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Smooth sailing on post-COVID Holland America California coastal cruise

Posted 12/13/21

After an 18-month COVID-inspired cruise moratorium, husband Rob and I were delighted to find a Holland America 7-day California coastal cruise out of San Diego.

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Smooth sailing on post-COVID Holland America California coastal cruise

Posted

After an 18-month COVID-inspired cruise moratorium, husband Rob and I were delighted to find a Holland America 7-day California coastal cruise out of San Diego.

Even better, Metho Travelers, a Sun City travel agency specializing in senior travel, arranged round-trip motor coach transportation for the 353-mile drive from Sun City to the San Diego port. This eliminated dreaded airport stress.

To board Holland America Line’s Koningsdam ship, all guests and crew needed a passport, original vaccination card, negative COVID test within 48 hours of sailing, plus a boarding pass. In addition, masks were required in public of the ship for crew and guests. Because the 2,600-passenger ship carried only 1,500 guests with no children under age 12, we had a nice choice of cabins and a quiet cruise. (Now children five and older can sail if fully vaccinated.)

When our bus arrived at the San Diego cruise terminal, our travel agent hired porters to take checked luggage directly from the bus onto the ship. With all required documents in hand, embarkation was like an expertly choreographed ballet. Smiling faces greeted us warmly as we moved from one station to another. A short time later, our checked luggage was promptly delivered to our cabin.

As expected, we found several changes as Holland America and other cruise lines transition from printed menus and schedules to digital communications. Guests were urged to download the Navigator app on their smart phones and tablets as well as use it on their cabin TVs.

Although the Navigator app challenged some guests, the astute front desk crew was available 24/7 to help. We were pleased to learn there was a daily printed activity schedule available. Many guests carried this with them while on the ship.

The Koningsdam has several new alternate restaurants, but menus were not posted outside or in our cabin. We learned to read menus on our cabin TV before calling 88 to make reservations — which was easier than using the Navigator app.

New upscale alternate restaurants such as Rudi’s Sel de Mar (seafood) were so popular it was difficult to get a dinner reservation.

Restaurant menus changed — the left side (Daily or “Anytime Menu”) is gone. Several new menus had upcharges for popular items such as steaks and shrimp cocktails.

The former Lido Buffet, now called Lido Market, has the same mouthwatering array of breakfast, lunch and dinner items as before. But now crew servers place the food items you select on your plate. The main dining room on decks 2-3 is lighter, brighter and with a more open, friendly vibe. Old heavy drapes are gone, providing prime seating for tables near windows.

Overall, onboard prices were substantially higher, with an additional 18% gratuity for beverages and alternate restaurant meals. However, we heard few complaints. Loyal Holland America repeat guests were happy to be cruising again. Lunch at the upscale Pinnacle Grille, known for delicious steaks, seafood and elegant dessert was $15, while dinner was $39.

We chose Anytime Dining and sat with different guests every night. Most guests were from California (including San Diego) or Arizona. A popular topic was sharing happy memories about past Holland America cruises and how those ships compared to the Koningsdam we were on.

As in past cruises, overall service on the Koningsdam was incredible. The smiling crew’s strong work ethic never waivered. We would rate service from our Indonesian cabin stewards BangBang and Ita at 25 on a scale of 1 to 10. Front desk staff and food service also rated highly.

Built in 2016 and renovated in 2018, the Koningsdam had a youthful vibrant feel. A plethora of music, bars and entertainment venues line “Music Walk” on Deck 2 aft. Music ranged from a classical string quartet to Rolling Stones favorites, as well as BB King’s Blues, Lincoln Center Stage, and Billboard Onboard. The Neil Diamond tribute in the bi-level World Stage Theater was a big hit.

Our ship docked on Pier 27 in San Francisco for two days. It was delightful to enjoy our morning coffee and made-to-order breakfast omelet in the Lido Market eatery while gazing through the huge windows at the Golden Gate bridge on the port side or the Oakland Bay bridge on the starboard side.

We also enjoyed a view of the landmark Coit Tower.

For the highlight of our cruise, we chose an excursion bus trip to Muir Woods National Monument, just 30 minutes from Fisherman’s Wharf. After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge, the bus passed through Marin County’s natural beauty.

We marveled at Sausalito’s gorgeous ocean scenery and gazed in awe at pricey homes clinging to cliffs.

Although we had visited Muir Woods before, we never tire of the fragrant, clean, piney scent of gigantic Coastal Redwoods. These giant 258-foot trees are the tallest living things on earth. Their massive height reminds me of an outdoor cathedral where sunlight filters through the branches.

Walking the boardwalk among these cherished giants is pure joy. The fresh, earthy scent and peaceful environment are great for the soul.

Savvy visitors wear comfortable walking shoes and bring rain gear when appropriate. Muir Woods $15 admission fee may not be included in the tour fare, so bring your National Park pass if you have one. www.nps.gov/muwo

The Koningsdam provided all the usual shipboard activities in addition to wine blending plus Jewish and Catholic religious services.

Guests were compliant about wearing masks in public areas of the ship. We heard nothing about unruly guests or Covid outbreaks. Too soon it was time to say farewell to new friends and crew.

Thanks to the well-trained crew and our savvy travel agents, disembarking from the ship was a breeze. Once again, hired porters transferred heavy checked bags from the cruise terminal directly to the bus. By 9 a.m. our entire group of 48 and their luggage were back on the bus heading home to Arizona.