It’s cruise day on the Holland America Koningsdam. What a luxury to be able to sleep in my own bed last night and have breakfast at home before going to the ship. My brother, E, had arrived last night around 5:30 pm which was 7 hours later than originally scheduled.
We had a casual dinner at a eatery near my home which has one of my husband’s favorite desserts to share.
Embarkation Morning
Our boarding check-in time changed two or three times before today with a final time of 1 pm. Knowing there was only one ship in port and we were having low occupancy we decided to go early.
My husband chauffeured us to the San Diego cruise port leaving the house about 11:30 getting us there at noon.
There was only one other car dropping off passengers and no line to get into the terminal.
No one even checked our boarding time. The first brief stop was to show our boarding pass and covid test results with vaccination card. Then we went through the metal detectors before proceeding to the second check-in where they checked our boarding pass and passports.
After the obligatory boarding photo we walked right on board the ship where once again our boarding pass was scanned as we boarded.
We were invited to drop our carryons in our cabins (they were ready!). Within 5 minutes our room steward, Bhika, knocked and introduced himself. He asked if we needed information on the cabin or had any requests.
We did notice there was only one footstool on the balcony and asked for a second. (He had it to us within 5 minutes!) I also asked about getting distilled water and he told me to call guest services. I then realized I’d never ordered it as usual. Oops!
Embarkation Afternoon
We then headed to the Dutch Café for lunch.
Both of us had a bowl of split pea soup.
We split a toasted ham and cheese sandwich.
My brother also had a bossche bil.
Then it was up to the Lido to check our the freestyle machines where Earl B. tried out his soda package and I also ended up buying one.
I also had this delicious peanut butter pie!
We went to our muster station when it was announced they were available (about 1:45 pm). Then it was to the room to unpack and time for a nap. Sailaway was about 4 pm and at 4:30 we opened the curtains to enjoy the view as Koningsdam sailed out of the harbor.
I was surprised how close the sailboats came to the ship.
Embarkation Evening
It was almost time for early main seating when Koningsdam hit the open ocean and it immediately got rockier.
The dining room opened about 5 minutes early and we were shown to our table. We had requested main seating when booking but couldn’t get it confirmed pre-cruise. Our cabin key card had us listed as early seating assigned to table 343.
It’s a table for two where we had Werdi and Antonius are our waiters.
Angel is our beverage server. I requested low-sodium meals in advance. The first night I just ordered off the menu and the next night I will have pre ordered meals.
I started with the baja seafood cocktail.
I never did find crab but enjoyed it. Brother E had Caesar salad. My entree was the spiced chicken.
I ended up liking the stuffing best but it was overall enjoyable. My brother had the pasta; it was supposed to come with a chicken breast but they didn’t get that part of his order and he decided not to get it corrected. For dessert I ordered the cheese plate while brother had dutch apple pie.
I asked for the menu before leaving and preordered. Back in the cabin my distilled water was waiting along with tomorrow’s where and when and a breakfast room service menu if we wanted to use it.
Click the image below for today’s full Where and When PDF.
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