Another successful cruise with Holland America, this time on Koningsdam from Amsterdam to St Petersburg.
This was a huge ship, 2600 passengers and 1000 crew.
With this in mind the service and the condition of our stateroom were exactly as we expected.
Neptune lounge outstanding.
Stewards in both restaurant and stateroom were as always both extremely attentive, entertaining, and could not do enough for us whilst on board.
Koningsdam is a very new ship and still looked good although one or two small areas could be improved (e.g.
separate seats in the stateroom were uncomfortable.).
The positive side was better layout in the stateroom with large TV and especially welcome USB port for charging iPhone and iPads etc.
Food was excellent and well presented throughout, and the new DutchCafe a new feature, was very nice.
The crew were continually cleaning common areas with engineers continually painting outside as well as checking lifeboats, (actually testing lowering and training crews) which was comforting and important to see.
We did enjoy our cruise, first cruise of 14 days, and the places visited were all extremely interesting.
Tours taken were we well organised, well explained beforehand and we had very good guides taking us around.
On Sea Days the effect of 2,600 passengers on board didn’the show, especially in getting seating for example in the Lido area and World Stage.
We were not able to get into the World Stage, for port lectures and also evening entertainment, on four occasions.
You needed to get into the World Stage for about half an hour before things started if you want a seat.
Negative aspect on this occasion, unlike previous cruises with Holland America, was the disembarkation which was horrific.
Not sure what went wrong but we were kept queuing for ages after the planned set time.
Not a nice ending to an otherwise enjoyable cruise.
We will travel with Holland America but maybe we have to try another cruise line again.
