Just booked on HAL

[OrthoRN]

Hi..

Well I just got back last week from a W. Caribbean Cruise through Carnival and had a blast... So we are ready for another.. This time we decided to try a different cruise line, and HAL is it.. :) We just booked an E. Caribbean cruise for next Nov. Not sure I can wait for over a year.. :)

Our Intinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, HMC, St. Thomas, Road Town, and Nassau... I can't wait.. :)

[RuthC]

and the HAL board. Hope you had a nice time on Carnival, and have an even better time on your HAL cruise!

Tell me, please, whatever caused you to switch from the Carnival style to HAL's? The two cruiselines are so different, and attract such a different type of passenger?

[OrthoRN]

Well honestly... We were looking at RCCL, and then our friends sent us the link to HAL, and they seemed to have the almost exact cruise we wanted, so we looked it over and it looked and sounded good... They are gonna be completely different.. But why not try em all :)lol

[RuthC]

Well that does sum it up, doesn't it!

I've tried several lines over the years and found the "home" for me on HAL. There were other lines I would be pleased to sail again, and others I hope never to return to (although I always managed to have a good time). And there are several lines out there I know I would never want to go near.

I hope you have a great time on all of your cruises---whatever line they may be.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You will find a big difference between Carnival and HAL.

Your itinerary sounds as though you will be on one of the new Vista class ships.

[OrthoRN]

You will find a big difference between Carnival and HAL.

Your itinerary sounds as though you will be on one of the new Vista class ships.

we are gonna be on the Zuiderdam...

What would you say the biggest differenes are between the two cruise lines??

[sail7seas]

Welcome to HAL and to the Board.


We sail this Saturday on Zuiderdam (our fifth cruise on her) and think her a terrific ship.

We are doing the Western Itinerary which is different than yours, although we have done that one in the past.

If you have any specific questions re: HAL or Zuiderdam, I am sure everyone here will try to help.

[Jana]

>>What would you say the biggest differenes are between the two cruise lines??<<

Well, you're unlikely to find a "hairy chest" contest on a HAL ship, for one thing...

I like both lines, for different reasons. I was on Carnival Pride in May and will be on Westerdam in November.

Carnival has a party atmosphere, a bubbling personality, something for everyone all day and all night. HAL is more sedate, more refined, more service-oriented.

The ships make a difference, too. The Spirit-class ships of Carnival are elegant compared to the others; the staterooms are understated and gorgeous. The Zuiderdam, in the HAL fleet, is a 180-degree turn from her older fleetmates, being colorful and bright, larger... the first of the Vista class. You'd certainly notice more of a difference if you were going --for your first HAL cruise -- on the Statendam.

Holland America is a line that prides itself on traditions: Dutch high tea, impeccable service (the bartenders are trained to remember your name and drink preference from day one), Delft tiles, canvas totes, and the line values and pampers (to some degree) its past guests. Carnival has no past guest recognition, and its only tradition seems to be a ship-on-a-stick coveted prize for an onboard contest.

I love Carnival (especially Spirit class) for the energy and excitement, and I love HAL for the chance to kick back and relax in peace.

Now, I could have answered your question with one sentence: "What's the difference between a hand and a foot?" They're both necessary and appreciated, but serve totally different functions :-)

Jana

[Ziggy7]

Welcome to the boards and HAL, we just went on that caribbean cruise and had a great time! I'm sure you will too!

[OrthoRN]

Jana.. Thanks for the comparison.. I'm sure we will have a great time on this ship.... Hopefully the size of the ship will not overwhelm me.. :) Plus on the Carnival we split a room with another couple and just had an interior room, and this time the hubby splurged and got us a Deluxe Verandah Suite.. So hopefully that will be better ;)

Thanks for the Welcome everyone.. And Ziggy I love the pics... More more :)

[Ziggy7]

Thanks!
hehehe ok but still learning how to organize them lol

[Jana]

OrthoRN, I don't know what Carnival ship you were on but you did it right. With non-stop excitement and entertainment on Carnival, I can see having an inside to just sleep and shower.

>>and got us a Deluxe Verandah Suite.. So hopefully that will be better <<

HOPEFULLY? Oh, my... Just picture yourself in your robes out there as your room service breakfast is delivered and placed on your al fresco dining table. Imagine just deciding to do nothing at all except read a book on your own private lounger, with the Caribbean air and sea your only companion. OK, maybe you'll mosey down to the Neptune Lounge to get a little sandwich and a cup of cappuccino, but you don't feel like doing much else... or, maybe if it gets too hot out there you can get a DVD of a movie you've always wanted to see, and order room service again...

And you still have the whole ship to play on!

Be aware, though, that once you do this, you will find it extremely difficult to EVER go back to a stateroom without a balcony, no matter what line you choose. You're gonna be hooked. Trust me.

Jana
PS Which suite?