Back to HAL after a few years

[Keith Rita]

We just booked B2B cruises on the Ryndam out of Tampa for New Year and after. We've been on six Holland America cruises with our last one being the Zaandam for New Year 2005. It was our second cruise on the Zaandam and we were a little disappointed with the service based upon our prior cruise on the ship and our other HAL cruises. We also have cruised on Celebrity, Princess, Carnival, NCL, and RCI with Celebrity being our new favorite. We have not avoided HAL, they just did not offer cruises that agreed with our schedule.

We are excited about finally being able to book with HAL again and was just wondering what, if any, changes we will see?

[kazu]

Welcome back to HAL. I'm trying to think back 6 years :p I don't think back then they had the 2 day think to prevent NORO, but I could be wrong. so, the first two days on the Lido, it's a bit slower as they serve you. everything is covered by saran to try to prevent any spread if someone is sick and didn't tell on their questionnaire.

 

I don't think you will encounter too many other changes. There are still orchids in the Lido, still nice hand towels in the public washrooms.

 

Perhaps not quite as many fresh flowers, but overall very nice IMO

 

One big change is the mariner perks. You might want to check your standing since you have sailed before. If you have reached 3 or 4 star there are some nice discounts that you take advantage of.:)

 

Have a great cruise

[Keith Rita]

Thanks for the reply, Jacqui. We just remebered on our last HAL cruise they did not have Dutch Night and did not have the afternoon lemonade at the Aft pool. We did get another painted Dutch hat from the staff at the Ocean Bar, however.

[CtheW0rld]

i forget when they stopped having you escorted to the cabin (with champagne) for regular folks, but that is no longer done.

 

service staff are responisble for more guests, but the serivce is still excellent. they just have less time to chat.

 

no more dutch night.

 

open and fixed seating, now, on all ships except the prinsendam.

 

hot hors 'd orve may or may not be available pre-dinner in the lounges. you may have to ask.

 

smoking areas inside have been reduced greatly.

[kazu]

i forget when they stopped having you escorted to the cabin (with champagne) for regular folks, but that is no longer done.

 

service staff are responisble for more guests, but the serivce is still excellent. they just have less time to chat.

 

no more dutch night.

 

open and fixed seating, now, on all ships except the prinsendam.

 

hot hors 'd orve may or may not be available pre-dinner in the lounges. yo may have to ask.

 

smoking areas inside have been reduced greatly.

 

just to let you know Ctheworld - open seating IS on the Prinsendam

[CtheW0rld]

just to let you know Ctheworld - open seating IS on the Prinsendam

 

thanks for the correction.

[mauiedin87]

I saw your little dancing couple on the bottom left of your "signature". My husband and I teach fast Latin dancing in our retirement community and hope to find some up-tempo music on our Hawaii cruise next year to dance to! We'll fit very well into the HAL demographic, but we can still move quite fast and enjoy it. It keeps the joints from freezing up.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome back to HAL!!

We did your back-to-back cruise in October 2010 -- we loved it. Everything was perfect -- hope it will be for you as well.

There have been a lot of changes in the 6 years since you have on HAL.

[Keith Rita]

i forget when they stopped having you escorted to the cabin (with champagne) for regular folks, but that is no longer done.

 

service staff are responisble for more guests, but the serivce is still excellent. they just have less time to chat.

 

no more dutch night.

 

open and fixed seating, now, on all ships except the prinsendam.

 

hot hors 'd orve may or may not be available pre-dinner in the lounges. you may have to ask.

 

smoking areas inside have been reduced greatly.

 

We always liked to have our veggie appetizers and pre-dinner dancing in the Ocean Lounge. We only had to ask one time and they would have them ready for us each evening. We decided to go for open seating to mingle with new folks each evening. We usually do late seating so this will be new to us.

 

I saw your little dancing couple on the bottom left of your "signature". My husband and I teach fast Latin dancing in our retirement community and hope to find some up-tempo music on our Hawaii cruise next year to dance to! We'll fit very well into the HAL demographic, but we can still move quite fast and enjoy it. It keeps the joints from freezing up.

 

We took up ballroom dancing a few years ago to help keep us active. Dancing has become a big part of our lives!

 

Welcome back to HAL!!

 

We did your back-to-back cruise in October 2010 -- we loved it. Everything was perfect -- hope it will be for you as well.

 

There have been a lot of changes in the 6 years since you have on HAL.

 

It's nice to hear you loved it! I'm Sure we will. It's also nice hearing from you over here!:):)