Carnival Glory or HAL Zaandam

[ks&ks]

My husband and I are trying to decide between Carnival Glory or the HAL Zaandam. We are in our early 30's but we like a laid back enviornment. The cost of the two trips are about the same. We have traveled on RCL, Norweigen and Costa. We have been to the ports of call that the Zaandam travels but wouldn't mind going again. Has anyone been on these two ships that can give us any insight? Thanks!:)

[paradisegal]

Hi...my husband and I went on the Zaandam in nov with my parents. We are both 39. We were some of the youngest persons on board and saw only 3 children. We had a great time! We have sailed on Costa and RCI in the past, I am sorry we have not sailed Carnival so I can't compare. The Zaandam is a really nice ship, everyone was great and the service was awesome! Although we were among an older crowd we never felt out of place...we too enjoy a more laid back enviroment...our fellow passangers were all so nice. I hightly reccomend the Zaandam. We are actually sailing Holland again in May...with my parents...LOL...but we are looking forward to it! Have fun!!!!!

[arzz]

Unless beer chugging and greased pole contests are your thing why would there even be a question? -- Zaandam of course!

[southern_yarddog]

:) My wife and I are in our early 30's. We have sailed the Zaandam 2 times and going again in 7 weeks. If you want laid back this is the ship for you. I would never get on Carnival because of to many young" kids" on there drinking and showing their @$$ (there@$$) . I love the Zaandam because you never are crowded. You always have nice people to talk to and the service is just awesome. Haven't ever been on the Carnival but have been told alot by to many people..:rolleyes: . well, there's my 2 cents worth:D

[jaguarstyper]

Thats kind of like comparing a frat party to an elegant dinner party. If you like crowded pools, loud music, lots of unruly young kids in a rowdy party 'til you puke atmosphere, you'll love Carnival. Dont get me wrong, a lot of people love this atmosphere, and that all fine and good. I thought the food on Carnival, while plentiful, was mediocre. Glory carries almost 3000 pax and is nearly twice the size of Zaandam.

If you want peace and quiet, understated elegance, relaxation, friendly people, no crowds, great service and excellent food, go with HAL. I have never felt crowded on a HAL ship. They are know for having a smaller number of pax on a similar size ship. Zaandam carries just over 1400 pax.

The Carnivale/HAL experience is really not a fair comparison. It really comes down to what you enjoy. We've cruised on both Carnival and HAL, but not on the ships in question. We prefer the HAL experience. We are in our early 40s and never felt "too young" on HAL. Especially on a seven day Caribbean itinerary. Longer cruises will have a noticeably older demographic.

Hope it helps.

Tim

[Sueseb]

I'm sorry, but i must disagree about Carnival. We have sailed on HAL, Celebrity and Carnival. We are in our 60s and have never had any trouble with the "party animals" on Carnival Never did see trhe druken pole dances Have always enjoyed the Mozart Trio on both Carnival ships and the piano lounge. I think you find what you look for. Also enjoy finding the coffee bar and curling up with a good book during the days at sea.
I don't understand people who can condemn a cruise line when they have never sailed on it.
Sue

[jaguarstyper]

Sueseb,

For the record, I did not condemn Carnival, I simply described our experience on one of their cruises. I also never said we didnt enjoy the cruise. In fact, we had a blast. We are the type of couple that can adapt. We can hang with the best of the party animals. And, we also enjoy tea with Vivaldi.

That said, I do prefer the atmosphere of HAL to that of Carnival. Its all about what you like. No condemnation of anything, just pointing out the differences.

Tim

[Sueseb]

Tim, I was referring to the poster before yours who said he had never been on Carnival but "had been told". Sue
PS please excuse typos in original post --posted it without editing, obviously.

[southern_yarddog]

suesep...Well, that was my opinion. And if I am not mistaking everyone has one..:rolleyes: . I am like my family and they said that I wouldn't like Carnival so I am passing on what I have been told. I am in my 30's and there is no way I want to be around a bunch of drunks. I love the company of the older crowd. I love the relaxation of the Zaandam and plan on sailing this ship for as long as I can. Plus k&ks was asking about a laidback cruise and everyone knows that Carnival is " THE PARTY BOAT ". So thanks and Have a Blesses day:D

[DFD1]

We just returned from a week on the Conquest which, I believe, is the same size as the Glory. It is HUGE and was packed! The amount of space per passenger is much less than on the Zaandam. We normally cruise HAL, but took this Carnival cruise because of price and convenience.

We had a pretty good time, but comparing with HAL just doesn't work. This is a mega ship. Acceptable, but ordinary buffet food. Better in the dining room. It is an upbeat tempo with lots of noise and loud music around the pool all day. Lido staff service is virtually non-existant. Staterooms are nice, but seemed smaller than on HAL.

If spacious and elegant is important to you, go HAL. If you're out to kick up your heels, go Carnival.

Hope this helps. These are my personal observations, so no sticks and stones please.