Disappointed by Koningsdam Choices
Koningsdam Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern
21 Night Southern Caribbean Seafarer/Wayfarer (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)
Sail date: November 13, 2016
Ship: Koningsdam
Cabin type: Balcony
Cabin number: 6089
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 7 years ago
Review summary
Holland was determined to develop a ship for Millennials. Enter their newest ship the KDam. No nautical theme, straight out if Ikea, including the cheap pressed wood interiors. No teak or expensive art work here. Kudos for the shower size, but at the expense of the toilet placement where you bang your knees (taller folks have to sit sideways on the sculptured seat ...ouch!). Entertainment was "amateur hour" from the UK; cruise director must be in hiding as we never saw him. Not enough activities other than a few Bingo's (2 rain-outs in 21 days - no additional activities). Pools small; areas around the pool congested. Pizza and Hamburger joints were great but because Lido area did not have enough seating, meals spilled over into the pool areas and caused congestion and a fight for seats. Lido dining only holds 650, so hundreds waiting for you to get up to take your seat. Menus at dining were poor, service was with a smile. Theater in the round is a joke ... too small; performers needed to use benches to give appropriate 3D effect. Visual effects were stunning but after the first 10 minutes ... what else do you have?? To the letter, all Old time Holland folks disliked the new direction this ship has taken; as a first time Holland person, for us, it's back to Celebrity and Royal for the grandeur. Try again Holland.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Ports of call
Amber Cove (Puerto Plata), Dominican Republic
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Daylight Cruise Past Mount Pelee
Half Moon Cay, Bahamas (Private Island)
1 Comment
glomarrone 7 years ago
It is too bad that your cruise was such a disappointment to you. Not all long time HAL fans dislike the new ship, though. I, for one, loved it. I know that when news was out about the size of the ship, many HAL fans were not happy. Since we were on a HAL ship at the same time as the Koningsdam was in Rome on her inaugural cruise, we got the opportunity to tour the new ship.
Change is hard. Yes, this ship is a departure from the traditional HAL ships. I guess HAL is trying to attract a younger passenger. Did I like all the art works. Some of them I didn't understand but for the most part I enjoyed the ones of the musical instruments. All cruise lines are now going with the economy of larger ships. HAL has to move with the times if it is to stay competitive.
I am also a fan of Celebrity and RCCL.