Hubby and I did an 18-day cruise to Hawaii on the Koningsdam. We were very pleased with all aspects of the ship. There were plenty of live music choices. People were having a blast dancing in BB Kings every night. The food was wonderful in all the venues. As for things to do, we don’t generally go for the activities. We would rather enjoy the views and relax. We usually managed to get loungers at the pool but that could be because there were very few children on that particular cruise. I wouldn’t hesitate to cruise on the Koningsdam again. Everyone has different tastes and expectations so I’m sure you could find people that were on that cruise that have lots of complaints.

Thank you for making this video for this ship as I have never cruised and have been considering an Alaska cruise and a Hawaii cruise as well. I am a new subscriber to your channel. I had originally hoped to cruise this fall 2024, BUT due to lost income due to 2 seperate injuries, which has put me out of work for 8 weeks each this year, I have to delay my cruise Itinerary another year or two. Happy cruising and look forward to future videos. Blessings and Peace 🕊 🙏 ✝️

I was on the Koningsdam last November in 2023 and had a great time! I even recognized some of the crew members you filmed in this video. 😂 Didn’t think the food was that bad but certainly had better. But yes, agree to the long line up at the buffet. Not sure why Holland still hasn’t return to self-serve style. All in all, going again this September to AK. 🥰

The food served in the main dining room is excellent. We have cruised the Mediterranean , Atlantic, and Pacific and Caribbean on the Koningsdam. You are right about the dining room being the prettiest on the sea. The Dutch Deli has become so popular that it suffers due to lineups, so don't be impatient...the wait is worth it! If you ask, they will prepare a nice charcuterie for you. As for your continuous use of the word crowded...this ship is no more crowded that any other ships. I would like to see them make the casino smoke free. Not all players smoke. surely they can go outside at the stern for their "pleasure" and let the rest gamble without breathing in their smoke.

You can call the main dining room in the morning and make a reservation for that evening. No long waits.

Thanks a lot for sharing important information about Koningsdam. We will be boarding on Aug 3/24. We are regular cruisers of Princess Cruises. So I hope we will like HAL. I subscribed to your blog bcoz I like your style of very detailed descriptions about cruise ships. God richly bless you more and more as you continue to inform people about cruise ships.❤🎉🎉

Boarding her at end of March 2024 for a cruise. We always book a Neptune suite with HAL. Enjoy the benefits that come with that level. Thanks for sharing.

Excellent video review. Thanks for posting. Since 1983, my wife and I have been on 22 cruises, with six cruise lines. During the last few years, we have noticed an overall decline in housekeeping, food quality and entertainment. Have you noticed that too?

A quote comes to mind, 'opinions are like mothers. Everybody has one'. For a complete perspective of HAL and if it is good for you, I would suggest factoring in the 98% of KZfaqrs with glowing comments. If you do book, I sure as heck wouldn't use a travel agent who does not see it's value.

This ship cruises Alaska. What do they do with the pool in cold climates? Do you know if the hot tubs would be open? Since we could care less about activities, I'm thinking this would be a good ship to cruise to Alaska. We exhaust ourselves in port. That salad bar looks amazing!

Oh my My sister took Holland in 1964 You can get the super best value AND luxury it’s def Dr Gari S 4 sure !

This is quite surprising - HAL has very loyal customers and most of them sing the praises of this ship. Even the buffet gets high ratings. I'll see for myself when I try it out in November 2024. This video sure makes it look frightening. My only frame of reference would be the Celebrity Solstice...I hope it's not subpar to that.

We cruise on Koningsdam to Alaska July 2023 and will likely never choose Holland America again. We have cruised RCCL and NCL finding either choice would be much better than HAL. The entertainment on Koningsdam was subpar at best. The live big venue shows in their auditorium was just lacking any good talent compared to what we have seen on NCL ships. The author of this video states that the shows at the main show stage were "underwhelmed". If you see the segment on the video of the dancers, they would just have a change in costumes, music and background lighting and enhancements. It was like that all week on our cruise. We found it to be disappointing and just nothing more than a well funded high school production. Lincoln center stage is gone and the other small music venus were alway too crowded and got started later in the night. The crows nest was always way too crowded and other pasengers would place personal items on chairs very early in the morning such as books and pieces of clothing to claim them. It was pretty much impossible to get seating there at any time during the day. The buffet at HAL is primarily served by the crew (vs self serve) and they would very often close half of the buffet counters. Little "big" things that make other cruises fun such as a soft serve ice cream is replaced by the buffet attendant scooping half melted ice cream from a 5 gallon bucket sitting with only the bottom in a tray of ice. By the time you got to the ice cream, it was a pool of milky mess. The other huge factor is the crew on Koningsdam which we found not as friendly and happy as other ships. We often walked past or encountered management crew who never acknowledged us or provided any common greeting. They alway seemed overwhelmed with their tasks at hand and looked away. Just not a good happy environment for such a fun time for passengers.

The food service on cruise 06-27-24 for 7 days to alaska was pathetic, awful, lacking taste at all Lido dining areas, and also the main dining room as well. there were more people than there was seats. One had to fight for a table, customers were rude, customer service is really non existant, they dont know what it is. When eating at the lido deck 9, i felt like i was in line begging for food to be served. The worst fod cruise in 20 cruises we have ever been on. Cabin service, inside cabin room service, laundry service, cabin were great. Other wise we would have jumped off. Ship was good, smooth cruise, music was great in the lounges, bar service was very good too. It felt like all the crew wer new on the ship and on first cruise this sailing. In all 20 some crusies we have been on, it is the worst food service we have ever received. This is a big problem and they need to fix, change and resolve imediately. Smith Dawson

The queen Anne is a pinnacle class, I hope her interior in public spaces is better than this ship. I Really wasn't liking the designs, one detail that makes a big difference is the ceilings. On queen Victoria elizabeth the ceilings in ball room, main restaurant and central atrium really lift interior to a very high standard. I didn't notice any of that on this ship. Also queuing on Victoria and Elizabeth unheard of

Sounds like a cruise from hell, one to avoid whereabouts did you go?

I feel very sad that you are making generalizations about the dining on Holland. I have sailed with them 4 times and the food was always wonderful. Service was good and in room dining was great. Sorry you had a bad experience but please stop generalizing. The staff works hard and turning out a good product is important.

i dont know how to email you. i booked them for next year. i booked when they had the 1 dollar de[psot/ can you hlep me witha better deal. i have not paid yet and will have to save up for it i am angry right now they have a promotion for onboard credit. but i guess my trip does not count