Koningsdam Review

5.0 / 5.0
866 reviews

Seems lots of budget cuts being made now at HA

Review for the Southern Caribbean Cruise on Koningsdam
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opusmartin
10+ Cruises • Age 50s

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Sail Date: Jan 2018
Cabin: Neptune Suite with Verandah

I organized this cruise for a group of our friends - 10 of us total and all in Neptune Suites. My sister took this ship last year and loved her experience, and we really had a great HA Alaskan cruise three years ago. This was my 1st 11 day - and I loved having the extra days at sea, and the late afternoon bay cruising after ST Lucia and Martinique. We were in room 7067 - right near the Neptune Lounge because we had such an amazing neptune lounge experience in Alaska. We when got on board, our suite was not very tidy. The floor had not been swept and there was literally crumbs from the previous guests. YUCK. I did politely ask our steward if they would vacuum and also requested proper red wine glasses to keep in our room - He did so and was very good the remaining of the trip. I did notice that the glass windows on the ship and even our balcony glass didn't get cleaned often - always spotted and dirty. The Neptune Lounge was our biggest dissapointment - the 2 girls working the lounge all 11 days seems to rather talk to one another over guests. They were nice, but not overly attentive. In Alaska our lounge mangers were amazing and suggested wonderful tours, these girls just printed sheets and left on your door. It seemed they really didn't know much about the ports - or offers on the ship. I would grab 2 coffees every morning and had to place a cup on the sofa and catch the doors with my foot and hope to not spill while they talked to one another.

The entertainment was also weak in my opinion. the same band every night at BB Kings - and limited times at other bars on board. I felt HA overall just really started to cut down on staff and they poor workers are tired and over worked. The dining room was horrific - we went one time as a table of 10 - it took forever to be serviced and we never got our courses together - made it awkward on when to eat or wait , etc. we never went back - had a couple bad experiences in Pinnacle too - Tamarind was very good and good service, as well as Sel De Mar and Culinary Arts - Canneleto Italian also very good. I don't like to complain, but I feel cruisers need the truth - and we each spent over 12,000 for our suites - plus more to eat every night - etc ... just not worth the charge. WE are all looking at Celebrity for a bermuda adventure next - I hate this, because I wanted o generate more mariner status. I think HA is catering more and more to the older crowd still as well - I understand this is their reputation, but you need more middle age guests to grow. Our suite was very nice - large balcony with table, 4 chairs and 2 lounge chairs. we could easily host our group of 10 for wine and cheese inside or out. But another disappointment were the cheap fried appetizers they brought for cocktail hour - then I asked for just cheese and charcuterie and crackers - they sent an obnoxious cheese chunk plate with a few grapes and saltine crackers. I am not joking.... Jonathan who managed Sel and Culinary Arts did send us a more appropriate cheese and meats board after I told him of my experience - he saved the party!

If you get a good deal on a room, and you want to relax, and not go out at night and don't mind paying more for the better restaurants, then go and I'm sure you will have fun - but be aware that it's hard to get a chair on sun decks - and if you go to the spa, remind the manger you don't want harassed about products and sales - the 299 hydro pool package was worth the money - it's a great area to unwind and enjoy. Gym is very nice too - but don't pay for yoga - no music and mats were cheap and smelled. you can use the yoga room on your own most of the time anyway. Because we could not get info on excursions, we just got off ship and took taxis most of the ports. I will say that St Thomas Sapphire Beach is amazing!!!! still with bar, restroom after hurricane and you can snorkel - Also the 5 star catamaran exclusion in Barbados was well worth the money spent - We did rent a cottage at Half Moon Cay for our group of 10 , and it's worth 1,000. In fact, I wish HA offered a short tip where you stay there for 2-3 days! It's that enjoyable. OH! don't listen about priority boarding, e tc - there are NO reps to direct you and it's a cluster.

Cabin Review

Neptune Suite with Verandah

Cabin SA

Cabin is spacious and nice - we did request extra padding on our bed, which they did with no issue. bathroom was wonderful - great pressure in shower, 2 nice sinks and toilet room with another sink. lovely balcony - the carpet is not very clean which freaked me out a bit, especially for a newer ship - nice tv - and storage

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