Switching to HAL

[dawne577]

In 2011 My DH and I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. We want to sail 10+ days(open to all destinations) and even though we'll be platinum in 2010 on RCCL(retro to Celebrity) the itineraries on HAL are tempting me.
1.) When will May, 2011 itineraries be released? Hopefully before March of next year. We're sailing on the Century and would have the rebooking on board perks so would like to decide before then. Do you think 2011 itineraries would be reflective of 2010.
2.) What class of ship would you recommend the most - do not need a lot of bells & whistles!
3.) Any info on onboard liquor & wine packages would be appreciated. We would rather spend time on our balcony than in a bar.
Also, any in general comparisons between Celebrity and HAL would be great!

[Krazy Kruizers]

HAL doesn't change their itineraries too often.

Not certain when the 2011 itineraries will come out.

Would suggest a Vista class ship -- newer.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Scotch/Whiskey
Onboard Sales Price (BSC NOT included)
Seagrams 7
$26.00
Seagrams VO
$26.00
Cutty Sark
$28.00
Canadian Club
$28.00
Jim Beam
$30.00
Johnnie Walker Red
$32.00
J&B Rare
$32.00
Ballentine's
$35.00
Crown Royal
$37.00
Jameson Irish
$37.00
Dewars
$42.00
Jack Daniels
$48.00
Chivas Regal 12 yrs
$58.00
Johnnie Walker Black
$67.00
Cognac
Hennessy VS
$81.00
Remy Martin VSOP
$85.00
Remy Martin XO
$196.00
Gin
Beefeater
$28.00
Tanqueray
$36.00
Bombay Sapphire
$37.00
Liqueurs
Southern Comfort
$32.00
Kahlua
$32.00
Bailey's Irish Cream
$40.00
Sambuca - Opal Nera
$41.00
Tia Maria
$43.00
Amaretto
$45.00
Cointreau
$48.00
Drambuie
$51.00
Grand Marnier
$65.00
Vodka
Smirnoff
$24.00
Skyy Vodka
$25.00
Finlandia
$26.00
Stolichnaya
$26.00
Absolut
$28.00
Absolut Citron
$28.00
Tanqueray Sterling
$31.00
Grey Goose
$60.00
Chopin
$61.00
Belvedere
$61.00
Rum
Myers
$28.00
Bacardi Gold
$30.00
Bacardi White
$31.00
Sherry
Sherry Harvey's Medium
$50.00
Tio Pepe
$50.00
Tequila
Jose Cuervo Gold
$30.00

Beverage Package
Gin & Tonic Package
$32.00
(One btl Beefeaters Gin, 3 Cans of Tonic Water)
Scotch & Soda Package
$32.00
(One btl of Cutty Sark, 3 Cans of Soda Water)
Vodka & Tonic Package
$30.00
(One btl of Smirnoff or Stolichnaya, 3 Cans of Tonic Water)
Bourbon & Coke Package
$34.00
(One btl of Jim Beam, 3 Cans of Coke)
Rum & Coke Package
$34.00
(One btl of Bacardi, 3 cans of Coke)
In Cabin Beer/Soft Drinks Packages
6 x Domestic Beers
$19.00
(Budweiser, Bud Light, Miller Genuine Draft, Miller Lite)
6 x Imported Beers
$20.00
(Heineken, Amstel Light or Corona)
3 x Soft Drinks
$4.25
(Any soda product)
Red Bull
$3.45

[rjm1cc]

They are posted. Go to http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/Main.action

[SAN]

HOw about Europe or Alaska or roundtrip Hawaii? We are on the Westerdam in May 2010 and doing a 12 day Eastern Med. cruise. Alaska is usually 7 day cruise. You can stay a few days either in Seattle or Vancouver. Hawaii is usually a 15 day cruise.

I would look at itineraries for May 2010, and see what you like best. Then when you want to book your trip on board the ship you have some idea of where you want to go. I am sure that the agent on board the ship can help you with dates maybe not specific ships. Vista class ships are much newer and the New Amsterdam will only be a year old.

Good luck!!!

[Scottish Cruiser]

Had 3 cruses on HAL and 3 on X. On balancce I think we like HAL best, though there is not much to chose between them. We have found the cabin staff more personable and available on HAL. 2 of the 3 X I would have said the diningroom service was better than HAL, but the third was by far the worst anywhere. If you can afford it, the Deluxe Veranda Suite on HAL is the best cabin we have ever had. Apart from the enormous space, access to the Neptune Lounge makes it special. The concierge there can do everything for you. There are snacks available at all times, with light breakfast and lunch ingredients available. It helps avoid overloaded plates at the buffet! Also gives you priority on the tenders.

[jtl513]

They are posted. Go to ...
For May 2011, only for South America and Australia/New Zealand/South Pacific.

[NorthPhoenixGuy]

While onboard the Westerdam last week, I booked a Sea of Cortez/Mexican Riviera 10 day cruise for April 2011 on the Oosterdam out of San Diego. It's a Vista class ship. They are terrific ships with good food, great service and fabulous rooms wth very comfortable beds.

Thank you.

[dawne577]

Thank you for your timely responses. I will keep checking the HAL website to look for the 2011 cruises. I have a tendency to get swept away in the moment and I know if I'm not decisive about a HAL itinerary I will rebook on Celebrity. Which wouldn't be a bad thing but I just feel like this is the way to go even if we do give up the platinum perks.
So everyone is voting for a vista class ship. I'm ok with old and smelly with a few miles on her - a ship is kinda like wine & cheese. Any of the older ships that still hold an appeal?

[Willsot]

Celebrated our 35th anniversary on a 14-day European itinerary (Rome to Amsterdam) on the Prinsendam. Of all our HAL cruises, this was our favorite itinerary on our favorite ship.

[DutchByAssociation]

In 2011 My DH and I will be celebrating our 35th wedding anniversary. We want to sail 10+ days(open to all destinations) and even though we'll be platinum in 2010 on RCCL(retro to Celebrity) the itineraries on HAL are tempting me.
1.) When will May, 2011 itineraries be released? Hopefully before March of next year. We're sailing on the Century and would have the rebooking on board perks so would like to decide before then. Do you think 2011 itineraries would be reflective of 2010.


In May, your choices will be Alaska cruises, Alaska cruisetours and Europe mostly... perhaps there will be a remaining transatlantic...

April would offer a little more tropical variety if that is what you are looking for... Panama Canal, Caribbean, Hawaii, etc.

Brochures will typically come out about one year prior... i.e. 2011 Alaska will come out about the time 2010 Alaska season starts and so forth

Congrats on the amazing accomplishment!

[Topsham]

Any of the older ships that still hold an appeal?

You bet!

The older and smaller ships that HAL has, the Statendam Class and the Rotterdam class are just fine... any of them.

If you realy want to make a special cruise on a lovely ship with not too many passengers... around 750.... go for the PRINSENDAM on a Northern Europe or Mediterranean cruise. Unbeatable unless you go for something like Seabourn.

Stephen

[catl331]

So everyone is voting for a vista class ship. I'm ok with old and smelly with a few miles on her - a ship is kinda like wine & cheese. Any of the older ships that still hold an appeal?Not me! My favorite ship is the R-class Amsterdam, with her classical decor.

CLICK HERE (http://www.shipcafe.net/shipcafe/shipcafe.htm) for some photo galleries of the R & S class ships ... unfortunately not including the Amsterdam.

[usha]

dawne557, as far as wines are concerned, HAL allows guests to bring wine aboard without limit, both on embarkation day, and at ports of call.

[goody1]

My wife and I have cruised twice on the Century in the last 4 years, and cruised for the 1st time with HAL on the Eurodam in August.

Comparisons, in my opinion are, HAL have much bigger cabins with good sized bathrooms. Service on Hal better, but not a lot in it. Entertainment on Celebrity is much better and I think in the MDR it has the edge on food, however HALS' speciality restaurants, especially Tamarind on the Eurodam superb.

Age demographics on the cruises (twice on the Baltic, once North Cape cruise) very similar.

To be honest, if you move to HAL you wont regret it, likewise if you remain with Celebrity.

[dawne577]

I've decided to narrow down the ships to two or three and then choose the best itinerary leaning toward Europe or a transatlantic. Possibly a deep southern including the ABC islands but am staying away from the traditional eastern/western routes. I'm grateful we were able to visit these ports before the mammoth ships start docking on a regular basis. I think that will greatly change the atmosphere of these islands.