BruhnSisters

Anyone who has the privilege of eating at the same table, or near Kazu is indeed blessed. She is warm, bright and has a great sense and f humor.

Hello! I've booked single day cabanas on three separate cruises. First two were great! Port days were very reasonable in price . . but I've read that has increased now. On my second cabana, the stewards forgot to come and get my lunch order, but it was not on purpose, so I didn't mention it. I just went to the lido and brought my own food there. Still enjoyed my peaceful day there. The issue I had with my third cabana experience was specifically the noisy kids and the noisy music with no resolve. I've read many positive cabana reviews since here online . . . so wishing future cabana folks peaceful and relaxing luxury.

I rented a cabana, for a day, the same week that OleSalt was onboard. I experienced the same issues with many kids and their parents sharing a two person cabana. I adore kids (I am a grandma and work at a charter school), but these kids were demanding and running around. Also had a loud boom box playing from a neighboring cabana. So my "retreat" time was not as peaceful as I would have hoped. The cabana attendants should be given the authority or have higher ups enforce basic standards. On a previous cruise there were none of these issues and I had a lovelier time.

I have two simple requests for your next trip adventure report: 1. Ask Poohby to keep an eye open for rubber ducks onboard. 2. Stay in that "Bubble of Awesomeness" . . . we love that clever and optimistic writing style.

I do hope you make it to HMC. Sooooo lovely there.

The thing that MOST of us need to know is . . . have you noticed any hidden ducks on your voyage so far? (Quickly “ducking” from other’s responses now . . . 😂. . . though I seriously enjoyed hiding some ducks during the child-filled Koningsdam Thanksgiving week cruise. ) PS. Loving your ongoing reporting!

POA1, your whimsical writing style is so refreshing for our spirits! I'm happy that you and your bride are cruising again . . . and that you take the time to give us a glimpse of your adventure too!

Hello Roy - No hole was in the key card. On my cruise last year I asked them to punch a hole, and they declined.

Greetings! Disembarked with my beloved Sister today. We had a fantastic week Loved It: * New Library is gorgeous and peaceful. * The food variety, taste and temperatures were superb. My faves were: Rudi's coq au vin. Dutch Cafe's split pea soup, and Lido's poppy seed rolls. * Musicians at BB Kings and Rolling Stone Rock Room were super engaging and talented. * Our obstructed view balcony room was beautiful and in a great central location. Lots of storage space. Great water pressure in shower. * I ordered flowers on board, looking at the florist book at the front desk, and they were gorgeous mixed carnations for only $29. Stayed fresh all week! * Kind, patient and hard working crew. Liked It: * Deal or No Deal was fun to watch on main stage and the host was terrific. * Seeing family groups have fun together over the Thanksgiving holidays. * Despite a sold out ship, we were still able to find uncrowded nooks to read and spaces to enjoy the sea. * Great weather for walking the promenade deck. Fun walking around Avalon and San Francisco. Small Issues: * AC/Heat thermostat in our cabin didn't work first few hours, but was thankfully fixed and fine for the rest of our journey. * Onboard account had a few glitches that we had to get fixed at front desk. Also had to get a working key card for our cabin. * There were 3,000 (only exaggerating a little) kids in the lido pool and hot tubs . . . but hey they were on break and having fun. * Loooooooong line to clear customs on the ship . . . but I didn't get in any trouble . . . this time . . . I'm very grateful for my wonderful cruise!!!!

Just got off the lovely Koningsdam today! Ate dinner at Rudi's last Saturday night. Service and food was excellent!!! I also enjoy our Pinnacle lunch, a Tamarind and a Canaletto dinner onboard. My sister and I were very impressed by the food on the ship in all the venues.

Greetings! I’ll be off the internet this week. I wanted to let you know early, that I’ll be including all the helpful posters here in my Thanksgiving prayers of gratitude to God this Thursday. YOU make my cruise anticipation, planning, and voyages more delightful! Happy Thanksgiving dear ones!

Hello. Approx. how long does the daily mass usually last? I hope to attend a service. Thank you.

Same issues here . . . we leave this Saturday.

I live on the wild side . . . on my next cruise I’m actually hiding some ducks AND also eating the yummy crispy duck in the Tamarind.

(Hmmmmm . . . now wondering if POA1 is a real cruiser or just a clever AI program . . . )

1. That mat they place on your cabin bed the night before you disembark that reminds you to pack 2. The thought that new guests will be moving into “your” cabin. 3. Walking off a HAL ship. 4. Placing the room service breakfast order card on your home bedroom doorknob and no one comes with your order in the morning. Feel free to add . . .

Yes, I second the tiramisu suggestion!

Your answers are awesome!

If you were going to work on a Holland America Ship for one month . . . and magically had the skills to do any job onboard . . . what would you choose to do? I would either be a back up singer for the B.B. Kings band or the Yum Yum Man . . . ummmm Yum Yum Mam. I'd love to hear your answers.

Wanted to express gratitude to wonderful Cruise Critic Posters who are: * Gracious: Showing kindness and patience when answering questions and sharing their experiences and wisdom. * Generous: Using their own cruise vacation time to write trip reports, share pictures and find out information for others while onboard. * Humorous: A merry heart is good like medicine . . . and the myriad of clever responses here are certainly good for my soul. (Especially on difficult work days, when I can read and giggle at your posts during a quick break.) * Informative: I learn so much from the amazing posters here. You all make my cruise experiences more exciting and delightful. YOU are appreciated!

Yes! Insides are treated well too!

We keep our cabin neat and tidy, but still enjoy having beds made in the morning, plus nighttime turn down service on cruises. With land based hotels they don’t even clean rooms daily anymore. Also morning room service breakfast is divine on cruises. Waaay too expensive for me to enjoy at land based hotels. Cruise perks are such a treat!

I appreciate the wonderful tea bag variety in the Lido Cafe. My most favorite special tea times are with plastic tea cups and plates, (and toy food) serving stuffed animals and grandkids in our backyard. Priceless memories.

Hello! I often call my treasured husband of 41 years "my boyfriend" . . .just for fun. I would like to submit two new acronyms: HDK = Helpful Delightful Kazu SWP = Smart Witty POA1

Favorite Things from past New Year's Cruise on Koningsdam: (Random Order) * Walking around the promenade deck (I know it is more narrow than other ships, but it is still there) and enjoying the gorgeous ocean. Nice view from Sports Deck too. * Professional and hard working crew everywhere on board. * B.B. King's Blues Club Musicians * Clean and comfortable cabins with comfy beds, nice restrooms, tv with movies, good AC/Heat. * Comedians on board. * Food: - Tamarind: Jewels of the Sea Soup, Crispy Duck - Dutch Cafe: Pea Soup, the Apple Bacon Pannenkoek and also Irish Coffee - Room Service: Vegetable Frittata, Bacon, and Croissants * Going in the hot tub when it is raining. * And MOSTLY my Fellow Passengers: Friendly, classy and warm. Appreciate they mood they create. by not being snobby or rowdy . . . just interesting and fun!