Am I over thinking this?

[Ocean Sailor]

As our cruise date creeps closer, I’m beginning to have second thoughts about returning to Holland America. I am not a novice cruiser, and while this is my first time on the Noordam (or at least this Noordam), I can’t help but feel that Holland America is going through an identity crisis. In the past I booked HAL because I wanted a more traditional, sophisticated cruise: an old school cruise experience. I am not a snob but I cringe at the thought of pool games, blaring music, and a (too) casual atmosphere more fitting a Royal Caribbean cruise than HAL. In addition to HAL I have cruised numerous times on Royal Caribbean, Costa, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity and have found that they all have different personalities appealing to a variety of demographics. Can HAL be all things to all people without diluting the product?

On most things I am very easily pleased:

I don’t want to smuggle alcohol on board.

I have had great experiences with Steiner’s and find things reasonably priced.

I don’t smoke but am respectful of people who do.

I don’t care about the evening entertainment.

I booked the exact cabin I wanted and would not accept an upgrade.

I am happy to let the captain do his job and if he needs to change the itinerary I respect his judgment.

All I need is a good book, sunshine, and saltwater applied liberally.

Am I over thinking this thing? Thanks for listening…

[lippylulu]

Overthinking---go and have a great time! We just got back. Had some rough seas and not the warmest of weather, but weather effects all cruiselines the same! I still got into salt water a few times and a good book on my own balcony makes me happy too!

[kakalina]

Enjoy. One can over think things. In my experience the S&R class ships still retain the old world elegant flavor. It seems it is the Vista class ships that are experimenting with all kinds of new fangled things. You will generally find more children on the Vista class also as they do more or the shorter cuises and the S&R class tend to do the longer cruises.

[caribbean girl]

I think you will be pleased with the Noordam. Enjoy a wonderful ship, terrific crew and a beautiful itinerary. We just got back the beginning of the month and had a great time. HAL still offers its passengers the type of charm perhaps missing from other lines. I don't think you will regret having chosen this vacation. Enjoy!:)

[Copper10-8]

You'll be fine!

[Sea King]

All I need is a good book, sunshine, and saltwater applied liberally.

 

If that's all you're looking for, welcome aboard!

 

It doesn't get much better IMHO than Noordam .. magnificent ship in every detail

 

Just take a look at the reviews on CC over the past 2 months .. one is higher than the next

 

HAL is IMO "quietly sophisticated" yet caters to a variety of age groups

 

If you want to read on deck, Noordam has "nooks and crannies" all over where you sit in the sun as well as fantastic promenade deck

 

If you want to escape the noise outside, head for Explorations, get an expresso and and enjoy a gorgeous library

 

If the dining room is "too loud", book Pinnacle as an alternative

 

HAL has certainly changed over the years .. at the same time, I don't think it's accurate to say the "product has been diluted" .. the crew remains, IMO, wonderful in every respect .. the changes on board including Pinnacle, Explorations, a wine bar and a cooking theatre have added not taken away from the cruise experience

 

is HAL perfect? of course not

 

is it worth going back to time and time again .. without question:)

 

[caribbean girl]

YOU SAID IT, SEA KING! HAL offers the best of all worlds and I think succeeds on all counts. We noticed a younger cross section of pax on this trip, which was wonderful. The Noordam is just lovely. I have a strong suspicion we will be taking another cruise on that baby...:p

[DixieCaribe]

Exactly - It's not perfect, but compared to everything else in this category, my one and only choice is continously Holland America. The R Class is quintessential Holland America, while kakalina is right that the Vista class is the evidence of Carnival's influence on the brand.

If a book is all you need for a great day or evening - then look at the Crows Nest during the day, Explorations Cafe all day, or my favorite - the Aft Deck on the Lido during the evening.

Don't overanalyze the trip - have fun!

[Love Cruises]

I think you will have a fantastic time on HAL. We have cruised on many lines and find HAL to be the very best as far as the morale of the crew. The waiters and room stewards are very attentive and really work hard to make your cruise a most pleasant experience. What my husband and I are most impressed with is the "cleanliness" of the ships and how clean the public room and restrooms are kept. You will have a wonderful time and the NOORDAM is a beautiful ship!

[Golfette]

I'm potentially new to HAL. In reading this thread, the "R class" sounds like what I'm looking for and the "Vista Class" sounds like what I'm running away from. Took our 1st cruise in years on Sapphire Princess (megaship). AAAAAAGHHHH! Herds of people everywhere - no quiet anywhere. I'm hoping the R class are smaller , quieter ships. Which ships are the R Class and does anyone know where they primarily sail to? Thanks for your help!

[DixieCaribe]

Going off memory I think they are the Ryndam, Maasdam, Statendam, Veendam are the R Class Ships. These are basically the 1250 passenger capacity (and my favorite ships of the line) that sail to many destinations - Alaska, Mexico, Caribbean...they all sail to them at one point or another, simply going to the website you can find where the specific ship sails to.

[jtl513]

Going off memory I think they are the Ryndam, Maasdam, Statendam, Veendam are the R Class Ships.

Sorry, 100% wrong! :D The R class are the Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Zaandam, and Volendam, and the four you listed are the S class (named after the Statendam). See the Sticky thread at the top of this forum, "An Introduction to the ships and classes of the HAL fleet" for an explanation and pictures.

 

As far as where they sail, see

http://www.hollandamerica.com/dest/calendar.do

 

Although the Vistas are about 600 passengers larger, they do not "feel" much more crowded than the R or S to me. In fact, the Vista Lido restaurants feel much less crowded to me because of the multi-station layout.

[sail7seas]

Actually, the so-called "S" Class ships are: Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam and Veendam. They are approximately 50,000 ton and carry about 1,200 guests.

 

 

The so-called R" Class ships are Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam. They are slightly larger at about 61,000 - 63,000 ton and carry about 1,400 (plus or minus) guests.

 

The main difference between the "S" and "R" Class ships aside from the slightly larger size is that the "S" Class only have a forward and an aft stairwell and bank of elevators. The "R" Class have a center set of stairs/elevators which is convenient. The basic layout of the "S" and "R" ships is very similar. Most have aft pool on Navigation Deck but Zaandam, Volendam and Amsterdam have the pool moved up to Lido Deck and there are more cabins below on Navigation Deck.

 

 

The Vista ships (Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam) are in the range of 82,000 ton and carry about 1,900 guests. They are considerably larger and the layout varies much from the other classes of ships.

 

Hope this helps.

[seaisme]

As our cruise date creeps closer, I’m beginning to have second thoughts about returning to Holland America. I am not a novice cruiser, and while this is my first time on the Noordam (or at least this Noordam), I can’t help but feel that Holland America is going through an identity crisis. In the past I booked HAL because I wanted a more traditional, sophisticated cruise: an old school cruise experience. I am not a snob but I cringe at the thought of pool games, blaring music, and a (too) casual atmosphere more fitting a Royal Caribbean cruise than HAL. In addition to HAL I have cruised numerous times on Royal Caribbean, Costa, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity and have found that they all have different personalities appealing to a variety of demographics. Can HAL be all things to all people without diluting the product?

On most things I am very easily pleased:

I don’t want to smuggle alcohol on board.

I have had great experiences with Steiner’s and find things reasonably priced.

I don’t smoke but am respectful of people who do.

I don’t care about the evening entertainment.

I booked the exact cabin I wanted and would not accept an upgrade.

I am happy to let the captain do his job and if he needs to change the itinerary I respect his judgment.

All I need is a good book, sunshine, and saltwater applied liberally.

Am I over thinking this thing? Thanks for listening…

I would be willing to bet (you see, I love the Casino!) that you will LOVE your experience with HAL. We have never been disappointed. Service is top-notch. And everything else is up to your designation. If you just want to relax...it's all there for you (especially the Thermal Spa...AH!!!). If you want activity, then there are excursions, art auctions, bingo, dancing, cooking classes, etc. But all in all, it's a very relaxed yet "formal" experience. No loud music. No expectations other than it is your cruise and you can decide how interactive YOU want it to be. Enjoy! We will once again be on the Zuiderdam in 38 days. Sailed outside of HAL once and will probably never go anywhere else but HAL. Service just cannot be beat.

 

And just for demographic purposes, we are in our 50's, love children but not necessarily on a cruise (wouldn't give up the Grandbabies for anything!), book a specific cabin and ask to be not upgraded, spend a considerable amount of money on our bar bill, and love getting through at least one good book during the cruise. Unlike you, we are not tollerant of smokers and do enjoy evening entertainment.

 

Hope this helps. the only other thing I would offer is that during our cruises, we have made life-long friends. I know you will enjoy the company.

[Atomica]

You'll enjoy your cruise! Don't worry!

 

Also, I have to be one to stick up for the Vista ships -they're beautiful and while we've enjoyed our cruises on the Veendam, we absolutely fell in love with the Zuiderdam and Oosterdam. Although I have not personally sailed on the Noordam, I hear she's a fantastic ship as well.

[Copper10-8]

Actually, the so-called "S" Class ships are: Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam and Veendam. They are approximately 50,000 ton and carry about 1,200 guests.

 

 

The so-called R" Class ships are Rotterdam, Amsterdam, Volendam and Zaandam. They are slightly larger at about 61,000 - 63,000 ton and carry about 1,400 (plus or minus) guests.

 

The main difference between the "S" and "R" Class ships aside from the slightly larger size is that the "S" Class only have a forward and an aft stairwell and bank of elevators. The "R" Class have a center set of stairs/elevators which is convenient. The basic layout of the "S" and "R" ships is very similar. Most have aft pool on Navigation Deck but Zaandam, Volendam and Amsterdam have the pool moved up to Lido Deck and there are more cabins below on Navigation Deck.

 

 

The Vista ships (Zuiderdam, Oosterdam, Westerdam and Noordam) are in the range of 82,000 ton and carry about 1,900 guests. They are considerably larger and the layout varies much from the other classes of ships.

 

Hope this helps.

 

And don't forget those infamous escalators that run from Main to LP Deck on the "S" class vessels:rolleyes: Never did figure out their purpose but they're fun to ride on a ship;)

[Funny Daddy]

Relax you will be fine, HAL is a great line ,I have done close to 300 days and they were all great. And I believe that the Hotel Mnager is Henk Mensink, which means everything will be first class. Rgds PD

[Ocean Sailor]

Thanks for the encouragement! My husband prefers Celebrity but I'm a HAL girl. I'm hoping the Noordam will win him back.

[Golfette]

Thank you Sail7Seas - you gave me a good idea of the difference between the classes. Funny thing is, years ago we sailed on the Sun Viking which was then the original Royal Carribbean Line, but now is a HAL ship, and, I believe, one of the R Class ships? Does anyone know which HAL ship was the original Sun Viking? Also, does anyone know what changes HAL made to the ship?

[sarplum]

I think you are overlooking the X factor - that ios you yourself.

If you go around looking for chinks in the armour, you will no

doubt find them. We have gone the Odam, the Zdam and the Veendam

and enjoyed the entire experience. Sure, there we some annoyances

but who cared? We were having a ball.

 

Our next cruise is our first with Celebrity due to the itinerary. Our TA

claims Celeb is in a class with HAL. We shall see but we are not going around looking for things to criticize.

[newmexicoNita]

As our cruise date creeps closer, I’m beginning to have second thoughts about returning to Holland America. I am not a novice cruiser, and while this is my first time on the Noordam (or at least this Noordam), I can’t help but feel that Holland America is going through an identity crisis. In the past I booked HAL because I wanted a more traditional, sophisticated cruise: an old school cruise experience. I am not a snob but I cringe at the thought of pool games, blaring music, and a (too) casual atmosphere more fitting a Royal Caribbean cruise than HAL. In addition to HAL I have cruised numerous times on Royal Caribbean, Costa, NCL, Princess, and Celebrity and have found that they all have different personalities appealing to a variety of demographics. Can HAL be all things to all people without diluting the product?

On most things I am very easily pleased:

I don’t want to smuggle alcohol on board.

I have had great experiences with Steiner’s and find things reasonably priced.

I don’t smoke but am respectful of people who do.

I don’t care about the evening entertainment.

I booked the exact cabin I wanted and would not accept an upgrade.

I am happy to let the captain do his job and if he needs to change the itinerary I respect his judgment.

All I need is a good book, sunshine, and saltwater applied liberally.

Am I over thinking this thing? Thanks for listening…

you sound pretty easy to please and should be just fine with your choice. I agree each line has its own identity but most are beginning to seem very much alike. We sailed HAL in November for the first time in recent years. She is still the class of the mass marketed lines and offers great food, good service, larger than normal cabins and a nice passengers, not to mention the library which sets HAL apart from other lines. I know they all have them, but not like HALs. Does this mean HAL is the cruiseline of choice for us? No, not really as we like a little more excitement, but certainly she does offer what it sounds like you are looking for. Enjoy your vacation. NMnita

[wizard-of-roz]

The Sun Viking (when she was RCCL) was our very first cruise, in the mid 80's. I loved her....she was small and intimate. No big crowds or being lost in it. We did 10 days to the Caribbean and had a fabulous time......

We are now sailing all lines, (our first HAL) in April. I am leaning towards Princess (as she answered all of needs and wants!)

I've read and heard so many wonderful things about HAL and am truly looking forward to our sailing on the "O"!

 

I can't stand the smell of cigarettes; I love going to the shows; I love playing triominoes with my DH, in nice quiet spaces,that can be found when most everyone else goes ashore and I also enjoy just plain people watching, in a lounge, at a bar or on a deck!

Have fun, don't look for the negative or you will find it and feel blessed so as not to feel depressed!;)

[RuthC]

Funny thing is, years ago we sailed on the Sun Viking which was then the original Royal Carribbean Line, but now is a HAL ship, and, I believe, one of the R Class ships? Does anyone know which HAL ship was the original Sun Viking?

Close, but no cigar.

The current HAL ship Prinsendam was originally the Royal Viking Sun. Different line/different ship than the RCCL ship.

Royal Viking, sad to say, is no longer in business. The Sun went over to Seabourne Line before it came to HAL.

I have not yet sailed the Prinsendam, but will rectify that little mistake this coming July. :D I'm looking forward to it greatly. From what I have read it may become my new "favorite" ship. Haven't had a favorite since the ss Rotterdam left the fleet 9/30/97. :(

[Copper10-8]

Thank you Sail7Seas - you gave me a good idea of the difference between the classes. Funny thing is, years ago we sailed on the Sun Viking which was then the original Royal Carribbean Line, but now is a HAL ship, and, I believe, one of the R Class ships? Does anyone know which HAL ship was the original Sun Viking? Also, does anyone know what changes HAL made to the ship?

 

Ruth is correct as usual! Last time I checked (Doug will know fer sure), RCCL's (RCI) former Sun Viking was a casino ship in Hong Kong Harbor, now known as Omar III for a company called Kong Way Ltd/Kong Wing. We sailed her to Alaska back in 1994. Her captain at that time, a Norwegian by the name of Thore Thorolvsen, had a close encounter with a pier on that cruise:eek: Gotta love those Vikings!

[mamaofami]

My favorite HAL ships are the Rotterdam and the Noordam. The Rotterdam was the perfect size. She went into dry dock after our cruise and I couldn't understand why since she seemed to be in perfect condition. The Noordam was special; great food, service and a good looking ship. I am sure you will be pleased. I love to read and found plenty of quiet places to do that. Try the Crow's nest in the am. Great lounges that look out over the ocean. The library on the Noordam is something special. i was pleasently surprised at the great job they did there. I particularily liked to hang out on the promenade deck or under an umbrella at a table by the aft pool. Great places to read.

 

 

Ruth, I heard that the Prisnedam is a wonderful ship. People love it because of its size.