Sill confused on Bermuda

[cruisincorgi]

I have submitted this thread a few times; please be patient with me. I am booked to sail with my wife and 13 year old daughter on HAL Veendam in June 2010. Excited about HAL (more upscale and better itinerary), but a real NCL fan-thinking about the Dawn to Bermuda instead. I remain concerned that the Veendam will not offer enough activity for us. I guess the issue is do I want more activities (which the DAWN surely provides, or do I want a great itinerary on a nice ship?). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[crisp1]

Some things to consider: Port days: not alot going on onboard any ship. Sea Days: NCL does have much better entertainment, but I'd check out the roll call for the HAL cruise- even though it's known for an older crowd, all a kid needs is a half dozen new friends. Food: HAL has it all over NCL.

As I undertand it HAL will be docking in Hamilton and St George, where NCL docks in Kings Warf- so you have to get the bus or ferry pass to get around. How much do you plan on 'exploring' on your own- just want to check out the area just off the ship, maybe HAL would be better overall.

If it were me, the roll call is the most important place to start- if there are no other kids on board- your teen, and you will be miserable

[amistad]

I haven't been on the Veendam, but I have been on the Volendam and Westerdam and I have been on the NCL Spirit. Holland is more formal, food is very good, bedding is great, the activities are more quiet, the service is great and unless it has changed in a balcony room you could order a full hot breakfast from roomservice to eat on your balcony. The fellow passengers were much older though. NCL was very relaxing with the Freestyle, food was good, more active activities, more specialty restaurants, comfortable bedding, more kids and kids areas. Bermuda is great, if I had to decide I would probably pick NCL so I wouldn't have to pack as much formal wear, but I don't think you could go wrong either way. Enjoy your cruise to Bermuda, it is beautiful.

[larry_s_taco]

I have submitted this thread a few times; please be patient with me. I am booked to sail with my wife and 13 year old daughter on HAL Veendam in June 2010. Excited about HAL (more upscale and better itinerary), but a real NCL fan-thinking about the Dawn to Bermuda instead. I remain concerned that the Veendam will not offer enough activity for us. I guess the issue is do I want more activities (which the DAWN surely provides, or do I want a great itinerary on a nice ship?). Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

I love both cruise lines. I think with a family I would chose NCL. No formal nights; which the kids would love, easier packing, free style dining: easier for the kids also. I just got back off the Spirit and loved it. The Bermuda transport is great, you can get anywhere easily. I don't believe I'm telling you this, because my preference is a line without the most kids, but everyone has to have a great vacation sometime.

Hope you have a great cruise,

Larry

[sottovoce]

Excited about HAL (more upscale and better itinerary), but a real NCL fan-thinking about the Dawn to Bermuda instead.

Hate to disillusion you but HAL is no more upscale than NCL. It's just another mass-market cruise line but with an outdated and unwarranted dress code.

[iheartbda]

Hate to disillusion you but HAL is no more upscale than NCL. It's just another mass-market cruise line but with an outdated and unwarranted dress code.

If you hated to, why did you?:confused:

[sillysailor 1955]

Hate to disillusion you but HAL is no more upscale than NCL. It's just another mass-market cruise line but with an outdated and unwarranted dress code.

 

Sorry to disagree with you but I must. Two cruises on HAL (Rotterdam and Noordam) and Three on NCL (Dawn, Spirit and Jade)

On HAL entertainment on par with NCL, food on HAL much better and service on NCL good but on HAL it was outstanding - crew was very friendly and helpful. NCL ships were nice but HAL ships were much more elegant.

[RalphWiggum]

Don't worry about the older crowd that Holland America attracts generally. I doubt this will be the case on your cruise because you'll be cruising out of New York in the summer, there will be lots of families on board. I took two Bermuda cruises on Celebrity and definitely found that to be the case. I think the most important thing determining the average age is the time of year and length of cruise - I learned that the hard way sailing on a 10 day cruise in Jan-Feb on the Gem last year. Eighty percent of the passengers were retirees.

 

Your daughter will have a blast on either cruise.

[sottovoce]

Sorry to disagree with you but I must. Two cruises on HAL (Rotterdam and Noordam) and Three on NCL (Dawn, Spirit and Jade)

On HAL entertainment on par with NCL, food on HAL much better and service on NCL good but on HAL it was outstanding - crew was very friendly and helpful. NCL ships were nice but HAL ships were much more elegant.

I don't buy it for a minute. HAL crew was helpful but obsequious. I'm not keen on the master/servant relationship. Food was not a bit better than NCL's. Sorry. And in the main dining room it was lukewarm by the time you had to wait for everyone to finish their prior course and it could be served to your table in lock-step. Entertainment was nothing special.

 

The "excellent" food business on HAL is one big myth. Then, of course, there's the hilarious baked Alaska parade where everyone has to stand up and wave their napkins over their heads (very elegant:rolleyes:) while the waiters parade, and Dutch night where you wear funny hats and eat bami goreng. You can have it. Upscale? Nonsense.

[sillysailor 1955]

I don't buy it for a minute. HAL crew was helpful but obsequious. I'm not keen on the master/servant relationship. Food was not a bit better than NCL's. Sorry. And in the main dining room it was lukewarm by the time you had to wait for everyone to finish their prior course and it could be served to your table in lock-step. Entertainment was nothing special.

 

The "excellent" food business on HAL is one big myth. Then, of course, there's the hilarious baked Alaska parade where everyone has to stand up and wave their napkins over their heads (very elegant:rolleyes:) while the waiters parade, and Dutch night where you wear funny hats and eat bami goreng. You can have it. Upscale? Nonsense.

 

Must disagree again with you... HAL crew was extremely professional and were really a pleasure to talk with and more than willing to talk about their families, and life on the ship. Did not get the master/servant relationship reference. Food was okay but it definitely gets the edge over NCL (our last cruise on the Jade the food was a disgrace particularly the pay extra experience we had in Cagney's) and oh yes the famous Baked Alaska evening I supposed the Quest night on NCL is much more classy (especially with woman waving their bras over their heads). Come On - NCL is great for what it is but HAL is definitely a more upscale cruise. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.;)

[PFV]

We were on the Norwegian Majesty October 3rd to Bermuda and heard an interesting rumor. We were in a sea glass shop in St. George's and were speaking to the owner of the shop. She was very concerned that if the Bermuda government doesn't pass the legislation allowing ship's casino's and gift shops to open in the later evening, HAL was threatening to cancel the Bermuda cruise itinerary? That action would destroy her business.

 

Has anyone else heard that? I hope its not true as I really would like to try HAL and especially this cruise and not to mention I hate to see people lose their businesses.

[RichNY]

HAL has a contract to the end of 2010 after that who knows ???

 

Anything for 2010 should be safe....

[RichNY]

HAL has a contract to the end of 2010 after that who knows ???

 

Anything for 2010 should be safe....

 

Sorry should be 2011.....

[iheartbda]

HAL has a contract to the end of 2010 after that who knows ???

 

Anything for 2010 should be safe....

Possibly, possibly not. There are all sorts of ways to get out of contracts.;)

[sottovoce]

Come On - NCL is great for what it is but HAL is definitely a more upscale cruise. I guess we will have to agree to disagree.;)

Nonsense. HAL is pretentious and overrated, not upscale. They think (and apparently are occasionally successful in fooling people like you into thinking) they are something special but discriminating people who know better see right through that phony facade. I've cruised Jade and the food was at least as good as we were slowly served on Maasdam. I suspect you were suckered by all the rental tuxedos into thinking you were getting something better.

 

Listen, silly, if you think HAL is so great, cruise with them and leave us alone. Enjoy the funny hats and bami goreng and the obsequious crew. I don't know what you're talking about with "quest" but having the cruise director scream at you on the public address system to wave your napkins over your head on a supposed (and ridiculous) formal night in the main dining room is simply bush league. You can have it.

 

P.S.: Writing in all bolded letters is bush league, too.

[sillysailor 1955]

Nonsense. HAL is pretentious and overrated, not upscale. They think (and apparently are occasionally successful in fooling people like you into thinking) they are something special but discriminating people who know better see right through that phony facade. I've cruised Jade and the food was at least as good as we were slowly served on Maasdam. I suspect you were suckered by all the rental tuxedos into thinking you were getting something better.

 

Listen, silly, if you think HAL is so great, cruise with them and leave us alone. Enjoy the funny hats and bami goreng and the obsequious crew. I don't know what you're talking about with "quest" but having the cruise director scream at you on the public address system to wave your napkins over your head on a supposed (and ridiculous) formal night in the main dining room is simply bush league. You can have it.

 

P.S.: Writing in all bolded letters is bush league, too.

 

First, of all I find it ironic that you go by sotto voce as you are anything but. Secondly, I am entitled to my opinion and it is really too bad if you don't happen to like it. You are really being way too defensive over nothing. Third and finally, if you think I am "bush league" maybe so, you know how "people like me" are.:cool: P.S. Hope you like the italics!

[sottovoce]

FThird and finally, if you think I am "bush league" maybe so, you know how "people like me" are.:cool: P.S. Hope you like the italics!

Read more carefully. I never said you were bush league. I said thinking what you write is so important that you have to bold it is bush league. I'm glad to see you've learned that lesson.

[sillysailor 1955]

Read more carefully. I never said you were bush league. I said thinking what you write is so important that you have to bold it is bush league. I'm glad to see you've learned that lesson.

They think (and apparently are occasionally successful in fooling people like YOU into thinking) they are something special but discriminating people who know better see right through that phony

 

Rest assured I don't happen to think my opinion is any more important than anyone else's I just like to bold my text to emphasize my point - apparently "sottovoce" it seems to annoy you. Too bad.:p

[live2dive45]

I'm going to take this argument from a different, and hopefully, more civilized angle. I was on Majesty Oct 3rd sailing (with PFV above....hello to you both) and my first trip to Bermuda. Now I haven't been on HAL before so I will make no comparisons....just speak based on the OP's original question. Bermuda is so small and the island transportation system is very inexpensive and extremely frequent and efficient. That being said, if I had to choose between the 2 based on what OP's desires are I would take the Dawn due to larger ship and more activities. 2 ports in Bermuda is nice, even interesting, but now that I have experienced it I would go with the Dawn because of the ease of getting around. Just my opinion...Oh Hi Iheartbda too!

John:)

[iheartbda]

Hi John:).

I'll take it to yet another direction.

 

Yes, Bermuda is small, cheap and easy to get around but being in 2 ports is even MORE convenient. Hamilton is central so getting to the South Shore beaches is as easy as it is to get there from Dockyard. Can't get any better than being right in St. George and with the ship leaving at 2:00 to go over to Hamilton, you don't even have to get back on, just meet up with the ship in Hamilton.

 

I haven't been on HAL, yet, so I don't know what kind of activities they have. I've been on Celebrity which people will say doesn't have many, much like they say about HAL but I did not find that to be true. With children, the OP will most likely be going when there are other families and the kids always find each other. I was on NCL during President's Week with tons of kids and they weren't taking advantage of any kid/teen activties, they were clustered in groups around the ship and mostly on the stairs. in the way.:p

 

The OP really has to decide for themselves which is more important, the ship or the itinerary.:)

 

Hi PFV.

[live2dive45]

You are absolutely correct, C...ultimately the OP's decision. Decisions, decisions! Wish these were the only kind of decisions I had to make. Happy Sailings!:)

[Monaco02]

I don't buy it for a minute. HAL crew was helpful but obsequious. I'm not keen on the master/servant relationship. Food was not a bit better than NCL's. Sorry. And in the main dining room it was lukewarm by the time you had to wait for everyone to finish their prior course and it could be served to your table in lock-step. Entertainment was nothing special.

 

The "excellent" food business on HAL is one big myth. Then, of course, there's the hilarious baked Alaska parade where everyone has to stand up and wave their napkins over their heads (very elegant:rolleyes:) while the waiters parade, and Dutch night where you wear funny hats and eat bami goreng. You can have it. Upscale? Nonsense.

 

I believe it's been a while since you've sailed on HAL - they no longer (and haven't for a while) have Dutch night, and they also offer anytime dining, if you don't like traditional. Works very nicely :)

[luddite]

Hate to disillusion you but HAL is no more upscale than NCL. It's just another mass-market cruise line but with an outdated and unwarranted dress code.

 

And yet, you force yourself! Very nice.