Amazing experience, will do a TA again and ship navigation staff found the calmest waters which was a big plus. Also loved the retreat (extra $$$) on sea days. If only they could confine smoking to one section of the ship (Deck 9 aft on the starboard side) and forbid it everywhere else including the casino area.
Embarkation
3 out of 5
The HAL Koningsdam departed out of Pier 26 at Port Everglades in FLL. We arrived around 10:30 and the place was already jammed. Only one elevator was working and given the higher average age of all PAX (had to be over 60) this was an issue. Best to go around noon to 2pm when it is less busy and you can simply whisk through embarkation as our friends did in 15 minutes max.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
Food in the main dining room is very good but not excellent. Too often meals are warm and not hot; your stewards must constantly be reminded of this fact or a quick work to the area dining captain in the main dining room is helpful. The specialty restaurants on board are excellent: Tamarind, Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, Tapas and the pizzas and burgers up on Deck 10 above the pool are also hearty and tasty. The Lido café is good but sub-par compared to Celebrity and Oceania ships in terms of choice, presentation and people flow and table turnover.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Given this was a TA crossing, the itinerary was more relaxed than a 'moneymaker' 7-day east/west/south Caribbean experience or port-intensive Baltic or Med cruise. The Cruise Director and other experience staff did well with daily trivias, Billboard on Board, BB Kings in the Queen's Lounge (although their sets were a bit too repetitive and stuck in the 60s and 70s to much for my taste), Windows 10 courses, interesting talks, and destination discussions. The Fitness centre is pretty good and now with separate studios for TRX, yoga, spinning (and stretching when free) which is a better layout. Spa was excellent.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Best entertainment I've seen on a HAL ship (8 cruises) and some of the best in my total 18 cruises in the last decade. World Stage is the most advanced at see with a 270 degree digital wall and theatre-in-the-round concept. Sadly, bar service is not as good in this venue compared to RC or Celebrity cruises. Singers and dancers in some original numbers were very good and partnership with BBC Documentaries matches the more senior demographic of many HAL cruises.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Excellent -- we did not encounter attitude or lack of helpfulness from anyone, always a smile and assistance regardless of the issue.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Well laid out ... the ship is a floating music/art gallery and much brighter and open than previous more dreary and wood panelled HAL ships.
One of the gems of Spain, great local walking tour right from port and amazing shopping plaka that runs for about 1km. Try cana y tapas for one or two euros, great way to snack and drink.
Very smooth, ahead of schedule and HAL is one of the few cruise lines that allows you to stay in your cabin until disembarkation and even order room service breakfast on your last day on board -- a big plus for weary travellers (self-inflicted) after 14 days on board.
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