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Live from Koningsdam, Southern Caribbean Wayfarer, Nov 23-Dec 4

sppunk

By sppunk,
in Holland America Line

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sppunk

sppunk

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Day 2, at sea: No wake-up alarm, no plan, no problem

 

First and foremost, happy Thanksgiving from aboard the good ship Koningsdam. I'm thankful for the opportunity to sail aboard her on a cruise, knowing millions upon millions of Americans will never have this opportunity.

 

Last night I reconnected with my good friend Mr. Wang Wang. More on that later.

 

Last night was our first meal in the main dining room, with our trustworthy stewards Akita and Aldi. The MDR - I'm sure you've seen pictures - is very pretty and a great room to share a meal with your better half.

 

Our meals were good. Hot was hot, cold was cold. I won't bore you with details of what we order usually unless something is absolutely exceptional.

 

After dinner we ended up at Billboard Onboard and listened to a wonderful pianist I didn't catch the name of unfortunately. But she was very pleasant to listen to and full of energy. But more importantly it's where I had my first of many Wang Wangs.

 

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The BB King group was rocking the Queens Lounge, there was a welcome show in the World Stage, a pianist serenaded those in the Explorers Lounge, the casino was happily taking everyone's money and the Crows Nest had a DJ. If you were board after dinner it's your own fault.

 

We called it a night around 11 p.m. - a relatively early one for us but it had been a long day of not doing much.

 

This morning we slept in. We hardly ever get to sleep in, but today by God we slept in. We barely woke up in time to grab breakfast before the 10:30 a.m. cutoff.

 

After a quick bite - made even quicker by some yahoos talking about politics and trashing the "losing" side - we met some lovely folks at the CC Meet and Great - it was a big group too, at least 40 people. Great turnout!

 

Afterward we got some reading in from the sanctuary of our aft balcony. I am reading a tremendous book - In The Garden Of The Beasts - but still eventually drifted asleep for an hourlong nap.

 

The gravitational pull known as the Grand Dutch Cafe woke me up and pulled me in for a relatively late lunch at 2:30 p.m. A toasted ham and cheese, frites and mayonnaise and a La Trappe Blonde beer was the winner. Seriously I'm in love with this place.

 

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After lunch we didn't do much. Well we got a call that we were approved for the Behind The Scenes tour. That's set for 1:30 p.m. while we are in Martinique so stay tuned for more on November 29. I'm stoked for it!

 

I started reading a bit more before the sun drove me off the balcony to find something on the new interactive TV. It's a pretty good setup. A lot of on-demand movies and TV shows, you can make dining and shore excursion bookings, view your statement, view dining room menus, etc. The online Navigator app allows this too, plus you can build your custom daily itinerary. Pretty cool system that will get more robust with time.

 

That all said it's easy for me to build an itinerary of "wake up, eat, read, eat, read, sleep, eat, drink, sleep" without the app though!

 

I ended up watching The Finest Hour. It's about a Coast Guard rescue of a tanker split on half during a Nor'easter. It wasn't a terrible movie.

 

I always like to watch movies about sinking ships while on a ship. It's therapeutic. Or something.

 

Then I went up to the Liso pool to watch the Cowboys-Redskins. That's a gorgeous area, more on it at a later date.

 

It's now getting closer to time to get cleaned up for dinner. I'm going to so devour some turkey and dressing.

 

More tomorrow.

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JimAOk1945

JimAOk1945

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I just came across your Live From and will be following along. After being on our first HAL cruise in August, my wife and I are ready to "jump ship" and try another HAL cruise soon.

 

Your itinerary looks very appealing. I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures and reading about your daily activities.

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cdenni2

cdenni2

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Glad you love the Dutch Cafe!! It was totally my favorite place on the ship! I don't often drink beer, but the ones I had there were totally outstanding!! BTW, we had an aft balcony on Gershwin. My DW practically lived out there (even in the northern waters of Norway).

 

 

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fusion927

fusion927

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After dinner we ended up at Billboard Onboard and listened to a wonderful pianist I didn't catch the name of unfortunately. But she was very pleasant to listen to and full of energy.

 

That would be Emily. We really enjoyed her and her piano partner Clayton, who just got off the ship 11/23. She gets a new partner on 11/26.

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sppunk

sppunk

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Day 3, at sea: I really love me some sea days

 

We are at Day 3 of an 11 day cruise, better known as the time when I officially forget what day/date it is. It's a great feeling.

 

Last night - Thanksgiving - was one of two Gala Nights. For people who care, some were dressed to the nines while some had just pants and a long-sleeve button-up shirt. Dress didn't bother me whatsoever - as long as you aren't filthy I don't care what you wear.

 

For dinner I had a very traditional Thanksgiving meal. Well shrimp cocktail and pumpkin ravioli isn't exactly traditional but whatever.

 

The turkey, stuffing, cranberries and mashed potatoes were very good. The turkey especially. I've read here HAL used sorting called turkey loaf. That wasn't true last night here, these were real birds at one point!

 

IMG_5519.jpg

 

After dinner we did something we ordinarily avoid: we went to the main show. Dubbed One World, it's a show designed for the Koningsdam and makes use of the 270-degree LED panels. It was pretty good, I must say. Cruise ship entertainment isn't our thing but this was one of the better things we have seen onboard.

 

We had our final nightcap at Billboard Onboard - a really nice space as I've mentioned before. I am a bit confused though: HAL originally promoted this as a dueling piano type gig. So far here it is just your traditional piano bar.

 

This morning we slept wayyyy past breakfast. With the clocks moving forward an hour we awoke at the bright and early time of 11:05 a.m. Ahhhhhhhh vacation!

 

We got up and the Lido was opened for lunch already. I for the first time tried the New York Deli and Pizzeria, getting the meatball subs and chips. It was very good! The pizzas looked tremendous too so that's on the agenda soon as well.

 

While there we ran into Reggie, whom we had as our waiter on a 2012 Eurodam cruise. It's always so nice to reconnect to some of your favorite crew from previous trips. It makes HAL pretty special amongst the mass-market lines.

 

I also tried out a scoop of gelato from the new gelato bar. The Wild Berry was awesome and you get two toppings. I had sprinkles because of course I had to have sprinkles. :)

 

There is is still free ice cream in the Lido too

 

After lunch we read for a long while on our balcony before going to

The Future Cruise Consultant's presentation. We booked a FCD yesterday - now just to decide where to go. We have a while though to wait as next year we are doing a land trip in Berlin and Prague and in 2018 doing a Queen Mary 2 crossing. We can only take off two weeks at a time so are a bit limited - but I have a feeling Alaska is calling us back in 2019. But in 25 or so years when I turn 60 and hopefully write I'm looking at you Voyage of the Vikings, Antarctica and Grand Asia!

 

We continued our tradition of a mid-afternoon snack and beer at the Grand Dutch Cafe. I had a wonderful puff pasty - the Konningsbol - and a Leffe Triple beer.

 

IMG_5525.jpg

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent unwinding on our balcony reading/relaxing.

 

Tonight we are back to the Dining Room before a few nights' hiatus as we have scheduled dinners elsewhere.

 

Tomorrow we are in St. Marteen along with approximately 520 other cruise ships. We may go to a Star Wars/Yoda exhibit that's along the boardwalk there or we may just stay onboard.

 

Come back tomorrow for the full report!

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WeRockChalkKU

WeRockChalkKU

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Is that whipped cream inside that or something else? It sort of looks like a round eclair.

 

It's listed as Chantilly Cream (whipped cream) and it was YUMMY! Maybe they do something extra to it. Plus the chocolate topping was thick and heavenly. I loved it when I would walk by and saw them in the case - I just had to stop and get one. And of course, the Almond Cookies that were put out at 3pm each day were always worth a trip there too.

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WeRockChalkKU

WeRockChalkKU

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Are you able to find somewhere to sit in the Dutch Cafe? It was constantly packed on our cruise, seemed to be the meeting place for the Dutch passengers who were the majority.

 

We were on the 10 day Caribbean last week and could find seats without trouble - bet that changes as word gets out about it.

 

People shouldalso try the Culinary Arts Center dinners - really good food, great to watch them prepare your food, and it includes your wine.

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sppunk

sppunk

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Day 4, St. Martin: lCarnival ships are loud

 

Last night after another good dinner we for the first time this cruise went to the BB King's All Stars. We were on the Eurodam for one of their very first sailings a few years ago and the group has really found its home on HAL.

 

The Queens Lounge - by itself a very pretty two-story venue with a large dance floor - has been packed nightly as the band does three sets. It was the perfect environment for two Wang Wangs while watching some senior couples get their groove on. So cool to see.

 

We haven't yet made a Lincoln Center Stage performance - timing just isn't right for us (they end at 9:15, when we are usually finishing dinner.

 

Today we are in St. Martin, an island I honestly don't care much for. I find it tacky, dirty and just generally unpleasant. I'm clearly in the minority as we were joined by the Azamara Quest, RCCL's Jewel of the Seas, an Aida ship I couldn't catch the name of, the Royal Clipper sailing ship, and the Carnival Fascination. We shared the pier with the Fascination and holy moly was that ship loud. From the moment we docked it was constant announcements, screaming kids, etc. There is a cruiseline for everyone and those onboard her seemed to be having an awesome time though, so all is well.

 

At breakfast I overheard a comment I really want to address. A lady near us said she hates this ship because it nickel-and-dimes you to death. I aggressively disagree. There are more pay venues - but these are in addition to what other HAL ships have. Just because they add new features and charge for them isn't nickel-and-diming you, it's offering an enhanced vacation experience. Older HAL ships don't have the opportunity for these extra things, it's not lie HAL has a new strategy. If they start charging for towels or slippers or the after-dinner figa and dates, we can talk. But not yet.

 

On the flip side, there are less sales pushed onboard this ship than any other HAL ship we have sailed. I couldn't tell you what any drink specials have been, haven't seen any shop sales clogging up walkways, etc.

 

I digress.

 

We ended up walking to Front Street so my DW could check out the Yoda museum. I'm not a Star Wars fan really but happy wife, happy life so I went with. It was OK, if you are a big Star Wars buff I bet you'd love it.

 

Afterward we retreated back to the lovely Koninsgdsm for lunch. The Cannonball and cheese fries from Dive In and a milkshake from Gelato hit the spot.

 

IMG_5533.jpg

 

We enjoyed sailaway from our aft veranda while reading before I realized it was Saturday and thus lounged around the room watching the Ohio State-Michigan game. I was rooting for a meteor but oh well. :) I love the large TV mounted on the wall. Huge improvement over the little TV tucked on a desk corner.

 

I'm a Texas fan and saw they mercifully fired Charlie Strong today. It just wasn't a good fit, hopefully the next guy can turn it around.

 

Tonight we are dining at one of my favorite restaurants on land or sea: Tamarind.

 

Tomorrow we are in St. Lucia and again we have no plans. We'll probably walk to the terminal, get some postcards and come back to the ship. We are very adventurous and love Caribbean islands as you can tell. :)

 

More on both dinner and our day in port tomorrow.

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sppunk

sppunk

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A few answers to questions:

 

- I've never had any trouble getting a table at Grand Dutch Cafe. So far I've never seen more than 4-5 people in line at once. With a Dutch contingent onboard this will vastly differ.

- No special teas at all yet and with like 6 ports in a row and only one more sea day I doubt there will be one.

- I'll scan all daily programs when i get home, too slow to upload them daily.

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luvcruisn'

luvcruisn'

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Could you already find out whether there is Royal Dutch/Indonesian Tea time, as well s regular one?

 

I was on the Konigsdam Transatlantic Oct. 24-Nov. 9, with 9 sea days in all. There was no Indonesian or Royal Dutch Tea. There were the regular teas, from 3:15-3:45pm most days in the Queen's Lounge, and there were also a few "High Teas," from 3:15-4:00pm in the Queen's Lounge, with dance music played by the Konigsdam Orchestra.

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Lizzie68

Lizzie68

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A few answers to questions:

 

- I've never had any trouble getting a table at Grand Dutch Cafe. So far I've never seen more than 4-5 people in line at once. With a Dutch contingent onboard this will vastly differ.

- No special teas at all yet and with like 6 ports in a row and only one more sea day I doubt there will be one.

- I'll scan all daily programs when i get home, too slow to upload them daily.

 

Will look forward to seeing the programs - will they be posted to HAL facts dot com?

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