No library on Kdam......oh well!

[3rdGenCunarder]

As a side note for those that suffer from macular degeneration or other illnesses that effect eyesight negatively but love to read:

 

Have to admit, though I guess my generation (30-40's) are quite addicted to technology and our gadgets, it was my mom (in her 70's) who hooked me on Kindle as dh and I have always been a dead tree book fan... love the turning of pages, the smell of old books, a used book store is Heaven.

 

A few years ago when my mom's eye sight deteriorated due to illness and made it so even with glasses she requires x-large print, she was devastated. BUT technology to the rescue! She found out about the Kindle reader. The Kindle has adjustable print and a screen softener that is easier on the eyes than stark white light. We immediately got the original Kindle for her and she, an avid reader, never looked back. It essentially has allowed her to keep reading when otherwise she could not. I am so thankful as I can't imagine her not being able to enjoy her beloved books.

 

So DH and I made the switch as the app works on our phones so no new gadget needed. I love downloading 5 or 6 books, adjusting the print size, it always saves my spot even when I fall asleep while reading (which happens every night), and no more need to carry heavy books unless it is just something not in e-book format. Plus, our local library has a e-reader library loan so you can "check out" e-books just like dead tree books that all work on my Kindle. Can't beat free!! :D

 

Maybe HAL could pair up with some company and offer an e-book lending library onboard. Just a thought.

 

I don't see HAL offering such a service because you have to download the book from "the cloud." Until HAL's internet gets better, that could be difficult.

[3rdGenCunarder]

Different strokes. My (older) sister and I are both voracious "readers", but at about the same time that I switched to ebooks she converted to audio books. I've tried audio books and she ebooks, but neither enjoyed the other's format and we're quite happy with our choices. :)

 

I love audiobooks! I've been listening to books since the days of tapes and the Walkman. My library gives me access to two online libraries, one of which includes audiobooks. They also have a collection of Playaways, little one-book mp3 players. No downloading needed, just plug in your own headphones and listen.

[Fouremco]

Maybe HAL could pair up with some company and offer an e-book lending library onboard. Just a thought.

 

I don't see HAL offering such a service because you have to download the book from "the cloud." Until HAL's internet gets better, that could be difficult.

Ebooks are so small, seldom more than a couple of megabytes, that even HAL's internet can easily download them from a commercial site or from your library. Although I don't often download mid-cruise, I have had holds become available during a cruise that I didn't want to lose so downloaded aboard. No problem. As most e- and audio-book fans come aboard with plenty of material, I somehow can't see HAL developing an e-book lending library.

[Lady Arwen]

I totally think as you.......we have technology all over the house as well as work. Going on the cruise means getting away from all that not ignoring technology or being ignorant of it.......sheesh:confused:

Nothing like the simplicity of a book which I never want it to disappear and replaced with technology:rolleyes:

 

Great minds think alike! We love to leave it all behind when we vacation....just the basics, please......good food, good company and good conversation and, of course, a lounge chair and a book to fall asleep with!

[Lizzie68]

The good thing about a book is when you are cruising in a humid climate and reading on the deck, the pages don't mist up.:D

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

It was very heartening for me on my Amsterdam cruise last month to see most passengers including quite a few of the children on board reading books in paper format.

[OlsSalt]

One downside of ebooks is not being able to see what others are reading.

 

Once on a cruise on a more British ship, I saw many people reading a book titled "Old Filth". Sounded a bit soft porn, but why were so many among this rather staid group of older passengers reading such a salaciously titled work ... in public no less?

 

Turns out this was a term used for those who left the Mother Country to try their hand at success out in the colonies. This book in fact was the tale about a London barrister who had done well in Hong Kong and returned home after the former UK colony reverted back to Chinese rule.

 

'FILTH" really stood for Failed In London, Try Hongkong.

 

Being able to read those "dead tree" book titles I learned about a topic that was very popular at that time with my fellow passengers.

Edited September 3, 2016 by OlsSalt

[cruisemom42]

Nothing like the simplicity of a book which I never want it to disappear and replaced with technology:rolleyes:

 

No need for the "roll eyes"; I don't think anyone is saying books should disappear. But I find it a lot easier to bring one small e-Reader than the 10-15 pounds of books that I used to bring with. That, to me, is simplicity.

Edited September 3, 2016 by cruisemom42

[kazu]

No need for the "roll eyes"; I don't think anyone is saying books should disappear. But I find it a lot easier to bring one small e-Reader than the 10-15 pounds of books that I used to bring with. That, to me, is simplicity.

 

Oh you are not wrong at all. My guide books, etc. are in Ibooks. I have a couple of books but my eyes get weary.

 

One of the first things I will do on embarkation day is head to the library and see what is there. OK, the Rotterdam has the fish pool in the aft but she has a library separate from the Crow's Nest still (I think) and that is going to be VERY nice :)

[kazu]

The good thing about a book is when you are cruising in a humid climate and reading on the deck, the pages don't mist up.:D

 

You are SO right :)

[dockman]

Two of my very favorite things is to go to the library and pick out a nice book then go sit on a deck chair on the Lower Prom deck and read it.

 

Sadly it seems neither of those simple things are available on the Kdam.

[BlancaPan]

For me, the Kindle has replaced the moment of panic when I realize that I have finished the last book I brought with me and nothing to replace it with - especially in a foreign country where English is not widely spoken. I may not have room for half a dozen paperbacks on a long trip but I can download as many books as I want on my Kindle Paperwhite -and- adjust the backlight and font size for the light conditions.

[Lady Arwen]

For me, the Kindle has replaced the moment of panic when I realize that I have finished the last book I brought with me and nothing to replace it with - especially in a foreign country where English is not widely spoken. I may not have room for half a dozen paperbacks on a long trip but I can download as many books as I want on my Kindle Paperwhite -and- adjust the backlight and font size for the light conditions.

 

Exactly the reason why ships need to stock their own library. If you finish your own, you can always peruse their offerings. I've always found an interesting read in HAL libraries and I will really miss having one on our Koningsdam cruise.

 

To each his/her own!

[Fouremco]

The good thing about a book is when you are cruising in a humid climate and reading on the deck, the pages don't mist up.:D

If it's humid enough to mist my iPad screen, my glasses would be misted too, so having a book wouldn't be of any benefit! :)

[Stratheden]

What I find quite unfathonable is that the library is one of the most popular places onboard. Try to find a chair in the Noordam library on a sea day.

 

Why would they not have a library on the K'dam. It is almost as if HAL are going out of their way to do away with one of the most used activities.

 

There is always plenty of raucous noisy activities that start up in the Crows Nest when I am happily engrossed in my book. Just watch the mass exit of those that like the peace and quiet.

[rkacruiser]

May I humbly suggest that one keeps the Home Office in Seattle in the know about this "irritating change" as well as others that have been discussed on this Message Board with which there are valid objections?

 

Off the Rotterdam recently, I heard a Senior Hotel Officer say that Seattle is hearing our concerns and that a change is being considered about some of our concerns.

 

The Nieuw Statendam is far from a finished ship. Maybe the newbuild, as well as the first drydock of the Koningsdam, will reflect our concerns.

[NMLady]

You would think that on a massive ship like that, they could find a small room for a library. Bringing your own books, just isn't the same. I enjoy looking over the eclectic collection that accumulates on a cruise ship, and often end up reading and enjoying a book I would never have purchased or borrowed from a public library.

Even though a library produces no income for a cruise line, it contributes to the overall pleasurable experience. HAL needs to reconsider.

 

:). I wish there were a LIKE button. Your post is well stated and so very true!

[lahlah57]

Great minds think alike! We love to leave it all behind when we vacation....just the basics, please......good food, good company and good conversation and, of course, a lounge chair and a book to fall asleep with!

 

Can I get an AMEN:o

[Ineke]

As baggage allowances become non-existent, for 2 avid readers who used to bring one carry-on full of books for a 2-3 week vacation, an e-reader is a God-sent! And yes, that adjustable print size is a wonderful feature as well. So now we read normal books at home, or when we go on roadtrips, and bring one or two paperbacks in our backpack, plus our loaded-up Kindle/Kobo for our cruises. And if the ship has a library and a book exchange, so much the better! Yay for reading in whatever form it takes!

[fatcat04]

As baggage allowances become non-existent, for 2 avid readers who used to bring one carry-on full of books for a 2-3 week vacation, an e-reader is a God-sent! And yes, that adjustable print size is a wonderful feature as well. So now we read normal books at home, or when we go on roadtrips, and bring one or two paperbacks in our backpack, plus our loaded-up Kindle/Kobo for our cruises. And if the ship has a library and a book exchange, so much the better! Yay for reading in whatever form it takes!

 

I am glad to see that we were not the only ones. :D We too had a designated carry-on for only books when we would take longer vacations. Yes, the e-reader really is a lovely convenience in so many ways.

[Tampa Girl]

What I find quite unfathonable is that the library is one of the most popular places onboard. Try to find a chair in the Noordam library on a sea day.

 

Why would they not have a library on the K'dam. It is almost as if HAL are going out of their way to do away with one of the most used activities.

 

There is always plenty of raucous noisy activities that start up in the Crows Nest when I am happily engrossed in my book. Just watch the mass exit of those that like the peace and quiet.

 

I so agree with you. Seattle: Please take note! We want our libraries back.

[dockman]

I so agree with you. Seattle: Please take note! We want our libraries back.

 

Does anyone have the email address of management in Seattle that we can send our concerns re Library and Lower Prom Decks on future ships?

 

Not sure they will pay any attention but at least I'd like to let them know that there are some and perhaps many who disagree with the elimination of a proper library and LP deck wide enough to walk and stocked with deck chairs?

[Jalex63]

This is quite new news to me, no Explorers Lounge/Library on the Konigsdam? This is one of my favorite things about HAL ships. I had thought that I probably would never book a cruise on this ship just due to it's size and number of passengers, but now I know I would never sail on her:mad:

[OlsSalt]

HAL link for Explorations Cafe on the Konigsdam, on the very top deck shared with the Crows Nest - not unlike its recent move on too many other HAL ships. They do describe it has " a comprehensive collection of books and travel guides":

http://koningsdam.hollandamerica.com/activity/explorations-cafe

Edited September 4, 2016 by OlsSalt

[albingirl]

I just love a library! And always enjoyed libraries onboard.

Nonetheless, the nook works perfectly when I travel.At least I am sure that the selection will suit me. Generally, a book is very important when we travel, no matter the form.