HAL Demographics

[Cras108er]

My wife and I are thinking seriously about booking an Alaska cruise on the Statendam for June. This will be our second cruise. First one was on RC. I read that the average age for HAL cruises is 60+. We're in our late 40's. Should we practice our foxtrot? Is there a good variety of entertainment? Are we likely to encounter plenty of passengers in our age range? How will a HA cruise compare to RC? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

[DizzyDallasDi]

Any cruise taken in the summer months will have a wide variety of ages...from infants up. Alaska is spectacular and your interest will be focused on the scenery and off-ship activities. You'll have no problem finding passengers your age in June. I haven't been on RC but can tell you there are no rock climbing walls, bowling alleys, wave runners or twisty slides on HAL. The atmosphere on deck on an Alaskan cruise is more a quiet awe of the beauty surrounding you as opposed to the party atmosphere on a Caribbean cruise. That would hold true for any cruise line, I'm sure.

 

Being a couple in your mid-40s, you'll be just fine. HAL has been sailing to Alaska for a long long time and they do a great job there. Have a fabulous cruise and I wish you sunny days in the Great Land.

[Bakincakes]

My wife and I are thinking seriously about booking an Alaska cruise on the Statendam for June. This will be our second cruise. First one was on RC. I read that the average age for HAL cruises is 60+. We're in our late 40's. Should we practice our foxtrot? Is there a good variety of entertainment? Are we likely to encounter plenty of passengers in our age range? How will a HA cruise compare to RC? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Not everyone who sails HAL is on SS or needs a wheelchair or walker to get around.:rolleyes:

 

RCI is basically akin to Carnival. Lots of families and young adults. More partying than HAL.

 

HAL is a bit more refined. Families do cruise and they do make certain the kids are entertained but there are no rock walls or Johnny Rockets. You will find most of the pax adhere to the dress codes. I will say that Alaskan cruises are more "laid back" even on HAL.

 

We find the entertainment to be adequate but then we don't sail for that reason. The food is wonderful and the Pinnacle runs rings around Portofino or Chops on RCI.

 

We cruise HAL mostly because of their itineraries and their Indonesian crew are wonderful and attentive.

[IRL_Joanie]

This is one of those questions that come up at the beginning of each new season.

 

Answers from another web site that cannot be mentioned here is:

 

Passenger ages vary somewhat by sailing, but usually they are as follows:

 

Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age

Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age

Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age

Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age

Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age

Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age

 

Joanie

[Virgil]

There is a wide variety of entertainment from the disco lounge to a classical trio. My favorite is the piano bar. They also have karaoke, bingo, games like the newly wed game, trivia also the ship's very own American Idol. Then there are always the shows every night. You will have a great time!

[iancal]

I think that the most important factor on the Alaska route is itinerary. For instance, do you want to start/end your cruise in Seattle or Vancouver. The difference is that most Vancouver trips use the inside passage-one of our favorite trips. Seattle arrivals/departures often skip this. Then the rest of the itinerary comes into play in terms of what you want to see and where you want to stop.

[world~citizen]

This is one of those questions that come up at the beginning of each new season.

 

Answers from another web site that cannot be mentioned here is:

 

Passenger ages vary somewhat by sailing, but usually they are as follows:

 

Carnival Cruise Line: 0 - 45 years of age

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: 25 - 55 years of age

Crystal Cruise Line: 55+ years of age

Celebrity Cruise Line: 35 - 64 years of age

Norwegian Cruise Line: 27 - 56 years of age

Holland America Cruises: 30 - 60 years of age

Princess Cruise Line: 35 to 65 years of age

 

Joanie

 

I would say 30 is a bit ambitious.:)

 

Smooth sailing...

[ookpik]

I would say 30 is a bit ambitious.:)

 

Smooth sailing...

 

Tee hee:D

[rjm1cc]

Depends on what you like to do but I would think you will be fine. The Alaska cruises probably has a younger crowd than other HAL cruises. As long as you can give up the rockwall you will probably keep coming back to HAL.

By the way I was on a HAL cruise from Vancouver to Seattle and the bars did not close all night and the average age was probably in the 30's. Not normal but anything is possible.

[sevenseasnomad]

Should we practice our foxtrot? Is there a good variety of entertainment? Are we likely to encounter plenty of passengers in our age range? How will a HA cruise compare to RC? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

 

Hey Cras108er, foxtrot is for all ages. My son & his friend, both 24, are learning ballroom for their upcoming HAL cruise with us. There is nothing more beautiful or sensual on a dance floor than a ballroom dance executed flawlessly. (Jut my two cents worth.)

 

Now on to your questions. After having experienced RC (4 times) & HAL (1 time), we are sold on HAL for a variety of reasons. The passengers on our first HAL cruise were some of the most well-mannered & friendliest people we've ever encountered. The staff was outstanding. The pace was laid-back, relaxing. The food very good, but not excellent. The ship (Maasdam) was a beauty that reminded us we were on a ship and not on some floating resort.

 

I know there has been a lot written on these boards about how quiet the HAL ships are after 11 at night, not much action, but we found the reverse on our 10-day cruise. The Crow's Nest was hopping almost every night, with enough passengers participating to make it enjoyable, and all age groups were represented, from early 20s to 80s. In fact, a young couple in their early 20s, on their honeymoon, came up to DH & me & asked if we could teach them to dance! They hung with us for several nights. (We're in our late 50s.)

 

The entertainment, at least on that cruise, was first-rate with eye-popping costumes by Bob Mackie and talented dancers & singers. Again, a lot of passengers feel entertainment is not HAL's stong suit. We've seen Broadway shows, go to Kennedy Center etc. and found the HAL-produced shows to be very enjoyable for cruise-ship fare. No, it is not Broadway calibre, but then we don't expect that quality on any cruise, so we're rarely disappointed. We view the entertainment more as a diversion than an activity we'd plan an entire evening around.

 

I think you have to decide what features on a ship/cruise are important to you. Although we've never been to Alaska with HAL, we've sailed with RC (way back in 1997) with our son who was barely 12 at the time. We all had a marvelous time, Alaska is the star on this cruise, so I don't think you can go wrong whether you pick RC or HAL.

 

We would sail with RC again (though NEVER on one of their 4000+ capacity ships), but our first line of choice now is HAL. More bang for the buck, IMO.

 

Have a fantastic trip. Come back & let us know who you pick (and I'm posting this having read none of the other replies, just your OP.)

 

Look at itineraries, look at

[IRL_Joanie]

I would say 30 is a bit ambitious.:)

 

Smooth sailing...

 

Maybe, but I did not write it, a very well known Travel Agency did and I quoted them directly.

 

Joanie

[Johanna7]

In my opinion, the duration of the cruise is a factor as well. The longer the cruise, like 20 days or more, the older the passengers as they are retired and can take the time away from home and many are getting a good pension which allows that type of travel.

 

Holiday cruises (Christmas and New Years) will have a lot of teachers and children, as will those in Feb/March/April for winter break.

 

Alaska has all age groups as it is summer time usually.

[CowPrincess]

My wife and I are thinking seriously about booking an Alaska cruise on the Statendam for June. This will be our second cruise. First one was on RC. I read that the average age for HAL cruises is 60+. We're in our late 40's. Should we practice our foxtrot? Is there a good variety of entertainment? Are we likely to encounter plenty of passengers in our age range? How will a HA cruise compare to RC? Any insight is greatly appreciated.

 

Cruises to Alaska are much more about the destination, rather than the ship. IMHO after a couple of days of trying cram in seeing and doing everything, you'll find that the lounges and shows are not quite as important as they are on other itineraries. :) Even the "sea days" are busy-ish, as there is so much scenery to see, and wildlife to watch for :)

 

For some ideas of the many things available for you in Alaska, spend some time reading the Alaska forum:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=55

 

I hope you decide to take the HAL cruise to Alaska -- not all cruiselines are able to go into Glacier Bay. HAL is one that can.

[world~citizen]

Maybe, but I did not write it, a very well known Travel Agency did and I quoted them directly.

 

Joanie

 

I like the well the known travel agency that suggested newly wed to nearly dead to describe HAL pax.:eek:

 

In practice, HAL seems to be a mature audiences line...in my experience.

 

Smooth sailing...

[wander]

As a frequent HAL cruiser, I would say that for Alaska there are many more younger folks than any 20+ day HAL cruise. Within the past two years I have done Alaska with HAL as well as two 30+ day voyages - large difference in the demographics of the passengers. Since the OP asked about Alaska - I say expect all ages including many multi-generational family groups.

 

Also, Alaska attracts many first time cruisers, not that they make any difference to my experience, but it is interesting to hear their reactions versus folks on the WC. Neither better or worse, just different.

[Dancing Shoes]

I was thinking the same as you, that maybe HAL had mostly senior folks on board. Well guess what, I am 54, so I guess I am almost a senior.;)

 

I chose HAL for the itinerary. I want to cruise Tracy Arm and I want to go the Glacier Bay. I also want to sail out of Vancouver. Hubby and I plan on getting up early on sea days, so we will not stay up late.

 

Decide where and what you want to see, then pick who goes there.

[Cras108er]

Well, we decided to do our part to lower the average age on at least one HAL cruise. We made our reservations today. We'll be on the June 6th Seward to Vancouve voyager. Got a great rate. I assume it is based on the fact that most cruises go the opposite direction.

[MisterBill99]

Well, we decided to do our part to lower the average age on at least one HAL cruise. We made our reservations today. We'll be on the June 6th Seward to Vancouver voyage. Got a great rate. I assume it is based on the fact that most cruises go the opposite direction.

I would expect that they have the same number of cruises going Seward to Vancouver as going Vancouver to Seward. Maybe you meant that most cruiseRs want to go in the opposite direction. I'm not sure abut that, my TA said that the southbound cruises are more popular in Alaska.

 

BTW I am also helping lower the average age, my wife and I are low 50's and we are taking our 19 and 23 year olds to Alaska this summer. I picked HAL because of the itinerary and pricing.

[JamesEM]

I was recently on the Oosterday for a 10 day Mexican cruise out of SD. My DW and I are in our mid 60's and we were the young ones on this cruise and the 30 somethings were the grand kids. Very little going on after 11:00, and the casino was closed by midnight.

[cruisecrasy]

Not everyone who sails HAL is on SS or needs a wheelchair or walker to get around.:rolleyes:

 

RCI is basically akin to Carnival. Lots of families and young adults. More partying than HAL.

 

HAL is a bit more refined. Families do cruise and they do make certain the kids are entertained but there are no rock walls or Johnny Rockets. You will find most of the pax adhere to the dress codes. I will say that Alaskan cruises are more "laid back" even on HAL.

 

We find the entertainment to be adequate but then we don't sail for that reason. The food is wonderful and the Pinnacle runs rings around Portofino or Chops on RCI.

 

We cruise HAL mostly because of their itineraries and their Indonesian crew are wonderful and attentive.

 

While I agree with the bulk of what u say I must take exception to u saying PG 'runs rings around' RCLs Chops & Portofino....A trifle better sometimes & not as good other times..

I usually eat the bulk of my meals at the specialty rests. on my cruises now (being a former caterer I am interested in 'food') and IMO they are basically equal with one exception -

My favorite RCL ships are the Radiance class and feature both restaurants while HAL only offers the PG serving 'Pacific Northwest' type cuisine so choice is more limited on HAL..

 

This all said the food in the specialty restaurants is definately worth a try..on any ship & certainly better than the MDR and esp the Lido..IMO anyway! Of course u pay for those meals so they shld be better!

 

As far as the OPs planned cruise to Alaska - what a treat awaits..whichever cruiseline u choose...:)

[Steamboatin]

HAL has a lot of children on board.

 

Those 90 year old parents bring their 60+ year old children with them.:D

[kelleherdl]

HAL has a lot of children on board.

 

Those 90 year old parents bring their 60+ year old children with them.:D

 

 

And that is exactly what we will be doing next June on Canada/New England. 90th birthday for my FIL and 60th for myself. But there will be lots of 20-something grandkids as well, and a smattering of of 40/50's. Everybody will have a great time.:D

 

Dennis

[RevNeal]

HAL has a lot of children on board.

 

Those 90 year old parents bring their 60+ year old children with them.:D

 

You should see the activities in Club HAL! ;)

[RevNeal]

I took my first HAL cruise when I was still in my 20s.

Since then, as I have gotten older, it appears that the passenger demographics would appear to have gotten younger. :D I've been on cruises where I was among the youngest passengers aboard ship and Club HAL has been closed, and I've been on cruises where there have been swarms of children roaming the corridors and playing in the elevators. It all depends upon the itinerary the time of year.