Loyal Royal customer looking to cruise HAL?

[suamom]

Hello all,

My DH and I are considering an Eastern Caribbean in October on the Eurodam. Looks like a beautiful ship and have heard really great things about HAL.

We have cruised with Royal Caribbean 6 times and Disney twice and while we are not unhappy, we would just like to try something new. A new line, new ship, new ports.

We are booked with our two DDs this summer with Royal and are currently booked on RCCI Liberty in Oct but are thinking of switching to HAL for this sailing. (just the two of us)

My dilemma is that I overthink and over analyze everything..very Type A and several people have told me that HAL is not the line for us because we are to young and are used to family-style cruising.....well, our girls will not be with us and my DH and I are quiet, reserved people. We like piano bars, wine, trivia, reading on deck and non water type excursions. We enjoy dressing for dinner and meeting new people. We are both in our late 30's.

What do think? Would we enjoy HAL? Also, for those of you who have cruised both lines, what are the major differences beteen Royal and HAL?

Thanks so much
Trish

[aliaschief]

We were on the MS Noordam last November and there were several couples on our large Roll Call that were your age. They loved it.

I do have to warn you that cruising with Holland America can become very addictive.

Go for it. It is a wonderful venue and experience.

[Spender Nui]

Might be worth a try. Go for it.

[Jewel99]

We've been on Royal Caribbean twice (once to Alaska and once for a short Caribbean cruise).

I started shopping around for a cruise recently for hubby and myself for our 10th anniversary. Even though this is an anniversary cruise, we're also taking our son (age 5) along mainly because we just have so much fun with him and we couldn't bear to leave him for the week.

For what we wanted in a stateroom, we simply couldn't afford RCCL and someone recommended HAL to us. I looked into it and was blown away by the ships, the people here on these boards who've sailed with them extensively and also the price we got from our TA (almost half the price of the comparable RCCL cruise due to current sales).

We're both 43 (although we tend to come across as younger from what I've been told), and we're pretty laid back people. We're not big partiers or drinkers, nor are we looking to be entertained 24/7 on the cruise. We want good food, comfortable staterooms, interesting ports and interesting passengers. I don't care if the people I chat with are 25 or 85 - but I do care if they are nice, polite, interesting, fun and friendly.

While a HAL ship doesn't have some of the same cool features you'd find on an RCCL ship - we know we wouldn't use most of them. Our son is too young for rock climbing walls and surfing, and I'm too "fluffy" and out of shape to try any of that myself (no one on a vacation needs to see my derriere in a bathing suit trying to climb a rock wall lol). What a HAL ship does seem to offer is excellent service, amazing meals, a broad customer base and lovely staterooms - and we're just thrilled to be sailing with them.

What cruise are you thinking of doing? We're reserved on the October 17 cruise on the Eurodam (Eastern Caribbean).

[redwinger]

Do the HAL thing-no debate on with this one in my opinion. 2 RCCL'S and 10 HAL'S in our background and no comparison if you want some quiet and class. An even easier choice if the price is better or the same with HAL. Cheers and happy sailing.