Hawaiian Holiday 🎄🍾 LIVE from Koningsdam Dec 21-Jan 6: join me for my 1st solo cruise & 1st inside cabin!

[NCTribeFan]

23 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

You know, I am. The only thing I still cannot get used to, and I knew it would be an adjustment, is not being able to sit out early AM w/coffee & bacon watching the sunrise.

I'm fortunate that I'm not in a tiny box w/small shower that I've read about. It doesn't feel cramped and the TV is not at a weird angle, so no struggles there. 

A/C works great, no real noise (other than the dogs) like slamming balcony doors and no "traffic" since it's forward of the forward elevators (only traffic are people in the cabins or servicing them). 😊

 

I think I missed it, or maybe you didn't want to announce just what cabin you have, but I'm thinking of switching cabins for my sailing.

[Huskerchick]

16 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

It's on tonight's menu.

Oh my goodness thats a good looking menu.  I had the pork belly on the NS and loved it. Hoping it shows, up again on the Rotterdam. Yule log is one of my favorite holiday desserts.  Merry Christmas 

Edited December 25, 2023 by Huskerchick
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[0106]

My niece made a Yule log for us last night.  Center was a chestnut mousse.  Icing was milk chocolate. Delicious!  Thanks for this thread!  

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

I think I missed it, or maybe you didn't want to announce just what cabin you have, but I'm thinking of switching cabins for my sailing.

4 forward, Starboard. I will happily give the number at the end of the cruise. If you want it before then for booking purposes, just shoot me an email telizking at yahoo dot com 😊

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, Huskerchick said:

Oh my goodness thats a good looking menu.  I had the pork belly on the NS and loved it. Hoping it shows, up again on the Rotterdam. Yule log is one of my favorite holiday desserts.  Merry Christmas 

The pork belly was really good.

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

My niece made a Yule log for us last night.  Center was a chestnut mousse.  Icing was milk chocolate. Delicious!  Thanks for this thread!  

Thanks for sharing  - please tell her it's beautiful. 

[ArizonaStorm]

QUESTION: Since I'll be embarking on this ship on January 13, I was wondering if you were required to present proof of a negative Covid test prior to embarkation?  HAL does such a poor job of removing old information from its website, and it is hard to pin down the current policies.  Some "FAQs" are good while others create more questions than answers.

[Haljo1935]

1 minute ago, ArizonaStorm said:

QUESTION: Since I'll be embarking on this ship on January 13, I was wondering if you were required to present proof of a negative Covid test prior to embarkation?  HAL does such a poor job of removing old information from its website, and it is hard to pin down the current policies.  Some "FAQs" are good while others create more questions than answers.

For HAL you do not, but one of your destinations could still require it. There are not many anymore, but it would be worth you checking the requirements for the places you're going. As cases are rising again, places are starting to put in restrictions/requirements again.

Enjoy your cruise!

[Haljo1935]

Santa 🎅 boarded st 10 this morning.

Line was very long, so there must be a lot of "Nice" on board. My experience aligns w/that as I haven't encountered any "Naughties."

Even Mrs Claus was rushing to help

 

[Haljo1935]

MDR breakfast line was long this morning, but it moved quickly.

 

 

I started w/grapefruit (very good) and had one of the daily specials, hold the coconut, and a side of ham (which they forgot).

 

Couple selections from tablemates.

Banana Bread French was voted Best in Class (1 vote but that's all it took, lol)

 

 

[Haljo1935]

Thermal Suite time:

Ceramic chairs always occupied, but not just now when I came in, so I am able to share a few pictures. 

When you enter, immediately to the right, are 3 chairs with reading lights and 2 columns of towels.

 

To the left of the door is a refreshment station w/ice water.

The sign used to show time limit of 20 minutes; it now has 30 minutes. 

Across the room are 4 chairs that don't seem to get as hot as the ones in the middle. I was only able to get 3 in this picture but there are 4. Glad to see a clock has been added. But the robe hooks have been removed.

In the middle are 4 chairs with direct water view.

My view

People are coming in so I will try to get pictures of the other areas another time.

Grr - cannot get rid of this duplicate pic.🤨

Edited December 25, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[Mary229]

Merry Christmas !

[Haljo1935]

29 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

Merry Christmas !

Thank you! Merry Christmas to you and your family, too!

I understand Santa 🎅 came early and brought us some rain - yay!!

[NCTribeFan]

6 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

4 forward, Starboard. I will happily give the number at the end of the cruise. If you want it before then for booking purposes, just shoot me an email telizking at yahoo dot com 😊

 

I just found a video of 4027 and very much like the looks of that layout.  Much better than 6112 & 6127.  Just not sure I'd want that far forward due to motion issues.  Maybe for a Caribbean sailing on this class ship in the future, though!

[Hogladyrider]

@Haljo1935...thanks for the spa pics.

Is the thalasso pool in a separate room from the loungers I hope?

[Haljo1935]

51 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

 

I just found a video of 4027 and very much like the looks of that layout.  Much better than 6112 & 6127.  Just not sure I'd want that far forward due to motion issues.  Maybe for a Caribbean sailing on this class ship in the future, though!

That is very close to mine. The layout, room size & shower size are great, closet space is good. And other than the first couple days when it was rough, the movement has not been an issue. Of course, we're still early into the trip... 

[Haljo1935]

47 minutes ago, Hogladyrider said:

@Haljo1935...thanks for the spa pics.

Is the thalasso pool in a separate room from the loungers I hope?

For sure 😊 when I post the remaining pictures of the ceramic lounger space, you will see where the hydropool is.

Edited December 26, 2023 by Haljo1935
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[Haljo1935]

Sun preparing to set enroute to HI.

As seen from the Thera Spa

Bow Cam view

Aft Cam view

[SUESEABE]

Merry Christmas!

[trishbk]

5 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

For sure 😊 when I post the remaining pictures of the ceramic lounger space, you will see where the hydropool is.

Have they fixed the horizontal shower in the thermal suite yet? We were on the Dec 5 Mexico sailing and it was out of order. Also have you tried the cold water bucket drop. It was invigorating right after the steam room. We are sailing on the Jan 30 18 day Hawaii cruise. 

[vjblk]

Just now, trishbk said:

Have they fixed the horizontal shower in the thermal suite yet? We were on the Dec 5 Mexico sailing and it was out of order. Also have you tried the cold water bucket drop. It was invigorating right after the steam room. We are sailing on the Jan 30 18 day Hawaii cruise. 

I went to try it today and it wasn't working.

[trishbk]

30 minutes ago, vjblk said:

I went to try it today and it wasn't working.

Bummer. I wonder how long it will take to fix it. 

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, trishbk said:

Have they fixed the horizontal shower in the thermal suite yet? We were on the Dec 5 Mexico sailing and it was out of order. Also have you tried the cold water bucket drop. It was invigorating right after the steam room. We are sailing on the Jan 30 18 day Hawaii cruise. 

I don't know about the cold water bucket drop. 🤔What and where is it?

[Haljo1935]

Full house for the 6pm performance 🎭 of "Humanity" by the Step One Dancers.

C&TD Kristen does the introduction

[Haljo1935]

Since it's almost dinner, I guess I should fill you in on lunch. It was a dog w/o bun and small portion of naked fries. Poolside while waiting for the 3pm movie to start.

Dessert came from Lido

Roof was open during the football game; they closed it for the movie.