Fresh Off Westerdam - Not Good :(

[OlsSalt]

Finding the right mix between cruise line and passenger can be trial and error. What one passenger may find as top notch service on Crystal, we found cloying, intrusive, and ultimately annoying. Creeped me out they used my name obsequiously every time I visited some venues.

 

You could tell they were trained to do this, and it became a skills game to see how many times they could repeat it. Yech. :( As pretty as Crystal ships are, I just wanted them to leave me alone. So the degree of professional detachment and regard we found on HAL ships was a perfect match for us. Obviously not a one size fits all situation.

 

Prince Charming and Cinderella eventually do meet.

[cruisemom42]

You set out the biggest difference we found in this whole "cruising" experience, which has led to a lot of communication breakdowns here. We honestly thought cruising was just supposed to be reasonably comfortable travel, from point to point. For that, we have been totally happy with HAL.

 

I was surprised later to come to understand others found cruising to be exactly how you describe it; a pampering on-board experience as much as a travel experience.

 

 

While your own expectations may be low, you can hardly blame people for expecting something more than "reasonably comfortable travel from point to point" when HAL's own website contains statements such as:

 

"Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable."

 

and

 

"On Holland America Line cruises, your every wish is our pleasure to fulfill."

 

 

 

I think banquet hall expectations work best for the dining room and not thinking one is going to have a 3-star Michelin restaurant dining experience in this setting. One gets fed nicely with reasonable dispatch has been our experience. While in times past, there apparently was a higher level of individual service. But that should not be an expectation today. We find our dining experiences on HAL ships to be delightful, short-comings in details not withstanding.

 

While I don't disagree with your assessment (except for the "reasonable dispatch" -- our meals in HAL's MDRs seem more leisurely than they should be, for the most part), I refer again to HAL's website on the MDR experience:

 

"On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, our master chefs have brought flavors to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard."

 

If your contention is that HAL is not intending to provide this sort of cruise experience, then they should be a bit more upfront about it. Wax poetic about the itineraries if you like, but perhaps they should re-think some of their statements about the shipboard experience....

[OlsSalt]

While your own expectations may be low, you can hardly blame people for expecting something more than "reasonably comfortable travel from point to point" when HAL's own website contains statements such as:

 

"Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable."

 

and

 

"On Holland America Line cruises, your every wish is our pleasure to fulfill."

 

 

 

While I don't disagree with your assessment (except for the "reasonable dispatch" -- our meals in HAL's MDRs seem more leisurely than they should be, for the most part), I refer again to HAL's website on the MDR experience:

 

"On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, our master chefs have brought flavors to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard."

 

If your contention is that HAL is not intending to provide this sort of cruise experience, then they should be a bit more upfront about it. Wax poetic about the itineraries if you like, but perhaps they should re-think some of their statements about the shipboard experience....

 

 

I have long said cruise ship marketing does themselves no favors. There is also a problem if the customer does not make their wishes known and expects to have their minds read instead. Depends upon what one anticipates the meaning of anticipate is.

Edited December 3, 2013 by OlsSalt

[matondo]

Sounds like a very disappointing cruise. Sometimes the issue is the staff on a certain ship and not the whole cruiseline. All that to say that I have been on a HAL cruise had a wonderful time only to come home and read someone else's review about how horrible their cruise was.

[startwin]

I have long said cruise ship marketing does themselves no favors. There is also a problem if the customer does not make their wishes known and expects to have their minds read instead. Depends upon what one anticipates the meaning of anticipate is.

 

The customer is entitled to receive exactly what is advertised, and not have to make their wishes known or to receive less than that expectation. This is a new one..... the cruise lines marketing is at fault.:rolleyes: Now we know.

[OlsSalt]

The customer is entitled to receive exactly what is advertised, and not have to make their wishes known or to receive less than that expectation. This is a new one..... the cruise lines marketing is at fault.:rolleyes: Now we know.

 

 

Tall order. Actually it is marketing fault if they create unrealistic expectations. Or people believe literally everything they read in ad copy. Even husbands and wives have trouble reading each others minds. Can't say I would expect a crew member to be able to do this on the fly in a second language, and from a different culture in less than a week's time. MS Jarkarta does train them, but not sure mind-reading is in their curriculum. :cool:

[kazu]

While your own expectations may be low, you can hardly blame people for expecting something more than "reasonably comfortable travel from point to point" when HAL's own website contains statements such as:

 

"Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable."

 

and

 

"On Holland America Line cruises, your every wish is our pleasure to fulfill."

 

 

 

 

 

While I don't disagree with your assessment (except for the "reasonable dispatch" -- our meals in HAL's MDRs seem more leisurely than they should be, for the most part), I refer again to HAL's website on the MDR experience:

 

"On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, our master chefs have brought flavors to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard."

 

If your contention is that HAL is not intending to provide this sort of cruise experience, then they should be a bit more upfront about it. Wax poetic about the itineraries if you like, but perhaps they should re-think some of their statements about the shipboard experience....

 

Tall order. Actually it is marketing fault if they create unrealistic expectations. Or people believe literally everything they read in ad copy. Even husbands and wives have trouble reading each others minds. Can't say I would expect a crew member to be able to do this on the fly in a second language, and from a different culture in less than a week's time. MS Jarkarta does train them, but not sure mind-reading is in their curriculum. :cool:

 

Totally agree with Cruisemom42 - great points.

 

OlsSalt - so people shouldn't believe the ads? or the signature of excellence?

 

Sorry I don't buy that. Our cruises are not in a week's time and even on day one, they know who we are .

 

That's great that you have low expectations - we don't - and we enjoy our cruises

 

There is a certain level of service that should be expected.

 

That includes service in the Crow's Nest, Explorations Lounge, Casino, MDR, wherever.

 

We don't expect anyone to jump for us (jump, so high) but we do expect good service - and we have had it.

 

Your expectations that you outline are not sufficient for us and if that is the expectation that we are supposed to have then there are lots of other things to do, but it won't be HAL.

 

For us, this is not a satisfactory reply. We expect neither banquet service nor to be ignored in bars.

 

We have been very happy on HAL (I have several live threads if you want to verify) but the bottom line is - the service you are saying we should expect is absolutely WRONG IMO. sorry to disagree ;)

[startwin]

Right then..... so people, do not believe anything you read in a HAL ad. Expect very little and mediocrity, and anything more will be a pleasant surprise.:D

[Chelly]

Whew! Sorry your cruise was such a disappointment. I'll be on the Westerdam Jan 4. Will let you know if my water glass gets filled.

[nana51]

While your own expectations may be low, you can hardly blame people for expecting something more than "reasonably comfortable travel from point to point" when HAL's own website contains statements such as:

 

"Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable."

 

and

 

"On Holland America Line cruises, your every wish is our pleasure to fulfill."

 

 

 

 

 

While I don't disagree with your assessment (except for the "reasonable dispatch" -- our meals in HAL's MDRs seem more leisurely than they should be, for the most part), I refer again to HAL's website on the MDR experience:

 

"On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, our master chefs have brought flavors to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard."

 

If your contention is that HAL is not intending to provide this sort of cruise experience, then they should be a bit more upfront about it. Wax poetic about the itineraries if you like, but perhaps they should re-think some of their statements about the shipboard experience....

 

I agree with you. They don't advertise themselves as a ship that gets you from "A to B". They advertise luxury. Now I know it isn't Crystal cruises, but I still expect better service than the OP received. I would feel disappointed also. My last cruise on the Zaandam was pretty disappointing compared to our other cruises on the Oosterdam. I am looking forward to sailing her next July.

[HokiePoq]

That is so sad, I'm really sorry that you had such a disappointing cruise.

 

We were fortunate enough to be able to sail on the Westerdam last month and had a wonderful time, no complaints at all. That said, we don't drink -- doctor's orders! -- so we didn't run into any of the associated problems that you had.

 

I hope you manage to find a cruise line that is a better fit for you and get to experience cruising the way you had hoped it would be next time around.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

Glad you had a great time on the Westerdam as we are boarding on Saturday. Only problems we had on our previous Westerdam cruise were some rude fellow passengers, but that can happen anytime on any cruise. Felt sorry for the poor crew who had to deal with them. Never had a problem getting a drink on HAL...but never tried to use a soda card in the MDR. Our friend who had one would always get his soda at a nearby bar and carry it with him to the MDR. It's not in any line's interest to have poor bar service as it's a moneymaker. I can only guess perhaps new crew had come on in that department.

To the OP, sorry you had a bad cruise and hope your next meets your expectations.

[RuthC]

While your own expectations may be low, you can hardly blame people for expecting something more than "reasonably comfortable travel from point to point" when HAL's own website contains statements such as:

 

"Our specially trained crew takes pride in anticipating and fulfilling your every wish. From our waiters and bartenders to our chefs and wine experts, our spa technicians and fitness instructors to our officers and housekeeping staff, everyone is dedicated to providing you with the gracious and personalized service that will make your cruise vacation memorable."

 

and

 

"On Holland America Line cruises, your every wish is our pleasure to fulfill."

 

 

 

 

 

While I don't disagree with your assessment (except for the "reasonable dispatch" -- our meals in HAL's MDRs seem more leisurely than they should be, for the most part), I refer again to HAL's website on the MDR experience:

 

"On crisp white linen, course after course arrives. Behind the scenes, our master chefs have brought flavors to perfection. For an elegant breakfast, leisurely lunch or unforgettable five-course dinners designed by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, the main dining room is your destination for elegant dining aboard."

 

If your contention is that HAL is not intending to provide this sort of cruise experience, then they should be a bit more upfront about it. Wax poetic about the itineraries if you like, but perhaps they should re-think some of their statements about the shipboard experience....

Excellent post, and I couldn't agree more. HAL used to provide exactly what they advertise, but have definitely lowered the bar in the last several years. If I wanted a cruise (as opposed to transportation from port to port) at the current level I could sail cruiselines that don't claim to be "premium" (not "luxury"). There are lines below the mass market level that provide what the OP received.

[HokiePoq]

Excellent post, and I couldn't agree more. HAL used to provide exactly what they advertise, but have definitely lowered the bar in the last several years. If I wanted a cruise (as opposed to transportation from port to port) at the current level I could sail cruiselines that don't claim to be "premium" (not "luxury"). There are lines below the mass market level that provide what the OP received.

 

What lines are below the mass market level?

We are mass market cruisers (HAL, NCL, RCCL, Celebrity) but don't know what is below mass market.

Like another poster, I would be uncomfortable with the constant attention described above on a more luxurious line. Perhaps the OP needs to choose a luxury line in order to meet expectations. We've considered some of the luxury cruises, but haven't booked due to the fear that we'd feel uncomfortable.

[RuthC]

What lines are below the mass market level?

Well, Voyages of Discovery and Voyages to Antiquity are two I can think of off the top of my head. They both use old ships, without modern amenities, and have little in the way of entertainment. Food is basic. I would place them below mass market for those reasons. Hurtigruten has some nice/newer ships, but they don't compare to those you called "mass market" in what they offer. All three lines, however, have some marvelous itineraries.

[OlsSalt]

Begging to differ here. Voyages of Discovery ships are way more than basic amenity smaller ships, and are definitely not below market cost wise. They are specialty cruises and have fabulous extras for those that like this kind of high itinerary/high enrichment type cruising. Food is very good to excellent, staff is great and lots of passenger camaraderie because most are long standing high level travelers, more than being the occasional tourist.

 

They excel in shore excursions and have been tops in flight arrangements which they sometimes include in some of their special fares - can't beat Emirates Air from Cape Town to LAX, included.

 

I agree however that if one did not know what to expect with Voyages of Discovery, they would be in for a rude shock. But no worse than anyone found on most ships only a few decades ago. And even their marketing oversells the full experience, while underselling their strengths.

 

Since we have been on two long cruises with them, we know they have a very high return passenger rate which means they fit the niche just fine for a certain group of travelers.

 

Below market might be CruiseBlu or even Costa, or Louis Cruises which basically are little more than passenger moving ships. There are a number of ships in the Mediterranean that are more under-market ships that simply move people around which works for a lot of folks, particularly bargain hunting young Europeans.

Edited December 5, 2013 by OlsSalt

[dadroy]

Sorry your cruise was not up to your standards.

 

I sometimes have the opposite problem, where I order a lot of beer on the first night and then every 3 minutes the rest of the cruise the servers are asking me if I would like a drink.

 

My thought would be if I want a drink I will flag you down. So you did not get enough service and at times I get too much service. Not sure there is a happy medium.

 

HAL continues to be my line of choice, although my wife, believe it or not, prefers Carnival.

[classicwhaler]

I am baffled by the number of CC members who cruise on HAL and fail to attend the organized Meet & Greets to have the chance to get to know the senior staff on their ship. Invest an hour of your cruise time and get to know the folks who CAN make a difference in your cruise if you encounter a problem. Those of us who are proactive and engage the crew have a much more enjoyable stay than those who expect the world to come to them, then complain here when it doesn't. If you encounter a problem on HAL, let a manager know. It works for us. We'll be on the Westerdam this month, and are looking forward to a great cruise!

[cruisemom42]

Well, Voyages of Discovery and Voyages to Antiquity are two I can think of off the top of my head. They both use old ships, without modern amenities, and have little in the way of entertainment. Food is basic. I would place them below mass market for those reasons. Hurtigruten has some nice/newer ships, but they don't compare to those you called "mass market" in what they offer. All three lines, however, have some marvelous itineraries.

 

It may be more accurate to call these lines "niche market" lines. I haven't been on VOD but have sailed 3x (with 2 more booked) on Voyages to Antiquity. The ship is older, yes, but it has most modern amenities -- cabins, though small, are as nice and updated as any mass-market ship, with flat-screen televisions, modern bathroom fittings including a blow-dryer, and top quality (Moulton Brown) complimentary toiletries. Mattresses are not up to HAL standards but certainly equal what most mass-market ships offer.

 

Food isn't what I'd call basic -- it's as good as any I've had in HAL's MDRs, although there is no specialty dining restaurant for a more upscale experience. The MDR onboard Aegean Odyssey is a bit gloomy (no windows) but the food is typically continental and service is attentive. The outside dining area is excellent in the evening on a warm-weather cruise. Food can be ordered from a limited menu or one can access the buffet if desired. Wine, beer and soft drinks are free and, at least in my experience, liberally offered.

 

The service (from their largely Filipino crew) is excellent throughout the ship. Internet service is better than most mass-market lines and much cheaper as well. Finally, the library on board is truly excellent, stocked with books that relate to the area(s) visited. The only nicer library I've seen on a ship is that of Swan Hellenic's Minerva. Daily news extracts, puzzles, etc. are also on offer there. The ship has a substantial spa facility onboard (recently enlarged), and exercise facilities.

 

The onboard experience is geared toward those with a serious interest in history. So while there is "entertainment", it is more likely to come in the form of lectures by leading experts -- at least 3 per sailing -- plus a classical trio of musicians, and local musical performers brought on from ports visited. Supplemented by movies that also have a local flavor.

 

I also find the shore excursions (most included in the cost of your cruise) to be better than your average mass-market tours. They have fewer people per group, and they do not include forced-shopping stops.

 

It's true that the pool is small, but it's not much used on the sort of cruises made by this ship. And the teak loungers with thick cushions are great for passing time -- reading, writing postcards, napping -- either in the sun or on the shaded deck areas.

 

In short, in my opinion the line has made choices as to what to include/not include based on the likely interests of their clientele, and not as a cost-cutting measure. It's not the line for anyone who cruises for a glittering nightlife or nonstop onboard activities. But I would not consider it to be below mass market in areas of food, service, and most onboard amenities. In fact, I find it hard now to go back to a ship like HAL since I value the lectures on lines like V2A and Swan Hellenic so much. Sadly, I have not experienced anything of that quality on my HAL voyages.

[Himself]

I'm just off the Westerdam as of Saturday, November 30th. This was my second HAL cruise with my first being on the Oosterdam. This cruise was not good. I do have to say that my Steward, Aep, was kind and I wanted to take him home, but that's about it.

 

It was nearly impossible to get a drink! Just because I didn't want a glass of wine my first night at dinner, doesn't mean that I didn't want a drink of wine the rest of my cruise. I couldn't even get a drink in a bar! I waited for a half an hour for a drink at the pool. When I was listening to the adagio I couldn't get a drink in that bar either. It was nuts!

 

The show host, Mark, was extremely unhappy and very rude. I realize that he was sick most of the cruise but if you're going to be sick and unhappy you should just stay in bed.

 

The food was subpar at best. The waitstaff was horrible! I hate to say it because I really wanted to love them. It took me until my main course to get my soft drink. I realize that I had a soda card but I paid for that card so I should get service just as much as the next guy. I will never ever get another soda card, ever! If you're never, ever going to clean the soda gun or machine and my soda is going to taste moldy then forget it. When I mentioned the quality and asked for a can I was told no.

 

Our water glasses were never filled. My table mates drank iced tea and never got a refill. They had to ask each night for an iced tea even though the first night they said they always wanted a glass with dinner. The waiters never brought a pitcher to their station so they could do any refills. We would consider ourselves lucky when we got what we ordered because most of the time we didn't.

 

We went to bingo one day, waited in a long line, paid for our cards just to learn that we weren't even going to have bingo at all. They were three cards short for us to have a bingo game. Why didn't they ask if there were any husbands or wives in the room that could buy a card so that we all could play? Why couldn't the ship buy three measly cards so that the group could play? Why couldn't we at least have a game for some junk prizes? It doesn't make sense! I could have gone to see the movie instead.

 

I played cards in the casino every night and not even once did the casino staff ask me my name or call me by name. They took my cruise card every time I put cash on the table so I just don't understand why the manager or any of the staff ever acknowledged me. I spent more in the casino then I did on the cruise so they should've at least said hello to me and called me by my name!

 

Any time there was a fun activity, like a game show or special event, they only did it once a night and it was during the middle of my dinner. So I never got to attend anything. My new friends that I met on the cruise came on Holland America to dance. There was only one hour of dancing each evening, if they were lucky, and smack dab during the middle of dinner. So they had to leave our dinner group to go dancing and switch to a different mealtime. Several nights they ended up coming to dinner anyway because the dancing got canceled. We had a full ship during the Thanksgiving holiday so none of these things should've ever happened.

 

I could go on but I'm just so sad. I really wanted to love Holland America and make it my cruise line. I was even planning on booking my next cruise while on-bored but just don't think I'll ever go on Holland America again. I even wanted to book something for Christmas!

 

 

I am sorry for you sad experience. However, I got off the same ship on November 2 after she came in from San Diego and my experience was quite the opposite of yours. I truly enjoyed my two weeks on the Westerdam.

[0bnxshs]

<SNIP> Rich...Was your CD Eric Dowis? He was on our Ryndam cruise last winter. His wife, Kari, was the lead singer in the show cast. I think she's on board with him now but don't know if she's working. Last I knew, they were working on a duo to perform on ships...now that he's married, I think he's looking beyond being a Cruise Director to do something he and Kari can do together...

We had the menu scroll on the Nieuw Amsterdam recently. I thought it was a nice touch.

 

Yes, CD was Eric Dowis. I only saw/heard him at the Suite Reception and the Mariner's Brunch. Don't know if his wife was on board but I spent all my evenings at BB King's Blues Club shows or the sports bar.

 

We were looking forward to the scroll and Waiter's March. Maybe it was a Thanksgiving week one off that it wasn't done? We had new cruisers at our dinner table and had bragged. :o :confused:

Edited December 6, 2013 by 0bnxshs

[andilynnwright]

OP. Maybe you could tell us some of the things that you enjoyed about your cruise. It couldn't have been all bad.

 

Sorry, I forgot to come back and read responses. Like I said, out steward was great and I wanted to take him home. The BB King Blues Show was really good the one night in the Theater.

[andilynnwright]

Perhaps cruising is just not for you. Time to find a new venture where you have more of the upper hand.

 

Actually, cruising is my favorite vacation and I have loved all if my cruises on the Oosterdam, Disney (it was exceptional and I don't have kids), Princess and Royal Caribbean. Cruising is definitely for me and I have worked in leadership in the hotel/travel industry for 20+ years. I feel I'm pretty fair in my reviews of customer experiences because I know how difficult it can be to meet expectations.

[andilynnwright]

Andrea,

 

As you know, we were on the same cruise last week. Out of curiosity, did you have anytime dining or fixed dining? We had early fixed and never had an empty water glass, my wife's iced tea was always waiting for her when we were seated (after the first night, of course) and was refilled multiple times. I did buy a 3 bottle Navigator Wine package for dinner and, surely due to this, never wanted for wine. That said, the wait staff was the busiest I have ever seen in a HAL MDR and always seemed to be catching up. We found the food to be OK, just nothing to write home about. We have set our expectations for HALs food and it usually gets met. I hope you took the time to talk to the Head Waiters, who checked our table almost nightly, or the Dining Room Manager. I know complaining isn't always a "feel good" event, but it does get results. :( I was surprised, if not disappointed, that the "menu scroll" for the International Night dinner theme the last night of the cruise has now disappeared (it was still International Dinner night and the reduced offerings placed inside the very battered menu holders we were given each night) and the "Baked Alaska" march is now gone altogether, replaced by a general crew march and song.

 

There was dancing all over the ship. Northern Lights, Crow's Nest, Queen's Lounge and Ocean Bar all had dancing at various points during most evenings. I know the Queen's Lounge had BB King's Blues Band from 8:30pm until 11:30pm 4 of the 7 evenings as I was there each of them. Sorry your friends couldn't find something to dance to. And yes, a miserable Show Host will always make a bad showing. I was not impressed with the CD, Eric, who I felt was just going through the motions all week.

 

How about the rough seas? Hope you and your mom didn't suffer from those. :(

 

My bar bill wishes I had your trouble getting drinks.... all I'll say about that! ;)

 

I'm not a casino sort of guy, so I can't address that, other than to say, when you are spending money there, the dealers should be treating you as their best friend. :confused:

 

We missed you at our informal Meet and Greet. We had a nice, short chat with those there and would have loved to have met you and your mother. I do hope that, despite the problems you had, you both had a nice time overall.

 

Finally, please do fill out the survey you should have received by now via email. HAL needs to know your expectations were not met. Hope you meet you on another cruise someday.

 

Hello, sorry I am just now coming back to your kind response. I was disappointed to not be able to see you as well. My Mom wasn't feeling great that morning so I was hanging out with her. She had a long and not good trip from California to Florida with delays and layovers.

 

At any rate, we had late seating and because 4 of the 8 seats were empty the first night and again the second night, plus the nice couple we met left for early seating, we got moved to a different section altogether and still had bad service. Even the two couples at our new table felt the same. My Mom loves Creme Brûlée and each night it wasn't set right. Strange, they make it a million times, I'm sure.

 

The friends we made on the cruise love to Ballroom Dance so were looking for that type of dancing. HAL was recommended to them and they have loved MSC for the dancing. It was hit or miss in the Ocean Bar and they said when there was dancing they were often the only ones. They went to the Dancing with the Stars sessions which were just a canned routine and they said not for someone who has taken real dancing lessons. I had fun watching folks trying to learn the routines!

 

Luckily rough seas is not an issue for us. We were apparently made for the sea. My Sister doesn't cruise, she tried, because she can't handle it, even on the biggest of ships or with medication. She gets car sick as well :(

 

I filled out the survey ASAP when I got it in my email the day we got off the ship. Haven't heard a thing, yet anyways.

 

Looking to book a little solo cruise for myself since I need some alone time.cvFound great Deals on Carnival Fantasy or Norwegian Epic. I've never sailed either line and I'm not a party animal so am worried to book either. I really am a HAL type of cruiser.

 

Ok, sorry so long winded. Thanks again for your kindness!

[andilynnwright]

I'm sorry, but the things she was complaining about were things that are SUPPOSED to happen on a cruise. You're supposed to feel like the crew knows your name and cares about your cruise experience. You're supposed to feel pampered. These are things that cruise companies use to sell the experience. They don't say "We'll get you from point A to point B and we won't lose your baggage."

 

Telling her that cruising isn't for her because she had a bad experience, based on things that are SUPPOSED to happen on a cruise, is just cheerleading. Sorry.

 

Thank you :)

[OlsSalt]

OP, since you said like to spend a lot of time in the casino is not Royal Caribbean or is it NCL known for catering better to this activity far better than HAL ships? The casino and gambling always seems like a minor emphasis on HAL ships. We like the more self-contained atmosphere of HAL ships. I think the size of the space devoted to their libraries pretty much tells the HAL story more than any other feature. Long may they sail.