Day three on Koningsdam is the last sea day before things get busy. After this, it’s five straight port days, and with Easter Sunday coming up, we’ll be spending that day in St. Lucia. So with no port stop to talk about today, this feels like a good time to get into something I said I’d touch on yesterday, and that’s what’s actually different between Koningsdam, the first Pinnacle Class ship, and Rotterdam, the third and newest ship in the class.
All three Pinnacle Class ships, Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam, are basically cut and paste. Same overall layout, same general feel, same flow from one end of the ship to the other. But over the years, as guest feedback came in and as newer ships were built, little tweaks started showing up.
Then dry docks gave Holland America another chance to go back and fix or improve things that maybe did not work quite as well the first time around. In Koningsdam’s case, the biggest recent change was the removal of that staircase connecting the casino on Deck 3 to the entertainment area below on Deck 2.
Nieuw Statendam already had that done, Koningsdam just got it, and when Rotterdam heads into dry dock in just a few days, it’s expected she’ll get the same treatment.
Staircase on Rotterdam:
Staircase now gone on Koningsdam
One of the most noticeable differences between Koningsdam and Rotterdam is Club Orange on Deck 2. On Koningsdam, that restaurant is completely sealed in with a glass wall surrounding it, and the entrance is in a different spot. On Rotterdam, instead of that glassed-in setup, there’s a more open faux wood wall with shelves and little decorative touches that make it feel much more inviting. On Koningsdam, the glass wall gives it what I can only describe as a fishbowl look. Honestly, it feels like you’re back in 1999 walking into a Perkins and staring at the smoking section through a giant glass wall.
Club Orange on Rotterdam
Club Orange on Koningsdam
Then there’s the lack of Half Moon Bar on Koningsdam. Instead, you’ve got this complete waste of space wine bar called Taste, which is barely used for anything. It was used for a tequila tasting one night, but other than that, it just sits there as dead space in an area where Rotterdam has one of the most popular and busiest bars on the ship. Half Moon Bar on Rotterdam is a go-to spot for pre-dinner cocktails before Club Orange or the main dining room because it’s right there and actually serves a purpose. On Koningsdam, you’ve got this underused space and a bunch of mostly dead seating along the windows. I really do not understand why this has not been converted into an actual usable bar instead of just letting it sit there looking lonely.
Half Moon Bar on Rotterdam
Taste on Koningsdam
The casino is another area where the two ships now feel different, at least for the moment. On Koningsdam, the staircase removal has made the casino feel more organized and easier to navigate. It allowed more table games to be placed in the center, with slot machines forming rows along both sides, and the whole area just flows better. If Rotterdam gets the same treatment in dry dock, and I would be shocked if she doesn’t, it should make a big difference there too.
Over at Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the difference is smaller but still noticeable. On Rotterdam, the space feels more upscale, and honestly that comes down to one simple thing: the chairs. Koningsdam has these uncomfortable rattan-style chairs that make the restaurant feel a little more Key West than Mediterranean. Even though the restaurant got some TLC during dry dock, those chairs are really showing their age and should have been swapped out for the same ones used on Rotterdam. It would make the room feel more comfortable and a whole lot more polished. Plus, I like the red theme on Rotterdam over the more muted colors on Koningsdam.
Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Rotterdam
Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Koningsdam
In the main dining room, the difference between the two ships is really just the color palette. Koningsdam leans red, Rotterdam leans blue. Other than that, they’re basically the same room.
MDR on Rotterdam
Main Dining Room on Koningsdam
And then up at The Retreat, the big difference is the lack of a hot tub on Koningsdam. There had been some thought that one might get added during dry dock, but that did not happen. So on Koningsdam, no hot tub at The Retreat, but you do get a little more sun lounger space where it normally would have gone.
The Retreat (with hot tub) on Rotterdam
The Retreat on Koningsdam
Finally, on Rotterdam you’ll find a little nook called Notes, which is nestled in between Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone. It’s meant to be used as a whisky tasting spot, with a backdrop of different types of whiskys and bourbons. It was rarely used, not even for the whisky tasting events! So, on Koningsdam it’s been removed and replaced with very generic seating.
Notes on Rotterdam
The Space Formerly Known as Notes on Koningsdam
Other than that, most of the remaining differences are minor. But these are the ones that stand out the most between the oldest and newest ships in the Pinnacle Class. And now with Koningsdam having a few extra staterooms added during dry dock, it will be interesting to see if Rotterdam gets those too. Chances are, she probably will.
Regional Wine Tasting
Time for one of the nicer perks Holland America gives its 4-star and above Mariners, which is the fancy name for frequent cruisers in the line’s loyalty program. One of those perks is a complimentary regional wine tasting, a $35 value, and today was the day of my invite. So I headed down to the main dining room and joined cruise friends Linda and Lowell, who just so happened to be on Rotterdam with me last week too.
Now here’s another area where Koningsdam and Rotterdam differed in a subtle but kind of meaningful way.
The event is led by the ship’s Cellar Master, and on Koningsdam right now that’s Alan. On Rotterdam, sparkling wine was handed to us as we walked in. Here on Koningsdam, the glass was already sitting on the table and a wine steward came by to fill it once we were seated. Not a huge difference, but probably done this way due to….
…the table setup. On Koningsdam, each guest had a nice tasting tray in front of them with the glasses set in their proper spots, along with little tasting cards listing the name of each wine, where it was from, and the tasting notes. Rotterdam did not have those, and honestly, these were a great touch. You could take the cards with you afterward so you had a record of what you tasted, and they also came in handy if you decided you wanted to order a glass with dinner later in the cruise. Small detail, but a very useful one.
Wine Tasting Setup on Rotterdam
As Alan got started, that glass of sparkling wine just kind of sat there. I think a lot of us were expecting some sort of opening toast, but that never happened. Instead, he jumped right into the first wine while much of the room began to play catch-up by guzzling the bubbly.
Each wine was paired with the cheese and fruit set out in front of us, and Alan actually told us which item to eat with each wine. That was another difference from Rotterdam, where that part was more or less left up to us to figure out on our own. It may not sound like much, but having a little more guidance made the tasting feel more put together.
The presentation itself was once again fun, entertaining, and definitely buzz-worthy after a glass of sparkling, two whites, and two reds. The event runs about an hour, and during that time you get a little education on each wine, the proper way to taste it, what to look for in the color, and sometimes even some history about the region or winery it came from.
It’s definitely a nice perk, and honestly, even if you had to pay the $35, it would still be worth it if you enjoy wine or are curious about it. On a sea day, it’s also just a good way to kill an hour without having to sit through another Effy jewelry sales pitch or a Park West art auction.
The regional wine tasting is offered a couple of times during the cruise on sea days, and there’s also a more upscale premium wine tasting, which we’ve already signed up for later toward the end of the cruise.
Dinner at Rudi’s Sel de Mer
When dinner time rolled around, I went hunting for a place to grab a cocktail around the ship.
That turned out to be easier said than done.
All the indoor spots were packed. Ocean Bar was full, Billboard Onboard was packed, Rolling Stone was packed, and this is exactly where having something like Rotterdam’s Half Moon Bar really makes a difference. Over in the casino, things were just as bad. It was slammed and the bar was two people deep, so that was not happening either.
So in search of a cocktail, I wound up sweating it out at the Lido Bar, which is not exactly my first choice for a pre-dinner drink. It was warm out, the drinks were in plastic glasses, and the whole thing just lacks the pre-dinner atmosphere you want when you’re trying to ease into the evening. Still, a cocktail is a cocktail, so I made it work.
Oh, you want to see what’s for dinner in the Lido Market buffet and the Main Dining Room? Gotcha!
🖼️ Menu Images
🖼️ Menu Images
After that, I headed down to Rudi’s Sel de Mer, the namesake restaurant of celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, who has restaurants across a few Carnival Corporation brands including Holland America, Princess Cruises, and Carnival Cruise Line. Rudi’s is only found on the three Pinnacle Class ships, so it is always a bit of a treat when I’m on one of them.
Making the night a little more special was the fact that my server was a familiar face from my first sailing on Rotterdam back in 2023. He was the server I had at Sel de Mer back then, and after switching ships a few times since, he joined Koningsdam about two months ago. Always nice when cruising starts to feel a little like a reunion.
I didn’t have a reservation, and the restaurant was definitely on the busy side, but they were able to accommodate me without any issue.
🖼️ Menu Images
For dinner, I had been debating the Dover sole, which is always a standout here, but since I had it the other night at Pinnacle Grill, I decided to go with a steak instead, specifically the bone-in strip, which I usually find to be even better at Rudi’s than at Pinnacle.
Before the main event, I started with the steak tartare and the burrata and prosciutto, both of which were solid choices. Knowing there was a lot of food coming my way, I made the rare decision to completely skip the bread service, which is another one of those little treats at Rudi’s. But carbs are sneaky, and sacrifices had to be made.
Once the starters were cleared, the steak arrived. It was cooked a perfect medium rare and seasoned exactly right. But the steak itself was… tough.
And that’s a first for me here.
I’ve had this steak before and never had that issue, so it definitely stood out. A part of me was wondering if the recent dry dock had something to do with it. Two weeks in dry dock… freeze the steaks, thaw the steaks… maybe? Who knows. That could be completely wrong, but something was off. Still, I’m giving it a pass because it’s the first time I’ve had a less-than-great steak at Rudi’s, and one off night does not erase a strong track record.
When it came time for dessert, skipping the bread paid off because it left room for the strawberry tartlette, which was absolutely the right move. Sweet, light enough, and a really nice way to end the meal.
Service was fantastic, the pacing was spot on, and overall, despite the steak not being what it normally is, it was still an enjoyable dinner.
I will point out one thing, though, and this may be the real tragedy of the evening.
There is currently no Fever-Tree or Holland America Double Dutch tonic water onboard.
Even though there are cocktails on the menu that reference Holland America’s De Lijn gin paired with Double Dutch tonic, what they’re actually using right now is tonic from the soda gun or Seagram’s. And honestly, tonic makes all the difference in a gin and tonic. Replacing the good stuff with the cheap stuff makes for a pretty sad excuse for a proper G&T if we’re being honest. I’m told the premium tonic may make an appearance later in the cruise, but I’m not exactly holding my breath.
After dinner, I met up with Linda and Lowell for a beer at Billboard Onboard, and we all had a laugh about how that wine tasting earlier in the day kind of kicked our asses and how this was very clearly going to be an early night.
And that is exactly what it turned into.
We’re currently sailing toward our first port of call, San Juan, Puerto Rico, where Koningsdam is set to dock at 8:00 a.m. It’s a long day there tomorrow, with an extended stay and an all-aboard time of 10:30 p.m.
More on that tomorrow, and as always, thanks for following along.
Daily Schedule
| Time | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 AM | Walk a Mile | Grand Dutch Café, 3 |
| 7:00 AM | Sunrise Stretch | Fitness Center, 9 |
| 8:00 AM | Mass is Celebrated | Hudson Room, 1 |
| 8:00 AM | Tai Chi for Everyone | Lido Poolside, 9 |
| 8:00 AM | Pathway to Yoga $20 | Fitness Center, 9 |
| 8:00 AM | Pickleball Open Play | Sport Court, 11 |
| 8:30 AM | Dressy Night Photos on Display until 10:00pm | Photo Gallery, 3 |
| 9:00 AM | Koningsdam Marketplace - Open Today | Atrium, 2 |
| 9:00 AM | Future Cruise Desk Open | Atrium, 2 |
| 9:00 AM | Coffee with Cruise Director | Hudson Room, 1 |
| 9:00 AM | Pickleball Instruction: Serving & Scoring | Sport Court, 11 |
| 9:00 AM | Interdenominational Devotions | Hudson Room, 1 |
| 9:00 AM | Cameras and Binoculars Sale | Atrium, 2 |
| 9:00 AM | Introduction to iPhone Photography | Photo Gallery, 3 |
| 9:15 AM | Arthritis, Acute and Chronic Pain Relief | Art Studio, 12 |
| 9:30 AM | Stretch & Release | Fitness Center, 9 |
| 9:30 AM | Origami Folding: Birds | Art Studio, 12 |
| 9:45 AM | Tighten Your Skin with Thermage | Greenhouse Spa, 9 |
| 10:00 AM | Party Bridge Play until 4:00pm | Hudson Room, 1 |
| 10:00 AM | Bahamian Shopping Secrets | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 10:00 AM | Learn to Line Dance | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 10:00 AM | Pickleball Tournament | Sport Court, 11 |
| 10:00 AM | Cooking Show: Bahamian Grouper Bacon Grits | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 10:30 AM | Port Talk with Travel Guide KK | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 10:30 AM | Modern Calligraphy | Effy Jewelry, 2 |
| 11:00 AM | $1200 Jackpot Bingo Tickets on Sale 10:00am | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 11:00 AM | Port Talk with Your Travel Guide KK | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 11:00 AM | Creating Doodle Designs: Petals | Art Studio, 12 |
| 11:00 AM | Port Talk: Roseau, Castries & Basseterre | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 11:30 AM | Creating Doodle Designs: Petals | Art Studio, 12 |
| 11:30 AM | $1200 Jackpot Bingo Tickets on Sale 10:00am | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 11:30 AM | Diamond & Gemstone Enrichment Seminar | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 12:15 PM | Sparkling Wine Art Auction | Rolling Stone Lounge, 2 |
| 12:15 PM | Single & Solo Traveler Lunch | Dining Room, 2 |
| 12:30 PM | Mahjong Players Meet until 4:00pm | Half Moon Room, 1 |
| 12:30 PM | Today's Trivia: Geography | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Mixology Class $25 | Club Orange, 2 |
| 1:00 PM | Beauty Bonus: 15% Off | Greenhouse Spa, 9 |
| 1:00 PM | Learn to Line Dance | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 1:30 PM | Solo Guitarist Plays | Lido Poolside, 9 |
| 2:00 PM | Complimentary Skin Care Workshop | Greenhouse Spa, 9 |
| 2:00 PM | Basketball Free Throw Challenge | Sport Court, 11 |
| 2:00 PM | Guess the Weight of the Sculpture | Atrium, 2 |
| 2:00 PM | Whiskey Tasting $35 | Dining Room, 2 |
| 2:30 PM | Watercoloring: Easter | Art Studio, 12 |
| 3:00 PM | Ask Your Travel Guide Until 5:00pm | Crow's Nest, 12 |
| 3:00 PM | $100 Jackpot Bingo Tickets on Sale 2:00pm | Piano Bar, 2 |
| 3:00 PM | Pingpong Tournament | Lido Balcony, 10 |
| 3:00 PM | Solo Guitarist Plays | Lido Poolside, 9 |
| 3:00 PM | Detox for Health & Weight Loss Seminar | Greenhouse Spa, 9 |
| 3:00 PM | Live Pickleball Demonstration | Sport Court, 11 |
| 3:00 PM | Vivace String Ensemble | B.B. King's Blues Club |
| 3:30 PM | Pickleball Open Play | Sport Court, 11 |
| 3:30 PM | Watercoloring: Easter | Art Studio, 12 |
| 4:00 PM | Team Trivia Challenge | Piano Bar, 2 |
| 4:00 PM | Expert Art Advice | Art Gallery, 1 |
| 4:00 PM | A Time to Celebrate | Greenhouse Spa, 9 |
| 4:00 PM | Vivace String Ensemble | B.B. King's Blues Club |
| 4:30 PM | 10 Minute Facelift with Dr. Antony M.D. | Photo Gallery, 3 |
| 4:30 PM | Cornhole Challenge | Cornhole Court, 11 |
| 4:30 PM | $616,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino, 3 |
| 4:30 PM | Watercoloring: Easter | Art Studio, 12 |
| 5:00 PM | Meet the Artist: E.F. Vocalist Mariana Mazu | Rolling Stone Lounge, 2 |
| 5:00 PM | Have Your Casual Portrait Taken | Fitness Center, 9 |
| 5:00 PM | Shopping Q&A With Henrico | Port Shopping, 3 |
| 5:00 PM | Vivace String Ensemble | B.B. King's Blues Club |
| 5:30 PM | Ballroom Dance Hour | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 5:30 PM | Game Night: To Deal or No Deal | Rolling Stone Lounge, 2 |
| 6:30 PM | Friends of Bill W. Meet | Hudson Room, 1 |
| 6:30 PM | Pre-Owned Designer Watches | The Shops, 2 |
| 7:15 PM | Piano Greats | Billboard Onboard |
| 7:30 PM | SHOWTIME: Vocalist Robert Neary - Cruisin' Through the Decades | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 7:30 PM | Music Trivia: Rock and Roll | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 8:00 PM | Movies by the Pool: Last Breath | Lido Poolside, 9 & 10 |
| 8:00 PM | Scratch Off Tickets Sales | Casino, 3 |
| 8:00 PM | Exotic & Phenomenal: Rare Gemstones Reveal | Effy Jewelry, 2 |
| 8:15 PM | Never #1 | Billboard Onboard |
| 9:00 PM | SHOWTIME: Vocalist Robert Neary - Cruisin' Through the Decades | World Stage, 2 & 3 |
| 9:15 PM | All Requests | Billboard Onboard |
| 9:30 PM | Game Night: Operation Imitation | Crow's Nest, 12 |
| 9:30 PM | Rock Legends | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 10:00 PM | Cruisin' Through the Decades | B.B. King's Blues Club, 2 |
| 10:15 PM | 70s & 80s Motown | B.B. King's Blues Club |
| 10:30 PM | New Wave | Rolling Stone Lounge |
| 11:00 PM | $610,000 Paradise Lotto Jackpot Drawing | Casino, 3 |
| 11:15 PM | 70s & 80s Motown | B.B. King's Blues Club |