A 19-day cruise on HAL's new Pinnacle-class ship, Koningsdam, was an unique opportunity to enjoy another Holland America Lines vacation. On this trip my wife and I cruised with another couple and it is fair to say we'd all give the experience our highest accolades on most though not all counts, as noted below. My wife and I have cruised on HAL ships twice before, and also on Regent, Seabourn, SeaDream, Silversea and other upscale ships. Koningsdam, though larger than any of the ships in those cruise lines mentioned, provides an equally wonderful experience, at least as good as those others.

The ship itself is wonderful, architecturally spectacular and beautiful. Interior decor is colorful in an attractive way, upbeat and in good taste. Flower arrangements in public spaces are magnificent. Everywhere one turns floor to ceiling windows are framing ocean/sea/island/fishing boat views. Our perfect weather added to the magic. Koningsdam features two swimming pools on the Lido (9th level) deck, with the main one covered at night, allowing for full-length movies shown at 7:30 and 10 p.m. Guests lounge in the plentiful deck furniture and munch on complimentary pizza, sandwiches, nachos and popcorn, watching movies either made in or related to the countries we visited on this cruise--Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia and Albania. Ship and decor are A+, reflective of HAL's goal of producing a top-of-the line experience with this new ship. Just one small negative: one must sit almost side-saddle on the commode. Trying to sit in a normal, straightforward way leads to one's knees banging (literally) into the glass shower wall, even if a person has short legs. TMI?

Onboard activities are more than plentiful, and for all ages. The spa offers full exercise amenities, saunas, a large jacuzzi, and a wide range of personal services at relatively reasonable prices, with discounts on different services offered each day. The casino, like the entire ship interior, is smoke-free and nicely done...though not busy even at night as best I have observed. The library has interesting books and quite a few word games, puzzles, etc., with tables available nearby. For those enjoying cocktail time there are lots of bars. One positive for me, as a non-drinker, is that the cruise fare does not include free liquor or even soft drinks or bottled water, so non-drinkers are not paying to subsidize drinkers. Water, coffee and hot or iced tea are free with meals and the serving staff has been wholly accommodating in brewing caffeine-free tea, then adding ice, to serve us and the couple with whom we are traveling. I would give onboard activities an A. Read more