bluesplayer

We did the repositioning cruise on the Koningsdam from Quebec City to Ft Lauderdale. The fall colors were beautiful. We were one week out from the hurricane so one port was canceled and another trees were very bare. Other ports were fine. We stayed in QC a few nights prior and took a few tours. The Fairmount has an interesting historical tour. We stayed there one cruise.. very busy. We liked the hotel de Vieux . We stayed there on an early September cruise too early for fall foliage. The restaurants in QC are very good and so is the local gin. The nearby falls are beautiful. Walking around the town is enjoyable. Our favorite port was Bar Harbor with Acadia Ntl Park. Don’t miss seeing the St John River & the Bay of Fundy.. the river changes direction of flow. We really enjoyed the repositioning cruise and the Dutch Cafe on the Koninsdam.

Loved the gallery bar on the Oosterdam.. the crew was awesome in the Jan ‘23 cruise!!

The Noordam needs the Gallery Bar! Like its sister ships..

Try the Rudis soufflé for dessert.. a delicious cloud of dessert..

@Tampa Girl question. Is this a HA cruise? If so which one. Thank you!

When we turned 4 star I received my pin on the bed in the stateroom. Husband never got one. After reading this thread we sailed over 100 physical days.. no bronze medal either.

Was it easy to use credit cards at the fish market? And other places ashore? Thank you..

Must be.. my next cruise is Vancouver to Tokyo Sept 2024. Probably why I see these Crew dish of the Day options in my Navigator app. Would be nice to see this on more itineraries.

I guess it is called Crew dish of the day. Here is one from today. In the past they had Korean Fried Chicken. I have not seen this on a ship.. only in the Navigator. Looks good!

Have you seen any of the crew suggestions on the MDR menus? There were a few in the Navigator but didn’t see them on any of your menus.

We were on a cruise in March years ago from Valparaiso to Buenos Aries. Several US flights were delayed due to thunderstorms. About a dozen folks missed the sail away in Valparaiso and then went to our next port Puerto Montt. The ship had a sea day before arriving. The Zaandam ended up not stopping there either as there were fires on land and was extremely smokey. Again the ship had another sea day and finally after 5 days of chasing the ship the folks were able to board. The areas there are remote and transportation difficult. They missed 1/3 of the cruise.

@Ferry_Watcher Thank you for hotel info. Looks very nice. I assume you booked on your own and not through HA? Nothing like hot dogs and champagne!! Will follow along your review. Hoping to get some insight on tours and activities. May calm seas be with you.. much thanks from Seattle..

Thank you for your review and tips (bring your insulated coffee mug!!). Will follow along as going from Vancouver BC to Japan and around the island in 2024. Any post hotel stays or tour options available on Holland America on your cruise? Wondering if I should plan on my own. My only disappointment on the Noordam is the lack of the Gallery Bar... will miss that. Thank you for taking the time to share information! Happy cruising and hope for smooth seas. Enjoy!!

The kitchen tours where they served food samples and showed the crew doing the ice carvings. The wine steward who wore a giant necklace with a spoon attached. We asked him what that was for and the reply was "for tasting wine". When we requested him to taste the wine the response was.. well, we don't really do that, it's just for show. We talked him into it. The pool games. Chocolates every night on your pillow. When Mariner status was more recognized than Casino offerings. and yes... still the FANTASTIC crew remains!!

The Baked Alaska parade with the dessert on flames.

Following along.. we will be on the Noordam from Alaska to Japan in 2024. Do they have a gallery bar near the casino? We really enjoyed the atmosphere on the Oosterdam. I have heard that on this ship the area is for the crew? Wanted to confirm. Thank you for your research.. Have a wonderful cruise!!

I apologize to detour this thread. Yet is a casino related question. When you are in the St. Lawrence seaway (leaving Quebec City or Montreal) is that considered International waters? or would the casino be closed until you reach the ocean? Thank you for any response.

I have only seen those types of sandwiches in the MDR at lunch. If they have tuna salad in the Lido they may be able to make you a grilled sandwich if they are not slammed. Seems if you ask nicely they certainly would consider it. If you are on a ship that has the Dutch Cafe they have a nice ham & cheese grilled sandwich.

At the front desk there is a place to leave a note for guest services. I have done that and had a quick response to a minor issue. I am wondering if room service could provide fresh fruit? We do as others and take some back from the Lido.. with a few macadamia nut cookies.. Yum!!

Iguazu falls.. post cruise..

We did the Antarctica January 2023 on the Oosterdam. Volunteer Point excursion is amazing. Not sure what ports you are visiting. .. or what your interests are. If you email me May be better to have a conversation? Let me know if you are interested, We also sailed around Cape Horn on the Zaandam in 2015.

Thank you for all your posts!! I have followed along. The menus were very fun to order my "imaginary" meals. Information regarding UK customs.. glad to be prepared for that. The disembarkation information is always the same feeling.. HOW CAN THEY DO THIS TO US!! Have a safe trip home.. enjoyed your posts...

Was on the Koningsdam 1st cruise out May 2023. Boarding was chaos but I have heard it has become better. They were out of some of the wines included in the Have It All. The food was very good and did not notice any shortages. I have sailed HA quite a bit and the decor of this ship was rather bland compared to older ships with much more fine art. Try the Dutch Cafe. Tamarind and Rudis. We had a wonderful cruise. The crew as always.. fantastic.

There is also a very nice tour offered by the Fairmont Frontenac. Not free and do need a reservation. Very well done and lots of history.

I have ordered flowers prior to cruising many times and they have always been beautiful and lasted a long time. If you mist the petals the flowers last so much longer! I do this at home and bring an empty mini mister to the ship. Will try to order onboard next time. Did not know that was an option.