First trip on Holland America

[Casino Player]

Greetings fellow cruisers: My wife and I are planning to take Holland America to Bermuda in 2011. Holland America will resume trips to Bermuda in 2010.

We have never cruised on Holland America before. The only thing we know about it is that it is very formal attire and it doesn't have much of a night life. We both like to see the shows and the Casino. We also like to eat, is the food good?

We have sailed on Carnival, and Celebrity. We enjoy traveling on both lines. We have also been on RCCL and NCL and have had less than desireable cruise experiences. Would we like Holland America?

[hylasgirl]

Greetings fellow cruisers: My wife and I are planning to take Holland America to Bermuda in 2011. Holland America will resume trips to Bermuda in 2010.

We have never cruised on Holland America before. The only thing we know about it is that it is very formal attire and it doesn't have much of a night life. We both like to see the shows and the Casino. We also like to eat, is the food good?

We have sailed on Carnival, and Celebrity. We enjoy traveling on both lines. We have also been on RCCL and NCL and have had less than desireable cruise experiences. Would we like Holland America?

 

I have not found HAL any more formal than Celebrity. Formal nights are the same across the board... and the casual nights are like any other cruise line I have been on.

[mrblack]

If you liked celerity you'll like HAL. They are very similar. Mel:)

[OKTraveler]

Greetings fellow cruisers: My wife and I are planning to take Holland America to Bermuda in 2011. Holland America will resume trips to Bermuda in 2010.

 

We have never cruised on Holland America before. The only thing we know about it is that it is very formal attire and it doesn't have much of a night life. We both like to see the shows and the Casino. We also like to eat, is the food good?

 

We have sailed on Carnival, and Celebrity. We enjoy traveling on both lines. We have also been on RCCL and NCL and have had less than desireable cruise experiences. Would we like Holland America?

 

Five HA cruises under my belt, and friends who are Celebrity customers.

 

If you like Celebrity, you should like Holland America. It is no more formal than Celebrity. The night life is where you find it, varies by who is on the cruise, and how long they keep the venues going.

 

Fellow cruisers on HA who complain have been mostly coming from Carnival, who find HA too formal, or from a long Holland America experience, and don't like the way things are becoming less formal.

[AlohaPride]

I think the itinerary and length of the cruise might find that a night life isn't as "jumping" as on other lines (Carnival). However, the elegance and service on HAL outshines other lines IMO. The dress code on formal nights has a wide variety of things you can wear. A tux is not a requirement. The casino was always busy on our most recent cruise.

[RuthC]

Remember that while in Bermuda, entertainment will be decidedly low key, in order for the local venues to have a shot at drawing passengers in.

While at sea there will be a show, and entertainment in various lounges.

[Casino Player]

I think the itinerary and length of the cruise might find that a night life isn't as "jumping" as on other lines (Carnival). However, the elegance and service on HAL outshines other lines IMO. The dress code on formal nights has a wide variety of things you can wear. A tux is not a requirement. The casino was always busy on our most recent cruise.

 

I have heard that you must dress up for dinner every night. I don't think that dressing up every night is for us. A couple of nights maybe, but, we don't like it every night. We love the Casino. Most nights I close it out or come close to it.

[Texas Tillie]

I have heard that you must dress up for dinner every night. I don't think that dressing up every night is for us. A couple of nights maybe, but, we don't like it every night. We love the Casino. Most nights I close it out or come close to it.

 

My question would be, what do you mean by "you must dress up for dinner every night"? Most nights are dockers and polo shirts for the men and slacks or capris with a blouse or sundresses for the women. That's not "dress up" to my thinking and I don't think it's any different than most cruise lines. None of the cruise lines (from Carnival to Crystal) have dress codes like they did 20 years ago. (And some would say that's too bad - but it is what it is!:D:p:D:p)

[Krazy Kruizers]

You are going to love HAL.

[happycat Bainbridge Is]

I agree (particularly on an Alaska cruise) that dockers, shoes other than sneakers and a polo or sweater will do for anything but formal night, when a suit (or even suit jacket over slacks no tie) can get by. The new charges for additional baggage are also affecting people's choices I believe. You will not be able to show up in the dining room in shorts, a t-shirt, etc. but nice casual is fine. Some people will dress up to the nines, others will look for the least dressy options but variety is the spice of life, yes?

 

HAL doesn't have a lot of hopping disco night life, but there are always people in the lounges and the casino is well attended as are shows by those who don't retire early.

 

I think the food is comparable to Celebrity for the most part as is service, perhaps a bit warmer even on the whole. We've done a number of cruises on both lines and never hesitate to grab a HAL sailing if we like the timing/itinerary/price - couldn't resist 14 days to Alaska in May for example.

 

If you like Celebrity I'm confident you'll be pleased with HAL.

 

Have a great trip!

 

HCBI

[jtl513]

Greetings fellow cruisers: My wife and I are planning to take Holland America to Bermuda in 2011. Holland America will resume trips to Bermuda in 2010.

Are you certain that HAL will be sailing to Bermuda in 2011? I got the impression that the 2010 season with the Veendam is something of an experiment that may or may not continue. Do you have definite info that they will be going in 2011?

[Cruise Junky]

We also just booked our first HAL cruise for Alaska. It's going to be so nice to just take a cab to the pier rather than fly anywhere!

[Sundagger]

Are you certain that HAL will be sailing to Bermuda in 2011? I got the impression that the 2010 season with the Veendam is something of an experiment that may or may not continue. Do you have definite info that they will be going in 2011?

 

Hard to say "certain" these days, but in August, when they announced the Bermuda cruises, they said:

"In addition to the ten sailings [subsequently increased to 24] between late August and October in 2010, Holland America Line will visit the island and its towns for a full season beginning in May the following year, with 20 or more sailings anticipated."