Live Review Koningsdam Feb 17-March 23, 2024. Hawaii/Tahiti

[BermudaBound2014]

On 2/15/2024 at 7:41 AM, *Miss G* said:

 

Oh my gosh.  I know exactly where you are!  And brekkie at Plantation!  I can taste the pineapple spears and dip as we speak.  Yum.

 

Do you know, it’s funny and purely coincidental, but I was saying to my husband not two days ago that the best spa I’ve ever been to was at that R-C!!

 

Thank you for the pictures.  Just ❤️.  You are so right that it’s a centering and spiritual place.  I know you’ll have an amazing time.

 

 

 

Coming to you live this morning from brekkie at the Plantation- this one’s for you MissG!  ps- Don’t get the bananas foster pancakes unless you have a baseball team and plan to slice and serve it like bday cake. 
 

 

 

 

[57redbird]

6 minutes ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

 

 

IMG_4746.mov 9.76 MB · 0 downloads
Coming to you live this morning from brekkie at the Plantation- this one’s for you MissG!  ps- Don’t get the bananas foster pancakes unless you have a baseball team and plan to slice and serve it like bday cake. 
 

 

 

 

We had dinner there in March....won't be back....ate early & too many unmannered kids & oblivious parents....

[BermudaBound2014]

7 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

We had dinner there in March....won't be back....ate early & too many unmannered kids & oblivious parents....

What a shame- we come here every Sunday for breakfast. Not a single child here today. I come for lunch too, and have never seen a kid that I recall, and certainly not a misbehaving one. Perhaps it’s because I tend to eat with the golfers. 
 

If you think plantation is bad for kids, don’t go to the very popular Gazebo in Napili. Unlike the Plantation House, it’s more of a family place. I have seen unruly kids there, but half expect it due to the nature of beast. 

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

Back to Moorea (this review is so disorganized even I’m getting anxiety- my photos are a hot mess). I work so much better off my desktop but couldn’t fit that in the suitcase so photo organization will have to come this summer. 
 

For those that want to snorkel with things other than sharks, these manta rays were super friendly. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 28 by BermudaBound2014

[BermudaBound2014]

Later in the day our guide tossed a ski rope behind the boat and dragged us along an area that had too strong of a current for snorkeling. We came across a couple dozen spotted eagle rays, lots of turtles, and yes even a shark 😁 (omg- I just noticed my go pro has the wrong date stamp. That will bug me into eternity 😂)
 

 

 

 

These photos aren’t mine but this is what a spotted eagle ray looks like if I knew how to use the zoom on my GoPro 😜)

 

[BermudaBound2014]

Then we had about an hour to wait for our prearranged taxi (that never showed, always be prepared to hoof it).
 

The guide offered us his private pool to relax in while we waited. Those were some magical moments that will forever be cemented in my memory.

 

 

 

Moorea Sail away- check out this guys driveway…..

 

 

 

[Homer88]

I love reliving the adventure thru your pics. Thanks so much!!

[rollie]

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

[TableGirl]

32 minutes ago, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

I was just in San Diego last week and the airport is very close to where the cruise ships dock.  I didn't see a ship disembark there so I'm sure others will chime in.  Parts of the San Diego airport is under construction (at least the Southwest terminal will be moving into a new terminal eventually, from what I was told.)  Either way, as long as the ship docks on time and there are no problems with gangways (which has happened to me on HAL once) or ship clearance you would be fine.  

[js1357]

2 hours ago, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

I had a 10:30 flight and made it with self disembarkation.  I really had my doubts when I was waiting in the very long customs line, but had time to spare.

[ottahand7]

On 4/22/2024 at 9:42 PM, seeriteR said:

Hey, we'll be on that cruise... and the next one and the one after that! 71 days at sea - but no driving to the port this time! In case anyone is interested, final mileage Michigan-Miami-San Diego-Michigan was 7,491 miles. We sure saw a lot along the way! And thanks to all of you for helping to make it a fun adventure! Keep on cruisin'!

 

Jim and Pam

Sounds like we are on the same back to backs to create our get out of Michigan winter.  Usually we drive to Fort Lauderdale for our getaways  but we had to break down and book flights to San Diego.   Nancy and John

[anniegb]

5 hours ago, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

Have you checked if there is any other ship in port that day? 

Disembarkation this year was not pain free. A Disney ship was in port.

[chawkjewel]

18 hours ago, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

 

We had a 10:55 flight.  We had the first time for getting off with them handling the luggage.  Yes, it was a pain but we made it to the gate with plenty of time to spare.

[BermudaBound2014]

On 4/28/2024 at 1:15 PM, Homer88 said:

I love reliving the adventure thru your pics. Thanks so much!!

thank you MaryPat 🙂 I appreciate the encouragement to continue. Part of the reason I do reviews is to go back and reread them much later as that helps to cement my memories. But, this  review is now over a month old (blame it on Maui). I really need to wrap this up 🙂 

 

 

 

[BermudaBound2014]

On 4/29/2024 at 6:20 AM, rollie said:

All right you guys.  We're going on this cruise next year.  My question to you is, can we make an 11:15am flight?  It's the only non stop home.  Thanks for your feed back.

 

Rollie

 

 

Im on next years cruise with you. Unfortunately we will be sharing the port with the Volendam on our return (so far we are in the clear at embarkation ).

 

Sharing the pier makes all the difference in the world in San Diego. It absolutely slows the process down and makes things a bit more chaotic (or very chaotic given your perspective). It appears to me that both space and manpower are challenges for 2 ships. 
 

Based on everyone I know, and everyone posting on other social media platforms, there were people who missed 11am flights. I suspect those people did not make a conscious effort to be one of the first off the ship (the line to clear customs moves fast but it was long snaking the entire length of the cruise and back). People were lining up at 6:15am. 

 

I always like to stay an extra night or two in port cities and San Diego is a great place to explore. imo that would be my vote. Why stress?

 

With that, if you pay attention and get the first luggage color off (they put luggage tags out 4 days before debarking) I think you will be just fine, but no dilly dallying! The volendam is smaller than the Disney ship we shared with this year, but offloading 35 nights worth of luggage is considerably more challenging than 7 nighters. If you can carry your own luggage off even better. My biggest slow down was waiting for luggage to be offloaded. At 10:30 am the last luggage colors were still sitting on the ship. Not sure if that was due to space, manpower, or both but the challenges in San Diego are real. 

[BermudaBound2014]

Welcoming committee and little flee market in Moorea. It’s a tender port so be very careful here booking your own early tours.
 

Tendering was pretty slow this cruise. The tender ports are: Fanning (we didn’t get there), Moorea (safe for most people), Fakarava (caution for those with walkers or wheelchairs as it’s Sandy gravel), NukaHiva (those with mobility issues should reconsider getting off here. There are a couple steep uneven steps to exit the tender. One lady slipped and an ambulance was needed, not sure what happened to her). 
 

Anyway, this is what you will see then tendering into Moorea- a little flee market plaza and a lovely church. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited April 30 by BermudaBound2014

[Homer88]

Our in laws had an 11:15 flight. We drove their luggage home, so they walked off with carry-ons only.  We lined up at 0645 and we’re in Rock n Roll. (Took turns sitting in chairs while someone stood our place in line). And my husband had their carry on luggage, as you cannot go thru customs with anything but a purse. Took a taxi - waiting and ready vs waiting for a van to fill. Definitely do not take the HAL transfer- can’t wait that long. 
relaxing for an extra day in San Diego is the best idea!

[ldog]

We took the HAL transfer.....never again in San Diego.  It took another long lineup to get on the bus and then they dropped us a long, long way from the check-in counters.  We knew that our plane was already going to be late so it wasn't a time problem. The plane ended up being six hours late so it was a nasty trip home.

 

[FlorenceItaly]

Lately, we are going in two days pre-cruise and staying one day post cruise.  I highly recommend it.  We are less stressed and better rested.

[highscar]

@ldog  I questioned why we were dropped off so far from the  AC check in and apparently that spot, by law, is the only place they are allowed to disembark.  .  

[ldog]

1 minute ago, highscar said:

@ldog  I questioned why we were dropped off so far from the  AC check in and apparently that spot, by law, is the only place they are allowed to disembark.  .  

I know they had no choice but it was still a long way.  It was more expensive than a taxi or uber.  We booked the HAL transfer because we thought it would be easier and less hassle with the two ships in port but it wasn't.   It was awful.  I don't use a wheelchair or walker but standing in lines is pretty painful for me.  I was a mess when we finally got home.   Agree with others an extra day is warranted when disembarking in San Diego.

[BermudaBound2014]

Honey I'm home!!  Winter 2024 is in the rear view mirror and so is this review. Time to wrap it up.

 

In keeping with my goal to avoid Michigan Winter, in 2025 Hubby and I are booked on 22 night Oosterdam to Antartica and then I'll be repeating this 35 night Koningsdam cruise followed by another couple months in Maui. Why fix what isn't broken?

 

Continuing to book with HAL should speak volumes about my overall opinion on the product. Obviously I very much enjoyed this cruise and feel that HAL offers a tremendous value. However; In a perfect world these are the things I would change for next year:

 

1) More activities offered for those of us who don't want to spend all day laying in the spa. I like a little spa action as much as the next girl, but I like to mix relaxation in with high energy. Get up and get moving!  Things like aqua aerobics,  pool volleyball, an additional yoga class,   would be most welcome. The dance classes and TaiChi were so well attended just doubling up on those in the afternoon would be a major improvement. And for the Love of God, play some music at one of the pools for a just couple hours a day. 

 

2) I'm hoping for a better band in rolling stones rock room. That music is my chosen genre, but I ended up in BBkings for the dance energy. The band in Rolling Stones had a habit of playing a couple tunes to get the dance floor rolling and then jumping into some Hendriks. As mentioned, I like cowbell as much as the next girl, but the sets just didn't flow. And while I can't remember why I walked into the kitchen, I do remember the lyrics to almost of the songs from the 80s. Unfortunately, too often, it took until the chorus before I could recognize the actual song being played. The music walk is an excellent concept, but it doesn't work if the band/piano players don't motivate the crowd. More often than not, billboards and RSRR  were empty by 10:00 and BBKings stopped between 10:30-11:15 most nights.

 

3) For me, even the low energy entertainment options were often really low budget. Obviously entertainment isn't a priority for HAL (as evidenced by only 3 playmakers on a ship this size). The arts classes were a joke. The Hal dots was literally a hand out to connect the numbered dots to reveal a ship. The watercolor class offered no instruction, but did provide an inspiration and some paint. With the exception of a couple shows, my local high school offers better evening shows and I still can't figure out why they don't utilize the big screen at the lido, if not during the day, at least offer a nightly movie. 

 

Now; I get it. Many long time HAL cruisers sail HAL for the very serene atmosphere I'm recommending be changed.  But, these are the very same reasons HAL's long time reputation is a cruiseline which appeals to the  'newlywed or nearly dead". If HAL wants to shed that stereotype (and I think they do), I believe just a few minor tweaks could go a long way drawing in the newer retirees who seek a bit more spice but want to skip the amusement park on the sea concept (side note, I still love a good water slide but don't expect that on HAL).

 

Generation Xers are entering retirement and have different wants/needs than what HAL is currently providing. Evolution. I'm not suggesting turning HAL into a family cruise line. I mean really, how can that possibly work? They don't even have a water slide ;-). But I beleive there is an energy level that exists somewhere between the library and a Metallica concert. Just pump it up a bit without turning into Disney.  I think this slightly pumped up version maybe the sweet spot as HAL struggles to identify itself. I certainly don't envy Hal trying to find that elusive sweet spot and, as mentioned, none of the above suggestions stopped me from booking 57 nights on HAL in 2025. Their interesting itineraries at reasonable price points keep drawing me in. That's the niche HAL does best.

 

As far as the good, I have not one complaint with service. It was stellar. Very personal. Several crew asked to friend me on social media (not visa versa) proving that they really are interested in us. I did hear complaints about service in the MDR but I did not partake.

 

I think the food was terrific  All you can eat lobster on the buffet on dressy night! It was like a step back in time to cruising pre-covid. I really enjoyed all the fresh to order grill items at the lido nightly (steak, chicken, or rotating types of fish). The Asian wok station to individually select protein and veggies and have it cooked while you wait assured food was fresh and hot (same with the pasta station). The salad station was exceptional!! Hint, there is a lime vinaigrette dressing that is low in fat/calories at the deli and it's soooo yummy. Why they don't offer this dressing at the salad bar in the lido is beyond me but I started having my salad made downstairs and carried it up to the deli for the dressing.

 

The ports were amazing, but I'm a water girl. To me, the draw of this itininary is the water. Next year I will do absolutely zero land tours and spend my entire time exploring reefs that are actually still quite vibrant (and snorkeling with sharks of course). If you aren't in the water, it's hot. As in makes Florida in August look tepid. If you aren't planning on being in the water, perhaps consider a small battery operated fan. Many folks were resorting to wetting wash clothes, putting them in their freezer overnight, and bringing them on excursions to help stay cool. 

 

But, for me, the absolute BEST part of this cruise were the friendships made. Friendships that are still going strong! Of course, social media helps, but I've spoken on the phone with a few of my 'gal pals' already. Dozens of us are planning and booking future cruises together. A couple folks are meeting me in Maui next year and I'm having beers with another couple here in Michigan in a few weeks. 

 

If you were on this cruise, and are still reading this ridiculously long review, please accept my deepest thanks for helping to make this trip one I will remember for life!!! When it all boils down, it's the relationships made that make any vacation exceptional and this certainly was an EXCEPTIONAL cruise!

 

I promised to post the pdf files I created for tours once I got back to my desktop in Michigan so here they are. These are obviously old now. I have also posted these in the 2025 roll call but I believe someone was inquiring for their fall French Polynesia trip. These should get you started if looking for independent tours. There isn't a tour here that I would not highly recommend.

 

Best Western Yacht Harbor 1.17.pdf Fakarava excursion 2.11.pdf Moorea Day 1_ Catamaran named Taboo 11.5.pdf Papeete ~ Island Tour Day 11.5.pdf Raitea Wednesday March 6 w_Bruno (4).pdf Shark Cage Dive. Honolulu Day 2 1.2.24.pdf Whale Watch Maui 1.2.24.pdf

Edited May 13 by BermudaBound2014

[d9704011]

Thanks and hope to meet you next February.

[0106]

@BermudaBound2014Mahalo!

 

We are doing January 4-28, 2025 Mexico/Hawaii cruise on the Koningsdam.  Plans for all ports except Honolulu on a Sunday. I’ve been there before, seen Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamondhead, drove to the north shore.  I wanted to do a food tour, can’t find one available on Sunday. Many of the”local” restaurants are closed.  Thoughts?  

 

You will love the 22 day cruise to Antarctica on the Oosterdam (my favorite ship).  I did a live thread and so did several others.  Book your tours now.  Post on my live thread if you have any questions.

[BermudaBound2014]

18 hours ago, d9704011 said:

Thanks and hope to meet you next February.

Ditto! I'm sure our paths will cross. I'm in the middle of organizing another pre-cruise meeting at the Best Western yacht Harbor if you plan on coming into San Diego a day early. Are you following the Roll Call here? Lots of info from many very knowledgable people there :).

 

 

17 hours ago, 0106 said:

@BermudaBound2014Mahalo!

 

We are doing January 4-28, 2025 Mexico/Hawaii cruise on the Koningsdam.  Plans for all ports except Honolulu on a Sunday. I’ve been there before, seen Pearl Harbor, hiked Diamondhead, drove to the north shore.  I wanted to do a food tour, can’t find one available on Sunday. Many of the”local” restaurants are closed.  Thoughts?  

 

You will love the 22 day cruise to Antarctica on the Oosterdam (my favorite ship).  I did a live thread and so did several others.  Book your tours now.  Post on my live thread if you have any questions.

 

Oh Boy. I have the palette of a toddler so Food Tours aren't in my wheelhouse. I lived in Honolulu back in the 80s and I'm sure any of the restaurants I enjoyed then are long gone (although I did find my rickety apartment still standing last year; it was a dump in the 80s I can't even imagine now).  Have you checked out Dukes for happyhour? That's a fun bar with entertainment. Not sure how long your in port but it's all I've got for you :(.

 

I am off to fine your Antarctica review. I will be posting on your live thread shortly! Mahalo in advance :).