Which was the ONE?

[hensghan]

Which was the one HAL cruise that you absolutely enjoyed the most? The one that you would most recommend without reservation to a friend or neighbor or relative?

And why? What made it the most memorable, the most enjoyable, the most recommendable? What made it so special?

[CowPrincess]

I can't pick -- I have two faves :D

May/08 -- cruise to Alaska. We had overall fabulous weather, and it was so nice to see my DH get hooked on cruising. I still remember him throwing himself on the bed grinning and saying "Oh, God, what a perfect way to vacation". We had the perfect cabin for us -- low, midships, not much traffic, and no noise from overhead.

Nov/08 -- 10 day Sea of Cortez. Despite a lot of unpleasant pax who had apparently never been to charm school, the places we got to see were wonderful. A great dinner table group, fantastic conversations, lasting friendships, and so MANY breathtaking moments. Kayaking outside Loreto, the beach at La Paz, watching DH swim with wild dolphins. Seeing sea lion toes from our cabin window :) Going to Los Mochis, a working Mexican city, completely non-touristy, yet everyone we met went out of their way to make us welcome. The beach near Topolobampo where there were bird tracks bigger than my rather enormous feet. The dolphin show off the side of the ship while docked at Topolobampo. I'm smiling just thinking about all the wonders :)

[catl331]

Full transit Panama Canal. The locks were amazing and weather great. Second--tie of Baltic and West. Med. Heading for East Med. next. Two Alaskan cruises were rainy, cold weather but still enjoyable. Carib. cruises always include stops I have seen already. Baltic and Med. showed us a great variety of ports and their people.

[Jemima]

A summer 2004 northern transatlantic on the Rotterdam from New York to Copenhagen with stops at Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, 3 in Scotland and 3 in Norway. Wonderful!

[sail7seas]

We've been on more than 60 HAL cruises and each was THE ONE in its own way. Sure we loved some more than others but never have we had an HAL cruise we didn't enjoy.... though we did come close twice. ;)

Some were more special because of people with whom we sailed, some because we were celebrating a significant event in our lives, some because of special itinerary, some because the weather was amazing, ALL because the crew was wonderful.

We must love Canada/New England on Maasdam more than some other itineraries as we do it back-to-back every summer and have for years. We think it one of HAL's best short cruises... so much we do it twice (or more) annually.

We loved a Med cruise which boarded in Athens and debarked in Rome with stops in Greek Islands and Venice among other really special ports.

We've done Panama Canal four or more times so surely can say we totally enjoyed that route.

What we haven't yet done is Voyage of the Viking.... DH is not retired but that is definitely on our list even if we can just do one half of it.

If it's a blue hulled, HAL ship with a wonderful HAL crew, it's going to be a great cruise.

[ldog]

ANTARCTICA!!!!

Special place.... great ports.... and believe it or not the food was the best we've ever had.

Veendam - January 2010.

p.s - we've loved all of our cruises and they have all been special

[rkacruiser]

The 2002 Asia Pacific cruise aboard the Volendam is my favorite. Why? So many reasons! It was my longest cruise up to that point in time. It was the Volendam's maiden visit to all of the ports so that there were several special welcoming ceremonies that we guests were able to attend. Had an outstanding Roll Call for the cruise and made several good friends from that cruise, some of whom I have sailed with since and several with whom contact has been kept. A Captain and a Cruise Director who were most compatible and friendly and who made The Voice From the Bridge a comedy routine most days. Table mates who were friendly and interesting and also became friends with whom I have since sailed. Very stormy seas crossing the North Pacific, starting on first day out of Vancouver(55 foot waves, as I recall). A fugitive priest from Los Angeles who was found to be aboard the ship, he was arrested, and disembarked by the Coast Guard at Dutch Harbor. An itinerary that was diverse and quite interesting. Menus which often reflected the cuisine of where we were (Filet of Kangaroo when in Australian waters). And, last, but not least, a wonderful crew, a couple of whom I have been privileged to sail with again.

[Kween Karen]

No question (so far)....the fall 2009 Grand South Pacific, Australia and New Zealand. My dream come true!

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

23 day Pan America on the Ryndam in 2007 - from San Diego, down the coast of Mexico and Central America, in and out of the Panama Canal with an overnight in Gatun Lake, to Equador and back. Great itinerary with Peter J. Van Maurik as Captain. Wonderful itinerary with great service and crew on a small ship. Wonderful fellow cruisers as well. I like longer cruises and hope to be able to do more of them.

[slotl]

A summer 2004 northern transatlantic on the Rotterdam from New York to Copenhagen with stops at Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, 3 in Scotland and 3 in Norway. Wonderful!

I agree!!!

I also LOVE the Grand Cruises which HAL offers. We have been on the Grand Asia/Australia and would highly recommend it!!!

[ger_77]

All of our Holland America cruises have been wonderful, but the most memorable by far was our last one in Oct/09 to the Eastern Mediterranean on the Rotterdam. DH and I had cruised that itinerary twice before, but what made this cruise so special was that we had our whole family with us: 2 sons, 1 daughter and our new son-in-law. Being able to touch the pyramids, experience the religious history of Jerusalem, and wander through the amazing sites in Istanbul with those who meant so much to us made it the most memorable of cruises . . . so far.:D

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

[KAYEF]

MAGNIFICENT REPO CRUISE
Seattle
Vancouver, BC
Los Angeles
On to the Mexican Riviera
Costa Rica
Guatemala,
Nicaragua
Through the PANAMA CANAL
MANY, MANY places as we crossed the Caribbean
Half Moon Cay
Ft. Lauderdale
23 nights

Wish they still did these with "all" the Caribbean stops plus HMC;)

ALL of my Alaska Cruises
plus
the one coming up that is 14 days and goes all the way to Kodiak~
RT Seattle
Can you believe going up Cook Inlet to ANCHORAGE? Amazing!

[slotl]

Although we traveled on the Star Princess, one of our favorite cruises was to the Antartic (r/t Buenos Aires). Holland America does Valparaso to Rio.

The Antartic cruises usually run in January and February (maybe one in early March).

As of August 11, 2011, Large cruise ships will no longer be permitted to cruise there. The larger ships cruise around, but are not permitted to let passengers land. Instead, folks from the research stations come aboard to give lectures (and get a great lunch and some "supplies").


So, if you want to cruise thru the Antartic on a "class" ship, do it now.....otherwise you will need to see it on the smaller "discovery" or "hurrengrn" (sp) cruises....very small, very old ships, but they do have the zodiacs so that you can walk on land.

[RuthC]

By far, the best, most memorable, cruise was my first cruise that went to Antarctica. The majesty of that continent is beyond description.
There are a couple of other cruises which would be contenders for the title, but it was on the Antarctica cruise that I came back to life after becoming a widow. The trip was great on several fronts!

[USN59-79]

Our most memorable cruise was to Antarctica on the Amsterdam in 2003. The weather was perfect, the lecturers were outstanding and the scenery was magnificent. Still haven't figured how penguins can get up on those ice floes though. I hesitate to recomend the cruise, because they might not have the perfect weather we had over Christmas and New Years.

[RevNeal]

South-America / Antarctica 2008 aboard the Rotterdam.

It was WONDERFUL. The ship was amazing, the crew fantastic, the ports were glorious, my friends aboard ship were very special too me, and Antarctica was beyond words. My photos tell the story:

http://homepage.mac.com/revneal/rotterdam2008/Menu264.html

[Bill S]

USN59-79: it sounds like we were on the same cruise with you-Dec 2003 - Jan 2004. It was spectacular in large part due to the outstanding wx, sea and ice states we had. I really liked Capt. Harris and it was cool for him to take us down to the Antarctic Circle to watch the sunset and sunrise.

While that cruise ranks right up there, I'd have to say that my most memorable cruise was my first ever cruise on the Ryndam in 1998 to Alaska. I loved the ship, all the amazing things to see and experience in Alaska, and the just the overall cruise experience. We thought that we would never go back to Alaska, but in September we will be on our 7th cruise back up there.

[Cruising-along]

All of our Holland America cruises have been wonderful, but the most memorable by far was our last one in Oct/09 to the Eastern Mediterranean on the Rotterdam. DH and I had cruised that itinerary twice before, but what made this cruise so special was that we had our whole family with us: 2 sons, 1 daughter and our new son-in-law. Being able to touch the pyramids, experience the religious history of Jerusalem, and wander through the amazing sites in Istanbul with those who meant so much to us made it the most memorable of cruises . . . so far.:D

Smooth Sailing! :):):)

My favorite too (as can be seen in my avatar) :) It was a life-long dream of mine to visit the pyramids -- never dreamed I'd be able to actually go inside one! That dream came true in 2006 and next year we'll go back again, this time with my sister and her husband.

[IRL_Joanie]

Which was the one HAL cruise that you absolutely enjoyed the most? The one that you would most recommend without reservation to a friend or neighbor or relative?

And why? What made it the most memorable, the most enjoyable, the most recommendable? What made it so special?

May 2008, the Oosterdam May 10-17 to Alaska. Our first REAL cruise ship for vacation and my Dreams DO Come True Cruise!! This was my PIPEDREAM Cruise, one of those places you dream about doing, but know that you cannot for financial or other reasons. OMG!! HAL has made so many of my Pipedreams come true!!

She was amazing in every aspect, looks, decor, service, food. Just everything about her made me fall in love with her!!

I highly recommend her to anyone and everyone, friends, family and strangers alike:D

Joanie

[Krazy Kruizers]

Our 2009 Full Panama Canal repositioning cruise on the Westerdam which was also called the mystery cruise. New ports for us.

The food was the best we have ever had on a HAL cruise. The crew wonderful!!

[hensghan]

Wow! There just doesn't seem to be any ONE cruise that particularly stands out as truly exceptional to too many different people, although Antarctica does lead by just a hair. No, answers ranged pretty much across the board: from Canada & New England, to South America, to Antarctica, to the Panama Canal, to the Sea of Cortez, to Alaska, to the South Pacific & Asia, to the Mediterranean and Near East, and also included repositioning cruises, TA cruises and, of course, Grand Cruises. What an eclectic group of travelers! About the only place not recommended at all was the entirety of the Caribbean. I guess that itinerary has just about been done to death.

If I could only get all you guys together in one room over drinks I believe I could write the Mother of All Travel Books!

[ANSalberg]

Which was the one HAL cruise that you absolutely enjoyed the most? The one that you would most recommend without reservation to a friend or neighbor or relative?

And why? What made it the most memorable, the most enjoyable, the most recommendable? What made it so special?

We have gone on three "Grand" cruises in the Fall on the Amsterdam and will be going again in September. These are all 60+ days [ we are retired] and into or around the Pacific and Asia. Last year's skipped the Asia part and headed down to extended ports in Australia/NZ after Islands along the Equator. THESE all were our favorite cruises. Asia is an adventure! China, Asian-Russia [ Kamchatka] Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and this year Cambodia for the first time. The culture in these countries is new, exciting and very different from what we THINK we knew! I never want to stop LEARNING -That's what life is all about!!!!
When we cruised during our working years [ Banking; DH & Library; Me] it was short and restful AND exciting -Now we can do the longer cruises, avoid longer flights This "Amsterdam" cruise goes out of Seattle and into S California [ different ports/different years] and learn about the world that was, to a large part -a mystery until 18 or so years ago! I never ever thought it could be ME seeing all these countries!
The advantage to the longer cruises [ besides shorter flights] is getting the TIME to know people better ON the cruise, to participate in activities on Sea days, to meet NEW people at our table in the dining room and have TIME, and to enjoy each other [ we've been married 50 years] and to KEEP a "good" attitude about life ourselves. They CHALLENGE our minds, our senses and our intellect.
Anne
P.S. To answer the previous topic on "Addictions" YES; we ARE addicted to cruising.

[2bout2c]

[quote=rkacruiser;25212998]The 2002 Asia Pacific cruise aboard the Volendam is my favorite. Why? So many reasons! It was my longest cruise up to that point in time. It was the Volendam's maiden visit to all of the ports so that there were several special welcoming ceremonies that we guests were able to attend. Had an outstanding Roll Call for the cruise and made several good friends from that cruise, some of whom I have sailed with since and several with whom contact has been kept. A Captain and a Cruise Director who were most compatible and friendly and who made The Voice From the Bridge a comedy routine most days. Table mates who were friendly and interesting and also became friends with whom I have since sailed. Very stormy seas crossing the North Pacific, starting on first day out of Vancouver(55 foot waves, as I recall). A fugitive priest from Los Angeles who was found to be aboard the ship, he was arrested, and disembarked by the Coast Guard at Dutch Harbor. An itinerary that was diverse and quite interesting. Menus which often reflected the cuisine of where we were (Filet of Kangaroo when in Australian waters). And, last, but not least, a wonderful crew, a couple of whom I have been privileged to sail with again.[/quo
****
Don't forget the Barbershop singers.

[rkacruiser]

The 2002 Asia Pacific cruise aboard the Volendam is my favorite. Why? So many reasons! It was my longest cruise up to that point in time. It was the Volendam's maiden visit to all of the ports so that there were several special welcoming ceremonies that we guests were able to attend. Had an outstanding Roll Call for the cruise and made several good friends from that cruise, some of whom I have sailed with since and several with whom contact has been kept. A Captain and a Cruise Director who were most compatible and friendly and who made The Voice From the Bridge a comedy routine most days. Table mates who were friendly and interesting and also became friends with whom I have since sailed. Very stormy seas crossing the North Pacific, starting on first day out of Vancouver(55 foot waves, as I recall). A fugitive priest from Los Angeles who was found to be aboard the ship, he was arrested, and disembarked by the Coast Guard at Dutch Harbor. An itinerary that was diverse and quite interesting. Menus which often reflected the cuisine of where we were (Filet of Kangaroo when in Australian waters). And, last, but not least, a wonderful crew, a couple of whom I have been privileged to sail with again.[/quo
****
[QUOTE]Don't forget the Barbershop singers.

How could I have overlooked them! I remember lots of good entertainment on that cruise, too.

[chees]

ANTARCTICA!!!!

Special place.... great ports.... and believe it or not the food was the best we've ever had.

Veendam - January 2010.

p.s - we've loved all of our cruises and they have all been special

It was a dynamite cruise; we were on it also -- we had sun, fog, rain and snow in Antarctica and yes, the food was incredible. I would recommend this cruise wholeheartedly to anyone. And a special memory is the crew (many of whom had never seen snow before) throwing snowballs at each other and making snow angels.

Tina

[slotl]

We have gone on three "Grand" cruises in the Fall on the Amsterdam and will be going again in September. These are all 60+ days [ we are retired] and into or around the Pacific and Asia. Last year's skipped the Asia part and headed down to extended ports in Australia/NZ after Islands along the Equator. THESE all were our favorite cruises. Asia is an adventure! China, Asian-Russia [ Kamchatka] Japan, Singapore, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and this year Cambodia for the first time. The culture in these countries is new, exciting and very different from what we THINK we knew! I never want to stop LEARNING -That's what life is all about!!!!
When we cruised during our working years [ Banking; DH & Library; Me] it was short and restful AND exciting -Now we can do the longer cruises, avoid longer flights This "Amsterdam" cruise goes out of Seattle and into S California [ different ports/different years] and learn about the world that was, to a large part -a mystery until 18 or so years ago! I never ever thought it could be ME seeing all these countries!
The advantage to the longer cruises [ besides shorter flights] is getting the TIME to know people better ON the cruise, to participate in activities on Sea days, to meet NEW people at our table in the dining room and have TIME, and to enjoy each other [ we've been married 50 years] and to KEEP a "good" attitude about life ourselves. They CHALLENGE our minds, our senses and our intellect.
Anne
P.S. To answer the previous topic on "Addictions" YES; we ARE addicted to cruising.

I'm with you.....addicted to cruising......AND ...........loving the HAL Grand Cruises.

We sailed with you on the 2008 Grand Asia/Australia (Amsterdam) and, yes, we loved it. Since 2006, my DH and I have cruised 6 different cruises to Asia, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, the South Pacific, etc.

2010 (usually in March) we did the HAL Grand Med/Black Sea (Prinsendam). We even visited Sochi Russia (home of the 2014 Winter Olympics). We hadn't cruised the Med since 2005 (although we have done a minimum of 10 cruises thru and around Europe).

In 2011, we have booked the HAL Grand Africa/Med cruise (Prinsendam). Believe it or not, HAL has found some NEW ports which we have yet to visit.

Besides the wonderful ports, the best part about the Grand Cruises is the crew (they know you by name), NO CHILDREN, and a wonderful, well traveled, well educated group of passengers. It is an experience not to be missed!!!

[Willsot]

So far mine would be a tie between a 14-day cruise on the Prinsendam, Rome to Amsterdam, and a 12-day Baltic cruise on the Westerdam. For us, the Europe itineraries have been far more exciting and enjoyable than anything we've experienced in the Caribbean and the Baltics has been our favorite region (again, so far).

[Jo-Bob]

By far, the best, most memorable, cruise was my first cruise that went to Antarctica. The majesty of that continent is beyond description.
There are a couple of other cruises which would be contenders for the title, but it was on the Antarctica cruise that I came back to life after becoming a widow. The trip was great on several fronts!


Oh Ruth,
I have thought of you often and your bravery. I can't imagine surviving what you did....I realize you don't know me, but some stories are compelling beyond my ability to comprehend.

You describe it appropriately. "Coming to life". Thanks for letting us know it's possible.

[RuthC]

Oh Ruth,
I have thought of you often and your bravery. I can't imagine surviving what you did....I realize you don't know me, but some stories are compelling beyond my ability to comprehend.

You describe it appropriately. "Coming to life". Thanks for letting us know it's possible.
Thank you for those very kind words! It's so nice of you to remember my tale. Kind of makes my day!