Never sailed with HAL.

[raidz]

We never sailed on HAL. We are an over 55 couple who plan on doing more cruising over the next few years and would like the opinion of the HAL loylest here why the like Holland American.

[superoma]

Hi Raidz,

My husband and I are platinum on Royal Caribbean and have had only one cruise on Holland America, BUT every cruise I look at now is a Holland America itinerary. We found the Maasdam cruise of Canada New England to be comfortable and elegant. there was no rock climbing wall, no zip lining, no lots of things but there was ambiance, good service, great food and an excellent itinerary. I don't need Shrek to sail with me - I do need to be comfortable and happy on any ship I sail on. Not saying I won't sail another cruise line again but currently only looking at HAL and only reading the HAL thread on Cruise Critic. What HAL offers just matches our lifestyle. We are both in our early 60's. Hope this helps.

[IRL_Joanie]

We never sailed on HAL. We are an over 55 couple who plan on doing more cruising over the next few years and would like the opinion of the HAL loylest here why the like Holland American.

Photos from in the most part, people like you and I of the various HAL ships, inside and out:) http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HAL/

Joanie

[cruisinggranmama]

We're taking our first HAL cruise in September with many other cruises under our belts. Reading this board convinced us to try HAL when we found an itinerary we liked. Love what I read here. Seems other loyal cruisers from other lines that try HAL like it just as well if not better. Guess there will be positives and negatives but still we'll have an adventure.

[catl331]

We like HAL because the ships are consistent. We know what to expect and even ship layouts are similar. The food, the staff, the captains and the ships are similar. Not exact but just enough to make us feel as if we have come home and are welcomed back!:p

[kazu]

I have sailed a number of ships - and I always prefer HAL. I like their fresh squeezed oj in the morning, the elegance I have come to expect on the ship, the Adagio strings to listen to before or after dinner, the ambience, the smiling crew members, the absolutely fabulous itineraries, the great libraries, and the ships.

Really hard to describe but I have found a big difference on other ships. You feel less crowded on HAL. My personal experience more elegant than the others in the same class. We just love it!! Take a look at my signature if you don't believe me ;) I have never bothered with past sailings, and it gets too long. If you like the feeling of elegance (but you don't have to be too fancy), small touches - like flowers, towels in the public washrooms, nice staterooms then I think you would like HAL.

Why don't you tell us what appeals to YOU about cruising and we can certainly tell you if it's the right choice or not (we are mostly pretty honest) :D

[azalice]

We typically book an inside cabin and have found the HAL cabins to be more comfortable and spacious than many other cruise lines. And, the beds are very comfortable compared to most other lines. Of course, the itineraries have to be good as well. Of our 7 cruises to date, 4 have been on HAL.

Alice

[Lemur]

We never sailed on HAL. We are an over 55 couple who plan on doing more cruising over the next few years and would like the opinion of the HAL loylest here why the like Holland American.

My husband and I are in our late (as late as you can get) 40s and mid-50s. We have sailed with NCL and Celebrity and have taken four cruises with HAL.

We always look to HAL itineraries first because we love the service, the less hectic pace (no climbing wall or blaring music) and the staff.

We also love to walk around the promenade when sailing and HAL has a complete promenade (no turning back, just turning a corner).

Hope this helps,
Lemur

[GoldenLover]

We didn't know if we were suited for cruising, but decided to give it a try on Maasdam in 2003. As our signature line suggests, the four subsequent cruises validate our complete satisfaction with the "HAL experience." Yes, you might notice a little "issue" here and there, but nothing that is likely to spoil the overall experience. You are getting excellent feedback from other cc'rs. If that feedback matches your expectations, you're good to go. I just wanted to let you know, we started with HAL, and have found no reason to stray. (The river cruise was great - but different.). If time and finances permit, we'd like to try a longer cruise. Enjoy . . . enjoy.

[AZNative2000]

We found the Maasdam cruise of Canada New England to be comfortable and elegant ... there was ambiance, good service, great food and an excellent itinerary. ... What HAL offers just matches our lifestyle.Superoma, you said it perfectly!

[lvz2cruz]

We are long time Celebrity fans and tried HAL because they have better itineraries. Last winter Celebrity cruises had 3 port days and 3 sea days while HAL had 4 ports and 2 sea days which we prefer. This summer to Bermuda Hal has 4 port/2 sea while Celebrity has 3 and 3 again.
Both lines are very very comparable--I am not one to agree with the saying that the lines are more alike than different--but it does seem to be in the case of HAL vs. Celebrity.
HAL does a great enough job that three times now we have given up our elite level perks at X to get nothing perkwise on HAL.

[fann1sh]

Everything said above rings true for me, a HAL addict.

So, I'm going to mention things which might turn you off HAL.

Despite joking here about eHarmony style matching of cruisers to lines, I think there's something to it.

If any of these are "hot buttons" for you, HAL might not fit.

If you love night life, HAL might not be for you. On many of my sailings, things were dead after the shows finished. There can be action around the piano in a bar, or in the Crows Nest with a DJ, but not always. Also, I just don't "get" HAL's singing and dancing production shows. Maybe they've improved since I stopped going. I like the comedians and magicians better. But, there's nothing innovative for entertainment, like you'll find on NCL for example.

If you need to be scheduled with non-stop action on sea days, HAL might not be for you. Here's a recent thread on HAL activities:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1386055

If you want to wear shorts all day and all night, HAL might not be for you. "Dress codes" are really hot issues here, but the HAL website says: "T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours."

If you're non-smokers who are very concerned about second hand smoke, HAL might not be for you. Smoking is allowed in cabins and on balconies. (However, I'm someone with health issues about smoke, and I'm still cruising HAL. The cabins are well cleaned between one voyage and the next.)

But, here's my HAL "warm and fuzzy" list:

fresh, fragrant flowers
art and antiques
traditional ship designs, not floating boxes
cappuccino in the dining room
fresh squeezed orange juice
fantastic beds
library with tons of books
linen table cloths and napkins
Rosenthal china
teak wrap around promenade deck
warm Indonesian smiles

[VMax1700]

We are both early 60's and had cruised once before on Celebrity Galaxy three years ago. DW enjoyed it, but was not in a rush to go on another cruise. December just gone, after the birth of second granddaugher DW gave me 'permission' to investigate the possibility of another cruise. I offered her Celebrity or HAL. She picked HAL and it was booked within twenty four hours!
Anyway, we are just back from a glorious 7 days on Eurodam and on day 6 DW suggested that we book again for next year as she was in love with HAL.
We liked - the food, the staff, the ship, the library, did I mention the staff, the shows (yes - excellent shows, the magician was top notch and the impressionist was great. I even stayed awake for the singing/dancing acts:D).

We didn't like - the cabanas around the lido pool, which made the pathway quite narrow and when they had the logo apparel sales it was a no-go area.

[glutenhab]

If you love night life, HAL might not be for you.
If you need to be scheduled with non-stop action on sea days, HAL might not be for you.
If you want to wear shorts all day and all night, HAL might not be for you.
If you're non-smokers who are very concerned about second hand smoke, HAL might not be for you. Smoking is allowed in cabins and on balconies. (However, I'm someone with health issues about smoke, and I'm still cruising HAL. The cabins are well cleaned between one voyage and the next.)

But, here's my HAL "warm and fuzzy" list:
fresh, fragrant flowers
art and antiques
traditional ship designs, not floating boxes
cappuccino in the dining room
fresh squeezed orange juice
fantastic beds
library with tons of books
linen table cloths and napkins
Rosenthal china
teak wrap around promenade deck
warm Indonesian smiles

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Our first HAL cruise is in November of this year (58 days) & reading this, especially the warm & fuzzy, makes me feel like we definitley made the right decision!
Booked HAL because of the great ports & earlier posts like this. Glad I did.

[SuperTrooper00]

Everything said above rings true for me, a HAL addict.

So, I'm going to mention things which might turn you off HAL.

Despite joking here about eHarmony style matching of cruisers to lines, I think there's something to it.

If any of these are "hot buttons" for you, HAL might not fit.

If you love night life, HAL might not be for you. On many of my sailings, things were dead after the shows finished. There can be action around the piano in a bar, or in the Crows Nest with a DJ, but not always. Also, I just don't "get" HAL's singing and dancing production shows. Maybe they've improved since I stopped going. I like the comedians and magicians better. But, there's nothing innovative for entertainment, like you'll find on NCL for example.

If you need to be scheduled with non-stop action on sea days, HAL might not be for you. Here's a recent thread on HAL activities:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1386055

If you want to wear shorts all day and all night, HAL might not be for you. "Dress codes" are really hot issues here, but the HAL website says: "T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours."

If you're non-smokers who are very concerned about second hand smoke, HAL might not be for you. Smoking is allowed in cabins and on balconies. (However, I'm someone with health issues about smoke, and I'm still cruising HAL. The cabins are well cleaned between one voyage and the next.)

But, here's my HAL "warm and fuzzy" list:

fresh, fragrant flowers
art and antiques
traditional ship designs, not floating boxes
cappuccino in the dining room
fresh squeezed orange juice
fantastic beds
library with tons of books
linen table cloths and napkins
Rosenthal china
teak wrap around promenade deck
warm Indonesian smiles

This post is pretty darn spot on. We have sailed and enjoyed other lines, but HAL has been consistently great for us. We are in our 30's, but just prefer a more subdued atmosphere. Their entertainment (shows) are generally their weakest point for me, but their ships, cabins, service, and "extras" make up for it.

[Sue from Canada]

We like HAL because the ships are consistent. We know what to expect and even ship layouts are similar. The food, the staff, the captains and the ships are similar. Not exact but just enough to make us feel as if we have come home and are welcomed back!:p

Catl331 - You took the words out of my mouth. Perhaps that's why I've sailed with HAL for 16 years and will continue to do so in the future.

[paganwoman]

As others have said, I think consistency is the key. I know what to expect. My husband and I started cruising HAL back in 1993 when we were in our 40's. Now he is over 60 and I am mid 50's. We enjoy the art of cruising....meaning we don't need wild nightlife, or any amusement park on the ship. If I wanted that I would go to Disneyland (which I love by the way...just not on the cruiseship) We enjoy formal nights, quiet drinks at the different bars on ship and so on. HAL is the one for us. We are looking forward to our Europe cruise in just a few weeks. DH is retired now so nothing holding us back from more HAL cruises. :)

[woodofpine]

I love cruising... but I'm not a super strong 'line loyalist'. Among the large ship cruise lines, I think the lines are more similar than dissimilar. I think that HAL, Celebrity, and Princess offer very comparable experiences. Those that really get 'radical' in their worship or denunciation of any one of these three over any other one are 'making mountains out of molehills' IMHO.

That said, of the three Celebrity and HAL are a bit more 'sedate' than Princess. HAL has a 'smaller' ship fleet complement (although by '70-80's standards only Prinsendam is actually 'smaller'). The mid-size ships are easier to get around. Mobility isn't an issue with me - I love steep skiing - but HAL's S class ships are a good 150' shorter than the panamax norm so one avoids that linear lap feel of many ships.

HAL takes an 'old time' approach to decor and service which on a mid-size ship can make for a 'cozy' rather than 'wild and crazy' atmosphere. HAL does more exotic itineraries than either of the other two.

HAL is a very nice line offering a nice traditionally styled cruise. Princess goes for a more 'gregarious' style, Celebrity offers more 'class conscious' elegance. Sampling among these three lines is 'not a problem'!:)

[jjaazzy]

We have taken a couple HAL cruises and they are wonderful. By the end of the cruise I felt like I was leaving family. They really take the time to get to know you and what your likes are in the dining room and elsewhere. They paid a lot of attention to the kids we had with us making sure they learned their name on day one and looked for them while on board and brought them sodas (comp) and make paper origami's for them. It was wonderful. The food was always so beautiful and yummy. I loved trying all sorts of new stuff. The other thing was they are masters of thinning out the crowds may times we felt as tho we had our own private chartered ship. Sure there were people around the pool deck but not crazy loaded. They also handed out towels at the pool and as many as you wanted. No counting. I don't know if it is still that way. I was talking everyone into going after our couple of cruises and then they pulled out of here for the summer which was when we were cruising. They are top notch in my opinion not to take anything away from the other lines. :D

[IRL_Joanie]

I love cruising... but I'm not a super strong 'line loyalist'. Among the large ship cruise lines, I think the lines are more similar than dissimilar. I think that HAL, Celebrity, and Princess offer very comparable experiences. Those that really get 'radical' in their worship or denunciation of any one of these three over any other one are 'making mountains out of molehills' IMHO.

That said, of the three Celebrity and HAL are a bit more 'sedate' than Princess. HAL has a 'smaller' ship fleet complement (although by '70-80's standards only Prinsendam is actually 'smaller'). The mid-size ships are easier to get around. Mobility isn't an issue with me - I love steep skiing - but HAL's S class ships are a good 150' shorter than the panamax norm so one avoids that linear lap feel of many ships.

HAL takes an 'old time' approach to decor and service which on a mid-size ship can make for a 'cozy' rather than 'wild and crazy' atmosphere. HAL does more exotic itineraries than either of the other two.

HAL is a very nice line offering a nice traditionally styled cruise. Princess goes for a more 'gregarious' style, Celebrity offers more 'class conscious' elegance. Sampling among these three lines is 'not a problem'!:)

Not trying to be rude or nasty, please understand that...

I just need you to explain to me what you mean by the partof your statement that I underlined and highlighted. I do not understand what you are saying in it:confused: Could you put it into layman terms or better yet a dumb blond like me terminology??? What is a panamax?? I hope you understand why I asked for this clarification... I am sometimes dense:(

Joanie

[superoma]

dimensions of a ship that can fit through the current Panama Canal locks

110 feet wide (33.53 meters)
1050 feet long (320 meters)
85 feet deep (25.91 meters)

Hope this helps

[AFMSGT]

Back in Nov 10, we experienced our first cruise with HAL (Eurodam) out of FLL, taking an eastern carrib cruise. We (late 40s) were well aware it would be an older crowd and I can echo other's comments about the night life being mediocre after 10PM, nevertheless a cruise is what you make it and there is still a ton of fun to have in the evening. The passengers were for the most part very cordial and enjoyable. We booked a SA category room. Upon arrival, our room was dusty and finger prints were all over the wood clothes cabinets, drawers and counters. This immediately told us it was not cleaned properly. I advised the room stewards and they corrected it immediately. The furniture and carpet in this suite was worn and should of been replaced. I also incentivized our rooms stewards with extra tips and from that point on our room was taken care of well. Our SA category room gave us access to the concierge lounge. The lounge served appetizers, continental breakfast, coffee, juice. The food was just ok, not great. The condition of the lounge was clean, yet once again the furniture was worn and tired. The concierge staff in the lounge was very good. Now to the food--Overall the food in the main dining room and the specialty restaurants was very good. Overall, dining service was good, not exceptional. The buffet was at best average. The buffet lines use the same passenger traffic lines to get through the ship and this makes it crowded in this area to say the least. Not a real good ship design. Room service was ok at best. Food ordered and received was frequently never “as ordered.” Something was missing, added or cold. It was always delivered on time and sometimes even earlier than expected, yet still was screwed up. Please keep close tabs on your beverage tab/cruise bill. Relatives traveling with us ordered one beverage package through room service and were charge 4 times the amount of one package. It literally took them a whole day to get it fixed. Bar service was generally fast, but the same mixed drink never came back tasting the same. Overall HAL was decent, but certainly not the best we’ve experienced. Buy hey, it’s a cruise and you’re on vacation and having fun is really what it’s all about so enjoy your time on Hal.

[Se4deb]

I am of the opinion that the first ship you sail on sets the bar for all others. If you fall in love with sailing and watching the water flow by and the elegance of simply sailing, that is what you will look for on any cruise and will generally find on any HAL cruise. If you must have 24/7 live action, rock climbing, 50 ft by 30 ft tv screens, HAL is probably not the line for you. My husband and I (very late 50's) enjoy the experience of sailing, the ports are an extra, but the experience of being at sea, being able to sit in the sun on the deck and read a book or enjoy a conversation with fellow shipmates is what we seek and what we consistantly enjoy on HAL. My suggestion is simple, give HAL a try. If you like it maybe we will see you on board one of these days, if not try another until you find the perfect fit. There is no rule that says you must be a 4 star member or platium or captain's circle to enjoy a cruise. Happy Sailing.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

I really enjoyed Zuiderdam in Europe of 2008 and we are trying Maasdam to New England.

I hadn't sailed Holland since I was in my teens (1980s) so I didn't know what to expect. I loved the Zuiderdam it was just the right size. Other than a foul odor near the gift shop for all 12 days of our cruise- it was wonderful. So, I am looking forward to sailing Holland again.

The Pinnacle Grill had wonderful food and is worth the surcharge. Go hungry!