SOMEWHAT LIVE!! — MS Koningsdam — Southern Caribbean Seafarer

[kazu]

2 minutes ago, Divine Miss J said:

We were drenched to the skin and beyond. Six hours later, our sandals remain unwearable. We're hoping they dry in time for packing up tomorow; the weather seems to be less unpredictable now.

 

Dinner tonight has been at the local Thai / Sushi place, we're stuffed!

 

And thank you for your explanation, Despegue. 

 

Hopefully your sandals should and are dry.

 

Otherwise, there's always the plastic bags from your shopping today or wear them 😉 

 

think how well they will fit after they mold to your feet.  LOL 😉 

 

Seriously, sorry to hear you were drenched to the skin.  I was afraid of that when I saw MissG's pic.  FLL can be very fickle.

[1964IceCreamLady]

Bob voyage!  Watching you leave port via web cam

Edited December 10, 2018 by 1964IceCreamLady

[Walfam]

On 12/9/2018 at 11:27 AM, *Miss G* said:

 

I had to look back to see!  VMax is correct.  They are coffee cups.

 I thought they were lamp shades.  LOL

[*Miss G*]

Finally I have internet access!!  I will try to catch up.

 

DAY FOUR - EMBARKATION

 

Yay!  It is time to leave for the ship!  We request a taxi but end up in the shuttle for $6/pp.  The shuttle driver provides amazing service and we don’t even have to produce our passports or boarding passes at the gate; we are waved on through.  He says it is because Security expects that he has verified his passengers.  The shuttle driver is the best thing about this hotel.

 

We enter the terminal and The Welcome Committee directs us to A Very Long Line.  This is definitely not The Priority Line.  Back we go to tell them we are suite passengers and The Welcome Committee points to The Very Short Line in the opposite direction.  This is much better.  We are checked in quickly and head upstairs to the lounge.  They are already boarding.  We make a bee-line to the Neptune Lounge to book a Retreat Cabana and make dining reservations.  We learn that breakfast in the Pinnacle Grill is no more.  That makes us very sad.

 

Dinner is at the Pinnacle Grill.  @frankc98376... it is the same menu it has always been so no new menu like the Nieuw Statendam has.  Our meal was delicious and the service was impeccable.  We will eat here again.

 

We find out the phones are not working when we try to dial out.  The desk phone gives me a fast busy and nothing else.  The bedside table phone gives off a VERY BRIGHT LIGHT that won’t dim.  That makes for a VERY BRIGHT SLEEP.  Unfortunately there is no night light in the bathroom so it’s either bright lights or dark dark dark when you’re up in the middle of the night.  I must try to find a nightlight somewhere because I didn’t bring one this time.

 

We have no flowers so not sure if they are doing them for suites anymore.

[*Miss G*]

DAY FIVE - SEA DAY - SOMEWHERE OFF THE COAST OF SAN SALVADOR

 

It poured rain today.  We try breakfast in Club Orange.  My over-medium eggs come hard so I pretend I’ve asked for scrambled.  Plus garlic butter toast does not go with eggs, whether they are hard or soft.  Club Orange 1; Miss G zero.

 

It’s been a rainy day so it feels like soup night.  I order chicken soup but that is not what comes.  Neither do the crackers.  I turn the VERY BRIGHT PHONE upside down and go to sleep.

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

DAY FIVE - SEA DAY - SOMEWHERE OFF THE COAST OF SAN SALVADOR

 

It poured rain today.  We try breakfast in Club Orange.  My over-medium eggs come hard so I pretend I’ve asked for scrambled.  Plus garlic butter toast does not go with eggs, whether they are hard or soft.  Club Orange 1; Miss G zero.

 

It’s been a rainy day so it feels like soup night.  I order chicken soup but that is not what comes.  Neither do the crackers.  I turn the VERY BRIGHT PHONE upside down and go to sleep.

 

YIKES, it doesn't sound like a good meal day for you, at all 😞 

 

Did no flowers turn up on day 2?  that's surprising.

[*Miss G*]

DAY SIX - SEA DAY - SOMEWHERE NEAR TURKS AND CAICOS

 

It is a beautiful day today.  Still no sign of fleurs.

 

We come back from breakfast to a note on the bed.  Yes, we know all about your phone.  Concierge says others are having the same problem.

 

We are in one of the spa suites at the front of the ship.  It has a very tiny balcony with no room for a foot rest so we had asked if the balcony divider could be opened at the front so there is room for more than one person.  Confirmation from room steward - Boss says no way to giving you a bit more verandah room.  Only squishy verandah for you.

 

It is very smoky in the casino but it has been enhanced by some very stinky scent to try to detract you from the fact that the casino is very smoky.  All that it accomplishes, however, is that the casino stinks in more ways than one.

 

There are Lots of kids of all ages on board and they are all very well behaved. 

[*Miss G*]

DAY SEVEN - ST MAARTEN

 

Aha.  One of those Diamonds International ports.  I buy some Crocs and MIss J gets a T-shirt.  I want one of those pirate shirts with “My parents Arrrr terrific” but they don’t come in adult sizes.

 

We are aboard long before all aboard time.

 

The balcony divider between our room and the next room is constantly rattling, which makes for a very annoying sleep.  I ask the cabin steward if it can be tightened.

 

Somehow my timing is always perfect for wanting to be in my room at the same time that everyone else wants to be in my room.  This includes the stewards, the vacuum cleaner guy, the rattle-fixer, and the mini bar guy (who I mistook for the rattle-fixer and showed to the verandah).

 

Me and mini-bar guy look at each other in confusion.  I am wondering why he needs me to show him where the fridge is.  He is wondering why I am telling him to go outside.  We finally figure it out and I show him where the fridge is.  Well... you can’t really call it a fridge.  It’s just a cooler with no way to get cold.  (We asked.)  It’s more of a warmer really.  I show him where the warmer is.

 

Think your hair is going to dry in the Caribbean?  It is not.  Even if you shower at 4:00 pm and have an evening out, when you wake up in the morning your hair will still be wet.

[*Miss G*]

DAY EIGHT - FORT-DE-FRANCE, MARTINIQUE

 

Wow.  What an incredibly dirty and angry city.  The volcanic scenery is beautiful though.

 

It was very windy today.  Someone’s purse was blown into the sea as we walked along the pier.  Our hope is that she had just purchased it at the seafront market because it floated away as if there was nothing inside.  Miss J’s bag would have sunk like a stone.

 

Today, at breakfast, I learned it is possible to pronounce “Miss G” as “Katherine”.  I have heard every iteration known to man, but “Katherine” has never been one of them.

[*Miss G*]

DAY NINE - CASTRIES, SAINT LUCIA

 

Today I got to check off The Pitons in St Lucia from my must-see list.  That was the best part of St Lucia.  Next time I will take an EXC Excursion because the town itself was very crowded and dirty.  But I got to see The Pitons so I am happy!

[*Miss G*]

DAY TEN - BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS

 

Also a very busy town that I would take an EXC Excursion the next time.  There is a shuttle which takes you to the terminal but you can certainly walk it as it’s not far.  You must get off the shuttle then walk through the terminal shops before emerging into mass confusion.  Keep following the path to your right to get to the shuttle into town.  There are also lots of taxis and shuttles to take you wherever you need to go, including the beach.  We found a shuttle to town but it was before noon on a Sunday so most shops were closed.  We wandered through the Cave Shepherd where I left Miss J and the free WiFi then walked back to the ship.  It is not far if you are able-bodied.

[*Miss G*]

DAY ELEVEN - ROSEAU, DOMINICA

 

What nice thing can I say about this port?

 

Hmmm.

 

Okay I give up.  There is nothing nice to say.  It’s also an EXC Excursion port.  Most people have stayed on or come back to the ship.

 

I am now caught up and am going to try to post pictures and general comments.

Edited December 17, 2018 by *Miss G*

[*Miss G*]

THE DREADED NEPTUNE SHOWER

 

Purchased a Neptune?  Well this is what you get for wanting nice things:

 

The Shower is 24” x 24”.  But those are not all YOUR inches.  Oh no.  YOUR inches lie in a bottomless bucket of unfulfilled dreams.  YOUR inches are 17” x 19”.  If you would like to stand under the shower then your allotment dwindles to 12’’ but you share those inches with the hand-held shower and the cleaning condiments.  Don’t even think about shaving your legs or you will take a soap tray to the face.

 

Want to shower in the bath?  Tough noogies. There is no shower in the bath.  In fact, if you are larger than a three-year-old then there is no bath either.  Maybe if you lie sideways.  But don’t turn on the jets.

[canadianbear]

20 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

DAY SIX - SEA DAY - SOMEWHERE NEAR TURKS AND CAICOS

 

We are in one of the spa suites at the front of the ship.  It has a very tiny balcony with no room for a foot rest so we had asked if the balcony divider could be opened at the front so there is room for more than one person.  Confirmation from room steward - Boss says no way to giving you a bit more verandah room.  Only squishy verandah for you.

 

It is very smoky in the casino but it has been enhanced by some very stinky scent to try to detract you from the fact that the casino is very smoky.  All that it accomplishes, however, is that the casino stinks in more ways than one.

Friends of ours had one of those cabins and were appalled at the small size of the balcony.  He did get it opened up but it was so loud with the smashing of the divider ?? that it was closed again.

 

I’m disappointed to hear they still allow smoking in the casino.  We loved the ship last year when on her but hoped the casino would be smoke free now.  I’ve got 2 more upcoming cruises on her and no gambling for me if it stinks in more ways than one!! 

[*Miss G*]

THE CROW’S NEST (following dry dock)

 

They have left the Explorations Cafe alone.  Yay!  It is so nice to get a coffee in the morning sans claustrophobia.

 

This means that the bar has also been left alone, which many have appreciated.  Most of the uncomfortable seating has been removed and been replaced with lots of club chairs.  The pointy red seating now acts as the divider between the bar area and the coffee area.  No one sits there unless they have to.

 

There is no sign of EXC Central up here.  I believe they are down on Deck 1.

 

Summary:  The Crow’s Nest has been returned to a quiet, comfortable, and popular seating area.

[*Miss G*]

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

Friends of ours had one of those cabins and were appalled at the small size of the balcony.  He did get it opened up but it was so loud with the smashing of the divider ?? that it was closed again.

 

I’m disappointed to hear they still allow smoking in the casino.  We loved the ship last year when on her but hoped the casino would be smoke free now.  I’ve got 2 more upcoming cruises on her and no gambling for me if it stinks in more ways than one!! 

 

Totally agree with you on the smoking casino.  I honestly don’t care if people smoke (that is their choice) but I disagree that it be allowed inside.  It is appalling that they would allow indoor smoking on a brand new ship because the casino reeks all the time.  I have avoided it up until tonight.  Tonight it has been declared a smoke-free zone.  It will still stink but I will get to use it because, otherwise, it’s like walking through a haze during regular nights.

[*Miss G*]

THE NEPTUNE LOUNGE

 

As Neptune Lounge’s go, the Koningsdam is my least favorite.  It is entirely enclosed, and narrow, with no view to the outside.  It is difficult to access the offerings as they are layered up the back wall behind a safety bar to prevent them from sliding out during rough seas.  If you’re not on the tall side, this can be a problem as you have to reach up and then over and I do not have the height for that. 

 

Access to the offerings is also problematic.  On one side is the Concierge desk and chairs, then a giant shelving unit, and then a narrow entrance to the offerings; single file only please.  

 

There are lots of games and books to read, as well as a take-one leave-one library.  

 

Neptune Lounge seating may be comfortable for tall people but not for anyone else.  I have taken to going to the Explorations Cafe for lunch.

 

Our lounge attendants are Jennifer and Sheila.  They are very nice but don’t dare mention anything other than nice things to them.  Very minor comments are taken entirely too seriously and we are almost feeling stalked by people apologizing or explaining things to us.

 

Ironically, we have found the Concierge attendants are a bigger problem than any minor problem we have experienced.  They made a reservation for us at The Tamarind one evening.  I mentioned we each had a bottle of wine (one red; one white) on the go at Club Orange and they would need to be sent up to The Tamarind.  We were told it would be taken care of when we got there and not to worry.

 

Well guess what?  We should have worried.  The Wine Steward in The Tamarind was not happy when we told him where our wine was.  Then, the next morning, the Wine Steward in Club Orange gave us heck for not telling him where we would be dining the night before so he could send it up.  I guess he must have got heck from someone too.

 

[Walfam]

19 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

THE DREADED NEPTUNE SHOWER

 

Purchased a Neptune?  ...

The Shower is 24” x 24”.  But those are not all YOUR inches.  Oh no.  YOUR inches lie in a bottomless bucket of unfulfilled dreams.  YOUR inches are 17” x 19”.  If you would like to stand under the shower then your allotment dwindles to 12’’ but you share those inches with the hand-held shower and the cleaning condiments. 

 

Want to shower in the bath?  Tough noogies. There is no shower in the bath.  

 

That shower sounds exactly like the walk in shower in our Neptune Suite on the NA. Does yours have the flimsy fabric shower curtain, too, that lets water flood the bathroom floor? Eeesh...

 

Thank heaven our tub on the NA had a shower.  Looks like the Kdam is not a ship we will ever be sailing.  Thank you for your reports!

[*Miss G*]

We have seen constant reminders at each port that the islands have suffered major hurricane damage.  This is a sunken boat in Roseau, Dominica.  We have seen sunken boats at each port.

 

[*Miss G*]

Just now, Walfam said:

 

That shower sounds exactly like the walk in shower in our Neptune Suite on the NA. Does yours have the flimsy fabric shower curtain, too, that lets water flood the bathroom floor? Eeesh...

 

Thank heaven our tub on the NA had a shower.  Looks like the Kdam is not a ship we will ever be sailing.  Thank you for your reports!

 

Thankfully it’s a glass door on this shower.  But it is super tiny compared to the giant walk-in showers in the non-suite Verandah rooms.  If I sail on this ship again it will be in a Verandah room and not a suite.  And certainly not a Neptune Suite.  That was a definite waste of money.

[puppycanducruise]

Glad you finally got internet access.  We missed you.

Thanks for the update.

[*Miss G*]

DAY TWELVE - CHARLOTTE AMALIE, ST THOMAS, USVI

 

We have just docked in St Thomas and so has Yacht Transport:

 

[*Miss G*]

Doesn’t look like this pic took well.  Probably because I am taking it into the sun, but I can see another ship docked in another section in the distance:

 

[puppycanducruise]

Love that yacht transport picture.

[*Miss G*]

Philipsburg, Sint Maarten: