This was our fifth cruise with HAL and as we have always thoroughly enjoyed other trips we have done with this line our expectation of a bigger, grander, newer version of the Volendam and Veendam was high.
First impressions were good, the boarding process in Amsterdam went off without a hitch and we were particularly impressed when our bags arrived at out Cabin before we did. We were very pleased with our Vista Suite, which had everything we could have wanted, the shower was great, the TV, etc. Although We both felt certain commentaries should have been relayed to the cabins, such as information on upcoming Ports and Sail aways as these could have been more comfortably viewed from private balconies and not only from public areas that were so crowded that it was impossible to find a seat anywhere unless you were seated half an hour early, particularly if you were in a large group (We had ten).
The biggest problem in our opinion was that the public areas, bars, Dining room, Lido Dining and Pool etc. were all approximately a similar size as the ones on the Volendam etc., the difference being the Koningsdam had approximately 1,000 more passengers. This was a disaster on Sea Days and very hard to find a place for 10 people to congregate at any time, especially near any of the music venues as many (as we did) enjoyed the music, the Quintet was marvellous as was BB Kings - however any noise from the adjacent Bar area was always met with frowns!
Cabin was excellent, however our 2 cabin Stewards appeared to have responsibility for more cabins than usual. they worked very hard, although we hardly saw them, the cabin was kept in very good order.