Nov. 29, 2017 - Dec. 10, 2017  HAL Koningsdam:

11 night Southern Caribbean Wayfarer

Cruise stats from this cruise:

Officers and Crew: 997
Nationalities of Crew: 39
Water Produced: 2,135,826 Gallons
Average Speed: 16.1 knots
Miles Traveled: 3010 Miles
Fuel Used: 232,470 Gallons
Eggs Consumed: 99,000

Our last cruise was also on the Koningsdam.  Obviously we like it!  I took a ton of pictures of the ship that cruise and I took a ton more this time.  I will try to mostly include photos in this blog of stuff I didn't include in by Koningsdam blog from 2016.  So to see my Koningsdam pictures from our Dec. 2016 cruise, click  here: Koningsdam, Dec. 2016

On to this cruise.  Although we were on the same cruise ship, there were quite a few differences.  Such as this was an "O, the Oprah Magazine Adventure of your Life Cruise".  Basically that got us a few extra things----like free T-shirt, magazine, inspirational cards, book from Oprah (which I haven't looked at yet), plus optional activities onboard and on Halfmoon Cay (talks from special guests, a talk from a magazine editor and ability to check out or buy her book, even yoga on the beach.)  Most of the activities we didn't partake in, although I did get the book and found it interesting.  The "O" experienced started even before boarding the ship.  That's when "you get one, and you get one, and you get one"---of the T-shirts.  They also had backdrops like this where you could have your picture taken. I'm not sure, but I think this was the 2nd of about 4 Oprah cruises.  Initially I had my misgivings about being on an "O" cruise and being bombarded with all Oprah stuff---not that I dislike Oprah, I just didn't want it forced on me.  Turned out all the added activities and giveaways were bonuses, in my opinion.

On to our room.  This time we were in a VA cabin, mid ship on the right side----8065.  Conveniently located between the forward and middle elevators and stairways.  Last time we were in a VQ spa cabin --- 10031.  Loved that room being on level 10 and near the forward elevators.  Thought I'd like the 8065 just as much, but didn't like the extended overhang over our room.  As a photographer, I wanted all the sky I could get for sunset.  So I usually ended up on level 11 or 12 for sunset.  Other than that and being a bit farther away from where I went to take sunset pictures, I was happy with the room.  Only experienced noise one night and that's when one of our neighbors decided to carry on and hoot and holler until after 1 in the morning (don't know how long they would have continued if we hadn't called customer service).

I didn't remember the socket set up, so I took a picture of it---1 usb port and 1 regular plug on each side of the bed.

on the desk there were 2 more usb ports and 3 regular plugs, plus a couple universal plugs(?).  There were plenty of outlets for all my electronic gadgets.

The rooms weren't huge, but big enough.

typical small bathroom, but nice size shower.  I didn't miss the tub.

more outlets in the bathroom.  Love the lighted mirror

The verandah was deeper on the VA cabin. 

as a comparison, this is the verandah on the VQ spa cabin.  It was smaller, but I still found it comfortable---just had to turn the chair more to use the ottoman.  

The muster drills are now indoors.  This was where our VA muster station was--the balcony of the Queen's Lounge.  Last year our VQ muster station was in the casino.

Looking down to the lower level of the Queens Lounge.

the family Lido pool with the roof closed.

just inside the Lido restaurant is the Canaletto restaurant. 

About 1/4 of the Lido restaurant.

A new addition that I was really excited to see!  I've always had trouble getting decaf tea on ships.  I could always find some here and usually 2 or 3 choices.

serve yourself beer! 

Wonder if many people used it?  Wonder how many ounces of foam you get per glass for $.50/ounce.

The soda machines.  They could be a good deal at $8/day.  Contrary to what I've read, the sales person said we'd only have to buy one and we could share it.  We thought about it, but don't drink that much soda ordinarily so decided to turn it down.

one of the seating areas on the outside lido deck.

Back to the beverage packages.

the set up in the Crow's Nest where the CruiseCritic meet and greet was.

One day they had a Bloody Mary Bar set up on the Lido deck.

Lots of people seemed to enjoy the Gelato station.  Looked good, but we didn't try it.

some of the artwork along the walls by the elevators.

more

The World stage.

They held port talks at the World Stage.  I only got to the first talk about the first 3 ports were were going to and found it really interesting.  Wanted to go to the other one, but was busy doing something else.

I didn't even know they had 2 areas to dock in St. Lucia!  We had never docked on that side before. 

The modern Atrium.

interesting floral arrangement.

hallway by the Test Kitchen.

The Blend across from the Test Kitchen.

Holland America is known for it's array of real flower floral arrangements.  They definitely have some unique ones.

The Dutch Restaurant.  I tried to get some pea soup there at about 11:15 one day but they said to come back at 11:30 when they started lunch service. 

the menu

Love the musical theme throughout the ship.

taken to show the Obstructed view cabins---above.  Looks like you could see out to a distance, just not down.

The "tea dance" in the Queen's lounge.  They had a tea here every day from about 3:15-3:45, but only did the "dance" twice during our 11 night cruise.  The ships band performed for the dance and was outstanding.

Just outside the Billboard piano bar.

I assume you could purchase drinks here, but we never saw anyone there.  There certainly was a great variety of Bourbons and such.

More of the artwork around the ship.

the stairwell in the middle of the casino

more artwork on one of the stairways.

Another great addition to cruising---being able to use our smart phone for onboard stuff!  At first I did have trouble connecting to it.  Last time I think I just had to tell it to connect to Koningsdam wi-fi.  This time I had to open a browser and type "login.com"

the home screen

more of the home screen.

Loved that you could actually check out the events of future days, too!  No more having to wait for the  daily paper navigators.

Also liked being able to pull up our itinerary on our tv.

The entertainment was great before, but this time it was even more spectacular. 

Took these when I arrived too late to hear the "no photography" speech.

Don't know how long this band has been on the Koningsdam, but I don't remember them a year ago.  This year they made quite the impression.

My usual perch for sunset.  I discovered the exhaust fans by the end of the jogging track made a great breeze.

Nearing sunset near the back of the ship---don't people enjoy sunsets?

peeking into the digital workshop.

there was a talk about Go-Pros.  I had considered them before buying my most recent underwater camera, so found this really interesting.  They actually sell them on board. Had I been to this talk before, I might have a Go-Pro now.

People take pictures of the PDX carpet, so I thought why not start a new thing by taking pictures of the Koningsdam carpet?!

Many more people used the jogging track this time then last year---even though it may not look like it in this picture.

Test Kitchen was new since last time.  Pretty much the same as the culinary exhibitions they use to do, but you don't get samples of the food anymore.  That was disappointing.

But the presentations were still very good.

 During the evening, the test kitchen became another pay restaurant.  This is the menu for it.  We didn't go to it, but I understand they cook the meal in front of you.

One day they did  Ask the Captain and Hotel Director activity on the World Stage.  It was very interesting and the Captain, Darin Bowland, and Hotel Director, Don Habets, were a hoot.  Even the Cruise Director, Christina Purcell couldn't keep a straight face.

Back to the World Stage. 

Back to another restaurant.  Great burgers and dogs here!

Great fries, too!

Peeking into the Caneletto as we were heading into the Lido Restaurant

Up to level 12 to the Crow's Nest.  A nice assortment of games to check out

The floral arrangement outside of the Crow's Nest.  I've never seen decorative cabbage in a flower arrangement before---but I like it!

the casino

another floral arrangement show casing a musical instrument

The spirits shop

The gallery by the shops.

nice sitting area along the walkway

peeking into more of the shops.

the sitting area for the Dutch restaurant.

another of the interesting pieces of artwork near an elevator.

back to the Lido restaurant.

the only self serve area.  I guess they figure if you want dessert you can risk getting sick---and we took the risk!

Love the salad bar!

the sports deck.

Didn't notice this last year.  An open shower on the sports deck!  There aren't any pools up here!  Wonder who would take a shower on the sports deck!

the shorter bump outs to the right of the middle of this picture are the showers!

The aft pool

the freaky stairwell over the ocean.

here is where you can hang out if you rent a cabana.

There's the spot I like to stand at for sunset.  One day they decided that was the time they should wash it and made me leave.  So in case you ever wondered if they wash the sports deck, Yes, they do.

Another secluded lounging area near the front of the ship on level 14, I think.

The future cruise booking area.  We showed up and found out you can actually reserve a time---if you came in earlier.  Never heard anything about that so we waited the hour or so to get in between reservations. 

the test kitchen restaurant.

love the etched windows in the test kitchen

the many recipe cards they have in the test kitchen

looking down on the customer service desk

the specialty restaurant Sel de Mer menu

how the activities show up on the smart phone navigator

chatting with the cook in the test kitchen

one of the daytime BBC shows on the Lido deck movie screen

stairway from Lido deck pool area to the New York Deli and a bar on level 10

Lido set up for some kind of tasting.

the Queens lounge set up for a Tea Dance.

treats at the Tea Dance

the great ship's band again.

Treats in the Lido restaurant

another station

and another

the sandwich station

the well used salad station.  It was usually very crowded at lunchtime, but not so crowded for dinner.

sandwich station again

more of the salad station.

carving station.  There were always 2 kinds of carving meats here.  The soups were here, too.  I discovered late in the cruise that the soups are really good.

international station.  Foods here changed daily---although the Mongolian grill always remained.  It was even busier then the salad station.  On the other side of the ship, the international station was always Italian food.

the stations in the Lido buffet restuarant

in the shops----an interesting jewelry shop.

neat ring and guard.

my birth stone

The Billboard piano bar.  They would have free appetizers in here on some nights

The Cruise Director, Christina Purcell.  She did a really good job and has a great speaking voice.

The ship's dancers.  They were very good, too.

The Chocolate extravaganza done one night!  Nicely done!

Lots of waiters bringing around trays of goodies.

The chocolate extravaganza was across from the Queen's Lounge.

I understand this was their final cruise before being off for awhile

More of the servers

such personable young men.

Interesting artwork on more stair wells.

More entertainment---the strings in the Lincoln Center.

They didn't say no photography before the last performance, so I took a few more photos

more interesting music artwork.

This was a cruise just a couple months after the devastation Hurricanes Irma and Maria.  So I posted photos on Instagram with the #Still the Caribbean hashtag.  I actually got a comment from halcruises asking if they could feature one of my photos in their promoted advertising from their social media profiles.  Not sure what that means, but I said sure. It was a picture I took in St. Thomas.

I had heard that they didn't do cruise logs anymore, so I was happy to get this on the last day.

The Koningsdam is a big ship that feels like a small one.  It's not the old traditional type ship.  Lots of modern decor.  I would guess they're trying to attract a younger crowd, but us old folks still liked it.  I wouldn't hesitate to sail on her again.