What is your experience on HAL--is 10 PM really bedtime?

[lovetocruise2020]

All of these posts prove the old saying - "to each his own." There is no right or wrong way to cruise. Some nights we are up late doing things around the ship - some nights we are up late in the cabin - some nights we go to bed early. Because of our hectic lives at home - always on a schedule - cruising is our antidote to "life." Sometimes going back to the cabin and just reading a book is all we want to do.

 

Doug

 

Yep! Sounds like us! We like to finally rest. Life is CRAZY.

[lovetocruise2020]

That's been our experience, too. I'm a night-owl at home, but become an early-bird when we travel.

 

Glad to know I am not the only one! Up till 3 at home, and 10 on HAL. A very well deserved rest.

[Shebba]

Because of our hectic lives at home - always on a schedule - cruising is our antidote to "life." Sometimes going back to the cabin and just reading a book is all we want to do.

 

 

However, I do like keeping the rumor going that HAL is for old folks.

 

Bottom line - There's a cruise line for everyone. One size does not fit all.

 

Doug

 

I love how you worded this. It reflects dh and my sentiments exactly. One of the MAIN reasons we love cruising is the flexibility. We always tell "non-cruisers" that 100 people can be on the same cruise and have 100 completely different vacations. Custom made for everyone!!

 

Great thread!

[big green]

The bottom line answer to the ops question ( not what you like or do) is

'that after 10 pm on HAL ships entertainment is almost nob existent.

A real draw back IMOP.

 

BG

[Randyk47]

The bottom line answer to the ops question ( not what you like or do) is

'that after 10 pm on HAL ships entertainment is almost nob existent.

A real draw back IMOP.

 

BG

 

I agree. While it's not every night on every cruise on every itinerary generally speaking it gets pretty quiet after 10-10:30PM. We really started to notice, or at least it impacted us more, when HAL went away from a regular nightly band in the Crow's Nest. That was our favorite hangout after late dinner and we would usually stay until the last number.

[Cruising Boomer]

The bottom line answer to the ops question ( not what you like or do) is

'that after 10 pm on HAL ships entertainment is almost nob (sic) existent.

A real draw back IMOP.

 

BG

 

 

Actually you need to read the whole first post on this thread.

 

What is your experience on HAL--is 10 PM really bedtime?

I've seen posts recently referring to the "Wheelchair Brigade" on HAL cruises and the lack of anything to do after 10 except go to bed. True--if you want to go to bed. I've cruised on HAL several times, often for the itinerary,twice with a grandson in his late 20's, who said "Yeah!" the second time I asked.

Young people seem to find one another right off (they do stand out!) and have a ball together both on the ship and in port, so he had as much or more fun than on Carnival.

I find old geezers (I'm a very old geezette) to chat with after dinner, even if they're blurry-eyed. If there's music anywhere on board, I whirl around the floor by myself until the music stops. On December 2 (I bought insurance this time in case I drop dead beforehand), I sail HAL again with my daughter. Come sail with me.

MMC

 

She was commeting on other threads and actually spoke favorably about HAL. She went on to outline what she did in the evening and asked about the experiences of others which is what everyone else has been talking about on this thread. She did not ask about entertainment after 10pm.

 

Actually her question in the title was What is your experience on HAL--is 10 PM really bedtime? If you just want us to stick to the second phrase then the answer is no - everyone does not go to bed at 10pm. In fact, in her post above she says bedtime is 10pm only if you want to go to bed.

 

In the first phrase she asks - WHAT IS YOUR EXPERIENCE ON HAL? This is what everyone has been commenting on - answering HER question - all of the responses have been totally in line, in my opinion.

 

If you think there should be more entertainment after 10pm, then cruise with a line that has more. As I said, there is a cruise line for everyone.

[innlady1]

That's been our experience, too. I'm a night-owl at home, but become an early-bird when we travel.

 

Sounds like us, too! We're fortunate to make it through the show after Early Seating! :)

[cjm66]

Trawling through a google list of reviews for the Oosterdam ( as you do pre cruise) , I found a reference to the Piano Bar, where (it was reported) the night owls gather for a rousing sing song around the piano. What dissipation! Can hardly wait!

[skiblu2]

I have sailed with hal numerous times, no need to worry about 10pm curfew. The bars are open till midnite, I think the crows nest stays open later. Its true there are many mature people that sail with hal, including myself, and I don;t go to bed at 10.

[luv2cruisenz]

I really hope not . We have sailed a couple of times with HAL [ in Europe] but our children were teens so didn't notice. We've persuaded friends to come with us to the Caribbean for 2 weeks later this year. They love P and O - particularly the sails-aways they do - but now i'm worried they'll be deeply unimpressed by a ship that is quiet by 10pm- ish. Help:eek:

 

Hi Suesie, we have done a couple of cruises on P & O from Australia & NZ around the Pacific Islands and then we went on to cruise with HAL. In comparison yes P & O does know how to make the social activites really relaxed and fun so I know what you mean. I found the sailway parties and even the bingo were much more fun on P & O than HAL but I also enjoy them on HAL too. I guess its up to the crew and passengers to make it what it is, just like any holiday.

 

Our best sailway on HAL was on the Oosterdam from Acapulco, they went all out with decorations, music, food & drink and it was a lovely balmy night so it was a great atmosphere. The crew were relaxed and happy and so we were too :). We had to stay away from the disco later on cause of the smoking even though I really wanted to dance there.

 

Anyway I'm sure you and your friends will have a really great cruise and find a way to entertain yourselves!

[swscruiser]

it might not be 10pm but ship is almost dead at midnight , no more live music or shows of any kind, casino will still be open.

 

 

Not always my wife was shooed out of the casino on several nights at 11pm because she was the only one there.

Keith

[cruisin0218]

HAL is my favorite cruise line. I love the peace and quiet and elegance, however, I do miss being able to use the hot tub and pool in the evening which I have utilized often on RCL.

[Viesczy]

From our experience, lines (not just HAL) craft the activities towards the demographics of the cruise. The cruise length/intin/ship really plays a role in who'll be on board.

 

Longer cruises tend to have an older slanted demographic, the CD will plan accordingly and be sure that the majority has something to do when they're most apt to want to do it.

 

As for our bed time (we're both in our early 40s--41 me and 44 Karen), depending on how much we've done that day & eaten at dinner (and seating), we might be in bed/asleep by 10.15.

 

As for HAL being a floating retirement home... see my second sentence. I've seen Princess and NCL floats that looked as if I was in God's waiting room.

 

Derek

[Randyk47]

Not always my wife was shooed out of the casino on several nights at 11pm because she was the only one there.

Keith

 

I'd forgotten about that, indeed it's happened at least a couple of times to us. They particularly start to close down the table games if they're not getting enough play. Guess that makes sense as just standing around doesn't do them any good. On the other hand it's not like we cruise to gamble, our little getaways to Vegas like this past week take care of that. :)

[jaguarstyper]

I have stayed pretty late in the casino and I have never been shooed. Sometimes I have been advised that they would be closing at a certain time, usually 2:00AM. Sometimes I have played until dawn. Its been my experience if there are at least a couple people playing black jack, they will keep a dealer on the table. HAL's blackjack table minimum is $10. I guess I could see them maybe shooing the last person in the casino if they were playing a 5 cent slot machine.

[Hlitner]

On our recent Prinsendam Cruise we had a regular late night crowd of fewer then a dozen passengers (most of whom were not up every night) who would mix with a few officers in the Crows Nest at 11. There were only about 560 passengers, but it did appear that 550 were in their cabins by 10:30 on most nights. And considering we had over 20 sea days on that cruise the (have to be up early for a port) does not hold really true. The Beverage Manager (Pedr) even tried some really good late night happy hours but it had no impact.

 

Must admit that we are looking forward to our upcoming Celebrity Silhouette crusie where there is a bit more late night activity.

 

Hank

[luxurysailer]

We cruise primarily for the itineraries, but we also enjoy the night life as long as it doesn't interfere with our being ready to enjoy any scheduled shore excursions the next morning. Consequently, our cruise group, which ranges from 65-ish to early 70's, is usually in bed by 11PM if we'll be in port the next day. On evenings prior to sea days we may be up as late as MN, but that is about our limit. However, if we can't find good dance music somewhere we'll likely be in bed earlier.

[lettienets]

I usually go to the last movie screening at 10 or 10:30. Seem to get caught up on movies on Hal. Have to get there early as the screening rooms are small and fill up fast. The screening rooms are far too small when you condisder there is nothing else to do. It was nicer when movies are/were in the Wajang theatres. When the movie is over, the ship feels deserted.

[Hlitner]

I usually go to the last movie screening at 10 or 10:30. Seem to get caught up on movies on Hal. Have to get there early as the screening rooms are small and fill up fast. The screening rooms are far too small when you condisder there is nothing else to do. It was nicer when movies are/were in the Wajang theatres. When the movie is over, the ship feels deserted.

 

On the Prinsendam they still show the movies in the Wajang. On a couple of occassions we would go to the late movie (usually at 10) in the small theater and there were never more then 4 people in that theater! We had to laugh at one of the other posts about seeing all the breakfast orders on doors by 9:30. I recall one evening having to run back to my cabin right before our late seating dinner (about 8:30) and as I walked quickly down our corridor saw quite a few breakfast menus and Do Not Disturb signs) on doors (and it was only 8:30!).

 

Hank

[kazu]

On the Prinsendam they still show the movies in the Wajang. On a couple of occassions we would go to the late movie (usually at 10) in the small theater and there were never more then 4 people in that theater! We had to laugh at one of the other posts about seeing all the breakfast orders on doors by 9:30. I recall one evening having to run back to my cabin right before our late seating dinner (about 8:30) and as I walked quickly down our corridor saw quite a few breakfast menus and Do Not Disturb signs) on doors (and it was only 8:30!).

 

Hank

 

Must have been a different demographic than ours Hank:) There was a good crowd in the Crow's Nest most nights - you had to fight for seating to hear the strings (well, not fight, but struggle to find a seat) and the theatre was full:eek: Just goes to show you different cruises, different people;) Sounds like everyone on your floor was on early seating or any time dining - there was plenty of activity around the Prinsendam - casinos, bars, whatever :) We met some wonderful people!

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

It depends on the cruise....

[HatRez]

We have found there to be things to do for those who want to do them but also a quiet ship for on the cabin floors for those who want to go to bed early.

 

I have never had a problem looking for live music, dancing or people to chat with even after midnight.

[Hlitner]

We have found there to be things to do for those who want to do them but also a quiet ship for on the cabin floors for those who want to go to bed early.

 

I have never had a problem looking for live music, dancing or people to chat with even after midnight.

 

There was no live music on the Prinsendam after midnight during our 62 days on the ship :)

 

Hank

[ucsdtriton1]

Just returned from a 7-day Alaska Inside Passage cruise. Compared to my previous cruise experience the passengers on HAL seemed to hit the bed earlier. By 11 most hallways and lounges were fairly quiet (which I absolutely love!). But then, there were hardly any kids and young people on board.

[Coolcruise02]

I have never had a problem looking for live music, dancing or people to chat with even after midnight.

 

On what ships?????

None that we have been on!!