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

[RuthC]

The ships closing down in the late evening may be one of those "Which came first?" sort of things.

When the last bar closed at 2:00 AM, I went to bed at 2:00 AM. As the closing time got earlier and earlier, I started to return to my cabin earlier, too. On my recent cruise the Ocean Bar trio shut down by 11:30, and some evenings it was earlier than that. There was a time the Explorers Lounge closed down later, but now it's as early as 10:30. The second show isn't even over by then! On one of my cruises on a large ship (think it was the E-dam), the guitarist in the Crow's Nest was done at either 10:00 or 10:30 (can't remember which). Even the Piano Bar closes down by midnight.

Don't expect people to stay out and play if there's nothing to play at except the casino.

[Hawaiidan]

Do not expect ship A to be like ship B . If you like one lines ambiance, entertainment or whatever, stick with that product.

Each cruise line has its own personality.

People who like Piano Bars like Holland America and as a general rule it attracts people who enjoy very low key entertainment or just entertaining themselves. A glass of wine and a sitting quietly on a darkend deck watching stars over parties, shows and the like. Much more conserative and traditional atmosphere.

 

The friends from OZ who expect their Holland America cruise to be like a P&O, will not like the cruise.. because they have false expectations. Holland America passengers would thus not like P&O.

 

If you enjoy discos and deck parties, sports bars and all night go-go then pick a ship line that is noted for them.

 

And for the most part on those who select Holland America, young or old are not night owls, or party people. The ship fits their personality, thats why they like it.

 

You decide what pleases you, and what does not... pick the fit for you

[iriemon]

Do not expect ship A to be like ship B . If you like one lines ambiance, entertainment or whatever, stick with that product.

Each cruise line has its own personality.

People who like Piano Bars like Holland America and as a general rule it attracts people who enjoy very low key entertainment or just entertaining themselves. A glass of wine and a sitting quietly on a darkend deck watching stars over parties, shows and the like. Much more conserative and traditional atmosphere.

 

The friends from OZ who expect their Holland America cruise to be like a P&O, will not like the cruise.. because they have false expectations. Holland America passengers would thus not like P&O.

 

If you enjoy discos and deck parties, sports bars and all night go-go then pick a ship line that is noted for them.

 

And for the most part on those who select Holland America, young or old are not night owls, or party people. The ship fits their personality, thats why they like it.

 

You decide what pleases you, and what does not... pick the fit for you

 

Perfectly put! Think of how boring the world would be if we all liked the same thing.

[Hlitner]

Do not expect ship A to be like ship B . If you like one lines ambiance, entertainment or whatever, stick with that product.

Each cruise line has its own personality.

People who like Piano Bars like Holland America and as a general rule it attracts people who enjoy very low key entertainment or just entertaining themselves. A glass of wine and a sitting quietly on a darkend deck watching stars over parties, shows and the like. Much more conserative and traditional atmosphere.

 

The friends from OZ who expect their Holland America cruise to be like a P&O, will not like the cruise.. because they have false expectations. Holland America passengers would thus not like P&O.

 

If you enjoy discos and deck parties, sports bars and all night go-go then pick a ship line that is noted for them.

 

And for the most part on those who select Holland America, young or old are not night owls, or party people. The ship fits their personality, thats why they like it.

 

You decide what pleases you, and what does not... pick the fit for you

 

We agree with much of what you say, but on HA the "early to bed" philosophy can be carried to the extreme. The Piano Bar is our normal hangout on most cruise ships but on HA the music generally stops by midnight. Now we do understand that many folks like to go to bed by 8:30 (when we are just going to dinner), but we are also seniors and do sometimes enjoy staying up to the "wee" hours of the morning such as perhaps 1am or even 2am. Sippng a glass of nice cognac with a piano playing in the background....at 1 am might be a bit much for many HA passengers (who prefer to be in bed by 8:30) but some of us can actually stay awake to 1 or 2 :)

 

On HA ships it is often the case that the only entertainment and real night life after midnight will be found in the crew or officers bar...both of which are off-limits to passengers.

 

Hank