12 Things I Didn't Expect From Holland America
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 сен 2024
- Join me as I share my experience on my 18-night cruise to Hawaii onboard Holland America's Koningsdam. As someone who has been on many cruises, I was excited to see what this line and ship had to offer. In this video, I'll share my first impressions of HAL and I'll also talk about some of the standout features of the ship, including the Dining Room and the Lido Deck.
I'll give you a tour of my inside cabin and share my thoughts on the ship's cleaning and maintenance. Finally, I'll touch on the food onboard the ship and share some of my favourite dining experiences. So sit back, relax, and join me on this journey as I explore the Koningsdam.
Links to my other Holland America Koningsdam Videos
Food Video 1 - • Koningsdam Food Review...
Food Video 2 - • Cruise Ship Food Chall...
Inside Cabin Tour - • EPIC 18 Day Cruise | H...
Link to HAL Koningsdam Menus
ko-fi.com/s/90...
#cruise #hollandamerica #koningsdam
Please subscribe to my channel, it REALLY helps me and costs absolutely nothing. Click here to subscribe:
/ @cruiseshowuk
🎉 Love my content? You can now support me by buying me a coffee! Your support helps me create even more awesome content. Click the following link buymeacoffee.c... - thank you for your generosity and for being a part of this amazing community! ☕️✨
My sister and I cruised on the Zaandam out of Boston to Canada last September. It is one of their oldest and smallest ships. We did have a great time. I think, though, when you're doing a review you need to talk about things that aren't great as well as things that are so you're doing a good job with that. I don't think any of the cruise lines I've been on since covid which would include Carnival, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Norwegian, and Holland America we're staffed to their pre covid levels and that does make a difference.
Thanks Aimee! I’ve got to give the good with the, not so good things. Otherwise there’s no point and it’s my opinion after all.
I appreciate the feedback and your support.
I agree with you on the staffing levels across all the lines. They say they can’t get staff to return… I don’t buy that, I think they want a reduced level to keep costs down…. For now at least! David
We did 14 days on Zaandam in Feb 2023 from Fl to San Diego via the Panama Canal. We stayed in a Neptune suite as in past. We did not care for the ship at all. Entertainment was bad. 14 days one would think the ship would have been packed with things for people to do. Many sea days with nothing to do! The organ in middle of ship did not work. Not good. Food in MDR was just ok. Pinnacle Grill was awesome as always. Room staff too was awesome. I think everyone got sick to some degree to include my wife and I. I was down for two days (at sea) and her 3 days. We missed a port day because of her illness. HAL took a port away from us with no makeup itinerary. Not good. The Panama Canal itself was just ok. Was a bucket list trip. After one lock passage it was liking paint dry. Others said the same thing. We had a port balcony with was great and best location on a east to west voyage. Going to Alaska for 4th trip in 2024. Hope HAL comes back to old days or we will. E looking at another cruise line even though we are a 3 star Mariner. Thanks for sharing.
I disagree about the Crow’s Nest and the atrium. The Koningsdam is a beautiful ship and we’re returning to the ship for a second time in three weeks.
Thanks for commenting Scott. Don’t forget that I mention lots of good things too! 👍
We spent a great deal of time in the Crowsnest, as it was one of the few places you could see outside.
The whole POINT of that space.
It was always VERY popular, so it seems other passengers didn't agree with your "assessment".
The Grand Dutch Cafe was cramped, noisy, had only three tables at windows that were obstructed.
Funny you complain about the Excursion area in Crowsnest, to sing the praises of GDC, which is next to the Customer Service desk area.
The GDC *always* had loud line-ups next to it, and it's got constant traffic through it, but the CN is at the end of the ship, no traffic through, and the Excursions desk was empty for most of the cruise. 🤔🤔🤔🤔
We were on the Koningsdam in February, out of San Diego. We were told by one of the crows nest employees that the bar was getting a complete remodel when the ship was in dry dock. It looks far less cozy than when we were aboard and that's a shame. It was one of our favorite places on the ship.
I also see no problem with the Crow's Nest, as far as using it for multiple things. That just makes it usable for a wider audience. I also sometimes wish HAL ships had a larger atrium, as the activities they have in the atrium on the Princess Regal class ships, for example, are entertaining, and it's a nice place for so many people from the ship to gather.
@jbw9999 Thanks for watching again and taking the time to leave a comment. Best wishes, David
Where is the meal review? The link at the end only gives the room review. We find your information useful and want to view your food review on the Koningsdam. Thanks‼️
Hello and thanks for watching! The food videos are coming in a few days. I’ll be flying back to London tomorrow, but promise to get the food ones out asap! David
How do I view the food review? Thanks
Hello Teresa. I’ve now made the video live on RUclips- you can see it here… ruclips.net/video/eveyiiegfvM/видео.html
@@CruiseShowUK thanks - loving the content. The best on RUclips by a mile. Keep the good work up
David - Great video - We didn't use the retreat, but all of your other comments were 100% spot on! Loved that you included photos of the pathetic upholstery in the Lido Market. They had someone on board who was reupholstering those chairs 4 or 5 a day, so by the end of the cruise, they were all good again. Shame on Holland for letting the chairs get into that condition! Overall we had a great cruise experience. Sadly disembarking in Vancouver was just as bad or worse as embarkation. Sad!
Hello from the UK on Coronation Day!! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and I’m glad you agreed with me.
Yes I did notice as the cruise went on, those chairs had been rectified. They looked much good as new after. Shame we had to see them in poor condition.
Like you, we also had a great cruise overall….. That Vancouver terminal though!!!! Hideous embarkation and chaotic disembarkation! I’ll avoid taking a cruise from Vancouver in future.
Best wishes, David
David was spot on with those chairs. I went on the same ship out of San Diego in January 2023. Those Lido chairs were the worst I’ve EVER seen on a cruise ship. No one reupholstered those chairs the entire week. I was afraid to sit down fear that my clothing would snag. They should be ashamed of having them out.
Well this is great timing!! Thanks David :-)
I love to try new lines - HAL is certainly different to others. Very much appreciate you commenting! PS Jeans definitely allowed in the theatre on HAL. 🎭
Hi David, thank you so much for your honest review of Home Americas Conan Stan.
My husband and are in the process of deciding whether or not to go on home America, celebrity, or the yacht club on MSC cruises.
Your comments about the ship to dry dock and things not being corrected suchships on tables. I watch videos on RUclips and have learned that just because the ship goes into dry dock. It doesn’t mean that everything on the ship will be fixed. I don’t remember which cruise line this was from but I think it might’ve been Holland America when the ship gets revolutionized and then everything gets fixed on that ship. Maybe when it goes into the dry dog maybe only the washroom get replaced or the carpeting gereplaced and get fixed. So not everything on the ship gets refurbished.
I really enjoyed your comments about the cabana. I’m trying to convince my husband to go for the cabana, but he says we’re always spending a lot of money to go on a cruise so he doesn’t wanna spend extra to get a cabana. If you go on an HAL cruise, I want to go in the cabana at least on the. It was good to hear that you get a Butl
and the Butler will get you food from any part of the restaurants on the ship.
Ja
Hello and thanks so much for watching the video.
I really like the MSC Yacht Club, I feel you get a lot for your money and I love the high level of service.
Regarding the dry dock/refurbishments. It costs the cruise lines a lot of money to take the ships out of service and they keep this time as short as possible. So, it’s usually only minor things that get replaced/refurbished. It’s never enough for us as passengers. We expect the ship to come back like new, but in reality it’s not like that.
Thanks again and hope you are cruising somewhere amazing very soon!
Best wishes, David
Doing second sailing on her in Jan 2025 for 18 Hawaiian Circle cruise. We liked this ship and all it has to offer. Was on Zaandam in Feb 2023 for Panama Canal trip from Fl to San Diego. We did not enjoy this ship and found it to be our least favorite from HAL. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. Much appreciated!!
Have a great time on the Koningsdam. I loved our trip to Hawaii on her. It’s a good sized ship with just the right amount of passengers too.
Best wishes, David
Thanks for your review! We have been on Koningsdam and enjoyed the ship. The atrium is not the most grand, however, we really enjoy the layout of the ship, the Grand Dutch cafe, the lido pool and lounging places, the NY pizza and overall service and enjoyment of HAL is great! We will have to check out a cabana! I agree, an inside cabin can be just fine and you get the same excellent service as all other cabin experiences. Thanks David!
Thanks so much for watching! Yes the Koningsdam is a fine ship. Lots to enjoy. David
Hi, I been subscribed to your videos for some time now and must say I really like your format & honest down to earth reviews.
Perhaps not quite as technically smooth as one or two others out there but even that has come on exponentially over time.
What stands out is that you say it as it is, you give your own experiences both good & importantly bad and cover what we want to know.
Ok some may not necessarily agree with your views but it’s refreshing to get your views rather than simply a super smooth advertorial video where the commentators present everything as being perfect. Well done.
Hello and thank you so much for the comments. You’ve summed up exactly how I want the channel to be. Honest, with good and the bad points of view.
Not everyone agrees with me, and that’s a good thing!
I’d love to hear how I can be more technically smooth!!! I’d honestly welcome any feedback.
Thanks so much for being a subscriber, I really do appreciate you Richard.
Best wishes, David
That cabin looks lovely! 🥰
It certainly was! I really liked the bathroom - the shower was ginormous. Thanks for commenting Emma.
Comments were spot on!
Thanks so much for watching and I appreciate you taking the time to leave a comment. David
Nice to see you back. Very interesting review , we’ve been on 2 HAL cruises both out in the Far East on the Volendam quite a few years ago even back then people didn’t dress up on the formal nights my hubby felt out of place with his tuxedo on. Your a man after my own heart I do love a mudslide and a BBC I’ve never thought about asking them to make them if there not on the list, good tip will do so in the future.
Thanks Wendy! Interesting to hear your husband also felt out of place…. Honestly, it was like something out of a film, where strangers walk into a local bar… the music halts and people turn and stare in tandem!! That’s how I felt!!! Haha!!
I’m happy you also love the mudslide and BBC!! They are a firm favourite and cruise staple for me!!
Best Wishes, David
Thank you once again for your honest, well-balanced and informative content David. Tendering and embarkation from San Diego were issues for this years 35 nighter Hawaii, Tahiti & Marquesas too. We've been caught out by the dress-code in the past so appreciate the heads up 🤣 - it will save us some packing weight. Looking forward to your upcoming Food video and how you found it in comparison with Princess. Best wishes to you both.
Thanks so much for watching as always. I really appreciate you commenting too! Best Wishes, David
Great timing, David! We're going on our first Holland America cruise later this month. I love your bar graph showing all your cruises!
Thanks Heather. I hope you have a great time. Let me know how you get on. Also I do love a graph!
Thank you for your assessment. HAL has some nice ships emanating elegance. However, the Koningsdam atrium looks more like it's made out of 'livestock fencing'. They've turned the Crows Next into some kind of hodgepodge. I'll book with HAL again, but on this ship.
Lol! I know exactly what you mean about the cattle fencing!! It really was a lovely ship, just a few areas that I really didn’t care for. Thanks for watching. David
Interesting video! Koningsdam’s atrium looks impressive on video, but I guess it doesn’t have the same effect in person!
Hi and thanks for watching. Yes maybe it looks interesting on the video, and remember it’s only my opinion. I just didn’t ‘get’ that huge metal thing… it often felt like a cage!
I still found the ship to be very ‘classy’ and I’ve enjoyed my time aboard. I would sail on her again in future.
The port backup of people has to do with the Port of Vancouver. Not Holland America. Port of Vancouver is notorious for being slow and crowded like that.
Thanks for commenting
Good morning! Thank you for your video, the information was greatly appreciated. I was wondering if you heard anything about a Covid breakout on board during your cruise? There are several posts saying that most of the crew has Covid and many of the passengers.
Thanks for the question. The past 5 days, they asked us all to wear masks indoors, which I don’t have a problem with. I haven’t heard anything regarding numbers, but I think it is totally wrong to say most of the crew has Covid. It’s simply not true.
The Retreat/Cabana looks impressive. Did you book that ahead of time? (How). Did you get to pick which one you wanted?
We phoned Holland America ahead of the cruise to book the cabana. We booked the cabana relatively late so there were only three available, the agent let us choose which of the three we preferred.
sailing in 2 weeks. very happy to hear starling installed!
I think that Starlink has to be the new standard. It was superb. Let me know how you get on.
great video! Appreciate all the useful information.
And I appreciate you watching and taking the time to leave a comment! Thanks! David
Looks good. I don't think it's a cruise line for us, though
Thanks Ema. No I don’t think it’s for you guys either! We had a good time though.
Sounds like I should cancel both of my HAL cruises this year. 😢
No no!! We did really enjoy our cruise. The ship was very nice overall… just a few things that I didn’t like, but you can get that on any ship. Go and I’m sure you will enjoy it. David
We have sailed on Holland 3 times and love it. Classy!
Hi David how much is the package for mixed drinks an for soda
Hi Terry. Thanks for watching my video. Sorry, I don’t have the answer to your question. You best take a look at the cruise line website or log into your booking. You will find all the package prices in there. Have a great cruise! David
Thank you for the video. You are so well spoken. Wow - the worn upholstery and shabby tables are awful. What a turn off. I won’t be leaving Princess for Holland any time soon!
Hi and thanks for the nice comments. I will say, towards the end of the 18 night cruise, they did actually replace those horrible chairs.
And as for leaving Princess for Holland, I don’t think I would either. Having said that, I do have another Holland trip coming up, but I think I prefer Princess for lots of reasons.
Best Wishes, David
Vancouver was a very different and much poorer embarkation experience than Fort Lauderdale. I think the actual port facility has more impact on that than the cruise line.
Hi and thanks for the comment. Yes, I think it is due to the port/terminal, rather than the cruise line. It still left a bad first impression.
@@CruiseShowUK I agree. Our first ever cruise was on HAL out of Vancouver, and we had all sorts of trouble with signs directing us to the wrong location, and finding the luggage drop off. Then there were enormous queues for check in and security. All of this was spread between ballrooms in the conference center, and the basement. It was a very unpleasant experience.
Not looking forward to embarking in Vancouver in July! Thanks for the heads up.
Florida is a cesspool. Few people enjoy having to go through Florida.
Just returned from a trip to Alaska on the Koningsdam. Yes, embarkation was a nightmare with 3 large ships in port. This is not the fault of the cruise line. All passengers from the various ships in port join the same line together after checking in with their cruise line. First security, then US customs. You are leaving Canadian soil and deemed to be entering the US when you board the ships. This would add an extra step compared to embarking on a U.S. ship from a U.S. port. It took us 3 hours to finally get on board. Nowhere to sit, nothing to eat and nothing to drink.
Disembarkation was a breeze for us (Canadian citizens at least). Just handed our completed customs form to the customs officer who only glanced at it to make sure it was filled out.
We found the ship staff to be excellent and constantly saw people cleaning. They also go to great lengths to be environmentally conscientious.
Wow, that's dishonest.
I was ON THE SAME CRUISE, and I have photos ofvthe HUNDREDS of chairs.
Where were YOU, exactly 🤷
It was common knowledge that the Port Authority delayed early bording by three hours for compliance issues. They ANNOUNCED THAT, repeatedly.
Where were you? 🤷
We were there at 10AM, when disabled passengers, LIKE ME, were all seated at the doors AND BOARDED FIRST once boarding began.
Where were you? 🤷
Don't presume to speak FOR us, if YOU are not a disabled person. It's arrogant & ableist.
The ONLY folx who had a "problem" were those who arrived and THEN decided to demand a wheelchair and staff pusher to "deliver" them. HAL staff were detained on the ship, so all those who DEMANDED uneeded wheelchair service had to wait.
Any *genuinely* disabled folx, like me, BROUGHT THEIR OWN EQUIPMENT WITH THEM. We didn't just suddenly decide to DEMAND a WC.
The port was pristine, clearly marked, ***ACCESSIBLE***, and had hundreds of chairs waiting.
Funny how you pretend to care about disabled folx, but you IGNORE accessibility.
It's hilarious people claim they got "lost" in Canada Place, that seems ridiculous. The route is VERY straightforwsrd, clear, and well marked.
Pretending Canada Place is supposedly "inferior" to the many, MANY rudimentary, greasy, unfinished, inaccessible warehouses in US ports, that are at best rudimentary and cheap... Is HILARIOUS, and clearly jingoism, not an objective evaluation.
This seems like WHINING just to create content, not noting genuine issues.
Thank you for commenting. It is appreciated.
Geez, why the overreaction to some very mild critiques?
Thanks for commenting Sherry!