How would a mix of ages from late 20s to mid 70s do on a HAL ship?

[SanFranBayCruiser]

We're trying to finalize holiday plans for 2006 - the idea is to get the whole family cruising together. We finally managed to get our schedules together and we were down to Sea Princess or Galaxy but, now someone mentioned that HAL has a ship several ships with longer sailings (we're trying to book a cruise that we'll be onboard for both Christmas and New Year's Eve/New Year's Day). While we are far from novice cruisers, we have never sailed on HAL.

 

What we like: good food (yes it is subject to personal taste and can even vary person to person even on the same ship - we like the food on Carnival, Celebrity and Princess) and I keep reading mixed reviews on food, maybe someone can give a rough comparison if you've sailed on other lines. We also like port intensive cruising - days at sea are ok but, we like to get off the ship and explore; a good casino is a must; and decent eveniing entertainment is also important. We like newer, bigger ships - one person in our party is prone to seasickness and does much better on the bigger ships.

 

We will have 1 baby with us (age 1.5 years old at the time of sailing in December, 2006), and the rest of us will range from late 20s to mid 70s. We are the active types but don't need or want to be in motion every minute of the day. We have no need or desire to have an ice staking rink, rock climbing wall or even a pool slide.

 

So, do you think our group should add HAL to our list? If so, which ship and itinerary do you recommend?

 

Thanks!

[wcolucci]

HAL is your answer!! The demographics are ideal for all in your party...that is what we love about HAL...there are young and old..great cross section, always someone interesting to talk to from diff age groups...what wonderful experiences some of the older pax share w/ us.

 

I'm 46, 47 at time of sailing, and we are bring our 15 month old daughter aboard in this month and quite frankly, we are sure she will melt the hearts of a lot of her "temporary surrogate grandparents" she'll meet on board. I don't think I'd bring her on a younger demographic sailing such as Carnival

 

I wouldn't really consider another line. HAL has enough activities to keep us busy if we ever get bored laying around, it is a tad more elegant compared to some of the party boats out there but there places and times for the 20's to rev it up and for the older folks to wind down......I think you'll be pleased

[Cruiseoften]

HAL is your answer!! The demographics are ideal for all in your party...that is what we love about HAL...there are young and old..great cross section, always someone interesting to talk to from diff age groups...what wonderful experiences some of the older pax share w/ us.

 

 

I'll second 'wcolucci' !

 

Christmas-New Year cruises are just the thing for family togetherness.

 

HAL has something for everyone. Occasional daytime baby sitting could be available from family members.....a plus? :)

 

By pre-arrangement, (thru the Front Desk) many HAL stewards truly enjoy babysitting, they're missing their own families and happy to play Mom or Dad for a few evening hours - of course you are expected to pay for those services :). Please understand, I mention that only because we met a couple who really expected it to be covered by the 'gratuity'. I've no idea of hourly rates as we've never used the 'service'.

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Now that is an unexpected plus but, knowing my brother and sister-in-law I am sure they'll want to keep the baby close by them - we can't even get them out to dinner yet (and that's with the grandparents offering to watch the baby!) LOL

 

You all are getting me excited about HAL and, I will absolutely be giving them a closer look. I know the Noordam is the newest ship and, while it would mean sailing after Christmas it is close enough to everyone's schedule to fit in and, I will wait for reviews as this new ship enters service.

 

In the meantime, what can you tell me about Volendam? And Maasdam? Older? Newer? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Any information is appreciated!

 

Thanks so much for your responses so far!

[dhcoaster]

Heck of a question. How do you all get along on the outside? Why would it be different on a cruise. Every HAL cruise I have been on has had mix ages and no problems! Food is about the same as on Celebrity and better then Princess. Night life on HAL was always better then Celebrity and Princess.

[gizmo]

In the meantime, what can you tell me about Volendam? And Maasdam? Older? Newer? Good? Bad? Indifferent? Any information is appreciated!

 

 

The Volendam is newer and a little larger than the Maasdam. The layout of the ships are similar with a couple of differences. The Volendam has a bank of elevators in the center of the ship, the Maasdam does not. The aft pool is on a different deck.

 

There have been posts on this board on and off for the past year, that reported the Maasdam having problems. Most of them are mechanical and engine related. There is a thread on this board right now reporting another mechanical problem.

 

I have sailed on the Volendam and would not hesitate to recommend this ship. If I had to choose between these two ships, the Volendam would be my choice. :)

[SanFranBayCruiser]

Heck of a question. How do you all get along on the outside? Why would it be different on a cruise. Every HAL cruise I have been on has had mix ages and no problems! Food is about the same as on Celebrity and better then Princess. Night life on HAL was always better then Celebrity and Princess.

 

Well usually my Ma gets drunk and then starts to sing off key and strips as she's doing it. My Pa and brother usually get down and dirty and fist fight each other or go at it like professional wrestlers. Then the winner of the fight gets to sleep with one of my cousins or aunts - sometimes an uncle - basically whoever is available. We figure the baby is enough to take care of herself so she's on her own. My husband is always off gambling away our house and flirting with all the women on board, if he gets lucky he puts a coat hanger on the door so I know not to walk in on him. And, I usually turn tricks with the male officiers on the ship. :D LOL

 

I'm sure you realize I'm kidding. I thought it would be understood that we all get along very well and, adapt to the situation. What I was trying to politely ask was that I've heard HAL tends to attract an older crowd and, I wanted to know if it was true or if there is truely a mix onboard, especially during holiday sailings.

 

Thanks to all who replied so far and thanks for starting my day with a laugh DH!! :D

[wcolucci]

How old is Ma???????? he he he

 

I sailed the Maasdam and the Zaandam, which I think is a sister to the Vol. I actually prefer them based ONLY on what I've read on these posts to the Vista Class, (which I will be on for the first time in oh two weeks and three days and four hours...but who's counting). Those smaller ships are really neat, more like an ocean liner than a cruise ship, more initimate, elegant etc

 

You sound like you'd have a riot anywhere you go, try HAL and compare from there, it really is a cut above for not much $$....besides my wife always liked the male officers on HAL better.

[geoherb]

We had a great cruise on the Maasdam for Christmas (Dec. 17-27). In 2004, we sailed on Celebrity's Century for Christmas and New Year's. My partner rated this his favorite cruise. I think it was about equal overall to our experiences on Celebrity and Princess. There are areas that I prefer on other cruiselines, but had a great time. There's nothing like being on a cruise.

 

The range of ages at our table was from a couple in their mid 30s, the two of us in our mid to late 40s, and a couple in their late 70s/early 80s. We had a great time with them.

 

We saw a lot of families that were having a wonderful time. If we had not gone to see the children get presents from Santa on Christmas morning, I would have not known there were so many children on the ship. The kids staff must have kept them busy. They all looked like they were having a good time when we did see them.

[the2ofus]

I don't think you could go wrong on either the Volendam or the Noordam. We have been on the Volendam twice and loved her both times. We sailed on the Westerdam in 2004 and enjoyed the Vista class ship, but thought the Volendam a bit more intimate. They both offer a wonderful cruising experience.

[stebul]

You can generally expect a more diverse group of passengers on a holiday cruise and on cruises to the Caribbean, Alaska, and Mexico. I think all ages in your group will find other passengers to mingle with.

 

Since you like the food on Carnival and Princess, I think you'll be happy on any major cruise line. By the time you cruise all of HAL's ships will have gone through a mid-life facelift so they will feel like a newer ship. HAL's standards are generally consistent across the line, so I think you can confidently book Noordam with the assumption that the shipboard experience will be comparable to Oosterdam, Westerdam, and Zuiderdam.

 

One reason to go with HAL might be fewer children. There will always be more children on a holiday cruise, but on Carnival I've read reports of up to 900 kids on board for holiday cruises! This really taxes the ship's services because most of the children are 3rd or 4th passengers in cabins and the ship just isn't designed to accomodate that many people sleeping on sofa beds. There will be kids on HAL, but the numbers should be more manageable (perhaps at most several hundred). Celebrity should be similar, not sure about Princess. There are plenty of threads on this topic you can go back through, if this is an important issue for you. Good luck!