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

[packercruising]

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

Quick answer yes. The signature beverage package (which is usually the one in HIA) is $11.00 max per drink and a total of 15 drinks a day (alcohol and non alcohol combined). The elite package that is sometimes part of an enhanced HIA has a per drink limit of $15.00 and the limit is 15 alcoholic drinks

and unlimited soft drinks including specialty coffees.

Apparently there have been some recent price increases on beverages that take them over the current HIA price cap. There has been some speculation that the price cap will be raised to cover the drinks that were under the cap but aren't now.

That is part B of the question. How much are they charging for drinks? I only drink beer, so it isn't a problem. DW drinks mixed, though. I will search for that. Thanks!

 

[Haljo1935]

10 minutes ago, packercruising said:

That is part B of the question. How much are they charging for drinks? I only drink beer, so it isn't a problem. DW drinks mixed, though. I will search for that. Thanks!

 

Rolling Stone menu shows $7.75

 

 

Can't find the other menus I took, but I will snap a few others before the end.

[Mary229]

You are doing a great job chronicling your journey. Thanks for all of the details.  Bookmarking for my sailing in February 

[Haljo1935]

9 hours ago, packercruising said:

That is part B of the question. How much are they charging for drinks? I only drink beer, so it isn't a problem. DW drinks mixed, though. I will search for that. Thanks!

 

Grand Dutch Cafe beer menu.

Rolling Stone had mixed drinks on it, you. Did you see them?

[Haljo1935]

Dinner last night for me and Tablemates. Dessert seems to have gone missing.🤔

 

 

 

 

 

From a couple nights ago, Dessert Guy reported these were all good. The 🍓 was the first to go down!

[Haljo1935]

Well they're a tad behind delivering this bit of info. Received notice last night that yesterday's port would be canceled and we would be arriving in Hilo early and it would be an overnight. 

Captain announced early yesterday morning; this notice was slipped under my door while I was at dinner last night, so somewhere between 7:25 - 9:15pm. That means we received the letter approx 14 hours after it was announced. 🤔

[packercruising]

41 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Grand Dutch Cafe beer menu.

Rolling Stone had mixed drinks on it, you. Did you see them?

Yes, thank you!

[Haljo1935]

Little before 1130am Captain made an announcement for the Mooring Crew. A few minutes later he made another announcement explaining that the first announcement was because a mooring line had come loose and he was able to report it had been resolved. So, all's good again on the K'dam, lol.

I didn't feel anything at the time the line came loose or during the very short <10 min it took to fix - I just continued to enjoy the lovely view from my toasty ceramic lounger in the Thera Spa.

 

Edited December 29, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[trishbk]

4 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Little before 1130am Captain made an announcement for the Mooring Crew. A few minutes later he made another announcement explaining that the first announcement was because a mooring line had come loose and he was able to report it had been resolved. So, all's good again on the K'dam, lol.

I didn't feel anything at the time the line came loose or during the very short <10 min it took to fix - I just continued to enjoy the lovely view from my toasty ceramic lounger in the Thera Spa.

 

We hope you enjoyed Hilo and perhaps got to downtown old Hilo today. They also have a daily Farmer’s Market downtown with more than just produce. The bus to downtown from the Hilo port is only $1 or if you are over 55, it is FREE. Only runs once an hour but we’ll work or pay a few dollars for a taxi.  

[trishbk]

30 minutes ago, trishbk said:

We hope you enjoyed Hilo and perhaps got to downtown old Hilo today. They also have a daily Farmer’s Market downtown with more than just produce. The bus to downtown from the Hilo port is only $1 or if you are over 55, it is FREE. Only runs once an hour but we’ll work or pay a few dollars for a taxi.  

I meant the bus will work or pay a few dollars for a taxi. I despise auto correct!

[Haljo1935]

8 hours ago, packercruising said:

Yes, thank you!

Here are a couple more menus - all from the Lido

 

 

 

 

 

 

[packercruising]

5 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Here are a couple more menus - all from the Lido

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome, thank you!

Here’s what’s included in the Signature Beverage Package on Holland America
Everything included in the Alcohol-Free (Quench) package is also included in the signature beverage package.

BEER & CIDER
Amstel Light
Coors Light
Corona
Corona Premier
Dos Equis Lager
Guinness Irish Stout
Heineken
Heineken 0.0
Heineken Light
Hoegaarden
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas Lil’ Sumpin’ Ale
Michelob Ultra
Miller Lite
Molson Canadian
New Castle Brown Ale
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Rekorderlig Pear
Rekorderlig Strawberry Lime
Strongbow
Truly Wild Berry

WINE & PORT
Arboleda, Carménère
Beringer, White Zinfandel
CSM Mimi, Chardonnay
CSM, Riesling
Clos du Bois, Chardonnay
Columbia Crest Estate, Merlot
Crios, Malbec
Danzante, Pinot Grigio
Domaine Chandon, Brut
Domaine Houchart, Rosé
Dows LBV, Port
Errazuriz Estate, Cab. Sauvignon
Frescobaldi, Chianti Castiglioni
Frescobaldi, Sangiovese
La Marca, Prosecco
Laurenz, Grüner Veltliner
Le Grand Courtage, Brut Rosé
McPherson, Shiraz
Nobilo, Sauvignon Blanc
Pian di Remole, Bianco
Robert Mondavi PS, Pinot Noir
Sandeman Ruby, Port
Sextant, Zinfandel
Simi, Sauvignon Blanc
Smith Woodhouse Reserve, Port
Spellbound, Cab. Sauvignon
Sterling, Merlot
Warre’s Otima, Port
Warre’s Warrior, Port
Zonin, Moscato

GIN
Bombay Original
Bombay Sapphire
Hendrick’s
New Amsterdam
Nolet’s Silver
Tanqueray 10
Tanqueray
RUM
Appleton Signature
Bacardi Superior
Captain Morgan
Goslings
Malibu
Mount Gay
Myer’s
Pyrat

SCOTCH
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Aberfeldy 12yr.
Ballantine’s
Chivas Regal
Cutty Sark
Dewar’s 12yr.
Dewar’s White Label
Glen Deveron
Glenmorangie
J&B
Laphroaig 10yr.
TEQUILA
1800 Reposado
Cabo Wabo Blanco
Cazadores Reposado
Herradura Reposado
Jose Cuervo Gold
Jose Cuervo Silver
Patrón Silver

VODKA
Absolut
Belvedere
Finlandia
Grey Goose
Ketel One
New Amsterdam
Skyy
Smirnoff
Stolichnaya
Tito’s

WHISKEY
Buffalo Trace
Bulleit
Canadian Club
Crown Royal
Jack Daniels
Jameson
Jim Beam
Jim Beam Red Stag
Knob Creek
Knob Creek Rye
Maker’s Mark
Seagram’s 7
Seagram’s VO
Wild Turkey
Woodford Reserve

CLASSIC COCKTAILS
Americano
Aperol Spritz
Bloody Mary
Caipirinha
Cape Cod
Champagne Cocktail
Chi Chi
Collins
Daiquiri
Gimlet
Grasshopper
Greyhound
Harvey Wallbanger
Hot Toddy
Kir Royal
Long Island Iced Tea
Mai Tai
Manhattan
Margarita
Martini –House
Mint Julep
Mojito
Negroni
Old Fashioned
Paloma
Pisco Sour
Planter’s Punch
Rum Punch
Salty Dog
Sazerac
Sidecar
Singapore Sling
Vieux Carré
Weng Weng
Whiskey Sour
White Russian

DALE DEGROFF
COCKTAILS
Another Shade of Greyhound
Bee’s Knees
Blue Florida
Blue Ice
Brilliante
Brooklyn
Classic Negroni
Cosmopolitan
Fashionista
Flor De Jerez
Gallery Gimlet
Hemingway Daiquiri
Miami Beach Spritz
Patrona Poloma
Penicillin
Perfect Manhattan
Pusser’s Painkiller
Red Stag Derby
Rotterdam Martinez
Strange Brew
Trader Vic’s Mai Tai
Tuscan Lemon Drop
Whiskey Smash
Yuzu Margarita

[Mary Ellen1]

58 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Little before 1130am Captain made an announcement for the Mooring Crew. A few minutes later he made another announcement explaining that the first announcement was because a mooring line had come loose and he was able to report it had been resolved. So, all's good again on the K'dam, lol.

I didn't feel anything at the time the line came loose or during the very short <10 min it took to fix - I just continued to enjoy the lovely view from my toasty ceramic lounger in the Thera Spa.

 

Actually, the mooring line snapped due to the swells. Potentially pretty dangerous for anyone standing nearby, but it all turned out OK.  Did you feel the ker-thunk?  And hear the bang?  

 

(I hope I'm not coming across as if I'm contradicting you!  I've enjoyed all your posts, and just wanted to give a little more color around what we heard & felt.)

Edited December 30, 2023 by Mary Ellen1

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, trishbk said:

We hope you enjoyed Hilo and perhaps got to downtown old Hilo today. They also have a daily Farmer’s Market downtown with more than just produce. The bus to downtown from the Hilo port is only $1 or if you are over 55, it is FREE. Only runs once an hour but we’ll work or pay a few dollars for a taxi.  

Yes, I did get out a bit yesterday. A few of us were waiting for the free Farmers Market shuttle only to learn it wasn't running yesterday. They weren't expecting us, so no driver.

That group then shared a taxi🚕 ($5pp) to WM. We also walked👣 to the mall across from WM. The cab back was a metered cab and for our entire group fare was $12. Shuttles and taxis circle continuously to drop off and pick up right in front of WM - no need to call for one. There are plenty of benches to sit while waiting. Saw a pretty hibiscus 🌺 bush in the mall parking lot. 

My dinner tablemates also went to WM yesterday, as well as Target, and decided my $5 fare was a better deal than their free bus ride🚍, lol. 

Today, we took the free shuttle to the Farmers Market.

 

 

It was very lightly misting and vendors were just setting up, but it was nice. We all got fruit, souvenirs, bracelets, etc. A vendor cut open a coconut🥥 so one in the group could taste the juice since they'd never had it. I'll post that video later if I can figure out how to shorten it.

There is a mix of local made and imports, so you do have to watch if that matters to you.

 

We walked to the post office (yes, it's the big, white building that looks like 2 buildings). It was unique with outdoor mailboxes and mail drops.

 

 

 

Nice fountain out front

It's on the historic registry.

We stopped in several of the little shops in that area. We started to cross the street to the water, but there is a tent city of sorts there so we turned back. The tents run the length by the fence (hopefully not visible in these pictures - my intent was to show the location, not the tents or residents).

 

Saw pretty flowers and great trees.

 

 

Chickens 🐓were having breakfast under the trees - you may have to zoom to see them. On the return, we saw a mama and her chicks🐤, so I think we discovered where the locals like to eat 

We were given this paper listing some of the area businesses.

This is my Lido lunch view

Edited December 30, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, trishbk said:

We hope you enjoyed Hilo and perhaps got to downtown old Hilo today. They also have a daily Farmer’s Market downtown with more than just produce. The bus to downtown from the Hilo port is only $1 or if you are over 55, it is FREE. Only runs once an hour but we’ll work or pay a few dollars for a taxi.  

Yes, I did get out a bit yesterday. A few of us were waiting for the free Farmers Market shuttle only to learn it wasn't running yesterday. They weren't expecting us, so no driver.

That group then shared a taxi🚕 ($5pp) to WM. We also walked👣 to the mall across from WM. The cab back was a metered cab and for our entire group fare was $12. Shuttles and taxis circle continuously to drop off and pick up right in front of WM - no need to call for one. There are plenty of benches to sit while waiting. Saw a pretty hibiscus 🌺 bush in the mall parking lot. 

My dinner tablemates also went to WM yesterday, as well as Target, and decided my $5 fare was a better deal than their free bus ride🚍, lol. 

Today, we took the free shuttle to the Farmers Market.

 

 

It was very lightly misting and vendors were just setting up, but it was nice. We all got fruit, souvenirs, bracelets, etc. A vendor cut open a coconut🥥 so one in the group could taste the juice since they'd never had it. I'll post that video later if I can figure out how to shorten it.

There is a mix of local made and imports, so you do have to watch if that matters to you.

 

We walked to the post office (yes, it's the big, white building that looks like 2 buildings). It was unique with outdoor mailboxes and mail drops.

 

 

It's on the historic registry.

 

 

We stopped in several of the little shops in that area. We started to cross the street to the water, but there is a tent city of sorts there so we turned back. The tents run the length by the fence (hopefully not visible in these pictures - my intent was to show the location, not the tents or residents).

 

Saw pretty flowers and great trees.

 

 

Chickens were having breakfast under the trees - you may have to zoom to see them. On the return, we saw a mama hen and her chick's, so I think we discovered where the locals like to eat 

We were given this paper listing some of the area businesses.

This is my Lido lunch view

 

I'm struggling to get the last couple pictures to load, so if the Lido lunch view and historic registry plaque are missing, I will post them later.

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, Mary Ellen1 said:

Actually, the mooring line snapped due to the swells. Potentially pretty dangerous for anyone standing nearby, but it all turned out OK.  Did you feel the ker-thunk?  And hear the bang?  

 

(I hope I'm not coming across as if I'm contradicting you!  I've enjoyed all your posts, and just wanted to give a little more color around what we heard & felt.)

I appreciate your additional comments as I didn't feel or hear anything at all and his message was so brief and the time between messages so short, I had no idea of how urgent or not the situation was.

I hope it didn't come across as if I was making light of the situation  - I do think if the captain is calling for action, it must be important. 

Edited December 30, 2023 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

Apologies for the duplicate Farmers Market post...🙄

While a nice visit, it certainly wasn't worth writing a novel...🫣 much less 2, lol.

[Haljo1935]

425pm Captain says disregard the previous announcement for evacuation - it was an automatic announcement that was made in error.

🫡Soooo glad we're not evacuating, but now I'm wondering why I didn't hear the incorrect announcement. Are they able to broadcast in select areas vs the entire ship?🤔

I only heard the announcement to disregard.

[Mary Ellen1]

2 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

425pm Captain says disregard the previous announcement for evacuation - it was an automatic announcement that was made in error.

🫡Soooo glad we're not evacuating, but now I'm wondering why I didn't hear the incorrect announcement. Are they able to broadcast in select areas vs the entire ship?🤔

I only heard the announcement to disregard.

Same.  We didn't hear it, just the announcement to disregard it. 

[Destiny0315]

10 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

425pm Captain says disregard the previous announcement for evacuation - it was an automatic announcement that was made in error.

🫡Soooo glad we're not evacuating, but now I'm wondering why I didn't hear the incorrect announcement. Are they able to broadcast in select areas vs the entire ship?🤔

I only heard the announcement to disregard.

[Haljo1935]

Tomorrow's Daily

 

And port map

Tender info for tomorrow - I don't have an excursion, so I will just go to PG (wish they'd feed me while I'm there, lol)

Bow Cam view 

Aft Cam view 

I was not able to hear his full announcement; think Captain said we're waiting on someone (?) then will cast off our lines and be on our way. According to the Daily, All Aboard was 5:30; it's 6:25.

According to the gangway sign, All Aboard is 6:30. Hmmm 🤔

[BetsyS.]

I hope PG will have coffee and pastries for you! 

Have a great day!  😊

[Mary229]

Seasons Greetings from Texas

 

[packercruising]

In general, we avoid shops specifically numbered on the port maps. They probably didn't get special attention for free. This has been 100% true in the Caribbean and may not be true here, but we have found the other shops more interesting.

[Haljo1935]

49 minutes ago, packercruising said:

In general, we avoid shops specifically numbered on the port maps. They probably didn't get special attention for free. This has been 100% true in the Caribbean and may not be true here, but we have found the other shops more interesting.

I agree. I find the maps useful to help orient me at the port and get a general sense of how far shops are from the port.

I miss them when they're not delivered. I don't want to rely exclusively on my phone in case battery runs low.