressions on the Koningsdam.  

Happy Holidays and have a great time!

~Betsy

 

Thanks Betsy.  I’m not in a wheel chair at least - nor a walker 😉 

 

Koningsdam is definitely different from what I am used to.   My friends like it as there are so many options to eat - they were some disappointed when they saw everything was booked up.

 

I guess CO gets some kind of priority with dining though.  We were able to get my friends added to my Tamarind booking for tomorrow night.

And, we did get into Canaletto last night.  He put us down for 5 but told us to come at 6 and it would be no problem.

[kazu]

Sorry, I’m behind today.  I just got back from Cabo.

 

Yes, kazu got on the tender. 👍 

 

I had a disconcerting call with guest services.  Note in my room to please call.

When I called they asked if I was going ashore - duh I have a shore excursion booked - yes I am.

 

A big lecture on tenders and difficulty getting on and no assistance.  WTH?

 

There are a lot worse off people on this ship than I.  I’m actually doing quite well - walking faster - still using the cane but not leaning on it as hard now and can definitely walk to the casino 😉 

 

Didn’t really understand why I got the call.  And I really scored on the tenders - got the shore ones both ways 👍. On the upper deck.  

Tonight is “Dressy” Gala night.  Kind of strange as yesterday was casual and yet were were at sea.  Guess they are matching Christmas dress with Gala nights?

 

[kazu]

Here is today’s Daily.  there’s some nice stuff tonight for sure.

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Here is tonight’s menu for the MDR (not sure yet what the CO special is)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Here is the lunch menu that was offered in the Lido today:

 

 

 

[kazu]

And the dinner menu in the Lido:

 

 

[Red Haired Lady]

11 minutes ago, kazu said:

Sorry, I’m behind today.  I just got back from Cabo.

 

Yes, kazu got on the tender. 👍 

 

I had a disconcerting call with guest services.  Note in my room to please call.

When I called they asked if I was going ashore - duh I have a shore excursion booked - yes I am.

 

A big lecture on tenders and difficulty getting on and no assistance.  WTH?

 

There are a lot worse off people on this ship than I.  I’m actually doing quite well - walking faster - still using the cane but not leaning on it as hard now and can definitely walk to the casino 😉 

 

Didn’t really understand why I got the call.  And I really scored on the tenders - got the shore ones both ways 👍. On the upper deck.  

Tonight is “Dressy” Gala night.  Kind of strange as yesterday was casual and yet were were at sea.  Guess they are matching Christmas dress with Gala nights?

 

The same think happened to me on the Maasdam 3 years ago.  I had been on for 14 days and had used my fold up cane when needed.  Had no problem getting in the tenders or doing anything else.  Then at the start of the second segment I got the same call you did.  Said I would not be able to go to shore in several ports since I would have to use a tender. It had been reported that I used a mobility device.  I said "Huh?  That hasn't been a problem previously on this cruise or any prior cruises."  I told them I was going ashore ....no problem!  When I got home a made a small drawstring bag just the right size to fit the cane folded up so none of the ship people would see it.  

[kazu]

Still back tracking - Last night the 4 J’s had dinner in the Canaletto.

 

Definite food porn alert!  If you don’t want to see food, pass by this post 😉 

 

Food was delicious - with a capital D.  Very good.

 

 

 

Beef carpaccio - perfection:

 

 

 

And the calamari was much better than what I had at Sel de Mer (go figure?)

 

 

Jane’s pasta dish - she said it was really good.

 

 

Looks like some of my pics didn’t air drop to my IPad.  I’ll have to back track again.  ‘Sigh’.  The Iphone really needed charging 😉 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Just now, Red Haired Lady said:

The same think happened to me on the Maasdam 3 years ago.  I had been on for 14 days and had used my fold up cane when needed.  Had no problem getting in the tenders or doing anything else.  Then at the start of the second segment I got the same call you did.  Said I would not be able to go to shore in several ports since I would have to use a tender. It had been reported that I used a mobility device.  I said "Huh?  That hasn't been a problem previously on this cruise or any prior cruises."  I told them I was going ashore ....no problem!  When I got home a made a small drawstring bag just the right size to fit the cane folded up so none of the ship people would see it.  

 

Thanks - you made me feel better 👍 

They didn’t tell me I couldn’t go just went into a long dirge on the risks.  I kind of got fed up and said “I’m a 5* Mariner - I know what a tender is and what I can do - thanks”

 

I’m probably in the ‘bad books’ now.  LOL.

[Sea42]

Merry Christmas Jacqui!

[kazu]

There is some nice Christmas stuff on the agenda tonight and tomorrow morning.

 

 

 

Looks like I botched up - booked a tour for tomorrow - I might skip it - I’d like to see the Santa thing.  (Those who know me know how much I dislike big shore excursions but I had been thinking of the foot at the time)

 

 

 

When I got back to my room, there was a lovely arrangement from my friends.  

 

 

I was upset as I thought they were doing “tit for tat” and felt obligated.  Jane said no, she knew what she wanted to get me and it couldn’t be pre-ordered and she wanted to make sure I was on the ship before she sent it.  I guess I just beat her to the punch.  LOL.

[kazu]

2 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

Merry Christmas Jacqui!

 

Ahh - you know I love dogs ♥️ Thank you kindly and the best to you both.

[kazu]

Our sommelier from the wine tasting yesterday.  He was quite humourous.

 

 

And yes as we were walking out, tea was starting.  here’s proof there is a tea whether you see it in the Daily or not.

 

 

Yesterday morning I did the European breakfast.  I kind of like it.  Not too heavy and the gouda cheese was really good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BetsyS.]

Jacqui - You should not have been given a lecture about tenders. As we all 

know, the crew at tenders always help everyone get on and off the tenders. 

Thanks for all your reporting and beautiful pics.  I wish you and your 

friends a Merry Christmas! 🥂😊

[Cruise NH]

21 minutes ago, BetsyS. said:

Jacqui - You should not have been given a lecture about tenders. As we all 

know, the crew at tenders always help everyone get on and off the tenders. 

Thanks for all your reporting and beautiful pics.  I wish you and your 

friends a Merry Christmas! 🥂😊

 

On Cunard I've seen them mark off two stripes with tape some distance apart and you have to prove that you can do that distance with a step.  I haven't actually seen anyone tested but I've seen the tape stripes put down and we were told what they were for.  I think it's important to make sure people can safely get in and out of a tender especially when there have been deaths associated with that activity. 

 

Obviously it's not safe for the crew who are helping out either.  I've seen some extremely heavy people get helped into a tender and it was all the crew could do to balance them.

 

That said, they probably need to be more transparent about the whole thing and how people are 'chosen' for the process. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

3 minutes ago, Cruise NH said:

 

On Cunard I've seen them mark off two stripes with tape some distance apart and you have to prove that you can do that distance with a step.  I haven't actually seen anyone tested but I've seen the tape stripes put down and we were told what they were for.  I think it's important to make sure people can safely get in and out of a tender especially when there have been deaths associated with that activity. 

 

Obviously it's not safe for the crew who are helping out either.  I've seen some extremely heavy people get helped into a tender and it was all the crew could do to balance them.

 

That said, they probably need to be more transparent about the whole thing and how people are 'chosen' for the process. 

 

I have seen the testing on Cunard. Everyone has to show they can step over the distance. One time they had a mat on the floor that was the distance to be stepped across. People had no idea why it was there. Some walked around it, and some just stepped on it in stride on their way to get tender tickets. Then crew would have to explain and make them try again. 

 

Jacqui, I love your response to the lecture about tenders. Sometimes staff can get condescending and need to be reminded that some passengers actually have a clue!