tell me about the Holland line

[belldebb]

who out there can tell me about Holland America?

I have sailed Mariner of the Sea/RC many times and love the ship.

Have sailed Carnival; it is okay (Glory).

And have just booked our first Cunard (QM2) cruise for December.

I'm looking at booking with Holland America for the Caribbean or the Panama Canal for Feb. 2007...

give me some feedback?

Mainly age of passangers; we are mid 40's.

[DesertDiva]

Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?

Thou art more lovely and more temperate.

 

Literal Translation: There's a lot to tell and many dedicated passengers. The best way to learn is to read the various threads and some reviews that previous passengers have posted. Lot's of folks love HAL for various reasons!

 

revneal (Greg) has posted some wonderful photos and reviews at:

http://www.revneal.org/cruiselinks.html

 

Another good resource would be LAFFNVEGAS (Lisa) who is a self-made HAL expert!

http://community.webshots.com/user/laffnvegas1

 

That should get you started!

 

who out there can tell me about Holland America?

[eldercruser]

Read my recent thread "Greetings from the Zaandam". We just disembarked today.

[jhannah]

You will find all ages on Holland America ships. On shorter sailings and Caribbean itineraries, the average age will generally be younger than on longer, more exotic voyages. (The "oldest" sailing we were ever on was aboard a Princess ship.)

 

You will find their ships to be elegant and comfortable. The typical HAL stateroom is a bit larger than industry standard. Fresh flowers and fine artwork are throughout. The Indonesian and Filippino crews are eager to serve you as a guest ... not just a customer.

 

Lots of nice places to squirrel away and read a book or just take in the scenic ocean. HAL's passenger/space ratios are quite favorable, meaning you'll never feel crowded. Fewer than 2,000 passengers, and one ship less than 800.

 

There may not be as many deck activities as you're used to. No wet t-shirt or belly-flop contests around the Lido pool. But there are lots of things like team trivia and the like to keep you busy if you want to be.

 

I feel HAL offers something special ... a "cut above." Give them a try. I'm sure you'll soon be a repeat passenger.

[cynic]

who out there can tell me about Holland America?

I have sailed Mariner of the Sea/RC many times and love the ship.

Have sailed Carnival; it is okay (Glory).

And have just booked our first Cunard (QM2) cruise for December.

I'm looking at booking with Holland America for the Caribbean or the Panama Canal for Feb. 2007...

give me some feedback?

Mainly age of passangers; we are mid 40's.

We just came back from Maasdam S. Carribean. As usual with HAL, rooms are very large. Booked a guaranteed rate for cat H., but instead of an upgrade to best available, we had to settle for two tiney portholes on A Dedk. They don't skimp on food, but the new automatic tipping added to the bill seems to have affected crew attitudes. Easy on-off at Norfolk, but too short a stay in Puerto Rico. (around 3 hours.) They cater to older travelers, so things seem pretty quiet after 8pm. Wonderful 3 piece string qurtet in lounge, the consannce strings. Made me a classic music lover. The gratuities go to services we never used, such as front desk, tour personnel. And, does not seem to reqward those who really try hard to please.

[belldebb]

Thanks Cynic,

 

My aunt and uncle (age 63 and 65) were on that same cruise!

They have just told me the very same thing! Since they are from VA they tried it because of port location; NOrfolk. They said they felt young being about the youngest on the ship. This was their 85th cruise; very experienced and have sailed on every line out there...there story was the same as yours. Sorta disappointed so I wanted to get a different view point.

THANKS!

I think I have it!

[Atomica]

I think there's a reason, regardless of age, why so many people sail on Holland America again and again: it's just a great cruise line :)

 

As for the ages, on my 3 HAL cruises I've seen everyone from 1 to 91 and everything in between. That said, it doesn't have as many kids as other lines, but if you are in your 40's, I'm sure you won't have any problems. I'm in my 20's, and have never felt out of place.

 

It's worth a try!

[SDHALFAN]

I think there's a reason, regardless of age, why so many people sail on Holland America again and again: it's just a great cruise line :)

 

As for the ages, on my 3 HAL cruises I've seen everyone from 1 to 91 and everything in between. That said, it doesn't have as many kids as other lines, but if you are in your 40's, I'm sure you won't have any problems. I'm in my 20's, and have never felt out of place.

 

It's worth a try!

 

 

Thanks Atomica for actually making some sense. I was thinking about starting a thread entitled "Am I the only person who sees a problem here?"

 

There are so many potential HAL cruisers on this board who post regarding misgivings about what they perceive to be the "average" age of HAL passengers. What - do they think that we all have one foot in the grave?

 

There was one poster on another thread who was worried about cruising with all those "old folks" on HAL and mentioned that they (he/she and spouse) were in their late 40's - early 50's. I have news for them, some people on these boards consider that to be really ancient.:eek:

 

I was a lot older than you when I took my first HAL cruise - early 40's - and, as I remember that cruise, our "best friends" on the cruise were well into their 70's. We had the best time with them and I remember them fondly to this day although they have probably moved on to the Great Cruiseship In The Sky, where I hope that they are having a wonderful time just as they did on "our" cruise.

 

Couldn't people just get over "the age thingie" and realise that there are some people who at the age of 30 act like 75 year-olds and some people who are probably about 75 act like 25 year olds. I have met people who, at the age of 35, are ready to settle down and vegetate for the rest of their lives, and people who at 65 decide that they are their getting their second wind and are more than ready and willing to throw their all into a new experience and enjoy every moment of it.

 

For Pete's sake, if one is thinking about taking a cruise on a particular cruise line just realise that there are going to be all sorts as fellow passengers. On Holland America Line (my cruise line of choice) the ambience is one of elegance and tradition. That's my choice and I have shared it for well over 20 years now with people of all ages, religions, sexual persuasions, different skin colors and cultural differences and I have never had a bad moment - in fact I have been blessed with many, many wonderful and cherished moments thanks to my fellow passengers and the incredible crew and staff of Holland America Line.

 

Sorry if I usurped the thread but it was just one of those nights when I felt the need to "vent".

 

Happy cruising to all - no matter which Line you choose, but I would highly recommend HAL.

 

Valerie:D

[The Prussian]

Tell me about the Holland line -

 

Use the SEARCH function.

[noblepa]

We've done two cruises on Carnival (Paradise during her no-smoking period, and Glory), one on the now-defunct Premier (Big Red Boat, Oceanic) and one on HAL (Veendam).

 

My wife and I are now in our mid-fifties. We found the Carnival ships to be too large and too crowded, even though the Paradise is "only" 70,000 tons.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the Veendam last year and are booked on the Oosterdam in April. Our impression is that HAL is one of the last of the "traditional" cruise lines. You will find no rock climbing walls, no putting greens, no ice skating rinks on HAL ships (at least, not yet). You will find a quiet elogance, excellent service, formal nights and beautiful surroundings. On the Veendam, there were passengers who were obviously retired, as well as families with children, and every age group in between. I don't really remember that any particular age group dominated the passenger makeup.

 

HAL has a reputation (deserved or not) for seeking an elderly clientele. I'm not sure that's completely true. I think that they appeal to those, of any age, who want a more traditional shipboard experience and perhaps a little piece and quiet, rather than non-stop activities and parties. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty to do, but there is also the opportunity to just relax and enjoy being on a ship. They have a show lounge, just like all the other lines, and we thought that the quality and variety of entertainment was at least equal to that we experienced on Carnival. They have casinos, where you can make a donation, if you wish. They have swimming pools and Jacuzzi's, as well as a spa and fitness center.

 

Whether you will enjoy HAL, or not, depends largely on what your expectations and wishes are. If you prefer the rock-climbing, putting greens and so on, perhaps another line would be more appropriate. I am not trying to say that HAL is superior or inferior to other lines, in this respect. There are many different cruise lines to choose from. Each has its own flavor. Sometimes, even different ships within the same fleet have decidedly different atmospheres. Its just a matter of finding the one that suits your personal style. Different strokes for different folks, as they say.

 

Paul Noble

[belldebb]

Thanks Paul!

Very tasteful response!

I appreciate your detail and your explaining.

Your response definately says "try" and we will!

Thanks agian for the detail!

I love Royal and the Hal line sounds much like Royal.

Our group ranges in age from 24 - 78 (family group) and there is sometimg for everyone; from nightclubs to napkin folding!

THANKS again!

[grannynurse]

I am assuming by "Royal", you mean Royal Caribbean.

Actually HAL is not anything like RCI.

HAL does not have the number of passengers, the same activities, or the same client demographics, or the same atmosphere.

If you mean Royal Viking, then you're closer, but still no cigar.

 

HAL would like to been seen as a 5 star line but actually is not. It's traditional cruising at its best at mostly affordable rates. We love HAL, used to like RCI before it built the huge ships and added rock climbing. We like the at-sea feel rather than the floating resort feeling. We love the passenger mix, the service, the ambiance, the itineraries. It's our second home.

Hope this helps,

GN