Find out what stopped our Koningsdam Alaska Cruise from being the Perfect Cruise!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Watch more of our Holland America videos here - kzbin.info/aero/PL_6zC3nwhe70i7xXOw8uFhLXzUVte6aYh&si=OdFZXYxHLpmy4UJu

[@brianmccarthy1322]

3 things that help decide if you should book a balcony: 1) the type of cruise 2) your preferences 3) the weather. You have control over 2 of the 3.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

yes agree with those!

[@DenaInWyo]

I have heard people say they would never pay for a balcony because they're never in their cabin. Good for them. I am known to spend entire afternoons on my balcony. It's one of the few places in the entire world that I am untouchable. No phone calls, no worries, no mail with bills, no ...anything. It's all still there but when I'm on a cruise ship balcony there is exactly 0 I can do about any of it, and I can let it go. It's a place I can truly relax. Even just watching videos of it makes my shoulders drop a little bit. Thank you so much for this series, I've enjoyed every bit! Edited to add: OMG. You let CAROLE set the alarm????? Now I'm on the edge of my seat to see if you made it to the bus lol (I kid! A little bit..)

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Lol we made it to the bus! 🤣🤣 Totally agree a balcony is worth the money for your own personal space, we didn't want to leave!

[@susan.connelly9955]

Plus, if you have to isolate for COVID, you have some fresh air and sunlight 😊

[@dontuno]

I can't tell you how entertaining I have found your journey and how you presented it. You have been such good fun and frankly addictive! Many thanks for sharing your experiences.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh thank you so much for your lovely comment, that has made our day!

[@pitcat1376]

As someone who has lived in Alberta and British Columbia, I've loved this series. Thanks for the information, entertainment, and the laughs! You two rock. Looking forward to your upcoming transatlantic series.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks really glad you enjoyed the series, it’s going to be a tough act to follow 😊

[@cathieschmitgal5515]

I frankly can’t believe you only have 22k followers! You have the best adventures and I thank you for all your hard work sharing them with us🤗😁

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks so much fir watching and supporting the channel, we really appreciate that!

[@ravok23]

I did the Pacific Coast cruise on the Konningsdam and it was fantastic! I've been on the Westerdam as well for an Alaskan cruise.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It is fabulous! Would love to go back!

[@janettesinclair6279]

What a wonderful trip this has been - have enjoyed watching every minute of the experience, the scenery, the ship, the amazing food, the train journey, all joined together by your great comments and banter! Thank you for all the great entertainment.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It has been one of our best, would love to do it all over again!

[@wendycopcutt4891]

I've enjoyed every minute of this fantastic trip and it's wetted my appetite to do it myself. I stayed on Vancouver Island 4 years ago and used to watch these huge ships sailing past, so it was great to track their journey to Alaska.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Wendy, it was fabulous, we would love to do it again too!

[@juniperdog5523]

British Columbia has such incredible diversity of landscapes. I am glad you got to see many of them. That coastal footage you got was stunning. Thank you!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks it is a beautiful part of the world!

[@jollyrob]

Everyone usually recommends or advises you to avoid restaurants based on food alone. But the overall experience can be so different based on service, table situation ambience/atmosphere etc. Thanks for highlighting these important aspects of the overall experience 👍 That band did look fantastic mind!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Cheers Rob, I’ve been quite vocal about how good Tamarind was on Nieuw Amsterdam so that made this experience even more disappointing, the food was again exceptional but sadly the service and positioning of our table wasn’t.

[@joybader4035]

Lovely videos!!! Just love you two ! Maybe someday we will cross on a cruise!!! Thank you for sharing !!!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh thanks so much! 😀

[@stephwulff1352]

What a beautiful week you both had. Banff was spectacular. Thanks for sharing!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was a fabulous trip!

[@barbarap5278]

This was a fantastic cruise & land trip!!! Thanks for taking us along, it was beautiful...

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was our pleasure 😊😊

[@ronbennie1028]

Wow…26:23 Carole on the balcony at sunset, cruising south on the inside passage. Looks like a blissful moment…10 out of 10.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was! Definitely didn't want to leave that balcony!

[@lornes2492]

As a Kamloops resident who cruises regularly out of Vancouver, I’ve loved seeing this area through your eyes. I’m glad you enjoyed your trip.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Great to hear you enjoyed it!

[@1sburdett1]

It was really great following along with you on your spectacular West Coast & Alaska adventure. I loved experiencing everything through such fresh eyes as somtimes I take our home for granted. I try not too...but sometimes it happens. I live in North Vancouver & when I saw your video my chest puffed out with such pride! Beauty in on our doorsteps. I have taken the inside passage up to Glacier Bay, Skagway, Juneau & Ketchikan & absolutely loved it! Thank you for making these interesting, entertaining & hilarious videos. I love watching Paul & Carol. Enjoy the Transatlantic cruise! Ooh, hope its not too rough!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh thanks so much for your lovely comment! We loved our time in your country and look forward to coming back one day!

[@amandas1292]

We have this exact tour booked with Titan this month and want to thank you for these excellent videos, incredibly informative and fun. You’ve also put my mind at rest about a few things I’ve been worried about. Thanks again!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

No problem, really glad you found it helpful 😊

[@mikemurphy2112]

Great series, thank you for shining the light of your lives into the window of my heart. Kindest regards. Stay safe and take care of each other.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@NancyCollins-bs6um]

Thank you for showing us this galley tour. So much more than I have seen on my galley tours.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Your welcome!

[@kathyslocombe1182]

Loved this video and the series was fantastic. Happy that you loved our beautiful provinces, Alberta and BC on your Rocky Mountaineer journey. Very disappointed to hear about your Tamarind experience. I hope ours is different on our Koningsdam cruise in February. Great as always Paul and Carole. Thank you for taking us along on this wonderful adventure. Come back to Vancouver soon.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Kathy, it was such an amazing trip and so good to have a brief hello at the port too!

[@sauspud]

Another amazing vlog which brings back memories. Lovely to have met you both and you are just as funny in real life as you are on the videos.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Aw thanks, you are making us blush now!🤗

[@carolynalexander314]

Really enjoyed this trip. It's been on my Wishlist for a long time. Also on my bucket list is transatlantic QM2 so really looking forward to your report of that. Have a wonderful time.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks so much, that's great to hear!

[@Listen2theTide]

Truly enjoyed your video and plan to view more, as we'll be experiencing our first cruise in February on Holland America's Nieuw Statendam. Glad to know that you liked the music because that was one of the reasons for us chosing Holland America. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and tips in such a delightful way!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

You are very welcome, as you can probably tell we are massive music fans, Holland America isn’t a party ship but they are probably the best cruise line when it comes to music!

[@brigidconroy2111]

Right then absolutely gutted that this incredible series is finished IT was incredible Alberta and British Columbia have the most stunning scenes in Canada 🇨🇦 Alaska definitely challenges my adoration of Banff but there is room in my heart for both ❤❤❤

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It’s like admitting you’ve got a favourite child. 🤣🤣

[@Blank8uin7h7hjh]

Wow, that balcony, it’s really something. I am trying to persuade Ant to say yes to a Neptune suite sometime in the future!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It’s amazing, and if you can afford we’d definitely recommend it, but for something like Alaska it’s so worth the extra money even without the perks.

[@leenoble796]

Love watching you. We always cruise Holland America Neptune suite. Hard to go back once you have been there. Take care

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

The Neptune Suite was amazing!

[@AnnetteRafferty-n4t]

Thank you so much for your video series of Canada and Alaskan cruise. We’re more or less doing the same trip (unfortunately not in the same type of cabin). Your trip has given me great tip and ideas of what to expect and look out for. It’s our first cruise so really excited about it. X

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

You are very welcome! Glad it was helpful, have a fabulous time!

[@charlesrichard8601]

In November 2022 we took a 7 night Mexican Riviera cruise on Koningsdam it was wonderful so we then took a 17 night Hawaiian Cruise on Koningsdam in January 2023 and it was wonderful. Now here is the difference that made our 3rd Cruise (2nd Hawaiian Cruise) in December 2023 for what should have been a wonderful Christmas/New Years cruise Not so wonderful, it was the change in "All New Crew & Staff" that obviously didn't want to be working over the Holidays and the officers got drunk at night and the staff was grumpy all day. What a difference 😲

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh what a shame! So disappointing after two fabulous cruises!

[@cherylsemrau7100]

Thank you for taking us. Keep up the good work. Greetings from a Canadian.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Cheryl will do! 😍

[@chriswilliams6568]

There is a difference between the UK and North America about clearing plates from your table. It is common in NA to clear plates as you finish them. In most all restaurants. Thx for video.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Ah ok thanks for that!

[@janedavies7768]

Great vlog again by you ❤ enjoy your next adventure from the 🇬🇧

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Cheers Jane we are on route to the Caribbean as we speak.

[@davidtavakoli5858]

I love you guys! You always make me smile! 😄

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks David! ☺️

[@ChrisFrameOfficial]

The stores are amazing aren’t they!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

They are!

[@StephenOshea]

great video i think it was so much fun to watch this video

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Stephen!

[@marjielalonde3875]

Sorry your last night wasn`t great; but what a wonderful trip you had; a most memorable birthday! It was lovely to see you enjoying British Columbia too. Love from Vancouver Island

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was one of our best trips ever!

[@lorenzomag100]

This was an awesome series Paul and Carole.I loved your behind the scenes tour,as I did ours back on the Discovery..4 years ago.Such a shame your last meal was spoilt with a certain staff member.she needs to show more respect to passengers who have spent a lot of money to go on the cruises

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Great to hear you enjoyed the series, we loved making it! 😍

[@brigidconroy2111]

Ooh la la that was a heck of a halibut Great gallley tour ❤

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was immense, we had no clue they were that big.

[@mauricefoster8648]

Fascinating galley tour😮

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Cheers Maurice it really was so interesting and the staff were all amazing.

[@akajasonbourne]

Really enjoyed this vlog series, wetted out appetite to do something similar. Did you pay extra for the galley tour? we've never done one but makes you appreciate how hard everyone works for our cruise enjoyment.

[@travelswithlizzylou]

fantastic galley tour 😃

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was really good and the staff were amazing and work so hard.

[@jenniferbaragar8254]

Good day. I found you two through the Cruising Canucks! Carol, when you’re speaking from anywhere but your cabin, I have trouble picking up your lower scale voice. Just FYI. Thank you for sharing your travels as I enjoy your videos very much.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

We love the Canucks, so that's great you have found us too! Thanks for the feedback, we have now purchased microphones so from after Japan that should improve!

[@veronicamyrel9090]

Interesting video! Greetings from Canada!🍁🇨🇦🍁

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@Mal_S]

I would have really enjoyed that entertainment. Unfortunately my wife refuses to go on a cruise, so I have to live vicariously through you. I would love to cruise.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh that is a shame! It took me 7 years to persuade Paul to take a cruise, and after only a couple of days he said 'why haven't we done this before'! 🤣🤣

[@richardg8651]

Great tour . Free Cruising Canucks . 😉 Huge HAL suit and now an Azamara Onward cruise . Ooh La La !

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Richard 😊😊

[@catherinehawkins1314]

Another enjoyable video, feel like I've done my cruise again just a different ship 😊❤

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Catherine! ☺️

[@jeffwalker4463]

Did you do the transatlantic on the Queen Mary 2 already?

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Yes we did it in August.

[@jeffwalker4463]

When will the video be uploaded?

[@live2skide1]

I loved this series and seeing Alaska from a "fresh" pair of eyes! So sorry you had a poor quality waitress on what should have been a 5 star experience. Good for Paul for making the concierge (Kevin) aware. Oh, the suite life. I am so looking forward to seeing your Queen Mary2 videos. We said next May & June from New York to Southampton, and back.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was a shame but still a fabulous cruise! Our New York QM2 series starts this month! 😍

[@timothysaul4478]

Great videos peeps, I enjoyed every one of them.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks so much! 😍

[@yvonnemulvihill4456]

Loved it thank you. ❤

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@lindajones6176]

This series has been brilliant, well done you two. Funny bit though, 2 minutes in and Paul walking down the stairs- it looks like he had no shorts on, had to go back and check😂

[@barbaragulliver5764]

0

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

I’m assuming when you checked I did have something on 🤣🤣 I do sometimes get forgetful but I do usually remember my clothes 🤣🤣

[@lindajones6176]

@@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel yes, shorts on😂

[@anniepowell7559]

Wonderful video.👍🍁🍁🇨🇦🇨🇦🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Glad you enjoyed it! 😀

[@leannabrown8107]

Hello! I have just booked my first ever cruise with Marella. Just wondered if you could advise me on a good cruise insurance you have used. Do you book your insurance with TUI?

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Hello! We have our insurance with our bank, but have used staysure in the past which covered all at a reasonable price!

[@wbrown2481]

Love you guys ❤

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks Wanda!

[@norfolkboy6935]

Having your plates cleared whilst still eating is a big no no! Really enjoyed following your series 🙏👍

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks for watching!

[@debbiegibbssmith]

Brilliant last day review, bummer about Tamarind though 😟

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Thanks yes it was a shame Though still one of our best cruises ever!

[@colleendemoissac7403]

We did Tamarand on the Nieuw Statendam in October. Food delicious but the restaurant was very noisy with several really large groups so not a very relaxing meal.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

The food is amazing it’s a shame your overall experience mirrored ours.

[@andyandkirstie]

We loved our Alaska cruise on Koningsdam but didn't rate Holland America as a cruise line based on this one experience at all. They weren't bad, just very average.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh wow, sorry to hear that. With the money cruising is now costing average is definitely not what you’re after.

[@andyandkirstie]

@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel It was a lovely ship and the entertainment venues were awesome, we just expected a bit more from the dining experience. Think that's what let them down.

[@teresajarkowska5792]

Shame that the last night should bring the one sour note for you. However, you had a wonderful time and have a lifetime of good memories.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

We did have an amazing time! So many wonderful memories!

[@SoloonaCruise]

The seating near a noisy or the clearing station point is almost a given for a solo traveller.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh that is a shame!

[@gerrilarsen29]

What did he say they did with scraps, etc……couldn’t understand

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

They go through a process which enables the food to be turned into fish food.

[@Robby334]

Morgan - Slater how posh xxx

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Lol! 🤣🤣

[@ericammons9804]

Special dining at an extra price has always bugged me. I’m sorry you had a terrible experience. They need to fire that server.!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was a shame!

[@TomandDomTravel]

That fish was Huge! Entertainment looked good but disappointing news about service.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It was so big! Yes shame about that, the only blip in what was a fabulous cruise!

[@melhinchliffe5180]

Very good and lots of good info but there are times when you can’t hear Carole

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Ok thanks for the feedback!

[@zogharms4524]

Not every specialty restaurant is included in HIA package. Rudy's is one, tamerand might be another

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Tamarind and Pinnicle Grill are included 😀

[@sharononeill2415]

Do you find the cruise you do are posh

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

No not at all, lines like Silverseas or Oceania are far more posh and expensive

[@mikemurphy2112]

Where are you now?

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

We are currently on Azamara Onward in the Caribbean+

[@annemariemosher29]

FYI There is no such thing as a Canadian Bloody Mary. It’s called a Caesar.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Lol thank you!

[@amandareiche9083]

I see a Canuck!

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Lol you do! 🤣

[@keithdavis2580]

Just a quick comment about your unfortunate experience at the restaurant. Whilst I understand your discomfort of having plates cleared whilst someone is still eating (I dislike this myself). I believe it to be a cultural thing as in NZ (somewhere on your bucket list). This is a common thing, and nobody queries it, so beware. Also, I never query it when it happens at the buffet on a ship, where it happens all the time. So, at that point, I have to ask myself why does it only make me feel uncomfortable sometimes? Not sure what I am saying here other than asking myself why am I/we inconsistent about this service.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Yes understand that, though at a specialty restaurant it is what we would expect ☺️

[@keithdavis2580]

I don’t disagree.

[@johnallan4826]

Lol

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

😀

[@marisayoung8670]

This whole experience on cruises sounds just awful to me. I have watched a few videos hoping to have my mind changed but my opinion just gets worse. Good bye for now.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

It would be a boring old world if we all liked the same things, thanks for your comment 😀😀

[@debratrani8583]

Just went on there in May to Alaska. Hated it. Horrid food. Horrid entertainment. Nice balcony room. Well kept. Nice excursions. Lousy shops onboard. Smoky casino and not worth going in. Never again. I've been on 13 cruises so have experience enough to know what's good and Holland is definitely not.

[@PaulandCaroleLovetoTravel]

Oh that is a shame. We had a great experience.