aotmc

I love HAL, but have selected other lines when going with family, but that is because kids in our family are very active.

A few things to consider with a few of my opinions (others may have different thoughts, and please share!).

• For a line with a lot of kid care or kid friendly areas/activities so parents and kids can do their own things, I'd look into Royal Caribbean. 

• If families will want to spend most of their time together and/or off ship, but you still want to appeal to those without little ones, I'd go with Princess.

• If your group is more kid-centric or kid-focused, Disney is supposed to be a great option (I haven't sailed with them but know friends who have gone even without their kids!) 

• HAL offers better food, better education/talks/viewing, but lacks in "excitement" programing. You won't find slides, tons of recreational areas with several sport courts or big pools. They also have more limited "open" hours on ship, everything is pretty quiet compared to others in the evening after the show, and while in ports. 

• I'd avoid Carnival. They appeal and market target groups, their aim is to please everyone, but I have found instead of offering a little for all, it ends up no one is satisfied. 

For my upcoming 7 day cruise in may, prepaying (they say it gives a little discount to pre-book) it is $149 USD per person for pass for the entire cruise on the Oosterdam.

I am 13 years sleeved & have maintained a 170Ib loss. My advice:

It will be easy to make bad food choices, but it is also easier to make good choices too! The beauty of the cruise is you will have so many opportunities to choose to eat *exactly* the food you want (and the portion you need). I never buy the variety of fresh fruit and vegs that I am offered on ship. In the buffet you can grab just one boiled egg or just a yogurt with fruit. Or at lunch just have half a sandwich or a salad with only the veggies you like! Now, they also will have other things that aren't as good for you but that is all up to you! 

In the MDR I usually order what I want and eat the amount I want. To me it is never worth it to overeat, I get too sick and hate the feeling. My opinion on the 'waste' is that the ship has already bought (and usually already plated) the food. If I eat all of it or none of it, the food used is basically the same. It has already been harvested and cooked so I am at peace with eating a few bites and leaving it at that. Yes, it will be thrown out, but if I don't eat some it probably would be also. I also don't feel any pressure to "get what I paid for". Pre-op I would pay what I would pay for a meal to experience and enjoy to satisfaction, same now, I just eat physically less but the value hasn't changed because I consume less of the meal. 

Tips:

I have asked for appetizers instead of mains

I have asked for sides only with soup as my main course

I have skipped dessert often and then 6 hrs later found many of the same MDR desserts at the late night buffet

If someone comments on my food and I don't want to discuss it, I don't. I just smile, usually they get the hint.

If you have a set dinner time, be mindful when eating lunch. I like my time better just because I might have had a full day and don't get to eat lunch till 3pm, and then dinner at 6pm is not enjoyable.

Final thoughts: enjoy your cruise, the first time back on ship will be a learning experience. Find out what works for YOU. 

3 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

That is why people who want vegetarian choices call HAL before the cruise and arrange for special menus be brought to them the night before so that they can select what they want for the dinner the following evening.

Yes, I have done this before when I had set-dining, but I didn't want to this cruise for a few reasons. Some of our stops went until 11pm and I didn't know if I would even be on-board for dinner and didn't want to order only to not show. I also knew there would be nights where I'd end up in the Lido if I was too tired or wanted a quick dinner, but I wouldn't know that the day beforehand. Beyond that, I havnen't found the special vegetarian menu to focus on fresh food and vegetables, but offers more meals that are able to be stored long term in freezer I suspect (veggie patty burger comes to mind). On previous sailings the standard MDR menus have had more varied options. The food I did have in MDR was good, but it was repetitive. 

This was my third HAL cruise in the past 3 years. Overall, I enjoyed it. There were some serious flaws, and some expected impressive wins. If you have any questions, I will do my best to answer them. 

SHIP- This is an older vessel, I was surprised by how some things were quite shabby especially since it was in dry dock recently. The wooden railings were very worn, the carpets were tattered and showing wear in the hallways especially. While onboard they seemed to be replacing all the stairs carpeting, and would do it at odd times. For example during dinner service one night they were replacing carpet between floors leading to the MDR floors, forcing everyone to take the elevator for the final flight(s) down? Strange. The furnishings were all nice and up-to-date. I especially liked the chairs and high tops in the Gallery Bar. 

CABIN- Had a veranda, aft. It had a very deep balcony, nice sized. New flat screen wall mounted TV, bathroom not updated. Beds are wonderful as ever, as they have been on HAL cruises in the past. Room was very clean and of course well kept by attendant. 

DINING- Main Dining Room was run very smooth, better than other cruises I've been on recently. We had any time dining, and never waited for a table regardless of size requested. The breakfast and lunch food was noticeably better than the dinner in regards to timing, temperature of food, and presentation. The lack of vegetarian main menu items was glaring. They offered only one entrée a night that was veg on main menu and it was either a pasta or a grain/veg combo every single night all 11 days. That was annoying. The Canaletto had great food, worth the upcharge. The Dive-In was my favorite and the Asia distant lands counter in the Lido was my 2nd favorite for casual dining. In room dining was hit or miss with the food quality, but it was always on time and we had no temperature problems. Wrote in things on breakfast card, and all but once we got what we asked for. 

ENTERTAINMENT- Only went to Mainstage a few times, it was better than years past but we went only on nights they had special performers. Don't care for the ships singers/dancers. Lincoln Center Stage was top-notch, each performance was only a half hour. America's Test Kitchen was good when the menu was strong. One class was tomato soup and grilled cheese; I don't need to hear how to make that or improve it. Very few O magazine events. Many sales pitches were listed as activities-- no thanks. Don't put in a event for me to attend and find out they are just trying to get me to go to the spa or pay for a trainer, or buy some jewelry or buy some art. Annoying and beneath HAL. 

SERVICE- Best we have had. 

PORTS- Great. Enjoyed each stop. EXC staff was dismal and some ports seriously lacked any good options so we went with private tours for one port. I prefer to book through ship. 

CHILDREN- very very few on ship. Probably less than 10. 

CROWDS- Ship felt overly crowded on sea days. Port days it felt especially empty and lacked things to do. 

Could you imagine sailing 1400 days (nearly 4 years!) and then not being invited to the club?  😱

I don't have any experience with the card-switch, but I would be asking my TA for a plan. They seem to have done this or advised this to other pax in the past? Maybe a detailed consult with them will help. 

If it were me personally in the situation, I'd go to the pier all together, give limited but true information, and ask to have the proper people be given the matching stateroom keys. Something like "our travel agent put the names flipped on the rooms, this is who will be with each other" (Leaving out it was a cost-saver, telling them its wrong, and asking for them to fix it). 

Not only easier for you, but God forbid there is an emergency on ship, they would have the correct passenger information. 

Good luck, let us know how it shakes out. 

As I won't be drinking alcohol on my upcoming cruise, I had some questions come to mind.

1.) Are the "mocktails" offered at every bar or only certain drinks at certain bars?

2.) Is seltzer or sparkling water a charge, or is it included?

3.) Are non-alcoholic drinks with a charge included in happy hour? What if they aren't a bar mixed drink- like soda or specialty coffee?

Any info welcome, thanks!

I found this thread interesting. I am curious where to find this information- things like servers pooling tips? Does that include kitchen staff too? Where is the information about what the surcharge is or isn't used for? Is this info just gathered from talking directly to staff or is it information that HAL has given out? I am truly curious,  and am not trying to be argumentative. 

First, offering a different view: the Tamarind is no reason for me to pick a ship. I like it, but I can go with out it for a sailing. I have plenty of dining options at home that are comparable, as well as plenty of dining options on board that I enjoy in different ways than the Tamarind.

The major thing I do prefer with the Vista Class (Oosterdam), is the size. They are not terribly smaller than the Signature Class (NA), but feel much less crowded to me. They have about 100 less staterooms. Of course, depends on if your sailing is at capacity or not.

Things I always consider when comparing two cruise options:

1.) Ports visiting & how many days are sea days vs. not.

2.) Price per night (inclusive of travel to/from. ex: I can drive to Baltimore, I'd have to fly across country for a pacific cruise)

3.) Smoking policy (I am not a smoker, and it triggers my asthma... but if I were a smoker, this would also affect my choice)

4.) Size of ship, passenger count relative to size, etc. 

5.) Activities on board, ship amenities, & food options (this applies more if I am comparing two diff lines)

6.) Other ships in port at the same time, and tendering. This wouldn't stop me, but it would be a tie breaker for me. I don't care for crowds, so if I look it up and there are several large ships in port the same day, I avoid. I also don't love tendering, but like I said, it wouldn't matter much unless it's a tie breaker between two options.

Just wanted to provide information... my intention isn't to shame or ridicule the choices of the OP... 

The x-ray maybe able to catch the alcohol being brought on board, which is policy to not allow onboard. HOWEVER, as with all security checks, it is also to find any other illegal items in luggage. Just like when you enter a concert venue, or sporting event, it is there to provide a check for everyone's safety... and it is not a wild policy for most cruise lines to prohibit alcohol being brought onboard. 

Also, speaking from experience and information shared from other cruisers, yes, some lines are not as strict with their policy, but as far as I know they all x-ray bags as a security measure. 

I sailed on the Eurodam (sister ship, in the same HAL category as NA) last winter with similar itinerary. 

We docked at Havensight. Though, I am certain it all will depend what other ships are calling on port that day as well. I was able to search online a week or so before leaving to find what piers were being used and what other ships would be at each stop to get an idea of how many other people would be touring and to figure out some private tour logistics.

St. Thomas- we did a snorkel excursion through HAL and loved it. Walked from Eurodam to the catamaran, only on the tour with other HAL guests. Swam and snorkeled a few sites, and did a cruise around the harbor. Snacks and drinks included. Clean equipment, friendly service. Would recommend.

Grand Turk- we only did two things there- when you exit onto the island, you are in a shopping center, to your left is Margaritaville, which has a large resort pool, free to use. We spent time there and had a drink and a swim. Then we went to the free public beach in front of the ship. The chairs in the front are free (people will try to sell you access, but most are free. Ask fellow passengers, its a common port, so they will know) 

San Juan- I haven't cruised here, but have vacationed here. It is very hill-y. Think San Francisco hills. You can easily do your own tour, but I'd suggest some transportation (taxi or bus or tour with van) especially if visiting the fort, which is uphill from the dock. 

Let me know if you have specific questions, I can try to help answer. 

Thank you! I am taking this cruise on this ship in December.

Do you recall if they were offering the "unlimited" photo package option? Or any details bout the picture people?

Did you go on any ship excursions? 

Curious if they still offer the special "chocolate parade"? 

29 minutes ago, avian777 said:

 

Given your apparent lack of business sophistication, I am not surprised that you would be "SHOCKED" by what may be in HAL's contract with CocaCola ... you'd probably also be shocked by virtually anything having to do with business and commerce. 

 

 

 

Assumptions about my business savvy, as well as what is in the Coke contract aside... I have not once come across any directive written (or even suggested) that implied a competitor drink can't be brought onboard or consumed openly. I have had many good-intentioned employees give out incorrect information. 

2 hours ago, avian777 said:

 

And if that should occur, please post the name of the HAL employee who raises the issue with you, as I (and probably others) would like to recommend that person for a raise or bonus or other recognition by HAL for doing his/her job with the interests of the "owners" (Carnival Corporation) in mind!

In order to obtain special pricing from CocaCola, HAL guarantees exclusivity to Coke products which includes making certain that other non-Coke products don't get free advertising on HAL cruises.  So I don't think you should take umbrage at being asked to cover the name of non-Coke products when you are on a HAL cruise, since HAL(through its employees) is merely attempting to honor its contractual commitments to CocaCola.

 Hahahahahaha.  This is absurd to me. No doubt they have a contract to sell only coke products, but to insist that no competitor can is viewed at all is ridiculous. As a customer I wouldn't want them telling me what I can and can not drink (wear, consume, etc) during my vacation. I have also been a part of these exclusive partnership contracts and I would be SHOCKED if it included any verbiage about anything other than what is sold. 

Back to the OP- I have carried on bottles and cans, of all brands. I used to only bring a little at the start, but last year I had a very hard time finding soda at the ports as I was in the Eastern Caribbean after the hurricane and many port stores were low on inventory of almost everything. So if a particular kind is important to you, I'd carry it on.  

There is one offered with room service, it is $4.95 but if in a Neptune or Pinnacle there is not a charge. 

"Kick Start": Yogurt, honey, banana, pineapple, berries, and peaches. 

If you google recent suite breakfast cards you will see it as an additional selection.

Personally I have not seen any smoothie at the Lido, but have had the Lido Bar make a non-alcoholic pina colada for me (basically a coconut/pineapple smoothie). It was around $5. 

To clarify my car rental return was called "Alamo at Port Everglades"... I was able to return my rental car there, they shuttled me directly to the door of security at the port, which was under 5 min from the Alamo rental. 

I subscribe to the Oscar Wilde quote "You can never be overdressed or overeducated."

Gala nights official dress code, from the guide is now this: "Gala Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including a five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room.  For gentlemen, collared shirt and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants .  For ladies, dressy attire is appropriate, dresses skirts and slacks are all acceptable."

My last HAL cruise was a 7 day Caribbean last winter, I saw a few gentleman in tuxedos, only a handful. About double that for ladies in longer gowns. Most had on cocktail dresses and most fellas did have on either jackets or ties for Gala Nights. There were also people in what I'd call just business casual or Sunday dress... but that was not taking anything away from my meal or my Gala night. They wore what they felt comfortable in, and I did the same. I wouldn't find a tuxedo ridiculous. 

I've stayed at the Hampton Inn Ft. Lauderdale Airport North Cruise Port (how's that for a long name, haha). Nothing fancy, but it was clean and offered breakfast... it also is a nice easy location in my opinion. We rented a car, picked up at landing, dropped it off at the cruise port before boarding ship. Worked well. 

I've got a few random thoughts to share, I might have more to add after I said aboard the Zuiderdam in December (if I remember to revisit this thread) 🙂

I loved the size of the Signature Suite I had last year on the Eurodam, especially for a cruise along the shore line like this because of the large window inside the cabin AND the balcony is a more comfortable size if you will be out there taking in the scenery... they also provide binoculars in the SS cabins. My most favorite feature of the cabin though was the double sinks in the bathroom. You won't regret the splurge for the larger cabin!

As far as ports go, I was recently in Portland, ME for a day (not on a cruise) and if you are a foodie, the city has just been named 2018 Bon Appetite's Restaurant City of the Year. So many good choices! If you aren't a foodie, it is a good compact down town area nicely laid out for walking around or taking a trolley tour. It sits on a bit of a slope, but nothing too drastic. I did a harbor cruise & trolley tour and went out to Portland Head Lighthouse which is one of the most beautiful places in all of New England in my opinion. 

Enjoy the cruise!

Signature Suites: I am unable to compare them to RCL jr. suites, but I can tell you a little bit more about them. From what I understand they are approx. 1 and half sized larger then a standard balcony cabin (Called "veranda" on HAL... Neptune Suites being 2x). The bathrooms for example have double sink vanities, tub/shower combo plus a standing shower stall. The balcony has room for a full table and about 4 chairs, even a lounger style would fit out there. The room itself has a desk area, a sofa area, and bed. I loved having a signature suite. It does not include the often mentioned suite perks (like access to Neptune lounge) but I don't miss that.

I can't speak to the excursions, but I can after my partial transit in December :cool::D:ship:

In my research I am finding many reports of year round heat & humidity, and that is a consideration for the tours I am selecting (ie- no 9 hour strenuous tours, lol).

We are cruising soon on Zuiderdam to Panama Canal -- we are Diamond on Royal and have been on others but this will be our first time on Holland in a Signature suite. Are those like junior suites on Royal? Hard to tell from the pics online. Also this is a new itinerary for us, so any recommended excurions (easy or maybe moderate, not strenuous) for Half Moon Cay, Aruba, Curacao, Colon, Puerto Limon, Gatun? Thanks!

You should for sure GO! From what I understand, HAL is the best Alaska choice... now, I do think it will be a very different cruise experience from what your family is used to, and the ships are not as razzle-dazzle... but Alaska is just different than the Caribbean, so set the expectation that this trip will be different, but not "worse than".

I have actually only been to Alaska on a land vacation, and I am not outdoorsy at all, and I *LOVED* it. So much natural beauty, different than any place I have ever been, and fascinating. Even if all I did was look and be there, it would be enough. I'd imagine a cruise would be nice because of access to places that are air/boat only.

I would go in with a higher budget, but know you will get an elevated experience. Maybe not "more" - you wont find slides on the ship, but you will find a great itinerary, beautiful elegant meals, and a great opportunity to experience the frontier together as a family.

I have not taken many HAL cruises, last winter they had the new seemingly smaller When & Where guides to the daily ship activities... previously they were called something else and seemed to have more info if my memory is correct?

My question is: are there things offered that are not listed? Or is it truly inclusive of all options? I don't want to miss out on something because I don't know about it.

I searched but could not find information to this:

Do waiters service the beach lounger/chair area where you can place an order for a specific drink?

I saw one post suggesting pre-made drinks on trays are walked around for purchase, but I wanted to know if there were those taking drink orders and brining them to your chair?

Thanks!