Convince us to try HAL

[Robrph]

After eight cruises on four different lines, we are looking at the December 10 cruise on the Westerdam. It will be our first on HAL and we have to admit, we have some concerns. For years we have avoided HAL because of the conceptions, real or imagined, that HAL passengers are typically older, stuffy wheelchair-bound folks who go to sleep right after dinner.

 

We're in our mid-50s and while we don't like the party-boat atmosphere on Carnival, we would appreciate somewhere interesting to go after late dinner. On our Golden Princess cruise in December, our late-seating dinner finished around 10 PM and by then all of the shows were over and the only entertainment remaining was one lounge and the casino. Celebrity has two production shows each night so early and late diners can be accommodated.

 

For those experienced in several lines, and we realize these are subjective things, how does HAL compare in food, service and entertainment to RCCL, Celebrity, Norwegian and Princess?

[dtiger]

I was 49 last year when I went on my first HAL cruise and I enjoyed it very much. There were some older people I became friendly with and they very interesting. The service was great. There weren't kids running around everywhere which was also nice. I think you'd enjoy a HAL cruise. I liked it so much I've booked an April Panama Canal cruise on HAL.

[jhannah]

While we have yet to sail with Celebrity, those who have compare them and HAL comparably. One fairly common comparison is that Celebrity gets a slight nod on dining room food, while HAL is the winner in the Lido buffet. This is one of those very subjective things like you mentioned.

 

Holland America offers us something that we see as a cut above most mass market lines. The ships are full of fresh flowers and fine artwork. They look like ships and not floating Las Vegas hotels. (More nice wood and brass look as opposed to neon and chrome.)

 

Yes, HAL's demographic will be a tad older than some other lines, but I've never felt as if I were in a seabound nursing home. In fact, the "oldest" cruise we have been on was with Princess.

 

The production shows are times to coincide with both early and late seating. There are a number of lounges open, some until the wee hours, that offer different types of music.

 

I hope this helps. If you have specific questions, ask away. Lots of folks here who will gladly share with you their experiences and impressions.

[the2ofus]

HAL has two evening shows which are timed so that both early and late diners get to enjoy the show. There is the very enjoyable Piano Bar, classical music in the Explorer's Lounge, music for dancing and listening in the Ocean Bar. The Vista Class ships also have the Disco and the HAL Idol competition in the Queen's Lounge. There are also movies some evenings and the busy Casino. I doubt you will be bored.

 

Activities and music in the lounges continue until at least midnight, with the Crow's Nest continuing until the pax decide to call it a night. My only complaint over the years has been that all the musicians in all the lounges take their breaks at the same time, so periodically the music stops throughout the ship. We decided that was our time to take our evening mile stroll around the Lower Promenade deck.

 

Have never found HAL passengers to be lolling in their chairs asleep after dinner. You will meet many active interesting people. Try HAL, you will find yourself coming back again.

[RuthC]

"Stuffy" is a two-sided coin. The other side is "refined".

Does that put a different spin on it for you?

 

[Himself]

I highly recommend HAL. Try HAL and you will probably like HAL

[Juanita462]

We have sailed a lot on HAL and haven't encountered any oldies that go to sleep right after dinner. On one cruise we had a 94 year old woman at our table and she danced the night away up in the crows nest. A lot of older people are very active. On our last cruise I won the decathalon over 50 other women with ages from the 40's to the 70's - I am 71. My husband is 75 and he came in fourth in the men's decathalon.

 

Yes, there are a few in wheelchairs and scooters but it isn't a big deal to make way for them. The only ones who ever cut in line in front of me were children - most older people have nice manners contrary to what you read on the forums.

 

What do I like about HAL - less people means fewer line-ups, faster tendering and debarkation, quiet areas to sit and read a book, never a feeling like Grand Central Station which we had on a larger ship. Excellent service on the Lido deck. Dining room can be so-so re our last cruise but that was unusual.

[Jim Gallup]

You definitely should NOT try HAL.

Their ships are already all fully booked.

Every new passenger means a slimmer chance for me to get an upgrade.

[Robrph]

Don't worry, Jim. We only planned on a regular balcony- we'll leave the suites for you :D

[Aussie Gal]

HAL also has less annoying announcements over the loud speakers. You only hear an announcement when it is time for Bingo.

 

We have just had a 21 day cruise on Princess and though we enjoyed it immensely - who wouldn't when we one has been to Antarctica - we did miss a lot of the finer touches that HAL does impart. I also think they are more caring of their passengers.

 

Jennie

 

Jennie

[Brandis]

I'm 32 now, my first HAL cruise was about 6 years agon on the Maasdam. I loved it. Before HAL, my only cruise experience was on Carnival, which I found OK as well, but of course the two lines can't really be compared. One is more like a Las Vegas casino hotel, the other feels more like a sophisticated deluxe resort. I was also very impressed how many of the service staff remembered my name after hearing it only once.

 

I didn't feel there was nothing to do after dinner. There was a nightly show and after this, the disco on the top deck was always very busy. (I'm not much of a disco person, so I only did some peoplewatching and then left after a while).

 

Since then, I have been back to HAL twice, both times on the Prinsendam, which I absolutely loved. It is almost like a private yacht.

 

I say give HAL a try and see if it is for you!

 

Marc

[LHC]

I do not have alot of "polish"...just a registered nurse, Mother of 3, church goer...but I loved my HAL experience. It has an almost regal feel...you are made to feel like Cinderella and/or Princess Charming....waited on, catered too, and nutured. Our ship was cleaned, polished constantly, and had things going on all the time after dinner. DD and I love sports, so the wide screen in the Sports Bar/ Open space was delightful. We were the youngest at our dinner table but absolutely loved our 5 other table mates and now email and write to them as we are from 3 different parts of the country (Canada/PA/TN).

I like to think I fit in with both older and younger generations as a 52 year old...I loved my cruise. Give it a try, what do you have to lose?

LHC

[Oceanwench]

After eight cruises on four different lines, we are looking at the December 10 cruise on the Westerdam. It will be our first on HAL and we have to admit, we have some concerns. For years we have avoided HAL because of the conceptions, real or imagined, that HAL passengers are typically older, stuffy wheelchair-bound folks who go to sleep right after dinner.

 

My husband and I are in your age group, and we sail HAL regularly.

My husband is in a wheelchair, although I would not call him "wheelchair-bound."

His powerchair gives him almost unlimited freedom to travel the ship and enjoy the amenities offered.

I have to hope his being in a wheelchair does not deter people from booking a HAL cruise ... or ruin anyone's cruise because he is present.

 

My husband is not stuffy and does not go to sleep right after dinner.

He's a regular passenger -- just like the two of you. He just happens to have a neurological disease that prevents him from walking.

[Robrph]

My husband and I are in your age group, and we sail HAL regularly.

My husband is in a wheelchair, although I would not call him "wheelchair-bound."

His powerchair gives him almost unlimited freedom to travel the ship and enjoy the amenities offered.

I have to hope his being in a wheelchair does not deter people from booking a HAL cruise ... or ruin anyone's cruise because he is present.

 

My husband is not stuffy and does not go to sleep right after dinner.

He's a regular passenger -- just like the two of you. He just happens to have a neurological disease that prevents him from walking.

 

Oceanwench: please forgive my insensitive description, as I certainly wasn't referring to "young" people like yourselves, nor disparaging anyone your husband's age who requires a wheelchair. Frankly, our Mercury cruise last year contained the largest number of really elderly people, many using wheelchairs and walkers solely due to their advancing age. While we certainly didn't object to their presence, the ship did seem to cater to them by having most of the shows early in the evening and very little entertainment after 10:30PM, which affected us directly.