Koningsdam Review
Rating by category
Additional details
My wife chose this cruise because of the itinerary. Nineteen ports in 25 days was the determining factor. The interior of the ship is a different design than most ships we have cruised. The music theme throughout puts a music alley on the second level. Four entertainment rooms each with a different musical genre encompass this level. Then main stage too is different. It is theater in the round with screens as a backdrop which could digitally do anything. Here is the failure of this entire concept. One night only there was a performance called Humanity that utilized the technology of this stage. This show was five star. Most of the other nights a solo artists performed such as a flautist or singer. Even worse was the nights Folkloric shows were staged. Mediocre at best was the theme of the main stage. Activities included bingo, twice during the 25 days Majority Rules was played. Otherwise there was a list eg. ping players meet, bridge players meet, etc. the bottom line is this was a a really substandard performance by whomever was in charge.
The service staff was outstanding. The ship was super clean. Dining room staff was great. The buffet servers, waiters etc were five star. Food, yes there was variety and it was well prepared.
We only took one shore excursion with Holland. I book most tours before I leave home because Holland America tours are pricey and the groups are large.
Cabin Review
Standard Interior Stateroom
The largest bed on a cruise ship. It was really a king! Largest shower on a cruise ship!
Nice TV. Cabin steward kept the room in top shape.
No complaints
Port Reviews
Cartagena (Spain)
The hop on hop off is misleading. We like to ride totally around once to decide where to get off during the next rotation. On this bus once you get back to the starting point you must get off. If you want back on...pay again.
Gibraltar
Buy the expensive tour from the taxi drivers or go with ship. You just cannot get to the major areas on your own.
Malaga
Booked on line. Tip the guide at the end of the tour. It was five star! We use free tours whenever we can
Marseille
2 1/2 hour free tour of the Gothic section of Barcelona. Tip at the end of the tour. Great guide
Barcelona
2 1/2 hour tour led by a college prof. Tip at the end of the tour.
Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Picked up at the pier. Six people in the mini van. Eze plus all of Monaco.
Great guide, Mago
Monaco (Monte Carlo)
Combined drive with city tour of Monaco. Great day with Mago
Dubrovnik
2 hour tour of the ancient city. Great guide. Book on line before you go give a tip at the end of the tour.
Dubrovnik
850 steps, 95 degrees F 1.3 km. Would do it again. Great views st every turn
Kotor
10 person van. We toured the entire area from top to bottom. We even took a one hour boat ride into caves along the shore. Beautiful countryside and great views of the seaport. Old town and the church are very good stops.
Split
The tour guide was Petra. The emperor Diocletian put Split on the map and Petra brought it all together. We saw all aspects of the city Diocletian designed. .
Trieste
We went to the castle Maximilian if Austria built with his wife when Trieste was part of Austria. Beautiful grounds and gardens. Not a who,e lot going on in Trieste.
Catania
Our guide was Antonella. We went on two hour walking tour of the major highlights of the city. She then sparked if we would like to go Mt Etna. So off we went. On the way back from Etna my explained how she was looking for a certain type of pan for baking pastries etc. off we went to the mall and my wife bought five different pans. Nice city, great to go the volcano. My dice is basking as I write.
Malta (Valletta)
Driver took us around the city only to get to Mdina. On the day we stopped at a garden. Mdina was an interesting city. Quite authentic and in in original condition.
The views of Valletta from the sea are terrific