Koningsdam perspective from "younger" cruisers

[kansaskid]

I just wrote a long review on CC so I won't regurgitate it all here. But I thought our perspective is unique considering we are around 40 and travel with two daughters (9 & 3). My sister/husband/newphew (16), aunt/partner (both 70+), and grandma (90+). Four generations and different views as to what this trip should be.

 

I read a lot about how experienced folks didn't like the Koningsdam. Reasons were varied. What I can say is that it's different, but not by huge amounts, and depending on your expectations you will could love/hate or just be indifferent about it all.

 

The pros as we see it - the food is better than ever. Adding things like a salad bar to the Lido is a nice touch. Tamarind was the first time we really felt like paying $$ for a meal was worth it (we've cruised 8 times previously). The quality in general was great. The ship is gorgeous. It has some nice new features (outdoor movie screen, gelato bar, and music venues to name a few). They did a great job adding more storage in the rooms, even if the rooms seem a bit smaller in floor space. And the service, particularly the friendliness aspect, is still just top notch. They make my girls feel like a million dollars every day!

 

The cons - change. Mind you, I like change and don't have a lot of expectations that have to be met to have a great vacation. But from grandma's perspective, the lack of seating on the Promenade Deck was a major issue. Service is slower, I think more as a matter of servers, room stewards, etc. having to cover more ground. There's a cost for things like Gelato in the afternoon (but it's delicious and worth it in our mind).

 

Overall it's not an entirely different experience from what HA has always offered. They are a business that has to make money; you can see that they are trying to do that while not impacting the user experience much. They are still geared toward an older set (65+ in my mind), but trying to serve younger folks or more active older adults. The music spaces were packed each night and the variety of shows in the World Stage was refreshing.

 

My advice to anyone trying the Koningsdam out is to give it a chance. You might find some things you love and you will likely find some things you don't.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you for giving us your perspective.

Let us know when your review is posted -- look forward to reading it.

[djhsolara]

Thanks for the perspective. We can't wait for our sailing on January 29!! [emoji568]

 

 

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Edited December 26, 2016 by djhsolara

[cb at sea]

there are ALL ages on every cruise!

[Johaz]

Not on the long (30+ days) on HAL. The older folks have the time and the money.

 

 

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[bUU]

Are they scheduling this ship for many of the 30-day cruises?

[Roz]

Don't have anything book on the Koningsdam yet, but I'm intrigued. Thank you for your multi-generational report.

 

Roz

[igraf]

Aside from the Holiday cruises, just about any HAL cruise taken while schools are in session will have a very small number of children on board. Not many young adults, either.

 

We have sailed on 10 or so short (7-day) HAL cruises and this has proven to be true in almost every case.

 

igraf

 

 

 

 

Not on the long (30+ days) on HAL. The older folks have the time and the money.

 

 

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