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

[boze9999]

Who is your Hotel Manager @kazuand Captain?

[leerathje]

lol...This is at 5 pages and you just left San Diego!  Have a great cruise and a wonderful time!

 

L.

 

[ski ww]

Bon Voyage, fair winds & smooth seas.

[kazu]

8 hours ago, boze9999 said:

Who is your Hotel Manager @kazuand Captain?

 

I’ll have to get back to you on the officers.   Didn’t get the names well yesterday and there nothing in the Daily Program.  But, I will be back with it.

[Vict0riann]

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I’ll have to get back to you on the officers.   Didn’t get the names well yesterday and there nothing in the Daily Program.  But, I will be back with it.

You can usually find them all listed on the TV - we're interested to know who the Cellar Master is!  😁

[HAL Sailer]

9 hours ago, leerathje said:

lol...This is at 5 pages and you just left San Diego! 

And, that's a perfect reflection of so many CC contributors' respect of and care for the OP @kazu

[kazu]

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

You can usually find them all listed on the TV - we're interested to know who the Cellar Master is!  😁

 

Thanks I went back and did some hard looking and found the officers.  Don’t see the Cellar Master though but I will find out 😉 

 

14 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

@kazuWith 2960 passengers you are about 310 passengers over the listed 2650 capacity.  We were onboard in November and it seemed crowded even though  the Covid Quarantine corridor was closed off starting at 4154 along the obstructed balcony staterooms.  I’m assuming those rooms have been opened for passengers if there are that many people onboard.  

 

I think all the cabins are open.  Don’t see any on my side (aft starboard) that are off limits.  Will look on the other side.

 

14 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

 

We prefer Deck 4 aft since it is near Club Orange and the Grand Dutch Cafe.  It has never seemed crowded except for the early diners that gather outside the MDR in the evening.   Deck 4 aft has always been a mess when the luggage is being delivered.  It sounds like you’ve got great room stewards!  

 

Have a great cruise.  The Club Orange hostess and manager have always been wonderful!

 

 

The hall to the MDR was packed this morning.  Had to fight my way through (kidding) to get to the elevator.

CO has been really nice and servers are very attentive.  I’m really glad I decided to get it.

 

10 hours ago, boze9999 said:

Who is your Hotel Manager @kazuand Captain?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

Looks like I really got out in time - my neighbour messaged and it sounds it has been a real mess.  Freezing rain right now - ugh.

 

Here is yesterday’s lunch menu in the MDR - I passed as a fellow passenger told me it was the same menu every day.

 

 

Yesterday’s dinner menu

 

 

 

 

 

Club Orange had a Peruvian chicken as the special.  Agus recommended it (nice to see him again - he recognized me! ). It was quite good.

 

 

And the featured beverages last night:

 

[boze9999]

Appreciate all the officer posting @kazu!

[kazu]

Laundry - I had read a post or 2 that the price had gone up previously.  It doesn’t seem to be the case on this ship.  Same price as always.

 

 

Frankly an unlimited package would not be worth it on this cruise - last laundry is 48 hours before so basically 3 days of laundry is costing $35

[kazu]

At the Dutch Cafe for our informal meet and greet.  

 

No orchids - instead in Club Orange there are vases with 3 flowers - gerbera, carnation & rose.

 

 

They are also in Club Orange.

 

[Copper10-8]

2 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

You can usually find them all listed on the TV - we're interested to know who the Cellar Master is!  😁

 

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks I went back and did some hard looking and found the officers.  Don’t see the Cellar Master though but I will find out 😉 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CM should either be Rodel Fernando or Ivica Kolaric. Glad you like CO! It's not the PG for breakfast but on the Pinnacles it's a nice venue with a great crew 

[Hlitner]

If I read this correctly, in the MDR you could order a Starter and a Salad without any add-on charge.  But if you order a Starter and Salad in the Pinnacle, you will pay $7.  I guess that makes sense in Seattle.

 

Hank

[kazu]

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. 

[DeeniEncinitas]

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

@kazu

Good morning!! So happy your on the ship and enjoying yourself!

Dinner at OC chicken and presentation looked great! Question Jacqui #1

With NS and 4 and 5 Star 

was there any concern in regards to getting into restaurant? Is there a separate line? Thanks just asking.

#2

At embarkation was there a line for 4,5 star and NS guests? Can you go through gates to drop of baggage with porters and show your Navigator with Pass or show print out to get inside or with respect to your boarding time you just waited to be called!

Thanks Jacqui! 
Happy Cruising!

🌺Denise

[Sir PMP]

20 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

You're welcome and you don't know what you're missing. At least, try it once!

And they're shooting off lots of fireworks at the pool:

 

[Sir PMP]

17 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Couple of years ago

 

 

 

A couple of decades ago..

[Copper10-8]

1 minute ago, Sir PMP said:

And they're shooting off lots of fireworks at the pool:

 

 

Looks like Rotjeknor

[kazu]

37 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

@kazu

Good morning!! So happy your on the ship and enjoying yourself!

Dinner at OC chicken and presentation looked great! Question Jacqui #1

With NS and 4 and 5 Star 

was there any concern in regards to getting into restaurant? Is there a separate line? Thanks just asking.

 

Denise, to the best of my knowledge 4 and 5* do not have access to Club Orange.  Only Neptune Suites and above  and those that purchase Club Orange do.  No reservations and I was fine when I went but I noticed a lineup later.  I am going to ask tonight about the peak times for timing purposes.  

Club Orange entrance is separate from the dining room.  So the only line are Club Orange people and (on the first day), people who think it is part of the MDR.  LOL.

 

37 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

#2

At embarkation was there a line for 4,5 star and NS guests? Can you go through gates to drop of baggage with porters and show your Navigator with Pass or show print out to get inside or with respect to your boarding time you just waited to be called!

Thanks Jacqui! 
Happy Cruising!

🌺Denise

 

The porters picked up the luggage at the spot where the cars and taxis parked.  I didn’t see them elsewhere.

And yes, you have to show your boarding pass to get inside.

There was no priority line until after you got through security.  I was in group A and did have to show my boarding pass. I was told to join my group but since mine was boarding - I just went to board.  I didn’t see a separate wait section of Neptunes or 4 or 5*

[kazu]

Here is today’s menu for the Lido.

 

Dinner:

 

 

 

and lunch:

 

 

 

 

[kazu]

And here is the MDR menu:

 

Dinner:

 

 

 

And lunch - lunch does look a lot like yesterday’s so I will compare and if it is the same every day, I won’t bother repeating it:

 

 

 

[0106]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

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

The Seaview Pool is supposed to be adults only.  Now you if HAL would only enforce the rules they publish.  From the HAL website Guests must be 18 or older to use our SeaView Pool and 16 or older to use the fitness center, hot tubs and steam rooms. 
 

12 minutes ago, kazu said:

And lunch - lunch does look a lot like yesterday’s so I will compare and if it is the same every day, I won’t bother repeating it:

The MDR lunch menu is the same everyday except for the “catch of the day”.  We dined there once in November only because we were trying to pass some time on a sea day.  We ordered one small plate (calamari-it was good) which was delivered at the same time as our large plates- 1/2 Croque Monsieur with tomato soup ( very good) and a club sandwich ( not good).  The next day we ordered room service for lunch and the club sandwich was much better.

I hope you are enjoying the warm weather.  Happy cruising!

Tina

 

[DeeniEncinitas]

24 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Denise, to the best of my knowledge 4 and 5* do not have access to Club Orange.  Only Neptune Suites and above  and those that purchase Club Orange do.  No reservations and I was fine when I went but I noticed a lineup later.  I am going to ask tonight about the peak times for timing purposes.  

Club Orange entrance is separate from the dining room.  So the only line are Club Orange people and (on the first day), people who think it is part of the MDR.  LOL.

 

 

The porters picked up the luggage at the spot where the cars and taxis parked.  I didn’t see them elsewhere.

And yes, you have to show your boarding pass to get inside.

There was no priority line until after you got through security.  I was in group A and did have to show my boarding pass. I was told to join my group but since mine was boarding - I just went to board.  I didn’t see a separate wait section of Neptunes or 4 or 5*

🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺🌺

Thanks Jacqui, I apologize I ment to say  NS for CO. Thanks on that. 
It has been 2020 on our past BHB. San Diego was so easy for embarkation especially with 4 and 5 Stars then. Just saw the huge lines outside the gates yesterday and it looked like a zoo! Will walk through gates to the security and show our boarding passes to get into the building and then go to priority section! Thanks so much 

Jacqui! 
🌺Denise
 

[boze9999]

18 minutes ago, 0106 said:

The Seaview Pool is supposed to be adults only.  Now you if HAL would only enforce the rules they publish.  From the HAL website Guests must be 18 or older to use our SeaView Pool and 16 or older to use the fitness center, hot tubs and steam rooms. 
 

The MDR lunch menu is the same everyday except for the “catch of the day”.  We dined there once in November only because we were trying to pass some time on a sea day.  We ordered one small plate (calamari-it was good) which was delivered at the same time as our large plates- 1/2 Croque Monsieur with tomato soup ( very good) and a club sandwich ( not good).  The next day we ordered room service for lunch and the club sandwich was much better.

I hope you are enjoying the warm weather.  Happy cruising!

Tina

 

This is the permanent sign on the Rotterdam (from a couple of weeks ago). Children under 16 are allowed with adult supervision. 

 

Edited December 18, 2022 by boze9999
delete double photo

[AV8rix]

OMG!  Then what I heard from the folks on the Thanksgiving voyages was correct!!  They're not enforcing the rule to keep the kids out of the Seaview pool area.  Bummer!  I was going to use that open area to eat on the upcoming crowded Christmas segment because I didn't want to eat in an enclosed venue with hundreds of kids aboard whose vaccination and health status is uncertain.  I'd already planned to stay out of the MDR for ANY meal on that segment.

 

Umm, actually the overwhelmed staff may not be enforcing any rules at all.

Edited December 18, 2022 by AV8rix