What Am I Missing By Not Sailing W/HAL?

[HMSDingy]

We've sailed both Royal and Princess with the later being our favourite. We've always had great service on Princess but a hit or miss on Royal. This will be our first cruise with HAL and our choice had to do with the itinerary. I for one enjoyed the MDR experience onboard the Princess ships maybe because for most of our cruises, the head waiters were European and we are of Italian heritage. As we speak 3 languages, they treated us like royalty. We're sailing on the Koningsdam on a Med cruise in June and the ship looks amazing.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

Although I don’t necessarily expect this to matter for the OP, I too would include daily Mass as an important reason to choose Holland America.

[Sea girl 23]

And shortchanging people of other faiths by focusing on having Catholic priests on their ships. :(

[Aquahound]

HAL lovers, I've cruised Princess, X, NCL, RC and even Azamara but what exactly does the HAL have that others don't?

 

Oprah. :D;)

[navybankerteacher]

Really? Wow, I don’t like that! That must be new. I cruised on Neiuw Amsterdam in May and everything in the MDR was still all inclusive. That’s disappointing if they’re going the way of Royal. Now it will be interesting to see what’s happening on the Oosterdam in August. Thanks for the potential “heads up”. [emoji45]

 

 

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Sadly, I think there will be more and more of this extra charge concept for what used to be included superior quality. Once there is one such special menu item, the mold is being cast.

 

I wonder how much longer there will be fresh flowers on HAL ships.

[iancal]

I certainly do not feel shortchanged by HAL because they only have a Catholic priest on board. They could have a Rabbi, Presbyterian minister, Imam, or whatever on board. It makes no difference to us as long as folks keep their faith to themselves.

[curtdesilets]

I like HAL' s relatively civilized approach to embarkation and disembarkation, with cabins, in most instances, ready for passengers upon boarding at 11:30 am, and the ability to enjoy breakfast in one's cabin at leisure prior to disembarkation.

 

Funny you mention that. We too love HAL and were once upgraded to a large AFT Neptune Suite. On disembarkation day, we had a later flight so were enjoying our late breakfast on the balcony. Went inside for a minute and came back to a water show. They were hosing down the decks getting ready for the next guests and our (pretty much completed) breakfast was drenched. My wife and I laughed LOUDLY and said, "Well I guess it's time to get off the ship". ;p

[OlsSalt]

Sadly, I think there will be more and more of this extra charge concept for what used to be included superior quality. Once there is one such special menu item, the mold is being cast.

 

I wonder how much longer there will be fresh flowers on HAL ships.

 

Here is my guess. Holland is a major flower production country. I believe HAL in that case will always show-case fresh flowers for their Netherlands flagged fleets. Perhaps HAL has special flower auction prices available to them. Flowers are perishable, so they can't wait around waiting for higher prices.

[Wishing on a star]

I do enjoy fresh flowers!!!!

 

And, I also would not give any consideration to anyone who thinks there is something 'special' about the fact that a large non-denominational travel/vacation provider happens to provide for THEIR chosen faith.

Very much the opposite.

I would consider that to be a reason to look at other options.

[AncientWanderer]

I would have to wonder about that above description of the MDR experience, as compared to Princess.

Princess ships break up their MDR and dining venues, to avoid that one, huge, cavernous, effect. which is often acoustically very difficult and loud.

Our experience in the MDR on our last cruise on Princess was just excellent in every respect. Food, Service, etc...

I will say that on the newer Princess ships, they really have packed the tables in tightly. But, sacrifice of personal space is an ongoing problem on most all mid-level cruise lines. We have also had a cruise with a very much less-than-excellent experience in the MDR venues. So, I think that this can vary and be very subjective, by ship, and even particular sailing.

 

That's good to hear that your recent experience on a Princess ship was great. We have a 28-day cruise on the Sapphire booked. We like Princess -- had a fabulous time on the Emerald for 36 days and a good cruise on the Ruby for 28 days. We just kind of give the edge to HAL in the dining department and so we go to HAL first. But really, Princess and HAL are both a joy.

[MajMom96]

That's good to hear that your recent experience on a Princess ship was great. We have a 28-day cruise on the Sapphire booked. We like Princess -- had a fabulous time on the Emerald for 36 days and a good cruise on the Ruby for 28 days. We just kind of give the edge to HAL in the dining department and so we go to HAL first. But really, Princess and HAL are both a joy.

 

 

 

I agree. We usually choose HAL first because we get a great casino rate, are four Star Mariners, and enjoy their itineraries. But we equally enjoy Princess and Celebrity, so when we get great deals on those two lines we have no problem selecting them over HAL. We think all three are pretty comparable.

 

 

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[SetAnOpenCourse]

...

And, I also would not give any consideration to anyone who thinks there is something 'special' about the fact that a large non-denominational travel/vacation provider happens to provide for THEIR chosen faith.

...

It seems my post may have been taken the wrong way. I am simply (and deeply) appreciative that this service is offered. Sharing this is relevant when the original question is:

“what exactly does the HAL have that others don't?”

 

I might add, my sense of appreciation is not a feeling of satisfaction based on some sort of exclusivity. Quite the contrary. All are welcome.

[avian777]

... what exactly does the HAL have that others don't?

 

I'd like to cruise with Holland but why?

 

There are many differing opinions & preconceptions about HAL and the other cruise lines but IMHO there is only one significant factual difference - only HAL has a Roman Catholic priest (who celebrates daily Mass) on board every one of its cruises. Because spiritual renewal is an important component of our vacation experience, HAL is our hands-down choice. YMMV

[avian777]

It seems my post may have been taken the wrong way. I am simply (and deeply) appreciative that this service is offered. Sharing this is relevant when the original question is:

“what exactly does the HAL have that others don't?”

 

I might add, my sense of appreciation is not a feeling of satisfaction based on some sort of exclusivity. Quite the contrary. All are welcome.

 

SAOC, no need to explain or apologize for your earlier Post - it was entirely clear and needs no justification!!! (y)(y)(y)

[whogo]

I'd like to cruise with Holland but why?

Cruise Holland America now to see what will appeal to you when you are old.

[Aquahound]

It seems lately that whenever someone mentions the presence of a Catholic priest on HAL ships, people are starting to flame the post more and more. Why is that? People favor different cruise lines for different reasons and to some, the presence of a priest and having a worship service is important. The fact is, this is a feature unique to HAL in the mass market industry. It's up to the OP to decide whether or not it's important to him.

[avian777]

It seems lately that whenever someone mentions the presence of a Catholic priest on HAL ships, people are starting to flame the post more and more. Why is that? People favor different cruise lines for different reasons and to some, the presence of a priest and having a worship service is important. The fact is, this is a feature unique to HAL in the mass market industry. It's up to the OP to decide whether or not it's important to him.

 

(y)(y)(y)

[OlsSalt]

Providing a daily Catholic mass on board HAL ships may also be part of its traditional Dutch heritage, since this remains one of the leading religious denominational membership affiliations in Holland:

 

WIKI:

 

Religion in the Netherlands was predominantly Christianity between the 10th and until the late 20th century; in the mid-20th century roughly 60% of the population was still Protestant and 40% was Catholic. Since then there has been a significant decline of Christianity—both Catholic but especially Protestant—so that nowadays Catholics outnumber Protestants and there is a secular majority.

In 2015, Statistics Netherlands, the Dutch government institute that gathers statistical information about the Netherlands, found that 50.1% of the adult population declared to be not religious. Christians comprised 43.8% of the total population and were divided between Catholics with 23.7% and Protestantswith 15.5%. Islam comprised 4.9% of the total population, unspecified other religions 4.6%, Hinduism 0.6%, Buddhism 0.4% and Judaism 0.1%.

[Woofbite]

I'm betting it will only be a couple of years before nothing is included in the fare except a cabin. Similar to airlines.

All restaurants will offer a menu with everything priced as on land, theater seats will be reserved at different rates depending on seats, movies available at a fee, etc. Just my guess.

 

 

I still think it’s disappointing and wish they left the upcharging to the specialty restaurants. As with most everything, if they see that people will pay this in the MDR for crab legs, it will only be a matter of time before other upcharged items (like a “better” cut of steak) make it onto the MDR menu. [emoji45]

 

 

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[Rebecca.Claire]

(y)(y)(y)

 

 

I could not have said it better myself. I agree.

 

 

I have sailed several lines and always go back to HAL because I like the idea of a classic cruise ship. Service makes or breaks an experience for you and the service from the very start is second to none on HAL.

[OlsSalt]

I could not have said it better myself. I agree.

 

 

I have sailed several lines and always go back to HAL because I like the idea of a classic cruise ship. Service makes or breaks an experience for you and the service from the very start is second to none on HAL.

 

Our first cruise was on Crystal, known for its "service" but our next cruise after that was on HAL. We found we much preferred its level of genuine professionalism we experienced on HAL ships, less fuss than Crystal but we felt much warmer. As soon as we get on board HAL ships we feel we are in a very nice "cocoon". Different level of "service"than Crystal, but an entirely different kind of on board atmosphere which we found we much preferred. Less is more in our book.

[drsel]

Interesting. I have sailed on Princess and Celebrity any number of times and have NEVER experienced drunks all around, loud blaring noise 24/7 or bumper cars....

He may be referring to Carnival or Royal Caribbean

[iancal]

We have cruiseed on Carnival, NCL, RCI several times each and have never witnessed drunks or been bothered by particularly loud noise.

 

Mind you, some people find live music, steel band or otherwise, poolside loud and offensive.

 

It is the usual uninformed comment about loud music, drunks, hairy chest competitions, rock climbing etc. I sometimes wonder if some cruisers would prefer to spend their vacation in an adults only funeral home or in a library.

Edited June 28, 2018 by iancal

[cruisemom42]

Less is more in our book.

 

Then you must be thrilled with HAL. Less libraries, less lecturers, less cruise staff, et al than formerly. :cool:

[OlsSalt]

Then you must be thrilled with HAL. Less libraries, less lecturers, less cruise staff, et al than formerly. :cool:

 

Still less price too- HAL works for us.

 

We are self-contained and pick our HAL ships and itineraries with care - for us they still offer value for the dollar. We avoid those ships that have taken out their libraries or use them for cruises that don't have many at-sea days. We choose longer theme cruises, that still offer an array of enrichment. And whether there is less cruise staff, we have not yet noticed a material difference ...yet for our continued HAL enjoyment.

 

But the real point of my comparison is there is less obsequious fuss (Crystal) on HAL ships; more genuine but discrete hospitality. That continues to put HAL in the winner category for us.