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

[packercruising]

On 1/6/2024 at 1:27 PM, SybilUnrest said:

Yes- only way it could have been more convenient is if it had been located in the terminal. 
 

View from the elevator this morning was a delight. 

Will we be able to cross there with our luggage and a mobile scooter?

Edited January 8 by packercruising

[DAllenTCY]

Yes, there is a traffic light and marked pedestrian crossing....in this view

 

David

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 8 by DAllenTCY

[SybilUnrest]

And based on what i observed other folks doing, it should be no problem at all.

[packercruising]

Thank you! DW was very concerned about crossing there with her mobility scooter.

[packercruising]

14 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Inability to enjoy my 1st cup of ☕ (and 🥓) watching the sunrise and ending it w/a glass of wine at sunset each day was my biggest (really only) concern about having an inside cabin.

Honestly, I did miss it; not gonna say I found other places to go instead, cuz I am not a get dressed at crack-thirty and leave my room kind of person. So, my days started a bit later than usual. I had my 1st cup while getting dressed then headed to breakfast to enjoy the morning views.

I spent a lot of time in the library, the spa, the empty bars (Billboard Onboard has a sofa in a corner that was always available) and Crow's Nest enjoying the window views. As planned, rarely was I in the cabin during daylight hours.

Safe travels, enjoy your cruise!

At what point in your cruise were you moved to the balcony? If that is starboard, it looks close to the cabin we will have in a few weeks.

[BetsyS.]

Because of the dog fiasco, I think "heads will roll" at HAL.  We may never know if that happens.

[Haljo1935]

57 minutes ago, packercruising said:

At what point in your cruise were you moved to the balcony? If that is starboard, it looks close to the cabin we will have in a few weeks.

I moved to the other cabin Jan 2 (13 days into the cruise). Both cabins were starboard.

What cabin will you be in?

[Haljo1935]

Pictures of Obstructed Balcony cabin that I was moved into. 

Her pen is pointing at 4101, but I was in 4103; 2 doors from mid elevator. 

Light switch and card holder by door - card must be in the slot for lights to work.

View from the doorway

View at the balcony

Balcony from one side

Balcony from other side

Sofa is across from desk, left of the bed. Life jackets are in the cabinets above the sofa. The table "cube" is easy to move - it is open underneath & a great place for room service tray. The switch above the sofa (lower right of the picture) controls the cabinet lights.

You can see the plugs & light switches above the phone. The table on the other side of the bed has another set of plugs and switches. The table has 1 drawer, is open at the bottom and can easily be moved toward the wall if you want more space between it and the bed. There was enough room for the suitcase between the table and the wall (I stored them under the bed). The table by the sofa cannot be moved due to the sofa.

Desk is right of TV, close to the balcony door, with a mirror above it. There is another set of plugs and the mirror light behind the orange book & breakfast hanger. This light is controlled only by this switch & cannot be turned off from the bed - ask me how I know 😉😪

Mirror and blow dryer in top desk drawer (there are 3 deep drawers)

TV is left of the desk, across from the bed

Dry bar is left of TV, blankets in bottom of dry bar (can't locate pictures)

Fridge, safe and 3 drawers are left of dry bar.

 

2 closets left of fridge directly across from bathroom; top of closet closest to frifge

Shelves in bottom portion of closet

Top portion of closet nearest the cabin door; has umbrella 🌂 and laundry bag

Bottom of closet has shelves, beach towels and extra comforter

Bathroom is shower only with glass doors

One sink with ample counter space, there is a towel bar on the front

Storage below the sink

Toilet is at a strange angle, more toward the shower than the door. Towel bar above toilet; there is a shelf & a bar between toilet and shower.

Bathroom and cabin doors are magnetic  - previously posted pictures.

There are 2 large hooks on inside bathroom door great for robe and laundry bag.

There are 2 large hooks on the wall by the thermostat (across from bed) - I forgot to take pictures.

Happy to answer questions if you have any or if I left something out.

Edited January 8 by Haljo1935
Typo

[Haljo1935]

I like the surfer theme at the pool.

Don't know what "charter supplies" are, but they're here when you need them 😉

In need of restocking, but there is a nice assortment of teas available at no charge in the Lido buffet area.

[trishbk]

1 hour ago, BetsyS. said:

Because of the dog fiasco, I think "heads will roll" at HAL.  We may never know if that happens.

I was on the Kdam in December and returning on the 18 day Hawaii cruise at the end of January.  I do know Rene, the Hotel Manager. He arranged for us to get our same MDR table on our January cruise. If I have an opportunity to chat with him, I may ask what follow up was done re the dogs. I do agree the dog issue needs to be addressed. Real service dogs play an essential role and these dogs are not service dogs. 

[Haljo1935]

I didn't get a picture from the inside, but there is what appears to be a large cabana near the TV on Deck 10. I think there is only 1; didn't look to be a "twin" on the opposite side. This one is behind a gate and may step down just a bit. It has a curved railing at the side overlooking the pool.

It is quite large. Plenty of space even w/2 loungers and a table. Sticks out farther than the others.

Anybody know what this is? @POA1 I know you use the Retreat cabanas, not the ones at the Lido, but maybe the Institute has info?

 

 

[cbr663]

On 1/6/2024 at 7:30 PM, Haljo1935 said:

Thanks - it was an uneventful flight (yay) and look who I had in my row. Maddie was a great example of a dedicated worker and it was a very pleasant surprise to share the row with her after this particular cruise.

 

I too hope some of the crew was able to enjoy some time in Ensenada. There was a receiving line in uniform meeting us when we got off, which is where I ran into John, GSMgr, and had the final talk about the dogs.

 

It's great to see working dogs.  As I've mentioned in a previous post, I am a dog lover and I always have so much trouble not going up to the dog and saying hello and petting it.  I know I shouldn't as they are working dogs.

 

Last month on our land trip to Quebec we stayed at the Fairmont Chateau Frontenac and we encountered a large golden lab working dog at the hotel's coffee shop one morning.  His human was turned back on and the dog was so excited to see people and yes, I admit, I said hello and petted him.  His human didn't seem to mind.  Later that morning while at the crowded restaurant for breakfast we also saw him lying peacefully under the table in the restaurant completely ignoring everyone.  🙂

[wdw1972]

45 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

I didn't get a picture from the inside, but there is what appears to be a large cabana near the TV on Deck 10. I think there is only 1; didn't look to be a "twin" on the opposite side. This one is behind a gate and may step down just a bit. It has a curved railing at the side overlooking the pool.

It is quite large. Plenty of space even w/2 loungers and a table. Sticks out farther than the others.

Anybody know what this is? @POA1 I know you use the Retreat cabanas, not the ones at the Lido, but maybe the Institute has info?

 

 

Those are just more public seating areas - cannot be reserved, there's no charge, etc. Anybody can use them.

 

Sue/WDW1972

[packercruising]

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I moved to the other cabin Jan 2 (13 days into the cruise). Both cabins were starboard.

What cabin will you be in?

We will be in 4045. That dog on the plane looks like one we used to have. I am also one that will goo up to perfect strangers and ask to pet their dog.

[Haljo1935]

6 minutes ago, packercruising said:

We will be in 4045. That dog on the plane looks like one we used to have. I am also one that will goo up to perfect strangers and ask to pet their dog.

Oh yes - the fabulous balcony!! Yes, you will be very near to where my 2nd cabin was located. A/C worked well and no issues.

Enjoy!

[Haljo1935]

49 minutes ago, wdw1972 said:

Those are just more public seating areas - cannot be reserved, there's no charge, etc. Anybody can use them.

 

Sue/WDW1972

Really? Even though there's a gate? Sure looked private/reserved. Looks like a great place to chill.

[Destiny0315]

3 hours ago, BetsyS. said:

Because of the dog fiasco, I think "heads will roll" at HAL.  We may never know if that happens.

Recent DOB(Dog on Board)issues on Carnival and seemingly HAL ships too have got the attention of CCL corporate who through spokesperson John Heald they were addressed today on his FB page.

[Haljo1935]

37 minutes ago, Destiny0315 said:

Recent DOB(Dog on Board)issues on Carnival and seemingly HAL ships too have got the attention of CCL corporate who through spokesperson John Heald they were addressed today on his FB page.

Thanks for letting those of us not on FB know.

Edited January 8 by Haljo1935
Eidt

[jeh10641]

21 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I planned on sharing what I was told by the crew members in my wrap up of the dog topic, but since you asked and I'm unsure if your questions are rhetorical in nature or if you're looking for answers from me, I'll offer this...

I will never know what was actually done and if the passengers were placed on a "no sail" list. At this time, I also don't know if the Captain got involved. I only know what I was told and by whom, including what action they took that involved me and what action they told me they intended to take.

Certainly the cabin stewards, which were the same ones I had until I was moved, knew there were barking dogs in one of the cabins they serviced. Heck, they could have been occupying 2 cabins, I don't know, did not ask and don't know if that would have been disclosed to me. I don't know if they made their supervisor, or anyone in their department, aware as I didn't ask; I eventually learned they'd been contacted by GS. I did not talk with the cabin stewards - ever - about the dogs; I kept my conversations to the Hotel Gen Mgr, Rene Tuinman, and GS Mgr, John. I suppose, had I been trying to build a case, I could have talked to the cabin stewards and other crew members, but my intent for engaging the hotel mngmt dept was to have the barking stop and keep the dogs out of my cabin. The purpose of my second contact was to have them keep animals away from food service areas.

The Hotel Gen Mgr is a senior level position, listed on the "get to know  the officers" section of the "service & information " tab on the TV. 

I believe he was the appropriate person to handle the situation, so that is who I requested to meet with. During our meeting, he mentioned John, GS Mgr, and that is who I spoke with the next time and who came to my cabin.

So, here is what I was told by these two men and what happened next:

As previously reported, Rene told me I was not the 1st passenger to mention the dogs, but I was the 1st to present documentation. Rene said he was in a sticky situation - that he could not disembark "them" (dogs or passengers?), but that he would have a stern conversation about the seriousness of the matter. He offered to move me to create distance from the dogs because my cabin was very close to theirs. That is when he mentioned John's name. Rene told me he would be reviewing the travel documents the passengers had submitted as well as submitting a report to Corporate (did not ask if that was HAL, CCL or both) recommending the animals not be allowed on future sailings. He also told me he would be looping John in on our conversation and I was welcome to talk to him any time.

I did not see or hear the dogs in the hallway after I changed cabins; I was still on same deck and same side, but was now 1 elevator and a couple turns apart. I assume they used the aft elevator that is closest to their cabin (my new cabin was near mid elevator) so the move was a success regarding the noise (barking & loud instructions to the dogs). Check ✔ that one off.

Next day, I called GS requesting Rene call me so I could report that at lunchtime I saw the dogs 🐕 at the Grand Dutch Cafe (I didn't tell GS the purpose of my call, only requested Rene call me or that they let me know what time I could meet w/him). I immediately received a call from John letting me know he'd been made aware of my request to speak with Rene and asked what I needed. I informed him about seeing the dogs at GDC and wanted to show him or Rene the pictures. He was knocking on my cabin door in less than 5 min.

John began by apologizing that my cruise was being negatively impacted by negligent (his word) passengers. He said Rene had shared the details of our conversation as well as the pictures, so I didn't feel I needed to rehash any of that. I pointed to the lunch I'd brought back from GDC (which I'd not even had time to eat, that's how quickly all this happened) then showed him the pictures of the dogs I took while I was waiting for my food. He repeatedly apologized and told me 1) he had seen the documents the passengers had submitted for the dogs and they appeared to be legitimate, 2) he was offended on a personal level as he had worked for an organization that helped place service animals and this minimized the animals' value, 3) based on their appearance and behavior he did not consider these to be service animals and 4) he was angry the passengers were not returning his calls. John took pictures of some of the GDC pictures and said he would review security footage as well. He said he had left them several messages to call him and had now asked the cabin stewards to call him when the passengers were in their cabin planning to immediately go to the cabin when the stewards call. John also said that he was preparing a report for "home office" that would include all the pictures they had as well as his feedback. Thank you John; now to enjoy the awesome pea soup.

Final night I got off ship to go into Ensenada. Officers and Sr Crew were waiting to greet passengers.  John stepped out of line to let me know since our conversation they had been contacted by more passengers reporting additional dog sightings. He said he had reviewed the dogs' documents again and had finally been able to talk with the passengers. This time, he said the report he was preparing would recommend the passengers be banned from the entire CCL fleet so they could not sail on any Carnival owned ship and he hoped I would feel confident my next cruise would not be impacted by these dogs.

The next morning outside CO, while heading from MDR to scan off the ship, I saw the passengers san dogs. In fairness, I don't know the process for debarking animals, so it may be that the dogs were removed apart from their humans and would re-join them landside. (?)

I belive in both transparency and confidentiality; sometimes those are at odds and causes us to find ourselves in awkward situations, as I believe Rene was in when he said he was in a sticky situation. He had the additional difficulty of legal constraints. I get it. That's why I don't ask for or expect certain details. I trust that people holding certain positions/titles are there because they're capable of doing the jobs they've been entrusted to do. Hence, I wouldn't ask to speak to Captain about a dog, but trust the person I did talk with would loop him in. I don't ask for or expect to be told details of conversations or communications nor do I expect follow-up on outcome of said communication; I trust the appropriate level of communication necessary to remedy the situation continues until resolution. Naive? Maybe, but I have to trust the process until I have reason not to.

So, as of today, I hope Rene and John have sent a report to HAL and CCL. I hope that report results in both the passengers and dogs 🐕 are on a "no sail" list. I also hope the people who reported on here that they saw the dogs and were going to contact HAL do so. I don't expect to hear from Rene, John or Captain Arnot that they sent a report, what it said or what Corp response was. I do hope that once HAL receives the report, someone will reach out to me.

I am disappointed that neither Rene nor John contacted me as a simple follow up. I think that had I not gotten off the ship in Ensenada causing me to run into John, I would not have heard from him again. 

I will mention the situation in the post-cruise survey (if I get one) and will email both HAL and CCL with the intent of encouraging them to take a hard look at their onboard animal policy.

 

At our final port, both Rene and John were in the receiving line that greeted passengers. Both greeted me and addressed me by name; that told me they remembered our conversations.

Rene was furthest from the ship, closest to the gate.

Guest Service Mgr John was 3rd closest to the ship

Apologies if this didn't address what you wanted to know. Feel free to ask whatever it is you do want to know and I'll try to answer.

Hi, Haljo1935,

You are a trooper and a lot more patient than I.  I would have gone to management a lot earlier. I think you should follow up with both HAL and CCL directly. If you go to their websites, you can find the names you need. Send them copies of the appropriate posts in this stream. I hope you have a GREAT New Year and Happier cruises.

 

Jim

[Blackduck59]

Clearly doesn't address the issue of pets. Service dogs are a different critter.

[cbr663]

3 hours ago, trishbk said:

I was on the Kdam in December and returning on the 18 day Hawaii cruise at the end of January.  I do know Rene, the Hotel Manager. He arranged for us to get our same MDR table on our January cruise. If I have an opportunity to chat with him, I may ask what follow up was done re the dogs. I do agree the dog issue needs to be addressed. Real service dogs play an essential role and these dogs are not service dogs. 

 

I can't think of any possible positive reason why anyone would choose to do this.  It would be inappropriate and unprofessional for Rene to discuss any private matters regarding current or previously sailing guests with other guests.  All that would be achieved is to place Rene in an awkward position of reiterating HAL's commitment to "...providing safe, easy, and accessible accommodations for all persons with disabilities..."

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/about/our-company/accessibility

[Destiny0315]

43 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Clearly doesn't address the issue of pets. Service dogs are a different critter.

But even with legitimate service dogs there are some areas where things can be challenged about their actions as noted here on the ADA page about requirements. @Haljo1935 rightfully so presented HAL management with information including photos that seem to validate violations of part 1 here. The dog(s) was unleashed and at one point even ran into her room after she opened her door. If a strange human being did that,(ran into her room when she opened the door), don't you think management would want to at the very least question that person about it?

 

Edited January 8 by Destiny0315

[trishbk]

3 hours ago, Destiny0315 said:

But even with legitimate service dogs there are some areas where things can be challenged about their actions as noted here on the ADA page about requirements. @Haljo1935 rightfully so presented HAL management with information including photos that seem to validate violations of part 1 here. The dog(s) was unleashed and at one point even ran into her room after she opened her door. If a strange human being did that,(ran into her room when she opened the door), don't you think management would want to at the very least question that person about it?

 

Thank you. Excellent analysis.

[Haljo1935]

The florist is so talented and does a wonderful job making the ship look so good. Some misc arrangements from around the ship. With the exception of 1 orchid on my PG NYD brunch table,  all the orchids were in restrooms - such a nice touch.

This obviously is not a floral arrangement, but I didn't want to forget to post it. It's around the corner from the deck 2 MDR.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They struggle a bit on disembarkation day until he can freshen them up, but still pretty

 

Restroom orchids

 

 

 

 

From PG

Thank you for making our ship beautiful  - and smell good (you can smell the flowers just walking by the large arrangements)

 

[canadianbear]

I have, since day 1, always been impressed with the floral arrangements on HAL ships.  I know I’ll be using some of my OBC to order on the ship for our cruise in February.