Koningsdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose the Kongingsdam last year when we were in Rotterdam, on the Rotterdam and saw the new Ship leave for the first time. It seemed bigger than we might want but smaller than the mega cruiseliners. So we booked on board at the future cruise consultants.
It is a beautiful ship, nicely appointed, lovely artwork even in the stairwells. I did notice the differences and yes I too miss the library, however there are so many lovely things, I think one just has to go with the flow. There are other HAL ships to love if this is not your cup of tea. We book Neptune suites and on the Koningsdam these are wonderful places. In the suite my wife misses the little changing area which was replaced by a separate room for sink and toilet, personally I found it not great use of space. The room is beautiful, color soothing, flat screen on the wall over the couch. Loved the room. And always love the Neptune Lounge. Changes here include a different presentation of food which I didn't love as one has to take the plates as they are presented. Other ships let you choose as you like. Small thing. To us a suite is worth the price.
Main dining room just beautiful, every meal was just wonderful. The staff just lovely. Specialty restaurants: Sel de Mar, a wonderful addition to the Pinacle Grill and Tamarind. Sea food perfectly fresh, perfectly cooked, perfectly presented. Farm to table restaurant was also worth a visit. Dive, NY Deli and Pizza, Lido...I never understand people who are not pleased with their meals onboard. We travel and visit restaurants around the world. It is very VERY hard to beat the food on board. Last night we went to Ruth's Chris in LA...the steak was much better at the Pinnacle Grill. As to room service: very prompt, hot coffee,but every breakfast order was incorrectly filled. A small item but still. The room stewards always excellent and this time no exception.
Cabin Review
Neptune Suite with Verandah
Very pretty, nicely appointed, great TV, comfortable bed. All in all a great cabin, my wife missed the makeup/change area. Wonderful shower and bath, double sinks a nice touch, lovely mirrors. Didn't ever use the espresso in room machine.
Port Reviews
Rome (Civitavecchia)
We arrived in Rome and took a car to Civitavecchia for a night and day. Been to Rome several times. Small town, not very interesting but served the purpose.
Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Walking tour, beautiful clean city.
Barcelona
What a wonderful city! This is our third visit. Booked Park Guell tix before leaving home and spent a lovely morning/afternoon there. Have already been to many of the highlights so walking around and being at ease was terrific.
Cartagena (Spain)
An adorable city right on the water. Walking around, having a coffee, perhaps renting a Segway. Again, been here before, love the architecture and the narrow streets.
Gibraltar
Last time we took a great tour to the top. This time we stayed in the town at the bottom. There was a fair with a fund raiser for the local police. Charming city with a large number of synagogues! Very friendly and kind people and shops everywhere selling stuffed monkey dolls! The airport runway crossing the highway to the boarder is one of the strangest places I have seen!
Brugge (Bruges)
Well this was a highlight for us. Last time we were to go to Brugge on Eurodam the winds in Cherbourg were so high we had to stay in port and miss Brugge. We took the complementary bus from the ship to town. Walked a few blocks to the train station at Blankenberg, bought two tix (about 5 euro each round trip) and took a ten or fifteen minute trip to Brugge. Walked about half hour to the center of town and WOW! Enough said. The architecture, the feeling, the people....just go. It is so worth it. And never again will you see so many chocolate stores, side by side.
Amsterdam
Post cruise spent two nights at the Avenue Hotel, an authentic hotel just a few blocks from the train station and ten minute cab from port. Great breakfast included. it is a two start but just perfect for a few days of walking and visiting. Nice folks and reasonably priced. Amsterdam is a big bustling city with lots of young people and folks from all around the world. Everyone seems to eat street food, not to many great restaurants. maybe it is all the pot shops...everyone has the munchies all the time :)