Which Hal Ships Are Better?

[many cruises]

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland, and Celebrity. Princess is our favorite line because we love the anytime dining and the wonderful entertainment options. We have been on one HAL cruise on the Westerdam and were disappointed in the food and entertainment options...the food was bland and the ship seemed to go to sleep at 10 PM. We still had a great time and thought that HAL did a wonderful job of maintaining the Westerdam. Now that HAL is beginning to offer "as you wish" dining, we are thinking of giving them a second try. For all of the frequent HAL cruisers...which ship has more entertainment options at night and better food? Are some ships higher rated than others?

[Krazy Kruizers]

Good Question!!

You are going to get a lot of answers here as many have a ship they love like for various reasons:

sail7seas - Maasdam
laffnvegas - Oosterdam

etc.

[grannynurse]

We like the Zaandam, and Maasdam for shorter cruises (7-14 days). We loved Rotterdam for the 35 day transatlantic to and from Europe. We will be on Noordam for 11 days next month.
I don't think it's the ship as much as it is the itinerary, the length of the cruise, and the time of year. Our 11 day Zaandam was a Caribbean over New Years and was very lively, our longer cruises to Europe were less lively.
GN

[GmaPajama]

I don't think people choose HAL for the glamorous entertainment or the active night life. We, in fact, prefer HAL because of the lack of all that. HAL provides what we believe is quality, dignified entertainment and night life that is reserved and elegant. Exactly what we look for.

I suspect you'll get a lot of opinions about the food. As for us, we find it consistently enjoyable.

[hammybee]

Nightlife on any ship, any cruise line, is far more a function of passenger demographics and intinerary, than anything else.

I have been on Carnival and Celebrity and observed the carpets rolling up at 10-10:30 and I am aware of some HAL cruises that did not stop, until the wee hours.

Generally speaking, things seem to quiet down around midnight on most HAL cruises, unless passengers trend towards the elderly or there is a dominant group onboard, with a preference to party.

If I wanted greater assurance of an active nightlife, I would probably look into booking into a charter cruise that emphasized music, either blues or jazz. These charter cruises bring their own entertainment onboard and attract people who prefer late evening entertainment. These cruises usually cost more but then again, you get more.

[Jade13]

We have cruised on Royal Caribbean, Princess, Holland, and Celebrity. Princess is our favorite line because we love the anytime dining and the wonderful entertainment options. We have been on one HAL cruise on the Westerdam and were disappointed in the food and entertainment options...the food was bland and the ship seemed to go to sleep at 10 PM. We still had a great time and thought that HAL did a wonderful job of maintaining the Westerdam. Now that HAL is beginning to offer "as you wish" dining, we are thinking of giving them a second try. For all of the frequent HAL cruisers...which ship has more entertainment options at night and better food? Are some ships higher rated than others?

We were on the Westerdam and the food was very very good (my DH is a Chef), and the entertainment was really good too. I think they may have had better entertainers in the Med based on others comments on entertainment in the Carribean.

[Copper10-8]

If you're talking physical layout, then Prinsendam has a definite different "feel" than the "S" (Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam & Veendam) or the "R" (Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam & Amsterdam) class vessels. The four Vista-class and, pretty soon, the two Signature-class ships are much bigger and different yet.

Some folks do feel that there is a difference in food and/or entertainment on the various ships. I kinda think they're pretty much the same since they are the creations of Master Chef (and culinary consultant) Rudi Sodamin (food) and Stiletto Entertainment (entertainment) fleet-wide.

Some folks are counting sheep at 9:30-10:00 pm, others are out and about 'till the sea cows come home. Prinsendam, especially when she's in Europe, tends to "go beddie-bye" early. Usually, HAL ships in the Carib and/or Mexico's west coast are more lively after the late show lets out around 11:30 as people head to the Crow's Nest and/or Northern Lights.

I say, give HAL another try and see what you think. If it's the same experience as on your Westerdam cruise, stick with Princess! Ain't nothing wrong with them!;)

[Nancyquilts]

We love Prinsendam :D - our favorite ship on any line - we've been following it through 3 lines now.

[sail7seas]

Good Question!!

You are going to get a lot of answers here as many have a ship they love like for various reasons:

sail7seas - Maasdam
laffnvegas - Oosterdam

etc.

If I may, please........ :D

sail7seas - Noordam/Maasdam. I am deeply attached to and love them both.

Thank you. ;)

Which ship is your favorite, KK?

[Williebill]

We love Prinsendam :D - our favorite ship on any line - we've been following it through 3 lines now.

I totally agree!!!!

[RevNeal]

Volendam / Noordam / Statendam

I adore the Volendam, even though she's a bit worn (she needs her next dry docking). The Noordam is a lovely vessel, and very definitely my favorite Vista ship! The Statendam is a classic, and I love her Van Gogh motifs. I'm told I'll probably be swapping out the Volendam for the Rotterdam, and that wouldn't surprise me in the least. I'll let you know once I disembark in two months.

I prefer the deck layout of the R-class vessel, I love the size of the S-class vessel, and the Vistas are very nice because they have the Northern Lights and the placement of the Pinnacle right off the Atrium is nice. I also like the Pinnacle Bar (first on the Noordam).

Just because I didn't list other vessels of the HAL fleet doesn't mean I don't like them. I loved the Maasdam and the Ryndam, too, and would sail on them at the drop of a hat. Ditto for the Zaandam (indeed, I've spent 36 days aboard her!) The Oosterdam and the Westerdam are nice ships as well, I just preferred the decor of the Noordam.

[Coral]

I have to say that the entertainment on the Oosterdam recently was better than the entertainment on any of my Princess cruises.

Though, I have to admit, any cruise in the future will have a difficult time beating the entertainment of Joel Mason, Julie Barr, and Lance Ringnald.

[prescottbob]

Ahoy!

The entertainment IMO on HAL ships is fairly average for the production shows. Probably some of the individual entertainers / solo acts are more enjoyable. But then again, they're kind of 'hit or miss'.

Food-wise, IMO, I believe the Prinsendam has the best 'grub' but then again you pay a premium price for a voyage on 'her' over others in the HAL fleet.

I agree with others posting that the 'Elegant Explorer' is our favorite HAL vessel (ambiance, demographics, itineraries, max pax and size, etc.).

Whatever you decide to do, have yourself a GREAT CRUISE!

Bon Voyage, Good Health & Happy New Year!!!
Bob:)

[Richjoxyz]

I was on the Zuiderdam during Holloween. I enjoyed it so much I went again just last week! I'm 46 and have been on four or five RCCL and another four or five Carnival cruises prior.

What I like about the Zuiderdam (and presumably all HAL ships) is that I rarely, if ever felt crowded, and the ambiance is classy end elegant. There are golden nuggets to find if you look. I loved the classical piano and chocolate truffles after dinner in the Explorations lounge, and dinning in the Windstar Café ALONE during initial embarkation when every one else headed to the Lido!

The large RCCL ships are nice, but I felt like I was at the Mall during Christmas! The Zuiderdam felt like being at a fine hotel. I would love to try other ships in the fleet, but I loved my experience on the Zuiderdam and would sail that ship in a heartbeat given the opportunity.

[dakrewser]

The HAL ships are different, but none is "better" than the others - certainly not in the food category, where all are consistent and consistently good.

The entertainment is consistent also - better than a small town night club, not up to Broadway standards.

[katzoe]

I love Ryndam, Statendam & Amsterdam but my very favourite is the Prinsendam. The stateroom layout in all cabin categories is excellent with the fabulous walk in wardrobe and very spacious sitting area. I also think that the ship is a perfect size with only 800 passengers.
Greetings KK , I have some lovely photos from our evenings in the piano bar on the Ryndam with Steve. Let me know if you would like me to send them to you.
Lorraine

[fuzzywuzzy]

If I may, please........ :D

sail7seas - Noordam/Maasdam. I am deeply attached to and love them both.

Thank you. ;)

Which ship is your favorite, KK?




Oh boy: We have booked on the Maasdam for the first time. This is good to hear.

[sail7seas]

I'm excited for anyone sailing Maasdam for the first time. She's a very beautifully elegant ship with an amazing crew. 'You're 'gonna love her!!!" :)

IMO.....



KK....... Still hoping you'll tell us which is your favorite ship.