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

[kazu]

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Hi Jacqui- I’m enjoying your LIVE thread.  CC should pay you!🤣💰

 

LOL Tina 😂 It would be nice wouldn’t it LOL.

 

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

I always enjoy “Ask the Captain”. If you go, I’d love to hear your impressions.

 

I plan to get there and will be happy to share.  I didn’t go last time as the foot wasn’t happy and I didn’t want to struggle to get all the way to the World Stage. 😉 

 

I’m doing much better and can get from the back to the front of the ship pretty well 👍 

 

2 minutes ago, 0106 said:

 

They really need to prepare some new EXC talks.  The Wizard of Wireless was interesting the first time I saw it but it appears on every cruise.  

 

I so agree with you on this one.  We had such great lectures and talks on the Oosterdam TA.   Not the case on the Mexico itinerary.

[Copper10-8]

30 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

.........................Here is today’s Daily:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you've never been to the "Ask the Captain" segment at 1400 hrs in the show lounge, consider going. It's a pretty interesting presentation - if he does the power-point of the bridge, especially the K-dam bridge because it's a bit of a different concept, more "Star Trek-looking" with pilot-like chairs and joysticks - The questions from the audience can be interesting also  

Edited December 28, 2022 by Copper10-8

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, Ready2go11 said:

Thanks for the quick response. Disappointing given how much money I’ve spent on HAL. I thought it would be nice to attend a bronze ceremony with my sister as a shared memory. I guess it will be memorable in a different way now 😉

 

We do not need 4 star pins. Important thing is to receive the benefits (which we did). 

 HAL used to do the bronzes but since covid it seems only 5* are invited and only silvers are mentioned.

 

I agree with you on the pins.  Just give me the benefits 😉 

[Overhead Fred]

45 minutes ago, kazu said:

Club Orange hours are the same as the MDR.  

 

I kinda guessed they would mirror the MDR. Thanks for confirming Jacqui!

[Hlitner]

I think that HAL is forgetting the original thinking behind the EXE program (and voyages).  We would guess that many do not even know (or recall) that EXE means "Explorations Central" which was a concept focusing on the ports, itineraries, and all things related.  The original so-called "EXE Voyages" were designed to lean heavily on related lectures (often done by highly qualified lecturers).  Now it seems to have morphed into some pre-written lectures, often having little to do with a specific cruise, which can be delivered by anyone who can read.  Given the progression of HAL I expect that EXE lectures will soon be a pre-recorded message delivered by some unknown voice.

 

One of our favorite activities on HAL cruises had been attending the various lectures delivered by real life experts.  Some of those lecturers, such as Dr, Alan Wright, were amazing and filled the theater with fascinated cruisers.  Having a CD read a lecture from a script is just not what we expect for our cruise dollars.  Unlike some HAL fans, we feel the same about BBC Documentaries (presented as the main entertainment) which is akin to watching TV in our own home.

 

Hank

[Bookited]

On 12/25/2022 at 2:05 PM, Copper10-8 said:

Kazu; not sure what your friends and you have planned for Puerto Vallarta, but if you are game for a local lunch experience - not many tourists know about this place - consider having lunch at Pipi's Restaurante. They are located in Viejo (old) PV at 804 Calle Guadalupe Sanchez. You will need to take a cab outside the cruise terminal to get there and back - make sure you agree on the price before you get in!. The restaurant staff will call you one after - tell the cabbie on the ride back you want to go to the "Terminal Maritima por el barco or cruzero" (maritime terminal for the ship / cruise ship) 

 

We've gone to Pipi's for lunch at least four times in PV the last three years. There will be a gent that will come to your table to make fresh guacamole and there is usually  a 3-4 person band floating around who will be more than happy to play/sing Mexican traditional songs like "Cielito Lindo" at your table (both with a tip at your discretion of course)

 

Just a tip if y'all are so inclined

 

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g150793-d1032796-Reviews-Pipi_s-Puerto_Vallarta.html

Just catching up, but i second  Pipi's 100 percent

[VMax1700]

@kazu  Congrats on the Bingo win!  I hope the happy dance was on one foot only? 😉

Nice to see the crackers on the cheese plate, but only 2?  Think I will still bring my own. 

 

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

2 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

If you've never been to the "Ask the Captain" segment at 1400 hrs in the show lounge, consider going. It's a pretty interesting presentation - if he does the power-point of the bridge, especially the K-dam bridge because it's a bit of a different concept, more "Star Trek-looking" with pilot-like chairs and joysticks - The questions from the audience can be interesting also  

 

John, I agree the power point presentation of the Koningsdam bridge is interesting. 

 

And there is always (almost always) an audience question that throws the Captain and is good for a laugh.  I qualified it as almost always, because last spring on Koningsdam, the audience was asked to write their questions and hand them in before the presentation began.  

 

It seemed like while the Captain was doing his presentation, the CD was backstage going through the questions and cherry picking which to use.  When it was time, he read the questions, all of which were "mild"and predictable.  I've always liked Ask the Captain because of the spontaneity of the question and answer part.  That one was downright dull and boring.  We were doing b2b2b2bs, and I skipped next three Ask the Captains.  I hope that was a one off with that particular CD.

[kazu]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

@kazu  Congrats on the Bingo win!  I hope the happy dance was on one foot only? 😉

 

LOL - ok - it was a visual happy dance in my head and a smile on my face 😉 

 

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

 

Nice to see the crackers on the cheese plate, but only 2?  Think I will still bring my own. 

 

 

 

Oh definitely not enough crackers.  I kept a roll and used it.  Sometimes you just have to improvise 😉 

[kazu]

Medallion ceremony was short and sweet.  15 minutes although some of us chatted for a bit after and some with Jennifer our Mariner person.

 

My friends did get their gold today 👍. Their medallions were on their bed and as per usual, simply stood when called.  

 

Pics with the captain and HD after if you wanted.  They are complimentary.

 

 

Here is today’s dinner menu in the MDR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Lido is an absolute zoo.  I will wait.,

 

Bummer on the Bingo report.  Tablets are gone -  only paper.  Odds are much slimmer.  I’ll try anyways,

Line was very short when I went and I thought I was plenty early but the line wait was long.  Too many people who never play, don’t know what they want or need it all explained.

When I got there, I told them they should have 2 lines - one for those who know what they want and one for those who don’t have a clue about Bingo.  I did say it nicely as a suggestion.  The 2 experienced Bingo players agreed with me.  

 

It’s just Bingo for crying out loud - it’s not complicated 😆 

 

Here is the Lido’s dinner menu:

 

 

[kazu]

And here is the Lido lunch menu:

 

 

[leerathje]

 

9 minutes ago, kazu said:

Medallion ceremony was short and sweet.  15 minutes although some of us chatted for a bit after and some with Jennifer our Mariner person.

 

My friends did get their gold today 👍. Their medallions were on their bed and as per usual, simply stood when called.  

 

Pics with the captain and HD after if you wanted.  They are complimentary.

 

 

Here is today’s dinner menu in the MDR:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EEK!  Raspberry MOUSE Torte??  What, are they cleaning out the hold??  🐭 😁

 

L.

 

Edited December 28, 2022 by leerathje

[lazey1]

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

You should receive the bronze medallion on this cruise - it’s awarded on the cruise where it is earned.  I believe you will find your medallions on your bed tonight.  From what has been reported on the boards and from what I have seen on this cruise and my recent one, they only invite 5* Mariners - silver medallion and above.  

 

Jacqui, I did not receive my silver medallion on the Konigsdam cruise where I earned it. On the next Rotterdam cruise I was invited but again did not receive my medallion. I asked about it and it was delivered to my cabin that night. Also I did not receive my 5* pin on the cruise after I earned it. Again I had to go to the front office and ask for it. It was delivered to my cabin the following evening. HAL had their stats right but not the hardware each time.

Jane

 

[kazu]

Just now, lazey1 said:

 

 That’s a let down Jane.

 

If it makes you feel any better - I saw a few people asking Jennifer (our Mariner rep) about their pins or medallions.

 

Jennifer was getting room numbers when they were right (and correcting those that were wrong very nicely explaining the difference between 5* and gold medallions 😉)

 

Here she is

 

 

She’s very personable.  Chatted with us for a while at the last one.  This time she was busy helping people.

 

And oops, I miss posted -I said the Mariner Recognition was at the Billboard - it was at BBKings - sorry about that.

 

There were more there than last time -but not a lot.  I would guesstimate 30 at the most.

 

Here is our captain

 

 

And with the HD & CD

 

 

And for the record, that is NOT my Bloody Mary in the pic - it’s my friends.  The glass of wine off to the side though does belong to me LOL

[Copper10-8]

10 minutes ago, kazu said:

 That’s a let down Jane.

 

If it makes you feel any better - I saw a few people asking Jennifer (our Mariner rep) about their pins or medallions.

 

Jennifer was getting room numbers when they were right (and correcting those that were wrong very nicely explaining the difference between 5* and gold medallions 😉)

 

Here she is

 

 

She’s very personable.  Chatted with us for a while at the last one.  This time she was busy helping people.

 

 

 

 

 

 Jennifer from the Republica Dominicana! Earned a promotion again! Good for her!

[kazu]

Missed most of the Ask the Captain - it very much looked like I had to get to Bingo early if I wanted a seat with the sales - so I will catch it next week and report.

 

Might as well have stayed away from Bingo - LOL - 2 numbers too many away.  Oh well.

 

My friends and I went to dinner in Canaletto last night - Wednesday night so that means the special is their veal liver.  Yum!!!!  Yes, we are some of the weird people in the world who like liver 😉 

 

Before dinner I had the beef carpacchio again (so good) and tried the tomato seafood soup.  It was really good.

 

 

The liver was delicious - perfectly done, tender with all the goodies.

 

 

Tried a new dessert - too hard to suit me but it was tasty.

 

 

That’s 2 Canaletto's and 2 very high marks.  

 

The ship was a bit rowdy last night - I think a lot of people were trying to make the most of their last night 😉 

[Cruise Suzy]

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

My friends and I went to dinner in Canaletto last night - Wednesday night so that means the special is their veal liver.  Yum!!!!  Yes, we are some of the weird people in the world who like liver

I always go to Canaletto on Wednesdays (and usually on Sundays). Have been told each Wednesday that with a 1-day advance notice, I can have liver there any night. Have never done that because there's so many other entrees in other restaurants I "must" have.

[ChinaShrek]

22 hours ago, Ready2go11 said:

 

Btw, my sister and I achiever 4 star at the conclusion of our last cruise in October and never received a pin or any recognition, although our account and benefits on this cruise do reflect 4 star. 

This is just another data point. I earned three star on my last cruise and my pin was waiting for me on the bed when I arrived on the cruise ship.

[kazu]

22 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

I always go to Canaletto on Wednesdays (and usually on Sundays). Have been told each Wednesday that with a 1-day advance notice, I can have liver there any night. Have never done that because there's so many other entrees in other restaurants I "must" have.

 

We were told the same thing on the Oosterdam - order a day in advance and we can have any of the specials.  We actually did it for our last night.  Ordered 2 days in advance to be safe (and nice).

 

Haven’t been told that on this ship nor asked.  Pretty happy with the choices and Wednesday coincided with the last night for this segment, so it worked out just fine 🙂 

 

 

[kazu]

Disembarkation day for many - turnaround day for me.  A LOT of CC people coming on board for this segment.  Will be nice to put some faces to names I know 🙂 

 

Our M & G is set for 4 pm this afternoon - sail a way time !  I don’t think I can ever recall a M & G on embarkation day.

 

here is today’s Daily:

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

On both segments of this cruise - I’ve seen a lot of this:

 

 

trays left in the hallways.  I just don’t get doing that - there is a little table in the room.  Why not call to have it picked up and leave it there?

But, what I did notice was this:

 

 

paper cups for coffee?  When DH and I did room service (usually on an early port day) we always had real coffee cups.  This is a new one, for me.

[Cruise Suzy]

5 minutes ago, kazu said:

paper cups for coffee?  When DH and I did room service (usually on an early port day) we always had real coffee cups.  This is a new one, for me.

real cups in November on Rotterdam - we weren't in a suite.

[kazu]

Just now, Cruise Suzy said:

real cups in November on Rotterdam - we weren't in a suite.

 

Good to hear.  Maybe it’s a Koningsdam thing?  I’m not in a suite either - neither are my neighbours that had the trays out.  

[kazu]

Disembarkation is backed up like last week.  Customs.

No biggie for me - I’m avoiding the line until it’s cleared up and I can get to A deck for easy walk off 😉 I learned my lesson from last week.