Type "A" personality & HAL

[stired]

My husband and I and another couple are planning a 2007 Alaska cruise (1-way from Anchorage to Vancouver). I am looking at both HAL and Princess but haven't sailed on either one. A lot will depend on whether their preview itineraries are correct and they won't be sailing to Glacier Bay next year on southbound cruises. That is a must for me. But all things being equal, I am definitely leaning to HAL -- but my husband is a type "A" personality (he cannot sit still for more than 5 minutes) and is afraid there won't be enough to do on HAL. Can all you HAL devotees give me some ammunition!

 

Another question - I'm looking at either the Ryndam or the Statendam. Do they have a covered pool so we can swim even if it's cold and rainy?

 

Thanks for any info!

[arzz]

Both ships have a covered pool.

 

I could answer your husband's dilemma two ways

 

1 -- learn to sit and relax -- kick back and enjoy! (but that would be rude)

 

2 -- it all depends on what types of activities will keep him appropriately entertained. HAL has stuff going on all the time -- Trivia games, wine tastings, cooking classes, lectures, movies as well as the pools, spa, exercise gym, and at least once daily bingo games. The new Explorations Cafes not only have internet but they have music, books, newspapers, puzzles and games to play. There is also the classic "just go eat again" cruise ship activity and there are the bars (many with live music including a piano bar), shows at night, string quartets that play after dinner and of course the casino. But.....if he requires rock climbing walls, ice skating rinks and beer chugging or greased pole contests -- then he might be on the wrong ship.

[stired]

Thanks for the tips. I'm afraid my husband will never learn to "sit back and relax" but he isn't the rock wall climbing type either. In fact, he loves crossword puzzles and other games like that so your info might just do the trick! Thanks.

[sailorbill]

On a 7 day Alaska cruise there is hardly any time to become bored. You have three good ports with lots to do and one day with glacier watching and at most two sea days. Even with all the other activities one can always find some HAL passengers ready to play cards and/or board games. And as a fall back there is the fifth most popular passtime of HAL passengers; complaining.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done several Alaskan cruises. With the ships staying longer in the ports, there is less time on the ship. Your DH will have plenty to do on and off the ship.

 

Right now only the Northbound cruises on the Statendam and Ryndam go to Glacier Bay. Dought if any other schedule will change as the ship schedule for Glacier Bay must be approved by the Alaskan authority months before the season begins.

[Estella]

On all of my five Alaskan cruises, I have never been bored. Four of them included Glacier Bay. If nothing else is happening, there is always a great expanse of ocean to watch from the Crows Nest with all its huge windows. I have spotted lots of whale and other sea life there relaxing in the comfortable chairs. Lots and lots of interesting conversations have been exchanged there and when nothing else is happening always a good chance to catch up on a chapter or two of a good novel and many times being interrupted by someone spotting a whale for you to watch.

[stired]

On a 7 day Alaska cruise there is hardly any time to become bored. You have three good ports with lots to do and one day with glacier watching and at most two sea days. Even with all the other activities one can always find some HAL passengers ready to play cards and/or board games. And as a fall back there is the fifth most popular passtime of HAL passengers; complaining.

 

 

LOL - thanks!

[lougee1043]

i too am an A and i have learned to relax somewhat on the cruise-- even managing to take a nap in the afternoon on a sea day --looking forward to the next cruise-----btw if i get too out of control my wife drops my anchor and that slows me down

[travellady]

I'm a Type A, my husband a Type B, and we both love HAL. He has no problem sitting (or laying) in the cabin watching several movies in a row. That would drive me nuts, I can hardly sit through one. But, I go outside, walk the promenade deck, or get coffee and people watch for awhile, or maybe join in a trivia game, and then get up and walk around some more.

 

Though a Type A, the late night scene isn't my nor my husbands thing. I love getting up early and watching the sun rise at sea. On HAL, there's no issue with this as the halls are pretty well quiet after 11.

[Johanna7]

Trivia contests are another possibility. You meet lots of interesting people and can even win prizes. Okay, maybe a mug or a keychain or luggage tag but still, it is an option.

 

I have always enjoyed that. Crafts too but that may not appeal to your husband.

 

There are other games on board as well and you can exhaust yourself trying them all and never be bored.

 

We love HAL and are never bored. Tired, yes. There are also shows every evening after dinner. In some cases, if you have late seating, the show may be before dinner.

 

Enjoy.

[SpuddGirl]

My DH is also sort of a Type A person - when he's not working he can't sit still for a second, always has to be out doing something. I was a bit worried when we took our first cruise that he would get bored. How WRONG I was! He had a wonderful time, and he actually did learn to relax somewhat, at least while on the cruise. He took naps, went to the observation deck to zone out, layed on the pool deck, etc. But I think what he found to be the most relaxing was having a balcony stateroom. I personally could stay in any type of room, but he has to have his balcony. He would often sit out there just watching the sea go by, pondering the meaning of life, and I have to admit, it was SO calming.

 

In fact this morning, DH woke up, looked at me and said "we need to go on another cruise"! Didn't have to tell me twice!:D

[Guest Celestia]

I am very much a Type A and found plenty to keep me occupied and interested on Statendam....even with five sea days in a row twice (Circle Hawaii).

 

The library was excellent and I am never unhappy when I can write and read.

 

We'll see on the upcoming Statendam journey. Since HAL has now banned me from the library, I shall have to tote my own books, which is very inconvenient due to the airlines' cutback of luggage weight allowance. There's also no longer a place for me to write. So we'll see how it goes.

 

If I'm too bored there's always hogging a table and chair in the Lido for the day!

 

CV

[Himself]

What is a "TYPE A"?

[Tricia724]

Himself....There's probably a professional on the boards who will be able to give you a more technical answer, but in a nutshell, a Type A is a more hyperactive personality, while a Type B is more laidback. Type A's usually require more activity, have less patience, and have trouble relaxing. The OP is afraid her husband will go "stir crazy" on the ship. Somehow I can't imagine that, but I guess it could happen.

 

Personally, I think that there will be so much to do in Alaska that he won't have a problem.

[stired]

I am very much a Type A and found plenty to keep me occupied and interested on Statendam....even with five sea days in a row twice (Circle Hawaii).

 

The library was excellent and I am never unhappy when I can write and read.

 

We'll see on the upcoming Statendam journey. Since HAL has now banned me from the library, I shall have to tote my own books, which is very inconvenient due to the airlines' cutback of luggage weight allowance. There's also no longer a place for me to write. So we'll see how it goes.

 

If I'm too bored there's always hogging a table and chair in the Lido for the day!

 

CV

 

OK - I must ask - why did HAL ban you from the library?

[Guest Celestia]

OK - I must ask - why did HAL ban you from the library?

 

 

I call it banishment. They call it progress.

 

Statendam's once-lovely Erasmus Library is now Explorations Cafe. In which they sell premium coffee drinks. I have a severe allergic reaction in places like this (which is why you won't find me in a Staryucks or other trendy coffee place!!) where the particulate matter from coffee is in the air. Just the strong scent of a Staryucks or Peets is enough to set it off, it is very much like an asthma attack, and very unpleasant. I can no longer be in the room for more than a few moments without experiencing breathing difficulty.

 

Ergo, for my health, I will not be able to enter what once was my favorite place on Statendam and her sister ships. And where do you suppose the books are kept? Where I formerly would spend the bulk of each and every day aboard? I dislike reading outdoors, on deck is not of any interest, and I am allergic in similar fashion to secondhand smoke, so the bars and lounges are of limited value.

 

When there was the Java Cafe, I could avoid it easily. Not so any longer. Must make that extra dollar off the specialty coffees, you know.

 

For someone who loves books and reading and writing as I do, it is most sad. We'd already booked these journeys before we knew of the 'enhancements'.

 

CV