BB King! Diva Burgers! & The Fabulous Koningsdam!

I have recently returned from a weekend in Amsterdam where I was invited on board HAL’s latest and largest Pinnacle Class ship, the Koningsdam.   I also took the opportunity to meet up with a very dear friend whom I hadnt seen for 30 odd years since I joined the Travel Industry. Oh what fun I had! Now, having never been on board a HAL ship before, I was intrigued to see how it measured up to my favourite Cruise Line/Ship the Celebrity Eclipse.

Well!  Was I in for a surprise!  I’m in love with this beauty!  Sorry Eclipse, you have been well and truly eclipsed! From the minute she pulled up alongside my hotel I was impressed.  Majestic! Classy! Sophisticated! all came to mind, and I hadn’t even stepped foot inside yet..

Was I in for a treat!  To say I have been wowed is a bit of an understatement, and I’m afraid my photos still don’t do this beauty the justice she deserves.

The cabins are all spacious and beautifully designed and decorated. The majority, 70% being balcony cabins. With glass shower doors and even USB ports by your bed for you to charge your mobile phones etc.

The ship has a musical theme running through it, which can be seen in the carpet design, wall art, and public areas. The Atrium which spans 3 decks is sculptured to represent a string quartet with a ceiling which features HD projections! The show stopper for me though was the Music Walk area.

The entertainment was the best I have ever seen on a cruise ship! From the Lincoln Center where you can listen to classical music to the BB King Blues Club where we were treated to a mini concert! The World Stage  and the Queens Lounge.  Something for everyone, and truly impressive!

Highlight of the Visit – Photo Call with the BB King Blues Band!

She offers a great French Speciality Restaurant, Sel De Mer which serves French seafood.  A fabulous Grand Dutch Cafe where you can enjoy Heineken beer on tap, speciality coffees and Dutch pastries. I loved the Delft themed decor here. Very welcoming and cosy. The Tamarind Sushi bar, Canaletto Italian restaurant, and the Pinnacle Grill Steakhouse.  She even boasts a Culinary Arts Centre with cooking stations where food is prepared and served to guests.

There is so much to tell you about this fabulous ship that in my next blog I will tell you about the Outdoor areas and what you can expect!

Back to Amsterdam, and those Diva Burgers, briefly, as I could write a book about my weekend in Amsterdam, (which I am seriously considering!). I met up with my friend Lin, who runs the British General Store, and off we went to one of her favourite haunts The Getto Bar & Restaurant.  We each chose a burger from the huge choice of deliciously freshly cooked food, served by the most friendliest courteous staff, who couldnt do enough for us.

I had a Dorothy Glamour Burger and Lin had a Jennifer Hopelezz burger (all named after drag queens) and they were delicious dahling!  Afterwards we walked through Amsterdam, taking in the sights and were delighted to witness a fantastic fireworks display on the Amstel! 

Next Time:  How Not to Ride A Bike In Amsterdam!