Calling all party hardy types!

[JAMS1]

Friends are planning their first cruise, because we’ve raved about HAL, they’re planning a HAL Rotterdam Alaskan cruise. I’m worried it will not suit them and be turned off cruising, so I need your advice and reassurance.

 

They’re past vacations have been very active all-inclusive sunny retreats; daily outings, unending rum umbrella drinks, wine and evening entertainment. Since, we are not the party hardy types, have never taken part of those opportunities on our cruise, those of you who have please reassure me, tell me all the party hardy fun you have had.

[JAMS1]

Ok, everyone you are all starting to worry me more.

 

There have to be folks on HAL ships, who indulge in the Drinks of the Day all day long, partake of ship board activities and pool side games?

 

What onboard activities are your fav's?

(besides the spa, reading & napping)

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Well, on the Westerdam in Alaska last May, we did a shipwide pub crawl which was a lot of fun. Plus there are several mixology classes and wine tastings. Is that the kind of thing you're looking for?

[JAMS1]

Yes!

Please tell me more ~

[Sailorgirlseattle]

Uhh ... not sure what you want to know. The pub crawl was like 20 bucks each and covered five or six bars onboard, with a different cocktail at each bar. Took about an hour, all totalled. CD led us all around and had us doing silly things, like bunny hopping through the ship and singing, stuff like that. It was fun! But, I think it was also an experiment and not sure you'll find it on other cruises/ships. The mixology classes are usually drink specific, like margaritas or martinis. You sign up and pay a set-price (can't remember how much) and you'll get samples of four or five different drinks plus the recipes to make them at home.

 

HAL's not a party ship like some other lines tend to be, but they do try to offer a variety of activities to appeal to everyone.

[JAMS1]

HAL's not a party ship like some other lines tend to be, but they do try to offer a variety of activities to appeal to everyone.

 

That is why we are worried about their being turned off to cruising.

We Love HAL because it is not a party ship experience for us. We love cruising & would hate to have anyone turned off by going on the wrong line. I am hoping someone will come on this board and say they Party on HAL, but at this point I am planning on having a heart to heart with my friends on choosing another line for their Alaskan cruise.

 

For those who want a Party Ship type of experience, Can HAL be a "Party Ship" type experience for some?

 

That's my question.

[DizzyDallasDi]

That is why we are worried about their being turned off to cruising.

We Love HAL because it is not a party ship experience for us. We love cruising & would hate to have anyone turned off by going on the wrong line. I am hoping someone will come on this board and say they Party on HAL, but at this point I am planning on having a heart to heart with my friends on choosing another line for their Alaskan cruise.

 

For those who want a Party Ship type of experience, Can HAL be a "Party Ship" type experience for some?

 

That's my question.

 

I guess we need to know what you are looking for in a "party ship type experience." Typically, HAL ships don't have the "party harty" lifestyle found on Carnival or RCCL. There are no Quest games and the night venue's music tends to be more low key on HAL. A ship-wide wild raucaus atmosphere will not be found on a HAL ship.

 

However, the glory and reverence of Alaska lends toward an atomosphere of quiet awe. The spectacular beauty surrounding you brings on a calming feeling that just doesn't fit well well with loud music. During the day, while cruising silently through magnifient scenery, people are focused on that aspect and silly pool games or the such would not be appropriate. You may find a polar bear pool game, though.

 

The evening entertainment with piano bars and dancing can get upbeat depending on the people who are there. It only takes a few to get things hopping. :)

 

You would find a different "animal" and night life on a HAL Caribbean cruise. Those tend to attrack more party-type folk. So, since you're going to Alaska, you may need to prepare your friends for a more subdued atmosphere.

[HWY 101]

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5163949n&tag=related;photovideo:o

[Petronillus]

[T]he glory and reverence of Alaska lends toward an atomosphere of quiet awe. The spectacular beauty surrounding you brings on a calming feeling that just doesn't fit well well with loud music. During the day, while cruising silently through magnifient scenery, people are focused on that aspect and silly pool games or the such would not be appropriate.

 

I agree with DizzyDallasDi's comment, with one reservation. I did participate in the CD's organized polar bear jump, on the day of our scenic cruise up and down Glacier Bay, when 20 or 30 of us stalwart pax jumped into the after pool. Jumping into the pool wasn't nearly the shock that climbing OUT proved to be. I enjoy wines and liquors as much as the next guy, but here was an activity that built community without any trace of alcohol.

 

I am concerned that we, in our culture, are in danger of losing our capacity genuine fun, enjoyment, and entertainment. Just pause and think a moment about the comment, "I must have had a great time; I don't remember any of it." Or how about the metaphor, "I got wasted last night!" Wasted! When did having fun equate to driving oneself into oblivion?

 

That was not my experience on my first HAL cruise. I observed lots of drinking but very little of it to excess. If OP's friends for some reason feel that they must drink themselves into oblivion in order to have a good time (if that's what "party hearty" means), then perhaps HAL is not a good fit for them.

[shootr]

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=5163949n&tag=related;photovideo:o

 

OK, not to de-rail the thread, but what?????????

 

(Trying to connect the dots, but........)

[sapper1]

I have never really noticed any "party hearty" types on a Holland America cruise. There is a great deal of social mixing and conversation but I have yet to see what I am guessing your friends have in mind. They truly might be bored and feel as though they wasted their money.

The reason we choose HAL is because you can sleep at night without listening to partyers roam the hallways----or if there is some partying going on they are quiet about it:) Things tend to settle down soon after the late show. There is a piano bar where those who stay up late can enjoy a few drinks and some music. We have checked out the Crow's Nest from time to time late at night but there never seems to be much going on there.

I would describe the atmosphere aboard a HAL ship as one of quiet elegance. It is definitely not hopping.

[Assateague Island Princes]

Alaska is so port intensive, we never FELT like partying - too exhausted from interesting and active port excursions like Rhino 4X4, hiking, sea kayaking, or the amazing excitement of whale watching in Juneau. Most evenings returning to the ship, we got changed, had dinner in the Lido so we wouldn't have to get dressed up, then enjoyed a cocktail in one of the bars or on the privacy of our balcony, then off to bed with anticipation of more of the same the next (early!) morning. Alaska is more about the scenery, the majestic mountains and awe-inspiring glaciers, the plentiful sea life viewed both from the ship (if willing to spend time scanning the seas w/binocs in hand), or on excursions, and the sights you will see as your cruise along the Inside Passage between ports. Perhaps Alaska isn't for your friends? All cruise lines, any ship, will provide a very different cruising experience than you will see on warm weather destination cruises. It just isn't like that in Alaska. Plenty of activities to participate in on-board, just not the typical cruise type activities - no flowriders, no rock climbing walls, no hairy chest contests - none of that on a HAL ship in Alaska. You will find a wide range of ages on board any Alaska sailing ship - including the party ships like those of Carnival. Much more subdued atmosphere.

 

Perhaps you should check out the Ports of Call forum, click on Alaska, and read some posts there to determine if Alaska is even a destination your friends would TRULY be interested in? Lots of great information to be gleaned on those boards. Personally, for us, Alaska is just gorgeous, it will take your breath away, and it provides an almost spiritual sailing experience. That is why we're going back again - for the third time! on HAL's new 14 day itinerary - we leave on May 31st, and it can't come soon enough! Good luck - hope your can convince your friends to give it a try. I don't think any of you would be disappointed with an Alaska cruise - just a whole other mindset from what they might be used to.

[parrotfeathers]

The only people who think a bunch of drunks are fun to be around are another bunch of drunks. My childhood was filled with people who drank to excess with no regard to others. I want no part of that now that I have control (although I am in no way against having a few drinks). "Quiet elegance" is exactly what I am looking for in my upcoming Eurodam cruise.

 

I don't remember any of it." Or how about the metaphor, "I got wasted last night!" Wasted! When did having fun equate to driving oneself into oblivion?

 

If OP's friends for some reason feel that they must drink themselves into oblivion in order to have a good time (if that's what "party hearty" means), then perhaps HAL is not a good fit for them.

[maxsmamma]

That is why we are worried about their being turned off to cruising.

We Love HAL because it is not a party ship experience for us. We love cruising & would hate to have anyone turned off by going on the wrong line. I am hoping someone will come on this board and say they Party on HAL, but at this point I am planning on having a heart to heart with my friends on choosing another line for their Alaskan cruise.

 

For those who want a Party Ship type of experience, Can HAL be a "Party Ship" type experience for some?

 

That's my question.

 

Jan,

 

Your friends signed up for an Alaskan Cruise, so they are already breaking their vacation mold. You can't compare Alaska to Mexico, right. I think the other posts about being scenic and port intensive prove that a bit. If I were you, I'd worry if they were taking a mexican cruise, it will be very different than a Mexico land vacation. But, they are going to alaska. The cold weather will help them shift their vacation from laying out and drinking pina coladas to other fun. My non cruise friends loved the alaska cruise for all the wildlife, views, and excursions. And, if you do like drinking and dancing, or casino action, you can find it at night on HAL

[MadManOfBethesda]

Jan, And, if you do like drinking and dancing, or casino action, you can find it at night on HAL

 

Yeah, up until about 11:30pm. Especially on an Alaskan cruise.

[RevNeal]

Alaska Cruises do not tend -- at least on HAL -- to be "party-hearty" type voyages. There are port intensive, with early arrivals and wake-ups for shore excursions. There are usually one or two evenings where people can and do stay up later, but for the most part Alaska itineraries have people turning end by midnight.

 

HAL can have something of a party-type atmosphere ... particularly in the Caribbean and the Mexican Rivera and on crossings where there are plenty of sea days; indeed, on such cruises I've occasionally seen the night life range from midnight until to 2 or even 3 am. On my latest Hawaii cruise the sea days tended toward 1 - 1:30 am close-downs in the Piano Bar and, on a few nights that late in the Crows Nest (the black and white ball night, for instance). Of course, a goodly percentage of the passenger-base will tend to turn in around midnight, but there will be MORE who stay up later and who "party" in the Crows Nest, Ocean Bar, or Piano Lounge.

[Roz]

It depends a lot on the destination and time of year. When I went to Alaska (both times), I was tired from being out and about all day in port in the cold, rainy weather. I'd have dinner, maybe watch the show, and possibly have a night cap in the Crow's Nest. Alaska cruises have a different atmosphere, and people take them for different reasons than Caribbean or Mexican cruises.

 

You can't be responsible for someone else's fun. They're either going to like their cruise or not.

 

Roz

[RuthC]

I'm going to join the chorus here. At it's most rambunctous, HAL is not a "party hearty" line. Alaska is not HAL's most rambunctious.

This is a sedate line cruising a most sedate itinerary. Alaska is all about the ports---even for those of us for whom the ship is the destination. It's long days enjoying the great outdoors, then early to bed so tomorrow you can start all over again. Even the sea days are spent outside viewing that glorious scenery.

If I were you I would make sure my friends knew what they were signing up for, have them read this and the Alaska board, then make an informed decision of what's right for them.

[andeesue]

I also don't feel comfortable for someone else's enjoyment of a cruise. If your friends are choosing Holland America because you have been happy with the line, then obviously they respect your opinion and know what you enjoy. I have been happy with my HAL cruises because I like a more subdued, mature environment. I would not recommend the line for party hearty types, I think they would be disappointed.

[JAMS1]

You all restated the reasons we love HAL and why we are worried our friends are setting themselves up to be disappointed in cruising and should probably take RCCL or Carnival to Alaska.

 

We would not cruise on a, as my DH call's it, "A Party Barge" we just don't like being around folks who over indulge in alcohol and the atmosphere that comes with it, but they do, when they are on vacation.

 

On our Alaskan cruises we have staid away from the Casino's, Bars and the odd goofy games that had been offered. That's why I posted the question in case there were folks who partied hard on HAL and we just missed seeing it, since it is not our cup of tea.

 

Our friends told us the other night, they've started saving for their "Bar Bill", not tours, this is why we started being concerned.

 

Good idea to print this out! hopefully it will help them to make a well informed decision as to the type of cruise experience they might expect on HAL for an Alaskan Cruise.

 

And yes, I have invited them to Cruise Critic, but they have not checked it out yet.

 

Thank you all again

[funlovin'cruiser]

One of the "party-hearty"-est cruises that I have taken was on the Oosterdam out of Seattle to Alaska. It was the middle of the summer (end of July) and there were plenty of "young" people out partying in the Northern Lights until 2 am (we closed it down when the DJ begged off, but there were about 30 of us at that point, much more earlier) and gambling in the casino. I tend to find that the Vista/Signature class ships attract more of that crowd - therefore if you are concerned about your friends, but would like to have them stick with HAL, perhaps you should have them move from a smaller, more sedate ship like the Rotterdam to a larger ship like a Vista that has a better layout for "partying" (on deck 2, you have the piano bar, casino, sports bar and nightclub all together). I am sure that they will have a wonderful time without having to go to another line. HAL is the best in Alaska, has years of experience on all of the other lines. Why not have them take the best?

[Chelly]

I love HAL, but based on what you gave written about your friends, they won't.

C.

[DAngel799]

I would not think an Alaskan cruise would tend toward partying anyway. It is too darn cold to hang out by the pool and the reason why I hadn't gone to Alaska yet. I hate cold weather, and if it is under 70 I am cold. I love to have a couple of drinks while soaking up the sun, but I am way past the stage of pool games (not that there is anything thing wrong with pool games). I used to enjoy all that stuff. The party boat in Cozumel is an adventure I will always remember fondly, but do not want to repeat. Yes, I still like to have a good time, and I may stay up gambling a few nights on my cruise, but I need to get sleep to go see everything. :D

You couldn't drag me on Carnival again, and I can't in good conscience recommend it to anyone. I think Hal would probably be good for your buddies if they weren't going to Alaska. Hal is large enough for everybody to do their own thing, and not bother anybody. The problem is the destination, not the cruise line, in my opinion. ;)

[Brown Eyed Gurl]

I don't think anyone looking to party will like HAL. Many people choose HAL to escape the people who like such things.

[DAngel799]

That depends on what the word "party" means. If it means getting drunk and obnoxious I agree with Brown Eyed Girl. Nobody wants to be around a bunch of noisy drunks. If it means being with your friends and having fun I don't think anybody would mind.