A five-day Holland America cruise aboard Koningsdam was an easy Southern California girlfriend getaway that gave my birthday bestie, Kristel, and me uninterrupted time together without a huge amount of planning. We took the train to San Diego, sailed to Vancouver and had only one port day in San Francisco. Instead of spending the trip constantly getting on and off the ship, we relaxed and chose from a full schedule of onboard activities, live entertainment and more than a dozen places to eat.
Koningsdam gave us plenty of onboard options:
- Bourbon tasting
- Blend Bar custom lipstick
- Behind-the-scenes ship tour
- Talented live bands and singers that got us onto the dance floor
- A fantastic stage show
- Terrific restaurants
Editor’s note: the writer was hosted.
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The Cruise Was the Trip
This cruise had just the right balance of days onboard and time ashore. There was one day of excursions, which we liked. We did not want to spend the trip constantly getting on and off the ship and it would have cut into the time we wanted to catch up.
The ship was the fun and we had plenty to do on board:
Blend Bar
Holland America’s Blend Bar is the first custom lipstick blending bar at sea. The consultant helped me create a custom color that complemented my skin tone. My friends encouraged me to get a real color, instead of the frosty barely there color I usually wear. It’s a process and I 100% loved it. We both did. And yes, I am still wearing my color (which I named SBT), and every time I put it on, I am reminded of our trip.
- 30+ pigments to mix – my formula is top secret!
- 20+ flavors – that is not a typo. I chose flavorless.
- Four finishes (matte, gloss, satin, shimmer) – I chose satin
- Custom-branded case to take home – mine is black.
- Starts at $60 – worth it. I wear mine all the time.
I left with a copy of my formula and a color that I wear a LOT. This is the activity for any kind of girls getaway. It does fill up so book your slot in advance through the Navigator app.
Jefferson’s Bourbon Tasting
I am from KY, the bourbon capitol so I admit I was jaded when I first thought about doing the tasting. Glad I didn’t listen to myself – it’s a properly guided sit-down tasting with two very fun crew members who shared knowledge and wacky toasts that were hilarious.
Other sea day options worth your time:
- Afternoon Tea in the Dining Room: included, civilized, I did it both sea days
- Behind-the-Scenes Ship Tour: loved it. Very interesting because there it showed us how much work goes into running a vessel of this size. We came away with great photos
- Greenhouse Spa & Salon treatments: Kristel said her massage was ahhhmazing
- Crow’s Nest Library with games and ocean views : busy spot on the ship, with loads of people playing cards, board games and reading
- Rolling Stone Rock Room and BB King’s Blues Club : Koningsdam had talented bands and singers who got us onto the dancefloor.
- Casino : over 140 slot machines, coin pushers, and a variety of table games including blackjack, roulette, craps, and Texas Hold’em
A High-Quality Night at the Theater
We watched “Fosse and Verdon,” a polished musical dance production on The World Stage. The talent level made it feel like a real night out and the large wraparound screens made it possible to see it all.
SheBuysTravel Tip: Download the Navigator app before you board. Pre-book the Blend Bar, reserve specialty dining and track your onboard account all in one place.
Excursions
The cruise included one port day in San Francisco, with several excursion choices.
I chose the Muir Woods/Sausalito day trip so I could hug redwoods. Kristel stayed onboard and booked a massage at the spa.
Options available for our sailing included:
- Traditional Japanese Tea and Gardens
- Sonoma Country and Wine
- Golden Gate and the Rock of Alcatraz
- Alcatraz and Sausalito
- Hop-On, Hop-Off San Francisco
- Muir Woods and Sausalito (my pick)
- San Francisco and Sausalito
- San Francisco Highlights and Chinatown Lunch
- Scenic San Francisco
Note: Excursion choices may change by sailing.
I almost always gravitate to tree hugging. It was a beautiful day and the drive was scenic. We stopped in Sausalito to browse and then made our way to Muir Woods, where we hiked on our own. I do wish we had more time at Muir Woods. There were demos and rangers available and I would have liked to have had time to hike at least 2 trails. I still got to see gorgeous redwoods and be immersed in the green in the 90 minutes that we were there.
Verandah Stateroom and Vista Suite
For our girls trip, the standard balcony stateroom worked well; we split the king bed into two twins, giving us each our own sleep space. The cabin is large enough for a sofa and table, plus we had the balcony to hang out on. There were ample Elemis toiletries and shelves in the bathroom and the shower had strong water pressure. There was plenty of closet space to unpack and we stored our bags under the beds.
I toured the Neptune Suite on the Koningsdam and it is a major upgrade. Here is what you need to know about pricing and VIP benefits:
- The Cost: Prices generally range from $3,500 to $7,500+ for a 7-night sailing depending on the itinerary, though passengers sometimes land last-minute upgrade offers starting around $200 to $600 per person.
- The Room: It spans 465 to 502 square feet and features a large sitting area, a private teak verandah, and a luxury bathroom with a full-size whirlpool bath and double sinks.
- Exclusive Lounge Access: Guests get entry to the private Neptune Lounge , which features a dedicated concierge to handle bookings, plus daily snacks and beverages.
- Premium Dining Perks: The suite includes private breakfast and dinner seating at the upscale Club Orange venue.
- VIP Treatment: Bookings come with priority check-in, boarding, and tender embarkation , along with complimentary unlimited laundry and dry cleaning .
SheBuysTravel Tip: If you prefer not to share a bed, ask for the twin-bed configuration when you book.
Dress Code/ Packing:
Bring Your Orange: Every cruise features Holland America’s famous Orange Party, celebrating our Dutch heritage. There were a few couples onboard who went all out with everything from an orange speedo to orange wigs.
You do not need a closet full of formalwear. Most evenings on Koningsdam are Smart Casual, with a few Dressy nights when guests tend to step it up.
Our sailing was at the end of April so nights were cool. Pack layers for Pacific Coast weather, comfortable shoes for sea days and something sparkly in case you feel like dressing up.
Steam irons are not available onboard. Guests can purchase:
- One-time pressing
- Laundry service
- Dry cleaning
- Unlimited pressing for the voyage
Taking the Train to the San Diego Cruise Terminal
To make the trip feel relaxed from the start
- Take the train to San Diego instead of dealing with traffic (we were already chatting away before we even boarded Koningsdam).
- Walk to the terminal from the San Diego station (4 blocks)
SheBuysTravel Tip: For California travelers, look for repositioning and Pacific Coast cruises that begin or end on the West Coast.
What to Know About Holland America’s Koningsdam
Holland America’s Koningsdam is the sweet spot between mega-ship and boutique-ship. Info to Know:
- 12 decks , launched 2016, refitted 2018
- 1,331 cabins , most ocean-facing, many with teak-lined verandas
- Entertainment: “Fosse and Verdon” on the World Stage with 270-degree screens, B.B. King’s Blues Club, Billboard Onboard, Rolling Stone Rock Room
- Dining: 8 venues including Pinnacle Grill, Tamarind, Canaletto, Lido Market, 24-hour room service
- Wellness: Greenhouse Spa & Salon, full Fitness Centre, Lido Pool, pickleball at sea
- Pools : The main pool has a retractable roof and is in the middle of the ship. The adults-only pool has ocean views. There are 3 hot tubs.
- Check in at the terminal was easy. There were plenty of Holland America helpers guiding us to the right place to check in and drop off luggage.
- Gym : open 6:00am to 9:00pm; offers free tai chi, stretching and dance classes
Internet
Koningsdam offers onboard Wi-Fi packages, including a Premium Internet option for travelers who need to stay connected on multiple devices. Internet at sea may not match the speed or consistency you expect at home, so download anything important before boarding.
I used the internet to check emails while onboard and found the connection to be strong and fast.
Also remember that the port day is in San Francisco, where most travelers can use their regular cellular data plan. If you can manage a few days with limited connectivity, skip the onboard internet package and treat the cruise as a mini digital detox. Check messages in port, then get back to powering down for a couple more days.
Kids, Tweens and Teens Programs Aboard Koningsdam
Holland America’s Kids Club is included in the cruise fare, with supervised onboard programming for kids and teens ages 3 to 17.
On Koningsdam, the kids facility was large and colorful, with separate spaces for different age groups. Activities may include:
- Crafts
- Sports
- Scavenger hunts
- Video games
- Themed parties
There were only a couple of families on our sailing, so Koningsdam did not feel like a family-heavy cruise. Holland America does not offer separate off-ship excursions exclusively for children.
Tipping
Holland America automatically adds a daily Crew Appreciation charge to each guest’s onboard account. The amount varies by cabin category ($17-$20), so check the current rate before sailing. Budget for it in advance so it does not come as a surprise on the final bill.
Dining and Drinks
Dining and drinks aboard Koningsdam turned are big enough topics on their own that one section here would not do them justice. We go deep on all four specialty restaurants, the Main Dining Room, and Club Orange in our full specialty dining guide, and break down the beverage package options, real onboard prices, and the cocktails worth ordering in our full Holland America beverage guide.
FAQs
Yes. A cruise from San Diego can reduce planning while still providing restaurants, entertainment, spa time and activities. It offers options for shared experiences and time apart.
Yes. We took the train to San Diego and walked about four blocks from the station to the cruise terminal.
Yes. We attended a bourbon tasting, made custom lipsticks, toured the ship, watched a stage show, danced to live music and tried several restaurants.
Yes. Specialty dining, live entertainment, spa services, tastings and dressier evenings gave our birthday trip a celebratory feel without requiring a complicated itinerary. And they delivered cake and sang Happy Birthday to us.
Yes. A daily Crew Appreciation charge is automatically added to each guest’s onboard account. Confirm the current rate before sailing because charges can change.
Yes. It’s called “Have it All” with several package options.
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