We are experienced "cruisers" who often sail with Holland America, and like their small ships and elegant ambiance. However, we choose our cruises by itinerary, and so we found ourselves on The Koningsdam--the biggest ship we've ever been on--because it was going to Norway, a place we'd never been. Now, I know The Koningsdam is not really a mega-ship like some of the floating cities that are out there. But it loomed over most of the ports, and is big enough that I didn't gain weight despite all the food because of walking from one end to the other several times a day. We did like the ship, actually. I thought it was elegant in a different way. Some of the things I really liked were the two-story area around the Lido pool with the comfy little alcoves all around the second floor. I liked the weird, intimate, little theater with its innovative technology using lights and images to enhance the entertainment. I liked the "Music Walk" with excellent musicians around each bend, including a wonderful string quartet with its own venue. I really liked the free "Navigator App" passengers can download on their phones to access the daily schedule, menus, personal account and even use for communication with your traveling companions.

What I didn't particularly like was the smaller state rooms with a strange little cubical coffee table taking up so much space in front of the tiny sofa. And why doesn't Holland America put a night light in the bathroom. (A hint I learned from Cruise Critic: bring a couple of little battery-operated tea lights to leave on at night.)

As for food--we ate mostly in the Lido for breakfast and lunch, and the main dining room for dinner. There were many choices, and I thought everything was good. We ate once in the Canaletto (good Italian food, but nothing extraordinary in service or atmosphere), and once in the Culinary Arts Center (where the service was efficient and friendly, but the menu kind of odd. We had fun, but again not really worth extra money in my opinion). The Lido was always hectic at breakfast, and sometimes it was hard to find a seat. The "Dive In" by the pool has wonderful hamburgers and the best French Fries I have ever eaten--I'm not kidding! You can also get pizza made to order, good sandwiches and salad at the "New York Deli" on the second floor overlooking the pool. The main dining room had a nice menu, well prepared. But it is very noisy. We like to meet new people and have had great dinner conversations, but it can be hard to hear each other. We never made reservations, so sometimes we had to wait in line. But even people with reservations had to wait. Read more