We choose Holland America Koningsdam for a couple of reasons. Both my wife and myself are of Dutch background so we wanted to try this cruise line. We both has birthdays when we were aboard so that was another great excuse. Upon our departure I read some of the negative reviews on this ship and was somewhat apprehensive. We had a wonderful time, loved the food and enjoyed the majestic Koningsdam. Of course there is no perfection in everything and we totally understand that.
Positives: Food, we choose the Ultimate Dining package. Blend, what a great deal! For $79 you tasted wine, blended your own, got to take the bottle back to your cabin and received a $50 onboard ship account credit per person. Cooking Class's: we took two of them and enjoyed ourselves immensely. Casino: with $20 my wife turned it into $470 on the Wheel of Fortune game (rare I know but it does make for a pleasant experience) Embark & Disembark: Flawless. Room Stewarts: wonderful hard working and fun people and the monkey made out a towels that was hanging in our room one night was incredible. Cabin: first time we had a verandah on a cruise and will never settle for less in the future.
Negatives: Finding a lounge chair out of the direct sun especially on sea days. Entertainment: Last comedian was a joke (no pun intended) old jokes and I have no idea who brought him on the ship to entertain. Finding a table in the Ledo in the morning for breakfast was often a challenge.
Lots of storage and the Verandah was great. We were in the stern on the 8th Floor