shanni-shanni Posted March 25, 2019 #1 Share Posted March 25, 2019 I read somewhere that seasoned HAL cruisers prefer a smaller ship, R class like Volendam. Is there a reason why? Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted March 25, 2019 #2 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Shorter Lido Market lines, less walking to public venues, less crowded disembarkation at ports, more opportunities to interact with crew (bartenders, spa folks, entertainers), piano bars, smaller crowds at the railings for viewing places of interest (Glacier Bay Alaska), quicker laundry returns, quicker Room Service, etc. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 25, 2019 #3 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Generally speaking, I’ve found the crew to passenger ratio much better on the smaller ships which usually means better service. 😉 The smaller ships are more like ships - not a lot of bells and whistles but you know you are on a ship (that’s meant in the good way). 3 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tommui987 Posted March 25, 2019 #4 Share Posted March 25, 2019 35 minutes ago, shanni-shanni said: I read somewhere that seasoned HAL cruisers prefer a smaller ship, R class like Volendam. Is there a reason why? Tom Almost the same feeling you get on Azamara Cruise - all their ships are "R" class Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CruiserBruce Posted March 25, 2019 #5 Share Posted March 25, 2019 43 minutes ago, shanni-shanni said: I read somewhere that seasoned HAL cruisers prefer a smaller ship, R class like Volendam. Is there a reason why? Tom Some do. But we don't. Just personal preference. We like a little more room, entertainment, etc, that the larger ships. But maybe, at 11 cruises, with 2 booked (one on Amsterdam, one on N. Amsterdam), we aren't "seasoned" enough. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rucrazy Posted March 25, 2019 #6 Share Posted March 25, 2019 Good Things come in Small Packages! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doone Posted March 25, 2019 #7 Share Posted March 25, 2019 (edited) I have always loved the Volendam and the Eurodam, we booked the Koningsdam as a family cruise, I was skeptical about the Koningsdam as it was the largest ship in HAL's fleet and I have always liked the smaller more intimate ships. I just got off the Koningsdam a week ago and I have to say, I LOVED the Koningsdam. She is larger, but I have to say I found it easy to get to venues, restaurants, shows, my entire family loved this style ship so much we booked the Nieuw Statendam for March 2021 and are looking forward to this cruise. I would not hesitate to book either an R, Signature, Vista or Pinnacle style ship, as long as I am on a dam ship, I am happy. Edited March 25, 2019 by doone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sir PMP Posted March 25, 2019 #8 Share Posted March 25, 2019 14 minutes ago, rucrazy said: Good Things come in Small Packages! The perfect answer.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisebie Posted March 25, 2019 #9 Share Posted March 25, 2019 To add to what Crew News and Kazu said, I also like the library on the smaller ships. Still stocked with some interesting reads and just a nice space to relax and watch the scenery go by. The coffee shop is also in that space, so it's great to grab a coffee and read for a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krazy Kruizers Posted March 25, 2019 #10 Share Posted March 25, 2019 There was a time when we liked the R class ships. Mainly because of the larger balconies. But once we tried the Vista class and Signature class ships, we fell in love with them. We love the larger Pinnacle Grills, the ships that have the Tamarind, etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted March 25, 2019 #11 Share Posted March 25, 2019 The "R's" have three stairways as well as elevator banks (fwd, central and aft) 😃 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaveOKC Posted March 25, 2019 #12 Share Posted March 25, 2019 2 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said: The "R's" have three stairways as well as elevator banks (fwd, central and aft) 😃 I like this as well, but I do not like how deck 3 (I think thats the one) does not go all the way aft to forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted March 25, 2019 #13 Share Posted March 25, 2019 1 hour ago, tommui987 said: Almost the same feeling you get on Azamara Cruise - all their ships are "R" class The "R" Class ships of Azamara Cruises refer to the Cruise Line that had them built: Renaissance Cruises. They are not the same Class of ships as HAL's R Class. HAL's R Class is composed of Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, and Amsterdam. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Copper10-8 Posted March 25, 2019 #14 Share Posted March 25, 2019 6 minutes ago, DaveOKC said: I like this as well, but I do not like how deck 3 (I think thats the one) does not go all the way aft to forward. Deck 3/LP Deck can't go all the way fwd due to the fwd mooring deck - think anchors and winches - being in the way. So, it passes aft of that mooring deck (if that makes sense) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rkacruiser Posted March 25, 2019 #15 Share Posted March 25, 2019 For all of the reasons the other posters provided, this Class of ships are my favorite. The decor of each is different and they are excellent sea boats in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RuthC Posted March 25, 2019 #16 Share Posted March 25, 2019 The cabins are larger, category being equal. Service is more personal. Atmosphere is more relaxed and serene. Love that the R-class ships still have a library. Great promenade deck (Lower Promenade) for sitting in peace to watch the sea. It's quick & easy to get from here to there and back again, without packing a lunch. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted March 25, 2019 #17 Share Posted March 25, 2019 The Fall after the Zuiderdam came out, I was in line to get on the Volendam. A Gentleman said to me "Father. this is the last HAL ship. That (pointing to the Zuiderdam) is the first Carnival Ship for Holland America." Now you understand why some veteran HAL cruisers prefer the smaller ships. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted March 25, 2019 #18 Share Posted March 25, 2019 I have always liked the Volendam and the Zaandam and the beautiful and elegant Amsterdam. The Rotterdam was not a vavorite for some reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sppunk Posted March 26, 2019 #19 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Himself said: The Fall after the Zuiderdam came out, I was in line to get on the Volendam. A Gentleman said to me "Father. this is the last HAL ship. That (pointing to the Zuiderdam) is the first Carnival Ship for Holland America." Now you understand why some veteran HAL cruisers prefer the smaller ships. Which makes zero sense because Carnival purchased HAL in 1989. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 26, 2019 #20 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, Himself said: The Fall after the Zuiderdam came out, I was in line to get on the Volendam. A Gentleman said to me "Father. this is the last HAL ship. That (pointing to the Zuiderdam) is the first Carnival Ship for Holland America." Now you understand why some veteran HAL cruisers prefer the smaller ships. Actually, I like some of the Vista ships. Especially the Westerdam when Captain Van Eerten was sailing her. I don’t think the Carnival take over has anything to do with why HAL veterans like the R & S ships & just to add, the Prinsendam class. But, that’s just me. The experience is a bit different for a lot of reasons but one of them is more crew to take care of passengers. You pay for it in cruise fare often, but it’s worth it IMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted March 26, 2019 #21 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, sppunk said: Which makes zero sense because Carnival purchased HAL in 1989. His point was it was the beginning of the Carnivalization of HAL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Himself Posted March 26, 2019 #22 Share Posted March 26, 2019 2 hours ago, kazu said: Actually, I like some of the Vista ships. Especially the Westerdam when Captain Van Eerten was sailing her. I don’t think the Carnival take over has anything to do with why HAL veterans like the R & S ships & just to add, the Prinsendam class. But, that’s just me. The experience is a bit different for a lot of reasons but one of them is more crew to take care of passengers. You pay for it in cruise fare often, but it’s worth it IMO. I too am okay with the Vista ships. I like the two Signature Class even more than the Vista Class ships. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted March 26, 2019 #23 Share Posted March 26, 2019 Our first HAL cruise was a Panama Canal cruise on the Volendam, which sold us on HAL. We loved the smaller size and elegance of the Volendam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DocJohnB Posted March 26, 2019 #24 Share Posted March 26, 2019 19 hours ago, tommui987 said: Almost the same feeling you get on Azamara Cruise - all their ships are "R" class To expand on what aka cruiser posted. HAL's and Azamara's R class ships are not the same at all. Azamara's are roughly half the size. Some comparisons: HAL Length - 778' Gross Tonnage - 61,000 t (Actually a bit under) Passengers - 1432 Azamara Length - 594' Gross Tonnage - 30,000 t. (Actually a bit over) Passengers - 668 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tuolumne couple Posted March 26, 2019 #25 Share Posted March 26, 2019 19 hours ago, shanni-shanni said: I read somewhere that seasoned HAL cruisers prefer a smaller ship, R class like Volendam. Is there a reason why? Tom It is good to have preferences, and everyone certainly should embrace their own. We love the R Class ships. The thermal spa suite is more intimate, and a million other reasons for us. After sailing the smaller ships these past few years we will be sailing a signature class this winter. Looking as forward to it as an R class ship. As long as i am on a HAL ship going somewhere, i dont mind what class i am in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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