Am I making a mistake?

I am 40 years old and will be traveling solo. Just booked a HAL cruise. I have been cruising for a very short time, but got hooked. The itinerary seems great, the food looks great, and love the idea of the culinary classes. Booked with explore 4, and I know that I will make use of the drink package.

But I also love the production shows and entertainment options on Royal Caribbean and NCL.

What itinerary did you book?

We love HAL, but definitely not for the production shows and entertainment. That isn't why we cruise, however, and HAL does offer so many other positives that the lack of Cats or an aqua show isn't going to bother us.

Shouldn't you have asked this BEFORE you booked???

What itinerary did you book?

And what ship?

Some of the ships have a BB King Blues Club on board, and that is very popular.

HAL's entertainment is not going to be like what you can find on Royal Carib or NCL. But remember that HAL's ships are smaller, so there are fewer venues. Production shows are smaller than on megaships and vary from ship to ship, as do guest entertainers. And while HAL is NOT the nursing home of the seas, it does not attract a stay up late and party crowd.

For certain, service will be better than on NCL. Service is one of HAL's hallmarks. I don't know if you've been in suites on Royal Carib, but if you've booked a suite on HAL, you won't get the special reserved areas by the pool and in the theater, or go-to-the-head-of-the-line that suite pax on RC get.

We no longer go to the shows on HAL but HAL is our preferred cruiseline.

We go on RCI because the entertainment is great and the ships are modern (gorgeous). Not so much for the food and crowds.

We prefer HAL for the good food, service (crew is top notch), and the overall feel of the ships. HAL is a great line for rest and relaxation, you will meet a lot of people (if you want). Sign up for your roll call. There are plenty of areas on the ship to just "hang out" and rest or read. The teak wrap around the ship deck is gorgeous and a great place to just grab a lounge chair and read a book. There are a lot of lounges with great music and live entertainment, piano bar, jazz bar, etc. Of course, there is bingo, casino if you enjoy that. There are art shows, cooking shows, etc. The daily program will list all of the things to do. There are plenty of things to keep you busy.

I think you should definitely give HAL a chance. I think you will be hooked

I think you owe it to yourself to check out HAL. Yes, it's generally an older, more genteel crowd, but we still know how to party. Maybe not every night, but we still have a good time. You may find that HAL's mid-size ships are more to your liking due to better service, and not having 4000 other passengers wanting to do the same things you do at the same time might be more enjoyable. I saw quite a few solo gals and guys having a ball dancing etc during the BB King shows. Having had a recent knee replacement before our last cruise, my bride was out there with them.

I see that you are extending your Alaskan cruise tour on the Star Princess by doing an Alaskan cruise on the Maasdam.

I looked at all the other countdown clocks you have listed on other cruise lines.

You will find a difference between HAL and the other lines.

The Maasdam is smaller and does attract an older group of passengers. There are not a lot of venues on the smaller ships like you may be used to.

We don't go to the shows anymore as we find them not as good as they used to be.

Shouldn't you have asked this BEFORE you booked???

Nope-- didn't want to lose the promotion and I can always cancel if need be.

As Krazy Kruizers said above, I am doing a 14 day RT from Seattle following a princess cruisetour. I love to cook, so the culinary center stuff seems fun. The food looks awesome. I am not a huge partier, either-- especially on NCL where there was a large number of late parties. I think Alaska tends to trend older, as would a 14 day cruise. I'm very interested in going, just don't want to discover that I made an error in judgement.

Nope-- didn't want to lose the promotion and I can always cancel if need be.

 

As Krazy Kruizers said above, I am doing a 14 day RT from Seattle following a princess cruisetour. I love to cook, so the culinary center stuff seems fun. The food looks awesome. I am not a huge partier, either-- especially on NCL where there was a large number of late parties. I think Alaska tends to trend older, as would a 14 day cruise. I'm very interested in going, just don't want to discover that I made an error in judgement.

Not at all. The Maasdam is a great ship in my limited but very recent experience.

I am 40 years old and will be traveling solo. Just booked a HAL cruise. I have been cruising for a very short time, but got hooked. The itinerary seems great, the food looks great, and love the idea of the culinary classes. Booked with explore 4, and I know that I will make use of the drink package.

But I also love the production shows and entertainment options on Royal Caribbean and NCL.

Is this the 14-day Alaska cruise on the Maasdam? If so, the itinerary is a winner, well worth any trade-off you might feel you are doing on the entertainment side.

Is this the 14-day Alaska cruise on the Maasdam? If so, the itinerary is a winner, well worth any trade-off you might feel you are doing on the entertainment side.

That's what led me to it in the first place-- so different than most!

I am 40 years old and will be traveling solo. Just booked a HAL cruise. I have been cruising for a very short time, but got hooked. The itinerary seems great, the food looks great, and love the idea of the culinary classes. Booked with explore 4, and I know that I will make use of the drink package.

But I also love the production shows and entertainment options on Royal Caribbean and NCL.

I don't think you made a mistake. I love the entertainment of RCI too and it's because of that I remain cruising with RCI.

I cruise HAL for a totally different reason. With HAL it's the itinerary and a more traditional cruise feeling.

So I recommend going into it knowing the difference and knowing you'll enjoy HAL for a totally different reason. :)

That's what led me to it in the first place-- so different than most!

We did it this year, and enjoyed it a lot. I have not been on the Maasdam but it has a lot of fans.

I did 14 days in Alaska as a solo cruiser on an "S" class ship (tho' not Maasdam, nor this itinerary). The small size makes things very friendly for a solo.

I found that a huge plus.

I adore "I" category insides on lower prom deck and always try to book that, or similar when travelling solo. It's thanks to this board, and especially RuthC, that I discovered that category/location.

Nope.... that 14 day itinerary is worth a lot.... I have done it twice. Unless you cruise specifically for the production shows this cruise is well worth doing. I have done it solo both times .... so much to see and do. One of the best and since I like the smaller ships I was fine with ship.

Susan

Do not think you made a mistake. My 1st cruise was on HAL for my 30th birthday and have been addicted to cruising since then. Tried several other cruise lines on several occasions but have always came back to HAL - and now stay with HAL. You cannot beat the service provided by their outstanding crew. Between the crew and the interesting itineraries, I can pass on non-super spectacular entertainment for a few nights as love the smaller ships and you may be surprised at your options. Love the food variety and the cooking shows / classes are 1st rate. HAL will offer singles luncheons, parties, etc so you can meet others who are cruising solo.

Have a great time! Let us know your thoughts after you get back.

I will echo what others have said about cruising HAL vs RCI. One cannot compare the mega ships with smaller ships. Both offer advantages and if you go with an open mind, you will enjoy your cruise with HAL. Just don't expect the RCI level of entertainment, but DO expect outstanding service from the HAL crew and an old world cruising experience. I am so looking forward to that teak deck and a nice lounge chair on the Westerdam next year!

I am 40 years old and will be traveling solo. Just booked a HAL cruise. I have been cruising for a very short time, but got hooked. The itinerary seems great, the food looks great, and love the idea of the culinary classes. Booked with explore 4, and I know that I will make use of the drink package.

But I also love the production shows and entertainment options on Royal Caribbean and NCL.

I love both Royal Caribbean (not the mega ships, I like the mid-size) and HAL, but for the differences. They each excel in different areas. You haven't made a mistake, you are just going to have a different experience, and I bet you will find things you will love about HAL. Have a great cruise.

Thanks everyone for the great responses. My first Royal Caribbean cruise was on Rhapsody, which is an older and smaller ship. That trip was for relaxing (after 16 nights in Italy) and ports of seeing Greece. It certainly was not entertainment heavy.

As several of you said, this is an awesome itinerary and I have to go in knowing that relaxation (with a nice drink in hand), good food (I think better than both RCCL and NCL, as I have heard), good service, and a great itinerary are on hand-- and just simply enjoy this once in a lifetime experience that I have pieced together with these trips!!

I cruised solo on this itinerary just this summer. It was not on the same ship that you'll be on, but it really doesn't matter....the itinerary is the star of this one. I hope to do it again someday. HAL is really the only mid-level cruise line that does this kind of itinerary. You will be one of the younger people on the ship and the entertainment isn't what you're probably used to, but this is absolutely a great route.

KrazerKrusier, Cowprincess, Kruzprincess,

All spot on with their reviews!

The itinerary is wonderful, oh yes Fannish, and Ruthc are right on!

I am a foodie who loves cooking, and I will tell you, you will enjoy and participate in wonderful culinary arts experience.

I was given the great apportunity to cook with Rudi Sodamin who worked with Le Cirque's Executive Chef Craig Hopson! They were on board on one of our Med cruises which they had a week of intensive classes that were packed everyday in The Culinary Arts!

You made no mistake in my opinion, and will meet wonderful young at heart people onboard! I am 63 retired DDS, and feel young!

HAL is a good line with a lot of character!

Happy Sailings!

Denise:)

Only you can decide if you've made a mistake but I don't think so, perhaps at worst a learning experience. In this case the primary attraction is Alaska and the ship will not be critical, but you will get enough of a look at it to decide if HAL is for you. I think the Maasdam's wide open deck spaces make it a top choice for Glacier Bay and the many other scenic areas. I would caution you not to hesitate to take advantage of the Culinary Arts center because there will not be that many sea days where it can really shine.

The shows are not as elaborate as on say RCI but they are enjoyable and to me actually better than they were 4 years ago.

Roy

I am 40 years old and will be traveling solo. Just booked a HAL cruise. I have been cruising for a very short time, but got hooked. The itinerary seems great, the food looks great, and love the idea of the culinary classes. Booked with explore 4, and I know that I will make use of the drink package.

But I also love the production shows and entertainment options on Royal Caribbean and NCL.

You'll have a great time. Not to worry.

Cruising offers many choices in cruise lines and ships; each attracts a different demographic. I have a feeling once you go on HAL, you'll be smitten. :)

People are all different, and age is just one factor that helps shape someone's preferences. Without knowing you, it's impossible to say.

I think the cruise will be what you make it. If you go in with a positive attitude, even if everything isn't your cup of tea, many things will be. And these days the mainstream cruiselines are becoming more similar all the time.

In very general terms, compared to Royal Caribbean I think you will find the following:

-Food on HAL will be better quality, but less options. There wont be dozens of speciality restaurants, and tons of food at all hours of the day. But what they do have is good, and appropriate for the size of the ship and number of people.

-Entertainment, no contest, Royal Caribbean would be much more professional and have more options. Does that mean on HAL that it will be you alone reading a book? Or you and one cheesey lounge singer? No, of course not. Even on a HAL cruise the entertainment will have a lot more to offer than a land based resort (except maybe Vegas), but I'm speaking in terms of comparison. We rarely go to shows, but there will be plenty to keep you interested and engaged.

-Ships - completely different feel. Royal Caribbean feels like a hotel floating on the ocean. HAL feels like a ship. The decor is more European, Old World elegant vs glass, brass and sparkle.

-Fellow passengers. You already know that Alaska + 14 nights will mean an older group, regardless of the ship or line. What I like about HAL is that the passengers feel more like commrades on an adventure, vs random people you might spot once or twice. The size of the ship means you'll see some of the same people. That couple you sat with for drinks, that lady you shared a seat with on the bus, etc. You will run into the same ones throughout the trip. Larger ships to me remind me of a hotel where there's always someone coming or going, I rarely notice or talk to the same people more than once.

Those are very general points, but hopefully help.