holland america unhappy cruiser

[refman]

for those of you cruisers that have experienced more than one cruise on royal carribean, could you tell me why and what ship my family would enjoy the most. point one- family of three,two adults(47) and 14 year old daughter. point two-ten cruises on HAL and are tired of no perks for SA GATEGORY.

point three-more entertainment for teenagers

point four-more onboard activities

point five-sports bar?

point six-what order would you place RCCL cruise ships in descending order by age?

point seven-what do you believe is the best suite level?

 

Thank all of you ahead for participating and your qualified help.

 

Thank You

Please feel free to add anything missed.

[2Ports]

As one who has cruised on both HAL & Carnival with a teenager, you might want to look into Carnival - bigger staterooms and lower prices than RCL, and WAY more fun than HAL (note: we LOVED our Ryndam Alaska cruise).

[cruisePRN]

I wouldn't go on Carnival if it were free. I found the service and food lacking.

Try a 4 night RCL and see what you think before committing to a longer cruise. I find RCL to have good service onboard and the food is good. They have more activities then you'll be able to particapate in.

[wrp96]

For ships, I would look at either the Radiance class (more classy and elegant, beautiful with tons of glass) or the Voyager class, especially Mariner and Navigator which have expanded teen areas. Both of these classes of ships have tons of onboard activities (rock climbing, mini golf), although the Voyager class has ice skating but Radiance class has self-leveling pool tables. I personally prefer the Radiance class as they are much more elegant than the Voyager class, have less people, have more glass so you can see to the outside more, have a covered solarium, and have the SeaView Cafe. All these ships have sports bars.

 

There aren't as many suite amenities on Royal Caribbean as on HAL (no fresh flowers etc). The biggest amenity is access to the Concierge Lounge for Grand Suites and above. Just comparing deck plans, it appears that the Owner's Suite is the most comparable in size.

[caviargal]

Personally, I enjoyed ALL of the perks that came with my SB suite on HAL. Free laundry, dry cleaning and pressing, a catered party on my balcony, the Neptune Lounge, daily breakfast in the PG, and more.

 

I agree that RCI has more activities and is better suited for families. Of their ships, Voyager class has more to offer for kids than Radiance class IME, although they are not my favorite.

 

Soveriegn class are the oldest in RCI's fleet, Voyager and Radiance class are newer. IME, all of the ships are VERY well maintained.

 

Dimensions of staterooms differ from ship to ship.

[big al]

for those of you cruisers that have experienced more than one cruise on royal carribean, could you tell me why and what ship my family would enjoy the most. point one- family of three,two adults(47) and 14 year old daughter. point two-ten cruises on HAL and are tired of no perks for SA GATEGORY.

point three-more entertainment for teenagers

point four-more onboard activities

point five-sports bar?

point six-what order would you place RCCL cruise ships in descending order by age?

point seven-what do you believe is the best suite level?

 

Thank all of you ahead for participating and your qualified help.

 

Thank You

Please feel free to add anything missed.

 

Refman-My wife & I sailed the new HAL Westerdam last Thanksgiving,and although the ship was new and our cabin was decent (deluxe verandah suite),I don't think we will ever cruise again with HAL....FIRST,they switched our dining time from 5:45 to 8 for NO reason! I have GERD (Reflux disease), and I MUST eat early to avoid problems with stomach..when I went down to protest,they just said,"sorry"...I was miserable most of the week-stomach speaking...second,average age was death..we are 53 & 51 and were 25-30 years younger than 75% of the passengers..food was extremely mediocre-RCL,Princess,NCL,and yes,even Carnival's food was a TON better(IMO)....entertainment was FAR inferior to other cruise lines...teens and college kids looked soooo bored..I talked to a couple of 21-22 yr.old girls at the pool one day.They were travelling with one girl's parents.I asked if they liked the cruise..they both said that "too bad they are not 75,they'd have a great time"..If I were you,I'd try the MOS or the NOS or even one of the Radiance ships.Why not book the new Freedom? If you like activities and lots to do,try the Carnival Triumph or Glory or Liberty...14 is a tough age-she's not a little girl anymore,but also not old enough to hang out with the older teens (16-19)....I took my 2 nieces (14 & 15) and my nephew on the Triumph 2 years ago for Sprink break..they said it was the best vacation they ever had...they are still recovering....great party boat BTW......good luck...

 

Big Al

 

USS Constitution (’61)

USS Independence( ’63)

SS United States( ‘53 & ’67)

Queen Mary (??)

Raffaelo(’63)

Michelangelo (’62)

SS France (’66)

Carnival Fantasy (’90)

Carnival Sensation (’95)

RCL Majesty Of Seas (’96)

Carnival Paradise (’98)

Grand Princess (2000)

Celebrity Mercury (2001)

NCL Star (1 night.) (’01)

NCL Sun (’01)

Carnival Pride (’03)

Carnival Triumph ( ’04)

RCL AOS (’05)

HAL Westerdam (’05)

Disney Wonder (5/06)

RCL Mariner OS (8/06)

RCL Freedom Of The Seas (11/06)

NCL Jewel (3/07)

[pinkrosesdeb]

We got the flowers on HAL. Dead by day 2 and never replaced. The free corsage for 1st formal night? Out of 3 suites, only 1 corsage was wearable, all others dead! We were not impressed with HAL at all and don't plan to give them another try.

[heartofamerica]

Refman-My wife & I sailed the new HAL Westerdam last Thanksgiving,and although the ship was new and our cabin was decent (deluxe verandah suite),I don't think we will ever cruise again with HAL....FIRST,they switched our dining time from 5:45 to 8 for NO reason! I have GERD (Reflux disease), and I MUST eat early to avoid problems with stomach..when I went down to protest,they just said,"sorry"...I was miserable most of the week-stomach speaking...second,average age was death..we are 53 & 51 and were 25-30 years younger than 75% of the passengers..food was extremely mediocre-RCL,Princess,NCL,and yes,even Carnival's food was a TON better(IMO)....entertainment was FAR inferior to other cruise lines...teens and college kids looked soooo bored..I talked to a couple of 21-22 yr.old girls at the pool one day.They were travelling with one girl's parents.I asked if they liked the cruise..they both said that "too bad they are not 75,they'd have a great time".

 

Odd...I've sailed HAL twice (Zuiderdam). I too have GERD and prefer early dinner...we were set for 8. I went the the maitre'd and asked if we could be accomodated. Seating was tough, but they did say there was a table, however, the folks were Dutch and didn't speak much English. We opted for it. Turned out that the men in the group did speak very good English and we had a wonderful time...Furthermore, each night HAL had an assistant maitre'd who spoke Dutch stop off at our table to see how things were going. I find it hard to believe that you were just told "sorry". My 12 year oild even noticed...her rankings of her cruises...best food is on Celebrity. Best service was on HAL....best time was on RCL. As for the age...on both my HAL cruises, my wife and I (mid to late 40's) were about the average age.

[Esmerelda]

Wow...I'm sorry you had a bad experience. I hope your next one is much better for you.

 

I have only sailed on CCL 4 times (not RCCL yet) but I can say that I had no major complaints while on the ships. Everything was clean and the food was very good. We felt for our money...we all had a great vacation (including my boys). Others will disagree with me...and thats ok...I don't mind. I think its fun trying out all different ships and cruise lines personally. I have enjoyed all 4 CCL so far. Next summer will be our first RCCL (on the Freedom:) and we are very excited!

 

Esmerelda

[rosejazz]

Our 15 and 13 yr old boys have been on 5 RCCL cruises....thye've enjoyed every minute, as have we. DH and I sailed HAL 10-12 yrs ago and had a good time, but it was a very quiet vacation and we were definitely the youngest folks on board (we were early 30's then!).

 

I would suggest sailing either a Radiance class or a Voyager class ship on RCCL. Your daughter will have more fun and you and DH will get some night life, good food, and time together. If youy like a port intensive cruise, the Serenade from San Juan is a exceptional trip. The Serenage and the Jewel are our favorite Radiance ships. We've also done the Mariner and Voyager and the kids love the Promanade! We'll be taking tghem on the Explorer next Spring. For a quick "taste" of RCCL....I'd try the Enchantment 4 or 5 day cruise. The ship has recently been stretched so it has some extra amenities. DH and I have sailed her and I wouldn't be hesitant to take the kids on her.

 

Good luck in your choice!

[DNCButler]

We sailed on HAL in a SA cabin and those were not full suites therefore did not receive suite amenities. Only the cat S cabin and above receive that. We loved the size of those cabins and the balcony was wonderful. The ships were the great size and were filled with wonderful details. However, dinner took a long time to get through with no time left for coffee and conversation at the end. The food was wonderful on all our cruises with HAL. The kids program (we always sailed during school breaks) was wonderful and no kids running around ruining the vacation for the adults. However, none were "lively" sailings. If you are looking for ships that have activity all day long then RCI and Princess might work for you and both have many activities for teens as well. RCI has more to do though with the rock climbing wall, golf, skating etc. However, I would suggest for the size cabin that would be comparable to HAL you would need to book in a GS or higher. A GS would get you access to the concierge lounge as well. And I do like the Radiance class ships the best, great size yet still has most of the bells and whistles of the Voyager Class ships at a lower price. Good luck.

[DNCButler]

P.S. Caviargal, I sail with you tomorrow it looks like too!

[xpcdoojk]

As one who has cruised on both HAL & Carnival with a teenager, you might want to look into Carnival - bigger staterooms and lower prices than RCL, and WAY more fun than HAL (note: we LOVED our Ryndam Alaska cruise).

 

Umm, have you ever been on RCI? I always find it odd when people who don't appear to have any information that is asked for reply to these posts. :confused: I don't get it.

 

I think RCI will be great for a 14 year old. Mini golf, ice skating, rock wall, and on the freedom wave pool. I enjoy HAL but then we are you age, OP, but without the 14 year old, and I can see why RCI or Carnival would be a better fit for your teenager. I do believe that the activities on RCI are superior to Carnival for teenage kids. Obviously, all of the Voyager class ships would be a great fit. The freedom of the seas would be the best fit, but the prices will be high on the Freedom this year and in the near future. As far as the suites go, obviously the more expensive the better the stuff in them, but until RCI changes the bedding on the ships (which they are doing in stages now) the beds on HAL are far, far superior even in the suites.

 

jc

[caviargal]

P.S. Caviargal, I sail with you tomorrow it looks like too!

 

I am hoping the weather improves but it will be interesting no matter what I am sure!

[piercetc4]

I would suggest the Voyager class and Freedom class because of all the activities offered for you and your daughter- the royal promenade is a neat place for a stroll with shops, bars, food, and coffee- mini golf, rock climbing wall, great teen areas, ice rink and ice show, surfing and boxing on the freedom, sports bar, casino, good nightly entertainment- decent food - horse racing out by pool a couple of days, deck parties a night or two which are lots of fun-

also- would probably go with a suite above the junior suite with 3 of you in a cabin- which one will depend on how much you are willing to spend and or how much space you feel you need- there are pics on the rccl site of cabins and layouts and square footage-

have a great cruise!!

[happy cruzer]

I am sooo jealous. Please let me know how the wine policy goes in the wine policy thread.

 

Happy Cruzin and hope they load you up with some caviar, yummmm

[caviargal]

I am sooo jealous. Please let me know how the wine policy goes in the wine policy thread.

 

Happy Cruzin and hope they load you up with some caviar, yummmm

 

Since the sailing has open bar :), there will be no need to test it.

 

I will let update that thread in August when I do intend to carry on a few bottles.

[DNCButler]

I am hoping the weather improves but it will be interesting no matter what I am sure!

I'm starting to feel like bad weather always follows me with these things! Based on past pre's, I predict rain Friday-Sunday and then Monday will be beautiful in Boston!! Open bar helps though and the ship is the reason I'm going!

 

Sorry for hi-jacking the thread! :D

[mercedesmom2002]

We are sailing the Navigator July 1st with our 14 yr. old DD (her 1st cruise). We have been told by some teens that I've been conversing with her on Cruise Critic that it is an awesome ship and that she'll never get bored as there is so much to do. DH and I are late 40's early 50's...

 

We sailed the Seranade last Oct/Nov. and absolutely loved that ship, so beautiful with all the glass (it's a Radiance ship) and my DH loved the self leveling pool tables (won the pool tournament). Was a lot to do on that also and never heard any of the many kids on board complaining, all seemed to be having the time of their lives.

 

Sailed the Enchantment in 2003 and plenty of kids on there were having a great time also. After the stretch, it's more like Radiance class now.

 

So I think any of these ships would be great for your 14 yr. old.

 

Just pick one and then get excited! Then have a great time on your cruise..

 

Sue

[ssca]

We sailed on the Navigator 2 years ago teens were 13 & 17 Loved it!!! Then last year we did Hal Zuiderdam as it was a lot less expensive. Big mistake,my boys were very disapointed!!! All week they kept saying " Now why was it we are not on Royal Caribbean" It really became a joke around every corner!! Needless to say we are back on the Navigator this year!!! They love it.Tons to do lots of teens and very family friendly!

[Cruising89143]

I would suggest one of the Voyager or Freedom class ships of RCI. So much for the kids to do and of course plenty of things to do for mom and dad too.

 

About a sports bar on a cruise ship. No cruise ship that I have sailed has had decent sports programming. I would not count on finding that on any ship.

[Cruising89143]

As one who has cruised on both HAL & Carnival with a teenager, you might want to look into Carnival - bigger staterooms and lower prices than RCL, and WAY more fun than HAL (note: we LOVED our Ryndam Alaska cruise).

 

Keep in mind that some people who cruise will take quality over quantity!!!!

[GMoney]

About a sports bar on a cruise ship. No cruise ship that I have sailed has had decent sports programming. I would not count on finding that on any ship.

 

This is so true and I never understand it. Disney comes closest with halfway decent programming.

[Cruising89143]

This is so true and I never understand it. Disney comes closest with halfway decent programming.

 

You would think if the cruise line was going to dedicate an area and call it a sports bar that they would pay for some premium sports programming. The times that I have been in a sports bar that had a football game or something similar, the place was packed. Most of the time it just sits empty. To me if your not going to make it work then don't bother dedicating the space to it.

[GMoney]

I totally agree. You think they'd love the alcohol revenue that such an area would bring in. If they were creative and promoted it correctly I think it'd be a big hit.