DOES SIZE MATTER TO YOU?

[3rdGenCunarder]

28 minutes ago, fox02554 said:

our last cruise was on a 6000 ppl ship, I was in tears most of the 11 days aboard , I am a VERY active , Right Below Knee ( yes I did the rock wall , and humiliated my self on the wave thingy )  , the ship was not truly handicap , wheel chair accessible ? I guess , but for me the lumps , bumps ,thresholds , slick wet floors , was treacherous . and security for 6000 people boarding and disembarking is VERY impersonal , I went through a full search and pat down at every port , 3 times in one day with the same security staff . I said I would NEVER cruise !!!!!!! but we love cruising so I'm hoping HAL is our answer ❤️  we're on the zuilderdam april 2021 , she will be our first small ship ( I know she's one of HAL biggest ) don't get me wrong I get the security issue, but I'm hoping that with a smaller ship to maybe get a " welcome back Mrs.Fox 😄 how was lunch " instead of " step to the side & wait for female personal 🥵, remove your coverup 😡, remove your flip flops ETC ......

 

 

 

You're trying my favorite HAL ship! HAL does have accessible cabins and I'm sure if you have specific accessibility questions there are posters here with experience who can answer any questions you ask. HAL's crew are very kind and caring. And for the most part, other passengers are patient with someone who has to move slowly. Call HAL about any issues and special needs before you travel. 

 

I'm not sure about some of your complaints. What were the lumps and bumps? Slick wet floors happen by the pool. At the spa pool, too. And if they're washing tiled floors in the Lido, yes, it can be slippery. The security searches at embarkation are done by port staff, not ship's security staff. Sometimes security is done by the port, sometimes by the ship. I understand how you felt, why didn't they remember that they'd already cleared you once. But they have to follow their rules. 

 

HAL is certainly more personal than a mega ship. But if you want security staff to greet you by name with a chatty "how was your lunch" when you board, that's unlikely. The are busy trying to get people checked on and off as quickly as possible to keep the line moving. They really don't have time to chat. 

 

[Homosassa]

Smaller ships for us (1,500 passengers or less is our preference)

 

We also try to avoid any ship that has been "upgraded" to include aft cabins, specialty restaurants, or other pay for use areas that means the amount of public use space has been made smaller.

 

A perfect example of a small ship that was once a perfect jewel but is now a sardine can is RCCL's Empress of the Seas.

[3rdGenCunarder]

40 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

Smaller ships for us (1,500 passengers or less is our preference)

 

We also try to avoid any ship that has been "upgraded" to include aft cabins, specialty restaurants, or other pay for use areas that means the amount of public use space has been made smaller.

 

A perfect example of a small ship that was once a perfect jewel but is now a sardine can is RCCL's Empress of the Seas.

 

On our Princess cruise 13 years ago, the Crown Princess was fairly new and one of their larger ships. We met a couple from Australia who were used to their older, smaller ships. They were not happy with how crowded the Crown  felt. He said Princess kept taking the same basic ship plan and finding ways to cram on more cabins but no additional public space.

 

[SilvertoGold]

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

You're trying my favorite HAL ship! HAL does have accessible cabins and I'm sure if you have specific accessibility questions there are posters here with experience who can answer any questions you ask. HAL's crew are very kind and caring. And for the most part, other passengers are patient with someone who has to move slowly. Call HAL about any issues and special needs before you travel. 

 

I'm not sure about some of your complaints. What were the lumps and bumps? Slick wet floors happen by the pool. At the spa pool, too. And if they're washing tiled floors in the Lido, yes, it can be slippery. The security searches at embarkation are done by port staff, not ship's security staff. Sometimes security is done by the port, sometimes by the ship. I understand how you felt, why didn't they remember that they'd already cleared you once. But they have to follow their rules. 

 

HAL is certainly more personal than a mega ship. But if you want security staff to greet you by name with a chatty "how was your lunch" when you board, that's unlikely. The are busy trying to get people checked on and off as quickly as possible to keep the line moving. They really don't have time to chat. 

 

 

I agree, they don't have time to chat.  On longer cruises they can get used to you, though.  A smile, hello, how are you from a pax is sometimes welcome.  They do maintain a professional attitude. 

Regent, Seabourn, Viking, Silversea probably offer a more personal experience.

[fox02554]

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

. What were the lumps and bumps? for a " new ship she was full of wrinkles in the carpet, changes in elevation over thresholds and for drainage  with no change in coloring , a 1 inch threshold is easy , I can see it, I can lift my foot higher and adapt for it , it's those 1/2 inch wrinkles or lips that will catch my prothstitic every time. The security searches at embarkation are done by port staff, not ship's security staff. Sometimes security is done by the port, sometimes by the ship. II disagree on this with you , we had the same staff at the metal detecters thought out the cruise and I wasn't asking for a conversation , I am married to Santa Clause, with his fedora and a cigar he becomes " Mr.Lee " and is greeted as such almost every time.  I understand how you felt, why didn't they remember that they'd already cleared you once. But they have to follow their rules. 

 

HAL is certainly more personal than a mega ship. But if you want security staff to greet you by name with a chatty "how was your lunch" when you board, that's unlikely. The are busy trying to get people checked on and off as quickly as possible to keep the line moving. They really don't have time to chat. 

we will give HAL a try , I work VERY hard to be active , I just spent 10G on a new foot that makes walking on uneven ground easier. it's disheartening to be singled out and reminded so often , seriously I'm going to put contraband in my socket ????? 

 

deep breath ......... I had a LONG talk with the cruise line last time and we/they have been in contact on a "fix " at least as far as the metal detecters ,, Hip replacements and surgical hardware set them off as well , they are looking for a way to add the information to your sea card 😄

 

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

[Dismomx5]

We've sailed the Zuiderdam, Koningsdam, and Nieuw Statendam on HAL and the Getaway and Breakaway on NCL with my sisters and their hubbies. Loved sailing with them....hated the ships, aside from the entertainment. Food, communication, ship tours, were atrocious.  We've sailed on the NCL Dawn too. It's smaller and I enjoyed that ship much better, but the food was meh, the whole time. I'm looking forward (fingers crossed) to sailing on the Zaandam next February.

[Mosaic]

Bigger does not HAVE to mean worse.  It is the cruise lines that are doing that.  If you prefer small, try a 35' boat, they are intimate. I prefer quality of food, service, etc.  And certainly venues.  The overcrowding I do not like.  So yes, give me concierge service, club level, etc and a big ship can feel small.

[cruisemom42]

6 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 He said Princess kept taking the same basic ship plan and finding ways to cram on more cabins but no additional public space.

 

 

And that's not unique to Princess (although they have practically perfected it!)

[cruisemom42]

6 hours ago, Mosaic said:

Bigger does not HAVE to mean worse.  It is the cruise lines that are doing that.  If you prefer small, try a 35' boat, they are intimate. I prefer quality of food, service, etc.  And certainly venues.  The overcrowding I do not like.  So yes, give me concierge service, club level, etc and a big ship can feel small.

 

I don't want to be in a 35 foot ⛵, but I do like a small 🛳️ .

 

The 'ship in a ship' concept does nothing for me. It encourages a sort of class mentality I can do without on my vacation.

 

[aliaschief]

Right now we would just like to be on any Dam ship! Though we enjoy sailing the Older smaller ships with our motto being “Sail these classics while you can.” 
 

As we are or we’re approaching 500 days of sailing on Hal we have enjoyed the new amenities on the new ships.
 

Right now a healthy cruise on any dam ship would be wonderful!🛳🍾😎

[Boatdrill]

I prefer under 1000 pax, such as Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity. 

 The Nieuw Amsterdam and Eurodam are mega ships to me,  although 

because of the beautifully designed interiors, I rarely have a sense that there are 2,000 + on board. 

The Koningsdam (2,650) and Nieuw Statendam (2,666) are much too large and have 

unnecessary gimmicks. I won't sail on either one.  

 

Edited April 8, 2020 by Boatdrill

[Sir PMP]

I'll take standing in the rain during the muster drill on the lower promenade on the Prinsendam anytime..

[Boatdrill]

13 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 He said Princess kept taking the same basic ship plan and finding ways to cram on more cabins but no additional public space.

 

The ships are  literally built out...like a house  with walls that go right up to the property line on either side...with very limited outdoor space. Perhaps Princess felt that the more they keep pax indoors, the more they'll spend in the bars and shops. 

Edited April 9, 2020 by Boatdrill

[DFD1]

That's one of the reasons we never sail Princess. Once a few years ago was enough.  Might as well be in a hotel someplace.....with a casino.

[Stateroom_Sailor]

On 4/7/2020 at 2:11 PM, geocruiser said:

Ship size.

 

First, let me start off by saying any ship of any size can have PAX and crew with health problems.  But I think that I would rather sail on a smaller ship .  I my mind it is easier to get PAX off a smaller ship then a mega ship.    Of course, the numbers of people needing help on either size ship is also a factor.

So, in the future, would you be looking for a smaller or larger HAL ship to cruise on?

 

I couldn't care less the size of the ship, as long as it has basic amenities  and common areas proportional to the passenger capacity.  As far as Covid-19, this has taught me to NEVER cruise during a potential pandemic, no matter the size of the ship, nor the perception of an unaffected region.  All cruise should have stopped by mid February, IMHO.

[deliver42]

I don't think the size of the ship means anything. I,personally, like a larger ship.

[molemaui]

A difficult question to answer. We definitely prefer small ships on deluxe lines such as Silversea, Viking Ocean and Oceania. (Sailed Regent-didn't care for them). These lines gave you a "large ship experience" in terms of amenities without the crowds. Most of our sailing have been with these types of cruise lines-1350 or less passengers. 

 

In the past 6 months, we've sailed twice on HAL and once on Celebrity. (Zuiderdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Edge). Suite price points for HAL were quite good and a compromise for taking a larger, more crowded ship. On Celebrity, their Retreat class gives you a small ship environment with all the amenities you'd ever want just by taking an elevator. An excellent experience with dining that rivaled Silversea and Oceania. 

 

Another issue-on a busy port itinerary, it doesn't matter as much to me about ship size. Lot's of sea days or ports I don't want to visit - a small ship wins every time. 

 

We're glad we migrated back to larger ships just to keep "up to date" with what's out there. All cruising is good!

[3rdGenCunarder]

9 hours ago, Boatdrill said:

The ships are  literally built out...like a house  with walls that go right up to the property line on either side...with very limited outdoor space. Perhaps Princess felt that the more they keep pax indoors, the more they'll spend in the bars and shops. 

 

3 hours ago, DFD1 said:

That's one of the reasons we never sail Princess. Once a few years ago was enough.  Might as well be in a hotel someplace.....with a casino.

 

On my one and only Princess cruise I felt there was nowhere quiet to be except my cabin and my tiny little balcony. 

 

[Classiccruiser777]

When Holland sells the last un-muddled small ship (Maasdam for example) we will be done with HAL. Too many people, lack of personality on the large ships.

[JeffElizabeth]

On 4/8/2020 at 4:31 AM, kazu said:

My favourite ship was the smallest in the fleet at the time (Prinsendam) and generally speaking we have preferred the smaller ones (S & R & Vista class) on HAL and other lines.  Simply a preference and nothing to do with covid 19

Loved the Prinsendam.  We now sail on the Amsterdam and Rotterdam.  The only advantage I find with the bigger boats are more specialty restaurants. 

[lstrong]

Having mostly sailed in inside cabins I will now look at the larger ships with more affordable balconies. I shudder to think of getting quarantined in an inside cabin. Laurie

[geocruiser]

6 minutes ago, lstrong said:

Having mostly sailed in inside cabins I will now look at the larger ships with more affordable balconies. I shudder to think of getting quarantined in an inside cabin. Laurie

I agree on that.  I could not think of being in a inside cabin for a long time.  I keep thinking how hare it was to get the PAX into Port Everglades and off the ship.  Would they be able to handle a mega ship the same way?  I don't know.

[rkacruiser]

2 hours ago, JeffElizabeth said:

The only advantage I find with the bigger boats are more specialty restaurants. 

 

I agree that the increase in the number of dining options is an advantage of the larger HAL vessels.  The New York Pizza and Deli concept on the Pinnacle Class ships provides better and a wider array of products than any of the others, even those which are labeled as New York Pizza.

 

The Pinnacle Class ships has the Rolling Stone Rock Room which is not being incorporated into the others.  I enjoy that style of music.  Not constantly, but Lincoln Center Live's play list becomes tiresome for me after awhile.

[Hlitner]

We might be in the minority since we consider the smallest HAL vessel too darn big.  Yes, we go on some large ships because that is often the most reasonable choice, but we would prefer to cruise on ships with fewer then 600 such as the 450 passenger Seabourn vessels.  Once we get above 1000 we see little difference between the 1400 passenger ship and the 3000 size vessels.  I can go on a smaller HAL vessel with 1 dining room or on a much larger ship with 3 dining rooms.  The large Princess ships actually have fewer passengers in each of their dining rooms then the smaller HAL vessels.  On HAL we get fewer passengers cramming into fewer venues.  Queues on HAL vessels are often longer then the queues on some of the much larger ships...because they have more options to spread out the crowds.  

 

Folks might want to consider if HAL's smaller ships will survive in this new world.  They are not very efficient and tend to attract older passengers on longer voyages.  But will many of us Seniors even continue to cruise and risk our health.  Even my own physician has remarked that he does not think ships are a good place for any Seniors because the environment being perfect petri dishes with limited available medical care.  It used to be that we assumed it would be easy to get evacuated off most cruise ships when land-based medical care was needed.  Now, there is no longer the expectation that evacuation is an option.  Mexico and several other countries refused to evacuate some passengers off the Coral Princess despite pleas from the vessel.  Some of those passengers later died on the ship!

 

Hank

[rkacruiser]

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

But will many of us Seniors even continue to cruise and risk our health.  Even my own physician has remarked that he does not think ships are a good place for any Seniors because the environment being perfect petri dishes with limited available medical care. 

 

The "limited medical care" available is still quite good for most guests.

 

I risk my health every night, at least once if not twice, arising from my bed when I need to visit my bathroom.  (Is this the night I stumble over something and break a hip?  Or, crack my head on a piece of furniture?  Or.....?)   

 

 If I need to visit a grocery during these times, I will admit that I rather feel that I am playing Russian Roulette.  But, essentials need to be replaced.  Life is a gamble.     

Edited April 9, 2020 by rkacruiser