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

[SusieKIslandGirl]

At least with the dog in a stroller, it won't be running underfoot or into cabins. But still, probably shouldn't be on the ship.

[Haljo1935]

7 hours ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

At least with the dog in a stroller, it won't be running underfoot or into cabins. But still, probably shouldn't be on the ship.

Aligned w/the stroller.

And no, should not be on the ship if there's a Service Dog only policy.

[Mary229]

18 hours ago, trishbk said:

On the current cruise, there is another so called service dog. Rene says it has the right paperwork, however as a former dog trainer, I highly doubt this small dog is a

I think he says that to maintain the discretion of each guest’s status.  I doubt it is true and you should file a report with Seattle. This will only stop when they finally realize the rest of us are not good with this.  
 

Sure we would all like to have our animals with us but we understand the necessity of the rules.  I always feel ships are places where people really need to mind the rules as the sea can be unpredictable and unforgiving. Additionally those that abuse the rules ruin the system for those with true need.  

Edited February 8 by Mary229

[FlorenceItaly]

@Mary229, I too am skeptical of what Rene says.

[trishbk]

3 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

@Mary229, I too am skeptical of what Rene says.

I agree. By the way this is the current so called  service dog in the stroller. Not the best photo.

[Haljo1935]

4 hours ago, FlorenceItaly said:

@Mary229, I too am skeptical of what Rene says.

Both he and John told me they had personally reviewed the paperwork of the Dec 21 - Jan 6 dogs and deemed it proper/in order. So, add me to the skeptical list. Just cannot say enough how unfortunate all this is.

And I don't know that I could practice restraint for long if I shared a ship w/that doggie stroller. I'd be saying something to someone.

 

[MisterMatthew]

On 1/3/2024 at 12:37 PM, Haljo1935 said:

No ruler to measure, but took a couple pictures using the Daily as a "size guide." Note that the safe has about a 1" lip all the way around it so the opening is approx 1" narrower then the inside. See the screensot close-up of the backside of the Daily for reference on the size of the lip.

The edge of the page is touching the wall of the safe.

The Daily is longways in the safe w/the top edge touching the inside of the safe. You can see how much room is left - just remember the "lip" around the safe. If the computer just fits, you may have to angle it to clear the lip.

My laptop fits w/o issue but it's a baby 13"

 

It looks like a good safe!

 

(Haljo, how are you!)

 

---MisterMatthew

Edited February 9 by MisterMatthew
typing

[trishbk]

18 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Both he and John told me they had personally reviewed the paperwork of the Dec 21 - Jan 6 dogs and deemed it proper/in order. So, add me to the skeptical list. Just cannot say enough how unfortunate all this is.

And I don't know that I could practice restraint for long if I shared a ship w/that doggie stroller. I'd be saying something to someone.

 

OK I’ll join the list of skepticism as well. As I was getting off the ship today in Kona, I’ve noticed that the guest services were coddling these so-called service dog. It was sitting happily in its stroller and the two guest services women were petting it again I doubt that it’s a service animal.

[Haljo1935]

2 hours ago, trishbk said:

OK I’ll join the list of skepticism as well. As I was getting off the ship today in Kona, I’ve noticed that the guest services were coddling these so-called service dog. It was sitting happily in its stroller and the two guest services women were petting it again I doubt that it’s a service animal.

And that ticks me off 🙄 I would hope that HAL (and CCL at large) includes Service Animals in it's training. A refresher is in order on cruises where they've approved and anticipate a dog be on onboard. Surely that training would cover such basics as not petting a Service Animal. I have to think if it were a legitimate Service Animal, the human would ask them to not pet the dog.🤔

HAL does so many things right; this is not one of them.😒

Edited February 9 by Haljo1935
Additional comment

[BetsyS.]

Haljo1935 - Congratulations on your Stars win and your Mavericks win! 😊 Bravo!

         I agree with you about the not-service animals.  The women from Guest Services 

should not have been patting the dog. The dogs should not be in a stroller and they

should not have been on the ship.

         I hope you will get a letter from HAL that addresses the evidence you reported 

about the dogs on your cruise. A generic letter is not adequate.

        I agree with what you said about HAL - they do so many things right, but this is not one of them.

         

         

[SusieKIslandGirl]

I really don’t mean to be snarky but I keep hoping for an update on the dogs or the ship. Instead it’s something entirely different.

[FlorenceItaly]

1 minute ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

I really don’t mean to be snarky but I keep hoping for an update on the dogs or the ship. Instead it’s something entirely different.

To me it is obvious HAL is not going to respond.  Also, since leaving the ship the situation with dogs on board has continued.  

[Mary229]

@Haljo1935  I have to say after 3 weeks on the Koningsdam I can still say it is my least favorite ship in the fleet. There is just something intangible that is off about this ship and crew.  I don’t want to point any fingers but it is just a little off.  It is not the ship that is going to convert any sailors from other lines to sail Holland frequently.  

[BetsyS.]

Mary229 - I'm sorry to hear that.

[*Miss G*]

31 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

@Haljo1935  I have to say after 3 weeks on the Koningsdam I can still say it is my least favorite ship in the fleet. There is just something intangible that is off about this ship and crew.  I don’t want to point any fingers but it is just a little off.  It is not the ship that is going to convert any sailors from other lines to sail Holland frequently.  

 

I have to agree with you on this.  It used to be my favourite ship until our last sailing on it.  While we enjoyed our cruise (how can you not love the Alaska itinerary!), the service and food just weren’t up to par.  It has also dropped to my least favourite ship, and I love the Pinnacle class.  As a result, I hesitate to recommend this ship to anyone.  

 

And, yes, I do realize that a change in management and crew will affect performance but I agree with @Mary229.  There is something about this ship that is just “off”.

[Mary229]

3 hours ago, BetsyS. said:

Mary229 - I'm sorry to hear that.

 Not to worry. I am enjoying my travels but I would just prefer to be on another ship.  I am having dinner tonight with two Princess cruisers who want to air some complaints and I will probably not be able to deny any of their misgivings 

 

at least there are no dogs onboard 

Edited March 8 by Mary229

[FlorenceItaly]

We were on the Koningsdam Dec 5-16 and December 21-January 6, 2024.  As I reflect more I think my enjoyment was mainly because of fellow passengers.  Our stewards were outstanding as well as bar service in the casino, but the bar we frequented for happy hour, unhappy employees.  We did not have the drink package and were regulars there.  Plus, we tipped a few bucks on almost every bar slip.  It didn't make a difference.  All the employees are very hard workers but I am not sure this ship is the best representation of HAL.  I can not comment on the MDR as we had the majority of our meals in the Pinnacle where management and crew was outstanding.  I am curious to hear the Princess passenger comments.  We have cruised on Princess but it has been a while.  I am guessing it has to do with lack of activities.  And, don't get me started on Adult coloring, LOL.

[oakridger]

Is it a hotel or Bar Management problem do you think?  Unhappy crew seems like a moral problem.  For example, my last cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in October 2022 the bar crew were having a ball with the passengers and amongst themselves too!  It was so fun to hear them laughing and joking with each other while they were hard at work. Their moral was great!

 

I'll be on Konningsdam for the first time next December so for everyone's sake I sure hope they can improve the situation on board!

 

~Nancy

[*Miss G*]

I love adult colouring!  😂

[Hogladyrider]

We were on Koningsdam 18 day to Hawaii Jan til Feb 18.  We only encountered one grumpy bar tender back at Sea Aft Pool.  It was very obvious he did not want to  be doing his job.

 

On the other hand all the employees at other bars were outstanding and very friendly.   We  ate most meals in Lido and can't say enough for those employees, especially considering what they have to  deal with passengers.

 

All servers were very friendly as well even in World Stage!

 

Dutch Cafe employees were outstanding and very friendly as well.

 

Now we dined in Pinnacle and Tamarind.  Tamarind the service was TOP NOTCH  as was the food.  Pinnacle not so much and we were very underwhelmed with the food  in Pinnacle. He had rib eye, loaded with fat; I had fish, good but honestly I had better on Lido.

 

Our room stewards were over the top and made sure we named them in our survey as well.  We also had room service every morning, coffee at 6:30 and  they never missed a beat and were friendly even at that crazy hour.

 

HAL  is still our  favorite  cruise line and we are only 2 Star.

[#55worktoplay]

I always wanted to try HAL what ship?  I want to bring my dog 

[oakridger]

@Hogladyrider I'm so happy to hear that your crew on Konningsdam was how HAL staff usually are in my experience!  Thanks for letting us know.

 

 

~Nancy

[Hogladyrider]

4 minutes ago, oakridger said:

@Hogladyrider I'm so happy to hear that your crew on Konningsdam was how HAL staff usually are in my experience!  Thanks for letting us know.

 

 

~Nancy

You are more than welcome.

 

I forgot to mention that in our opinion the passengers were the ones with the attitudes and sense of entitlement.  Don't get me going on stuffing the elevators

..we took the stairs mostly.

[Haljo1935]

On 2/29/2024 at 5:19 PM, SusieKIslandGirl said:

I really don’t mean to be snarky but I keep hoping for an update on the dogs or the ship. Instead it’s something entirely different.

I really really wish I had an update, but I guess HAL has decided the dog situation is not worthy of a response. Not what I expected from them or want to say, but the silence is deafening. Also that they've continued to allow dogs on K'dam tells me that ship likely has a reputation in the canine sailing community. 

I think this is just 1 of the issues that ship has as experienced by @Mary229 and others. Things are just 'off.'

With that said, Crew were great as @Hogladyrider said even though service in some places was slow. I do love HAL and will continue to sail, I just think I'll pass on this ship until I see reports the dog issues have been resolved.

I do promise if I ever hear from them, I'll post it here. 

Edited March 9 by Haljo1935
Additional comment

[Hogladyrider]

Yes we had a "service dog" on our cruise.  This dog was in a stroller all the time....seriously!   I feel bad for these dogs that have such irresponsible owners.