Disappointing

Koningsdam Cruise Review to Hawaii

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 9

Overall rating:

2.9 out of 5
Koningsdam

18 Night Circle Hawaii (Vancouver Roundtrip)

Sail date: April 13, 2023

Ship: Koningsdam

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: 7003

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

The Koningsdam is boring and overcrowded and is only suitable for elderly or physically challenged passengers. For them it seemed to be fine. The staff were amazing and the ship was clean. Masks were recommended once COVID broke out but were not enforced except for staff. 119 cases of COVID on board. Poorly provisioned - always running out of things. Communication is very bad. Cruised many, many tines but first and last on Holland America. Such a shame.

Embarkation

1 out of 5
Canada Place was as terrible as it always is. They have never done anything to improve how they deal with the crowds trying to check in. As a Canadian it’s embarrassing to admit it’s probably the worst embarkation port.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

1 out of 5
Slow, confused and the food was always luke warm. Very poor selection, limited and repetitive. For example lunch in the Main Dining Room was the same every day.

Club Orange

2 out of 5

Missing benefits, lukewarm food that was basically the same as the dining room, no priority boarding or disembarking. Basically a $300 tote bag.

Explorations Café

4 out of 5

Long lineups

Canaletto

4 out of 5

Food was tasty and plentiful- odd location at the end of the Lido buffet so really noisy.

Lido Market

2 out of 5

Really busy after the first few days because the dining room was so bad. Servers were a mix of surly and nice. Waiters tried hard. Carpet was always disgusting.

The Dining Room

1 out of 5

Very disappointing. Lunch and breakfast were always the same menu, waiters were uncaring and food was lukewarm and poorly presented.

Tamarind Restaurant

5 out of 5

Superb food and service. Absolute highlight of the trip. Everyone should try it.

Pinnacle Grill

1 out of 5

We went twice and were disappointed. New York steak was full of gristle and tough, the shrimp had not been deveined (poop track still in place) and the lobster was so tough I couldn’t cut it.

Piano Bar

3 out of 5

Large lounge with good seating. Pianists in Boardwalk were very entertaining.

Grand Dutch Café

4 out of 5

Very nice. Comfortable seating, excellent coffee.

Dive-In

3 out of 5

Easy, efficient, messy

Culinary Arts Center

1 out of 5

Non-existent on this cruise with no explanation

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5
There was nothing to do. The highlight of every day was knitting class or origami!

Sea View Pool

3 out of 5

Would have given this a higher score if it wasn’t for the smokers who have a large portion of it and the smoke pervades the whole area. Putting the bar in the smoking area is gross.

Rolling Stone Rock Room

1 out of 5

Very dark lounge. The band was horrible - the music was good and they played well but their singing was cringe worthy. Really bad!

Sliding Dome Cover

5 out of 5

Opened and closed often as warranted. Much better than other cruise ships who often just leave it closed.

Lido Pool

3 out of 5

Small but nice.

Jogging Track

5 out of 5

Really good. Could do with some direction signs so everyone goes the same way

Entertainment

2 out of 5
There were several main shows but they were very basic, comedian, singer, dancers and the same 3 lounge entertainers every night - two pianists, a dreadful rock group and a pop/jazz ensemble. There was no classical music and no BBC Earth.

Billboard Onboard

3 out of 5

Dual pianists were entertaining but the bar service was really, really slow.

World Stage

3 out of 5

Seats were comfortable and views were unimpeded but it was too small. Lots of people sat there all evening as there was nothing else to do. Many people could not get in.

Music Walk

1 out of 5

3lounges - very, very loud. No where else to go.

Lincoln Center Stage

1 out of 5

Non/existent in this cruise with no explanation. Very disappointed.

B.B. King's Blues Club

2 out of 5

Very popular but also very small so the noise was deafening.

BBC Earth In Concert

1 out of 5

Non-existent on this voyage with no explanation

Art Gallery

2 out of 5

Non-existent for the first half of the cruise.

Children's Programs

Not travelling with children.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5
Room stewards Buda and Bruno are the best we have ever had on 28 cruises. Dani in Club Orange tried incredibly hard but the servers in the buffet and the main dining room waiters were often surly and unwelcoming.

Ship Quality

4 out of 5
Very clean. Pretty ship.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Very clean, well appointed and comfortable. Great view.

Ship tip

Don’t do it unless you’re physically challenged and over 80.

Ports of call

Vancouver (Canada Place), British Columbia

1 out of 5
Vancouver is lovely but the port is terrible.

Nawiliwili, Kauai

5 out of 5
Good location. Did the plantation train excursion - very good

Lahaina, Maui

4 out of 5
Very nice. Did the luau at the Hyatt Regency was not only the highlight of the trip but easily the best ship shore excursion we’ve ever done.

Honolulu, Oahu

3 out of 5
Good day but as always felt ripped off in Waikiki. Did the Waikiki On Your Own bus. Very expensive for a simple bus ride

Kailua-Kona, Hawaii

3 out of 5
Lots of line ups to get back to the ship. Didn’t do an excursion - just went for a walk.

Hilo, Hawaii

1 out of 5
First day stayed on the ship but we were bored to tears and it was crowded. Second day did the waterfalls and historic Hilo which is not an attractive town.

Victoria, British Columbia

3 out of 5
We live here so stayed on board but it was crowded and boring.

Disembarkation

2 out of 5
The ship was very slow with the self-assist and we were very late getting off even though we had priority as Club Orange and almost missed our private transport. The port itself was quick and easy.
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9 Comments

laprairiegirl    1 year ago

LOL. Your comment about the highlight of the day was knitting or origami made me laugh.

byhisgrace    1 year ago

Appreciate your feedback

Gwbigdog    1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

RandyKaren22    1 year ago

Very accurate review I would say. Thankyou

javawoody    1 year ago

Appreciate your view

CruzeFan    1 year ago

Always research and know what you are getting. Holland America is great if you don’t need to constantly be entertained to have a good time.

enjoyurdaysmile    1 year ago

My husband and I took Holland America on the westerdam and it was okay. But you are right, there's really not much to do although the staff was very wonderful. Our cruise director Sarah was very lovely and she had a lot of class. It wasn't that many things still on the ship I don't believe as we had cruised in 2016. We went to the club at night to dance and nobody was there and we would like this not for us. We took this Cruise because the itinerary was good. I hope in the future that you cruise with another cruise line.

cruising2004    1 year ago

Thank you for sharing your cruising experience. Sorry you were disappointed.

AuntPinkie    1 year ago

Appreciate your detailed review. Glad you enjoyed your ports of call. Sorry you were disappointed in the cruise overall.

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