Disney-HAL

[HelloThere]

I'm trying to decide between Disney and HAL. Details are here (http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=101888). Any thoughts?

Thanks!

[momofmeg]

I don't agree with most. I thought Disney's adult only pool and HOT TUBS were great. I also loved both the Cadillac and Route 66 adult lounges with live music. The cadilliac a paino player and singer, Route 66 a live band. These were both ADULT ONLY.

Since Disney does a good job of matching dinner mates I am sure you would be put with other singles and not a family.

Now the Wonder was a good 50% of their passengers kids under 15-so both the family pool and kid's pool were super crowded so I myself problay would have hated Disney if I had went with young kids but as I was able to enjoy the adult only areas I loved it. I also really enjoyed when the characters came out-the little ones were so excited and I enjoyed seeing all these happy toddlers and small children.

Now we only have been on one HAL cruise. HAL tends to be an older crowd and we went to Alaska for this cruise which also attracts more older people. At the time we were in our mid forties and we felt like spring chickens.

We found it very sedate. After the broadway style show there was very little going on except gambling. All the lounges were dead after the show with one or two lone drinkers, no live music, no dancing which I found strange myself because on other lines I have been on it was the older ones that really could dance. I always love watching those 70 year olds because they know what they are doing. (of course I am not talking about the disco but the ballroom type dancing) The only live music we found on HAL was before dinner-there was none after dinner. We were very disapointed.

Now I have heard from others that this was because we got a double wammy on the older crowd it being HAL and Alaska that other HAL cruises are not that sedate.

Have you though of Princess? We have only done one Princess cruise but we did love Princess and Princess has a great mix of adult ages and only a few children. At least that was true of our cruise.

[Julia’s Journey’s]

We have done 2 DCL Magic cruises, both with kids and haven't been on HAL. Our first DC I was surprised to see so many pax without kids. Pax of all ages from honeymoon couples to grandparents and were having a great time, the nightly adult entertainment was great and DCL stick strictly to there no kids allowed policy in there areas not like other cruise lines who don't enforce the rules.

DH actually suggested going on the Magic without the kids next year but I doubt they will allow that but they know that Princess is our adult only cruise.

Good luck choosing and let us know how it is.
Happy cruising!!

[ElaineMD]

I posted a reasonably detailed comparison of the two lines some months ago. You might do a search on my user name. I am married and 40, but I travel with a friend of mine who is 55. We are both women. We had a great time on both ships (Wonder and Zuiderdam), but overall did prefer Wonder.

Elaine
Norman, OK

[poffel]

have yet to go on Disney, but have been on RCL, Princess, NCL, and HAL. HAL was mostly older people and most nites had very little going on after late seating. It was a Panama Canal Cruise on an older boat over Thankgiving last yr, so I can't coment on the newer line of ships. If you like a good mix and not overwhelmed by kids, my pick would be Princess. Also Princess had a nice mix of nationalities also. We sat with a couple from England and 2 Ladies from Scotland and enjoyed our dinner conversations.

[njmoms]

We sailed HAL Zuiderdam last March, then Disney Magic last month, and are scheduled for HAL Westerdam in April.

We are also big Disney fans, so the Magic was fabulous! We would sail her often if the cost were lower. For a Disney fanatic, it is paradise! Disney stuff wherever you turn. The ship was full during our sail, as it usually is, but it didn't feel overly crowded, except for those times such as formal pictures in the lobby, when lots of people are doing the same thing in the same space. We found the adult entertainment very good, the adults only restaurant, Palo, was fantastic. They do have an adult pool and bar area, which are usually pretty quiet.

We do HAL pretty much strictly for relaxation and just to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. We love the amenities, such as the spa, and the lower prices. Disney is the "amusement park" type of cruise.