Koningsdam Promenade Deck, judge for yourself (video)….

[RMLincoln]

Many thanks for doing this video and sharing it with us.

 

Looks like the promenade deck will not be anyone's highlight for their cruise on Koningsdam. For those who felt that the Promenade deck was the highlight of their previous cruises, well we will have to look to other aspects of cruising or stick to other ships... plenty of choices.

 

I have had to shift gears and prioritize my desires to enjoy cruises on other lines but I was willing to do that for various reasons, some great connections and itineraries at the right time and price. Yes, I missed out on some things, but enjoyed other things.

 

For me, I think K'dam will fall in the category of making trade-offs. The photos I've seen of her so far show me an elegant environment, some improved (IMO) entertainment opportunities especially for classical music, smaller rooms, higher prices... <sigh> trade-offs. m--

Edited April 16, 2016 by RMLincoln

[deck chair]

Hello

 

I have sailed on the Queen Mary 2 twenty times. Jogging has always been allowed on the promenade deck within certain time frames. (Usually during the day.) This is because of the cabins directly below on deck 6.

 

There are also nice promenade decks on both the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

 

Since Stein Kruse was head of HAL when the horrible changes were made to the Veendam and other ships, and now is head of the HAL group he most likely had a hand in the design of this new ship. Lets hope he is kept away from Cunard.

 

Deck Chair.

[Dmgmd50]

I recently was on the Disney Wonder and loved both walking and sitting on the wooden deck chairs on their promenade deck. Brought back many memories from 1962 of being on the then new Rotterdam transatlantic in first class. What a disappointment to view this video of HAL's newest version. I hope the one on the Eurodam is better than the video I just viewed.

[Mary Ellen]

Too high! Not the same as being down where you can see and hear the white water, and see the flying fish. And I'll bet that loungers in the shade will be pretty scarce up there.

 

Exactly. If we wanted to sit up in the sun on an upper, exposed deck - we'd do so. Sitting on the (Lower) Promenade is a very different experience.

[Sir PMP]

Really? You're not supposed to jog? We are cruising on her next summer. Have only sailed DCL and my fav thing to do in the mornings is jog on the promenade. Bummer. :(

 

Jogging is not allowed on promenade deck, you need to go to the sportsdeck..

[rafinmd]

Hello

 

I have sailed on the Queen Mary 2 twenty times. Jogging has always been allowed on the promenade deck within certain time frames. (Usually during the day.) This is because of the cabins directly below on deck 6.

 

There are also nice promenade decks on both the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

 

Since Stein Kruse was head of HAL when the horrible changes were made to the Veendam and other ships, and now is head of the HAL group he most likely had a hand in the design of this new ship. Lets hope he is kept away from Cunard.

 

Deck Chair.

 

Interesting. Promenade deck on QM2 is about 4 decks higher than on QE,QV, or HAL Vista/Signature, but I've never seen a comment on the Cunard forum that the loungers there are "too high".

 

Roy

[rkacruiser]

Frankly, the deck is wider than I expected. I knew from prior reports that deck chair seating on that deck would not be possible.

 

If one has read Captain Albert's blog about placing Koningsdam into service, one ought to realize that there is a new mustering process which will lead to a new lifeboat embarking procedure if it is needed. Unless I am wrong, I believe a given group of guests/crew for a particular lifeboat will be marched from their mustering station and directly embark their lifeboat with no need to "assemble" at that location. Thus, a larger deck space is not needed at the lifeboat embarkation point.

 

Again, unless I am mistaken, the placement of the lifeboats on the newest ships is being dictated by International Organizations' regulations. Koningsdam's lifeboats had to be where they are. Thus, our favorite Promenade Deck space is being sacrificed because of safety regulations that HAL cannot control.

 

Would I prefer it to be otherwise? Yes. But, I'm thankful that the video shows more available deck than I expected.

Edited April 16, 2016 by rkacruiser

[Topsham]

Interesting. Promenade deck on QM2 is about 4 decks higher than on QE,QV, or HAL Vista/Signature, but I've never seen a comment on the Cunard forum that the loungers there are "too high".

 

Roy

 

 

Nope. The boat deck SHOULD have been at least two decks higher.. to build at SOLAS requirements. The old high boats decks like QE2 were not allowed anymore. When designing M2 for transatlantic service they had dispensation to build her higher or they would have serious implications. If not she would have looked like ALURE OF THE SEAS and she would be sit in port waiting for weather to abate. Ships today.... like KODM... this is the max height to safely launch lifeboats.

[FredT]

Well, add me to the "bitterly disappointed" group. Just off the Noordam where I took OFF five pounds mostly due to my obsession with walking the Promenade at all hours.

 

While I am pleased to see so many "HAL" things on the deck (The doors, wooden handrails, wooden benches, etc.) the fact that the deck is SO narrow at spots is a real killer to me. (I like to walk and talk to family/friends)

 

So while travel on the KDam was already pretty doubtful, (way too large for my tastes) I think it's now out of the question... (Sad)

[jtl513]

What a disappointment to view this video of HAL's newest version. I hope the one on the Eurodam is better than the video I just viewed.

This is the Zuiderdam, but it is like the one on the Eurodam:

 

[KirkNC]

Well this maybe the nail in the coffin for us. A morning or afternoon walk is a huge part of our cruise experience. I agree with comments, why do a compromise that satisfies no one. Either make the promenade bigger or do away with it and use the space for something else. This is a promeadoddle.:p

[eroller]

 

Again, unless I am mistaken, the placement of the lifeboats on the newest ships is being dictated by International Organizations' regulations. Koningsdam's lifeboats had to be where they are. Thus, our favorite Promenade Deck space is being sacrificed because of safety regulations that HAL cannot control.

 

 

 

 

You are mistaken. The placement of the lifeboats sitting on the deck has nothing to do with safety regulations. It's only the height above the waterline that matters. It has everything to do with increasing revenue. By placing the lifeboats directly on the deck, it opens up the deck above to unobstructed balcony cabins. Essentially an entire deck of unobstructed balcony cabins can be added by placing the lifeboats the way they are on KONINGSDAM. HAL had total control over this, but they opted for increased revenue over a traditional HAL passenger favorite.

 

A great example of a brand new ship design that still offers a completely unobstructed wrap-around promenade deck are the new Viking Ocean ships, the VIKING STAR and VIKING SEA. They still have the lifeboats raised up a deck so you can walk underneath them on a traditional promenade deck. What this means is that they lost a portion of the deck above the promenade deck to completely obstructed views, but they placed the upper level of the atrium here and it seems to work well. In the case of Viking, they decided a traditional promenade deck was important enough to their guests to sacrifice a revenue opportunity.

 

It also appears that the new Crystal 100,000 gt ships will also have a wrap around promenade deck. This is a feature very important to Crystal guests and again it means Crystal will have to sacrifice some balcony cabins above the promenade deck to house the lifeboats, but obviously they feel it's worth it.

 

Lastly, the new Saga ship (adults only) also appears to include a traditional promenade deck with the lifeboats housed above.

 

So it can be done.

 

 

New Crystal ship rendering:

 

New Saga ship rendering:

Edited April 16, 2016 by eroller

[Chris86]

They could also look at the costa model where balcony cabins are being located below the promenade.

 

Why not place restaurants, showrooms or lounges behind the boats. They seem fixated rooms need to be directly above the promenade...

[eroller]

They could also look at the costa model where balcony cabins are being located below the promenade.

 

 

 

...

 

 

The newest Carnival and NCL ships have a wonderful promenade deck. The lifeboats actually extend out from the hull underneath the promenade deck. This is taking the promenade deck to a whole new level, as it includes outdoor bars and restaurants, even hot tubs. While not for everyone obviously, it's a great concept and a wonderful connection to the sea. Nothing like dining alfresco on a wonderful promenade deck under a starry lit sky. I've really enjoyed the experience on NORWEGIAN GETAWAY and NORWEGIAN ESCAPE. It's a nice compromise as a wonderful promenade deck is still offered, and the cruise lines don't lose revenue as the boats are placed below and don't limit the balcony cabins.

[Topsham]

 

Lastly, the new Saga ship (adults only) also appears to include a traditional promenade deck with the lifeboats housed above.

 

New Saga ship rendering:

 

 

 

The new Saga ship has complete wrap around Promenade Deck. The boats are slung under davits that are higher than the deck. The portion of the superstructure that is behind the boats will have full length windows, but partly blockd by the boats. That massive area... four boat lengths and full width is the LIBRARY. Library, coffee bar and one area as an Artist's Studio for classroom. Not wasted space at all. On the Saga ship, the Promenade deck will include upper level of restaurants, bars, showlounge etc. One lower deck of that... lower level for restaurant, a few shops, entrance lobby, Front Office, Shore Ex... and best of all.... the spa area, salon, and gym. No longer on top of the ship. the gym will be down at the bottom, with large windows but nearer sea level. Nice views of the sea is just as good as the Crow's Nest!

[eroller]

Stephen the new Saga ship sounds and looks wonderful! Plus truly the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. Best of all I'll be old enough to sail on her when she makes her debut! Well the age thing is not so great but I'm quite pleased I'll legally be able to book her!

 

Quite a few ships are beginning to place the spa and gym in a lower forward section of the ship. This is true of the Oasis Class, the Royal Princess class, and the new Viking class ships. Perhaps better utilization of space?

Edited April 17, 2016 by eroller

[Topsham]

Stephen the new Saga ship sounds and looks wonderful! Plus truly the perfect size. Not too big and not too small. Best of all I'll be old enough to sail on her when she makes her debut! Well the age thing is not so great but I'm quite pleased I'll legally be able to book her!

 

Quite a few ships are beginning to place the spa and gym in a lower forward section of the ship. This is true of the Oasis Class, the Royal Princess class, and the new Viking class ships. Perhaps better utilization of space?

 

LOL! See you on board! I have asked if they would change their model and lower the age to something like... 40 or even just 21. I'm told they are set on that 50 year limit.

 

On the new one.. if you look at the HAL S Class.... Gym Spa etc... and Crows Nest is all going to be a two level lounge, Britannia Lounge... glass all at side and front with opening into a Mezzanine.

 

Most important for passengers... like it or not... no casino. Then Single passenger cabins... roughly 18% of the ship and split from all levels. That is definitely good.

[eroller]

Sounds great Stephen. I don't care about the casino at all. The interior renderings I've seen look fantastic. Love all those single cabins! Saga really seems to know their clientele l!

[Topsham]

Sounds great Stephen. I don't care about the casino at all. The interior renderings I've seen look fantastic. Love all those single cabins! Saga really seems to know their clientele l!

 

Better get the tux out as well. At least 2 formal each night and two informal.

 

Looking back at the Viking Star plans, they are nice and lots of similarities. I think the Saga plan looks a bit more refined and more choices for the passengers.

 

The Saga ship is larger.. like 8,000 tons... and up to 999 passengers. Crew? Well 450 on the Star.... 600 crew for Saga. The Saga ship is better for suites and are not just all at the after end of the stern! Not my favourite place to live.

[eroller]

Can't wait for all the details! It really sounds like she will be a wonderful ship! If you have any influence, please ask they don't change the funnel design (very SAGAFJORD) and hopefully the keep the current logo off it. I really don't care for it.

Edited April 17, 2016 by eroller

[Topsham]

Can't wait for all the details! It really sounds like she will be a wonderful ship! If you have any influence, please ask they don't change the funnel design (very SAGAFJORD) and hopefully the keep the current logo off it. I really don't care for it.

 

 

Who knows. I did see one small model, but it had like a BRITANNIA type funnel (as in P&O). Everyone seems to think that the old colours will be used... yellow and blue with white stripe. Best!

[ski ww]

This is the Zuiderdam, but it is like the one on the Eurodam:

 

 

Now this is an excellent example of what a Promenade Deck should look like.

Allan

[RuthC]

Thank you for the video. That deck looks awful.

Even worse, some areas look so narrow that I have doubts that my scooter would even fit through in case of emergency. Hope I never have to find out.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Thank you for the video. That deck looks awful.

Even worse, some areas look so narrow that I have doubts that my scooter would even fit through in case of emergency. Hope I never have to find out.

 

I find it hard to believe that they'd be allowed to make it so narrow that a mobility scooter couldn't go through. But it sure looks that way to me, too. And those poles that seem to be in the walkway look like obstacles that would be hard for a scooter user to dodge, too.

[RandyinDEN]

We were excited to book a cruise on this new ship, but now that we have seen pictures and the video of the promenade deck without the wonderful lounge chairs we will be skipping this ship.

 

Terrible idea HAL, you should listen to your customers about what they like about your ships.