What about Hal?

[cruiseorbust]

I have cruised before on Carnival (not for a long time though), Celebrity, RCL, and Princess...never Hal

What am I missing? What about Hal is better than the above lines? What is comparable? What would I be giving up?

Convince me I should take Hal over another line....where does Hal shine...in Alaska, Caribbean, or....

[localady]

HAL shines if you are looking for a more upscale classic cruise experience. You won't see a lot of neon here, but you will see the use of beautiful woods, royal hues and museum quality art work. The crew are Indonesian and Philipino and are always warm and friendly, but never in an "in your face way".
The entire experience is upscale and understated. If you are looking for wet tee-shirt contests you won't find it here. The pax mix varies by the itinerary and length of the cruises. Generally the Vista ships have a younger pax mix, as they tend to do more of the 7 day routes.

[hammybee]

I have sailed Carnival, RCL, X, HAL along with most of the others. I always come home to HAL but it may or may not be a good fit for you. What did you like best and least about your previous cruises?

[newmexicoNita]

HAL is certainly the class of the mass marketed lines and is the leader in Alaska. The HAL cabins are larger than other lines including Carnival, the food far out sparkles everyone else including Celebrity or at least in our opinion. Of course the service is very professional, the ships are quite elegant and the passengers are seem to be at a little different level. I don't know how to put it without sounding slobby. that being said, I do have a couple of negatives in our opinion. There is a lack of activities on the ship, so when you are not in port you may have to be content with relaxing and just reading a good book, the casino on the Amsterdam, anyway, was really small and certainly not terribly friendly. If you are looking for elegance, a ship that sparkles and a crew that is well trained I can't think of a better choice. If you do want to be busy all the time you may want to look at other lines. Oh, one more outstanding feature: the library. NMnita

[Atomica]

To me, personally, a HAL cruise is like 'coming home'.

We'll always try other lines and ships to see what they're all about, but we always know there's a place for us on a DAM ship ;)

[SakeDad]

Taking my first HAL cruise next month, but one thing I've learned here is HAL folks are VERY loyal. If you really want to know what various cruisers think of HAL vs other lines I would ask this question in a non-HAL area. Not saying it should be in another lines area but maybe a more general area where everyone goes. I think you'll get a more balanced reply then. That's not to say they won't still favor HAL alot;) but at least you know it was fair.

[doone]

I have always felt I was treated more as a guest onboard HAL vs. a passenger. I couldn't agree more with Atomica here, I feel like I am at home on HAL.

[sab490]

I have always felt I was treated more as a guest onboard HAL vs. a passenger. I couldn't agree more with Atomica here, I feel like I am at home on HAL.

After only one HAL cruise this sums it up for me (guest vs. passenger). We have always been RCCL/Celebrity fans, but HAL blew us away...so much so that we are going back in December. It's really hard to describe, but things that are good about HAL are very very good, and the little annoyances that might really upset me on other ships seem insignificant on HAL.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Besides being more upscale than Carnival, HAL has the friendliest crew on the high seas!!!

[Sale Away]

We were confirmed Celebrity sailers until we sailed HAL. It says a lot that this is the first line we've actually booked a future cruise with while still on board. To us, where they stand head and shoulders above the rest is on their service levels. With few exceptions, the service with a smile you experience is a genuine smile, not a forced one that you feel you get cruising on some of the other lines. We spoke with a number of crew members last week who had worked on other lines before. Hands down they all told us HAL was the best line to work for. And happy crew members make for a happy cruising experience for the passengers.

[dakrewser]

I have cruised before on Carnival (not for a long time though), Celebrity, RCL, and Princess...never Hal

What am I missing? What about Hal is better than the above lines? What is comparable? What would I be giving up?

Convince me I should take Hal over another line....where does Hal shine...in Alaska, Caribbean, or....

I'm sorry, but you've mistaken this board for the Holland-America marketing department. Still, if you read thru the various threads here you'll discover why some people prefer to sail with HAL.

Then, of course, if you have some specific questions we'd all be happy to help...

[agabbymama]

I'm not a loyalist by any means. I have sailed Carnival, NCL, RCCL, Celebrity and HAL. I don't cruise a lot, I've only been on 5 cruises with my 6th planned for August, and I mainly look for destination then price. I think all of the ships have about the same food, ports, entertainment, stores on-board, etc. What I really like about HAL are the little amenities: fresh flowers everywhere, wood and brass like a real ocean liner (which they started as), a teak wood promenade deck all the way around the ship (the only mainstream line that still does), teak wood deck chairs with wool blankets (at least in Alaska) with free pea soup or hot chocolate on glacier viewing day, deck boys in little Phillip Morris suits to make sure you have whatever you need while on deck, chimes that ring to announce dinner, the Lido restaurant for buffet without any additional charge, a little larger staterooms and they were second only to Princess in starting Alaska cruises. Princess and HAL both have quite an infrastucture in Alaska. Their own hotels, tours, railcars, and seem to receive preferential perks at the ports. I am a little disturbed to read on this site that HAL is changing from the TRADITIONAL assigned dining times, but we'll see what happens in August. I don't think you can go wrong booking a HAL cruise.

[wizard-of-roz]

agabbymama: You've made me so, so happy......we'll be sailing in 2 days on the "O" and everything you've said from the teakwood decks to the flowers and true friendlilness of the staff...you've made me yearn for more....:p

Thanks for sharing your views!

[hammybee]

Where is the OP? Did he/she burst?

[olechka]

I've sailed on Princess, Celebrity and NCL and HAL by far had the best service out of all the cruise lines. The ship itself I liked Celebrity and Princess layout more but the experience was better on HAL.

[mysticalblues]

I'm sorry I disagree with just about everyone. I thought the staff in the Lido deck dining area were rude and had a hard time understading english. I witnessed food lines closing when people were in line and they were told to go elsewhere. This also happened to me, twice!

Food in dining room was comprable to Carnival, but smaller portions.

Ship was very nice. Spotless.

Casino was small. Gym was very small with broken equipment.

[wizard-of-roz]

mystical: Is there anything redeeming about this ship? :confused:

Wow! You must have been so disappointed! I know I would have been with all that you found wrong!

I hope your next voyage is a better one! :o

By the way....did you ever talk to anyone about the rude way you were treated in the Lido? And, the broken gym equipment...I hope you brought that to someone's attention....

Better luck on your next cruise!

[Sale Away]

I'm sorry I disagree with just about everyone. I thought the staff in the Lido deck dining area were rude and had a hard time understading english.

Ah... you were on the Zuiderdam last week. They just "lost" HAL's employee of the year, a dining steward named Hunky Dory to the Oosterdam a few weeks ago. He's known for his friendly service up in the Lido.

And they do start closing up the food areas around 2pm in the Lido. So if you take a morning excursion and plan to be back to eat on board, you need to time it right or order from room service.

[mysticalblues]

The ship is very nice and the dining staff was great except for the wine steward. 2nd night, he opened and we didn't see him for the rest of the night. We did complain about him. He was spoken to.

We complained on our comment cards. No one really seem interested in what we had to say otherwise.

There was 6 of us in my group, ranging in age from 33 (me), to 57. None of us are big partiers, but we all said we prefered Carnival. Much cheaper and seemed to get more for your money.

[Bramcruiser]

Except for that last Carnival cheerleader, I have to mainly agree with everyone. I've sailed Carnival (which is okay), Cunard and HAL (which are far more upscale). HAL is up there with Cunard and Celebrity as the top end of the mass market lines. The atmosphere on these lines tend to be less party-by-the-pool and drinks-in-your-face or primed towards the adventurer. This doesn't mean that HAL is boring - just a classier experience. People tend to equate the move away from the former as being boring but I challenge anyone who says there isn't anything do to on HAL.

What does HAL do best? Best beds on the seas - so much known that HAL is now selling their beds online. The food - although I preferred Cunard's - is still quality. Some complain its bland but only the adventurous eaters would be disappointed.

HAL ships are designed tastefully for the most part with lots of artwork and fresh flowers. The grand atrium may not be be as high but also not Las Vegas-like either.

Admittedly Carnival wins hands-down on nightly entertainment in the theatre.

Yes, you pay more for HAL on average but you do get your money's worth.

Whether or not you like it is dependent on your lifestyle and what you seek out of a vacation. Its good to have choices.

David

[Nghthawke]

I have cruised before on Carnival (not for a long time though), Celebrity, RCL, and Princess...never Hal

What am I missing? What about Hal is better than the above lines? What is comparable? What would I be giving up?

Convince me I should take Hal over another line....where does Hal shine...in Alaska, Caribbean, or....

It's the ship.

What I did is I walked into a travel agency and picked up the cruise books and took a long, long look at the layout of the ships. Hubby and I aren't interested in water slides, wall climbing, huge casinos, large passenger complements, late hours, et cetera. HAL ships are what we were looking for and we had a lovely cruise back in '05 and are looking forward to our next cruise in mid-May.

[mysticalblues]

Bramcruiser, I would think being the upscale HAL cruiser you are, you would be able to leave your childish name calling out of it. A question was asked and answered. I am entitled to an opinion and to speak it. That's what these boards are about!

[dakrewser]

I am entitled to an opinion and to speak it. That's what these boards are about!

Correct, and David gave his opinion to which he is just as entitled as you.

[wizard-of-roz]

We just returned from our Oosterdam cruise (I haven't had time to post my review) I will, as soon as I can clear the mess that's facing me on my desk.

Let me just say......It was A M A Z I N G!

From our cabin steward to the Hotel Manager......the entire staff of this ship needs to be commended on their hospitality and the way in which they handle their guests.

"Hunky Dory" greeted us each day, in the Lido....He's adorable! What a memory!!!!

James Deering was such a lovely host.

Dan (cruise assistant director) from Croatia....was so helpful!

Edi, our room steward was a magician! Which reminds me to tell you of the husband and wife magic show.....I LOVED THEM!!!!!!

I HIGHLY recommend this ship to anyone!!!!!!

I'll write a review later....back to my mess!!!!

[MSammy]

Not sure how anyone could compare Carnival with HAL. Not even close. Carnival is the loud...party centric...younger sister. IMO, Carnival nickels and dimes you the entire cruise. And did I mention the loud public announcements ALL day long? Like smaller staterooms? Then Carnival is for you. HAL out classes Carnival in everyway shape and form! Again, no comparison.

[llachance]

you know what you like and you should shop for it. Having sailed on the Westerdam, Oosterdam, the Carnival Pride, the Disney Magic (x3), the Sovereign of the Seas, the "Big Red Boat" and last but not least the QE2 I can tell you that there were things on every one of the cruises that I liked and things that I disliked. BTW the Disney ships have promenade decks that completely encircle the ship and very nice cushioned chairs on said deck to relax in too!

What I like about HAL was that it was a classy ship (the teak, the paintings, the service) like Disney but without the Characters! We did an Alaska cruise so there were a lot of kids on board but the only folks that bothered me were the ones that were disappointed that I wasn't interested in the supplements they were selling :)

Sovereign of the Seas was a nice weekend get away. Nothing fancy but the service was fine. I didn't like the fact that once our bed was make up it wasn't ever turned back into a couch again. Wouldn't stop me from sailing with them again.

Loved my trip on the Carnival Pride. Did the Mexican Riviera last November (did this previously on the Disney Magic). We went to the same ports, the ship had the same great excursions...but the price was right. I managed to snag a cabin for under $500.00 for the two of us for a week. At that price I would sail Carnival again in a heart beat. Our dining service was great, the room attendent not so good but it was a great trip!

Disney - whats to say. They put on a great show in more ways then one. Yes the food is probably lacking but the service from the crew is at least as good as HAL.

All this said I am sailing on the Dawn Princess in a couple of months time. We are off to Alaska again. Since the ship is leaving out of San Francisco we have a 45 minute drive to the port which is a huge plus in our book. We are looking forward to something new and will try not to compare it with our other cruises because each is unique in its own self!