Considering HAL...what should I know?

[bigmacfan]

We are considering doing a HAL cruise this year. What should I know? What is specific to this cruise line? We are considering a balcony cabin on the Zuiderdam. What deck is the best for these cabins? Are there any secrets that you can help with?

I am 29 and my traveling companion is 42...we love to lounge around the pool on sea days..is this a good ship for this? We do not like to party, so the nightclubs aren't a consideration, but other than that...how is this ship for our ages? I understand the stereotype for HAL is older crowd....which is actually better for us as we are young fogeys....but what is HAL really like?

Thanks for any help you can provide!!!

[jhannah]

Short answer ... you will enjoy the Zuiderdam. It was built to attract a younger demographic. Since it's exclusively on Caribbean itineraries, that helps to attract younger adults as well. We have sailed this ship and really enjoyed it.

Overall, we find HAL to be 'a cut above.' Their crew members are anxious to please. Fresh flowers and fine artwork are throughout the ship. The staterooms on HAL ships tend to be a bit larger than industry standard. The food is very good, and its presentation is wonderful.

Give it a try. IMO you won't be disappointed.

[cruzluvrs]

Bigmacfan

My husband and I (52 and 47) have decided to try Holland America's Zuiderdam in May. We have done RCCL, Princess and Celebrity and have enjoyed all of them immensely. We were a bit nervous about trying Holland America but I have heard that the Zuiderdam is a great ship and I haven't heard anything negative about HAL from any age group. So I feel confident that it will be a great cruise.

[bigmacfan]

For some reason, my signature isn't showing, but I have cruised Royal Caribbean once and Carnival 3 times. I know from Carnival that the reputations aren't always true as I have never been on a drunken party ship...so I am assuming the reputation of elderly people on HAL isn't exactly true either.

Does HAL offer free self serve ice cream?
Is there a pizzeria?
What are the dining options in terms of seating times and different venues?
What does room service offer? Can I get dining room entrees delivered?
Are the pools saltwater or freshwater like Princess?

Thanks again for the help!

[DFD1]

'Vegas Jim gives you a good answer.

HAL....elegant, sedate but not dull, good food, superb crew, beautiful ships beautifully maintained.

I think HAL provides the best dollar for dollar cruise value to be found.

Hope you have a great time. When you get back from the Zuiderdam, take a look at one of the smaller ships, the Volendam or the Maasdam. They are the essence of HAL cruising.

[doone]

If you are going to get a suite, perhaps you would want to consider one of the aft corner ones. I hear they have huge balconies. We're booked on the Zuiderdam in March and choose one of those aft corner balconies and mini suite, 5187 and 5185.

[jaguarstyper]

We sailed on the Zuiderdam last April and were in 5186, which is an aft corner suite. It was a fabulous suite and the veranda is just superb. Shade and privacy on the side, sun and not much privacy aft. The veranda is large enough for 10-20 people. We hosted several sail away parties out there during the cruise. It was great.

Dont worry about age. It was a great mixture of folks. Wife and I are both 41. We've been spoiled by HAL and those aft suites. I havent seen a similar cabin on any other line. We love being outside and the huge balcony suited us perfectly.

Have fun.

Tim

[jhannah]

Does HAL offer free self serve ice cream?
Is there a pizzeria?
What are the dining options in terms of seating times and different venues?
What does room service offer? Can I get dining room entrees delivered?
Are the pools saltwater or freshwater like Princess?
They have an ice cream bar. An attendant will dish it up for you. Their offerings are varied and much better than the self-service soft serve. Lots of toppings available.
There are four dining times. Early and late upper dining room and early and late lower dining room. There is open seating in the Lido, and at night they offer bistro service. The alternative dining restaurant is by reservation in the evening at whatever time you wish.
You may get anything the dining room has if you order for delivery during posted dining times. There is a large selection of items on the standard menu.
I believe the pools are freshwater ... but someone else will need to confirm that.

[MaryTiller]

Dear BigMacFan,

I have been cruising since 1986 and have sampled all of the mainstream cruise lines, especially in the Caribbean and HAL is my very favorite. I have been cruising with HAL, starting in my early 40's and truly haven't seen where I was Out Of Place due to my age. The Vista Class ships were designed with a younger demographics in mind and I know you won't be disappointed. We cruised Alaska on the Oosterdam this June and loved the ship. It has all the nice passenger public spaces that RCCL, Princess and Carnival has but they are decorated in a refined, less glitzy way. There won't be any "belly buster" by the pool competition.

You mentioned that you are not a "night club" type but if you change your mind there is still plenty to do. You also mentioned that you loved to lay by the pool and let the ocean go by. The aft pool is perfect and there is a really nice forward spot on the sport's deck, by the crows nest that I just loved to go to for sun.

Have a good time and remember that if thery were to take a poll of the ages, I am sure that 40-50 is more like it as opposed to 60-70.. Happy Cruising.

MaryTiller:)

[bepsf]

I believe the pools are freshwater ... but someone else will need to confirm that.

Yep - the pools are freshwater.
That's one reason why they aren't drained every night...