Hawaiian Holiday 🎄🍾 LIVE from Koningsdam Dec 21-Jan 6: join me for my 1st solo cruise & 1st inside cabin!

[Haljo1935]

On Deck for a Cause is the 26th; sign up forms delivered last night.

[ottahand7]

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Smooth waters as seen from the Lido lunch table.

And lunch. The chicken salad (eaten w/o the bun) was very onion forward.

I find their chicken and tuna salad for sandwiches are excellent.  I don't eat the bread either so I would ask for it on a plate and would enjoy it on my salad .  

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, ldog said:

We were on the Zaandam on Christmas last year. They had goose on the menu. It was one of the best meals I’ve ever had on a ship. I hope you get a chance to try it. 

It's on tonight's menu.

[Nattyg1723]

Chocolate yule log 🤤

[Haljo1935]

Time to play a little catch up (no, not ketchup like the condiment - catch up like I'm behind in posting due to the fabulous send off I had).

So, here are the first 4 days of Dailies, bringing us current.

 

🤞Please, Santa, all I want for Christmas (as of now, anyway) is for these to load in the correct order...🫣

 

 

 

 

Plus 2 extra bonus items, cuz it's the season of gift giving 😉

Tree lighting ceremony program

Entertainment Guide - I've not seen one of these before; I like it.

[Haljo1935]

7 minutes ago, Nattyg1723 said:

Chocolate yule log 🤤

Sounds yummy doesn't it? Have you had one?

That's my backup if I don't like the bread pudding. Server last night did not gush about the bread pudding, so we'll see.

If you tell me you've had the yule log & it's awesome, I'll switch right now!!

[Hogladyrider]

I have pre purchased the spa pass for our January 30th 18 day Hawaii cruise and I plan on using it regularly...oh those heated lounges, steam room, and therapy pool here I come with my Kindle.

[Haljo1935]

5 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

I have pre purchased the spa pass for our January 30th 18 day Hawaii cruise and I plan on using it regularly...oh those heated lounges, steam room, and therapy pool here I come with my Kindle.

Yes, it's wonderful! I am there 2x/day and would probably sleep there if they didn't kick me out, lol.

The loungers against the far wall do not get as warm as the ones in the middle. I haven't used the ones nearest the door yet, so I can't speak to their warmth level. Those have reading lights.

[Nattyg1723]

22 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Sounds yummy doesn't it? Have you had one?

That's my backup if I don't like the bread pudding. Server last night did not gush about the bread pudding, so we'll see.

If you tell me you've had the yule log & it's awesome, I'll switch right now!!

Unfortunately I have not! But if I was in your shoes I would definitely get it 😉

[Haljo1935]

28 minutes ago, Nattyg1723 said:

Unfortunately I have not! But if I was in your shoes I would definitely get it 😉

Ok, well stand by for an update - heading out to dinner now. I wish i could see it. A little picture preview of each dessert would be nice.

[0106]

55 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Entertainment Guide

Thank you for all the detail you have provided. Based on this guide, the “Enrichment” talks are given be the Cruise & Travel director.  Are these the “canned” HAL presentations?  Does she have any actual knowledge about the subject or is she just reading from a script?  Can these presentations be viewed in your cabin TV? Are they recorded so they could be viewed later on your TV? How are the Hawaiian ambassador activities?

My niece made a Yule log for our dessert tonight.  Beautiful and delicious, especially if you like chocolate.  (Besides, you can get bread pudding every day.)

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Ok, well stand by for an update - heading out to dinner now. I wish i could see it. A little picture preview of each dessert would be nice.

@Nattyg1723 @0106

Ta-da - I give to you the Chocolate Yule Log as presented on the Koningsdam. 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

Dinner tonight was good; service (once again) was slow.

2 people had the goose - they really enjoyed it, 1 had the Morimoto lobster 🦞 & said it was the best lobster she's had on a ship and one of the best she's ever had. I had the pork belly.

They brought out the best napkin rings

Ate the small piece of pork belly, gave the large piece away

Cherry Almond Bread Pudding was more like flan - it was really good; 3 (of 7) at our table had it.

Chocolate Yule Log 

[Haljo1935]

3 hours ago, 0106 said:

Thank you for all the detail you have provided. Based on this guide, the “Enrichment” talks are given be the Cruise & Travel director.  Are these the “canned” HAL presentations?  Does she have any actual knowledge about the subject or is she just reading from a script?  Can these presentations be viewed in your cabin TV? Are they recorded so they could be viewed later on your TV? How are the Hawaiian ambassador activities?

...(Besides, you can get bread pudding every day.)

The Enrichment Talks I've been to have been presented by Olga Stavrakis, PhD. I haven't been to all of them - the ones I have gone to are marked in purple. I assume she's done the others, but cannot say for sure based on the way they're listed.

The Cruise & Travel Dir is giving the port talks (very much canned - she reads them).

Dr Stavrakis reads from a prepared presentation, but seems to be comfortable w/the material although she does not take questions. It's really like attending a history class lecture. I just assumed she put them together and is doing them because she's an expert (she has a PhD in anthropology).

I have not seen them listed on the TV and don't think you can see them if you miss the presentation. 

The Hawaiian ambassador events that I've walked past have been well attended, but I haven't made it to any yet - schedule conflict, too many choices 🫣

[Haljo1935]

Theater is filling up in anticipation of the "Sounds of the Season" 

 

[Haljo1935]

Santa Claus 🎅 is coming to town. Well, he's really coming to sea - he'll be here 10am tomorrow morning!!

[Haljo1935]

Now setting up for Midnight Mass.

 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Haljo1935
Additional comment

[LouChamp]

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Now setting up for Midnight Mass.

 

Aloha. Nothing compares to Christmas Mass at Sea. Have a blessed Christmas 

[Nickelpenny]

9 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Sounds yummy doesn't it? Have you had one?

That's my backup if I don't like the bread pudding. Server last night did not gush about the bread pudding, so we'll see.

If you tell me you've had the yule log & it's awesome, I'll switch right now!!

I had the Yule log last night and it was scrumptious!

[SonuvaBeach]

5 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Santa Claus 🎅 is coming to town. Well, he's really coming to sea - he'll be here 10am tomorrow morning!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS, Haljo1935!!! and thank you for all the information..and photos!!

Edited December 25, 2023 by SonuvaBeach

[Nattyg1723]

9 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

@Nattyg1723 @0106

Ta-da - I give to you the Chocolate Yule Log as presented on the Koningsdam. 

Dang that looks sooooo good!!

[Haljo1935]

27 minutes ago, Nattyg1723 said:

Dang that looks sooooo good!!

It was pretty scrumptious!

Merry Christmas!

[Haljo1935]

Merry Christmas ☃️ 🎄 🎅 

Bow Cam view

Aft Cam view

[BetsyS.]

Merry Christmas to you, your fellow passengers and the crew! 🥂😊 Thanks for all your reports and pictures. Food looks great. 

[Nattyg1723]

25 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

It was pretty scrumptious!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to you! Or more fitting, mele kalikimaka! 🎄🎄