What are your favorite/recommended daily activities?

[zhuangcorp]

Particularly the free ones, but what are your favorite daily activities? I see a lot of trivia, photo opportunities, etc. Not sure if they are worth it to go. 

[Seasick Sailor]

Actually the trivia games are very fun. Join a team, grab a drink and enjoy yourself.

 

I also enjoy Mahjongg and there's almost always people to play. Also wine tastings, Superbowl game and movies on the big screen in Lido pool area. I always throw a few bucks at the casino machines. 

Edited August 18, 2022 by Seasick Sailor
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[zhuangcorp]

46 minutes ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Actually the trivia games are very fun. Join a team, grab a drink and enjoy yourself.

 

I also enjoy Mahjongg and there's almost always people to play. Also wine tastings, Superbowl game and movies on the big screen in Lido pool area. I always throw a few bucks at the casino machines. 

How exactly do the trivia games work? How many people are on a team? is there an audience that watches? Is there a buzzer that you hit? Are there prizes for winning?

[vicd1969]

The presentation by the cruise director on the history of Holland America is very interesting - it takes place at least once per cruise. Also if you are going to Alaska, the presentations on what to do onshore are worth your time as well. Trivia is pretty fun if you are social and not cut-throat competitive. Prizes are practically non-existent however. But HAL's ship activities are not its strong point. It's more for lower-key relaxation like sitting reading a book, walking the promenade deck or working on your photos from your awesome shore activities. Or working out in the very uncrowded gym with a great view of the sea.

[vicd1969]

Just now, zhuangcorp said:

How exactly do the trivia games work? How many people are on a team? is there an audience that watches? Is there a buzzer that you hit? Are there prizes for winning?

Most of the time, teams are up to six people. Can be solo if you want. The trivia game host asks about 10-15 questions and you write down the answer. After all questions are asked, either you grade yourself or give your answer sheet to another team to grade. Like I said previously, prizes are well, trivial. My last cruise, we won a free alcoholic drink for each person on the team. We all had the beverage package though, lol. 

[zhuangcorp]

3 minutes ago, vicd1969 said:

Most of the time, teams are up to six people. Can be solo if you want. The trivia game host asks about 10-15 questions and you write down the answer. After all questions are asked, either you grade yourself or give your answer sheet to another team to grade. Like I said previously, prizes are well, trivial. My last cruise, we won a free alcoholic drink for each person on the team. We all had the beverage package though, lol. 

Ok so its self-graded and whatever? it sounds pretty low-key rather than theatrical or game-showy?

 

The way you described it sounds like a exam at the DMV or something?

[Seasick Sailor]

2 minutes ago, zhuangcorp said:

Ok so its self-graded and whatever? it sounds pretty low-key rather than theatrical or game-showy?

 

The way you described it sounds like a exam at the DMV or something?

 

Noooo.. Not an exam. Jeez. We were on Rotterdam Dec/Jan. 30+ days.

 

There's a morning and afternoon trivia. Normally the Crow's Nest am and Ocean Bar (I think) in pm 

 

The CD asks great questions, you discuss answers from 1 to 6 players and write down your answer.

 

The winners don't win a thing. There is a large trophy where you get 60 seconds of fame. Snap a few photos and off you go.

[PACD_JG]

I know this might sound wild and crazy...but regarding activities and food on board...you could just try it, and if you don't like it, you can try something else.  Mind blown?

[vicd1969]

There are some evening "game showy" activities of usually more adult nature. Those can be pretty fun. But the regular trivia on HAL is both low-key but challenging - you have a lot of "seasoned" travelers participating so the questions can be pretty difficult. On the longer cruises, you can build a nice friendship with your teammates, if you were strangers on the first day. The trivia contests are always held in a location where they serve drinks, so plan accordingly. 😉

[Mutumbojimbo]

10 minutes ago, zhuangcorp said:

Ok so its self-graded and whatever? it sounds pretty low-key rather than theatrical or game-showy?

 

The way you described it sounds like a exam at the DMV or something?

Definitely not a "game show". It's a fun way to spend a little time, maybe meet some folks.  My last HAL cruise, the winner got to choose a pin from one of the geographic areas where HAL cruises. Our trivia hosts had us exchange answer sheets, probably to prevent complaints of cheating. 

 

Any free activity that sounds interesting is worth trying, if you don't find it fun, you can leave and try something else. 

[rkacruiser]

3 hours ago, vicd1969 said:

The presentation by the cruise director on the history of Holland America is very interesting - it takes place at least once per cruise. Also if you are going to Alaska, the presentations on what to do onshore are worth your time as well.

 

Agree and I would add the presentations on whatever region in which you are cruising are worthwhile, i.e. Panama Canal.  One issue that I have had with the program regarding HAL's history is that is often the first night's main theater program.  For those of us who are second sitting diners, it can be near impossible, if not impossible, to attend the full program.  

 

Other favorites of mine are HH, dining, and sitting in a deck chair on my veranda or any deck watching and listening to the sea with an attempt to read the book that I have brought with me.

Edited August 18, 2022 by rkacruiser

[Mary229]

Morning I go to the gym, sauna and hot tub.  I also really like the cruise director presentation.   
 

i also like any special lecturers or shore presentations.   Some Shorex staff are good, some not so much. 
 

 

Edited August 18, 2022 by Mary229

[Cruise Suzy]

Afternoon Tea. It wasn't offered on our July Alaskan cruise, but it was on our November and February Caribbean ones.

[colbe]

Walking the deck after dinner. Usually very few people at that time and we love to hear the sounds of the sea.

[ShipWalker]

I enjoy the free sauna that is open to everyone on board but nobody knows about.

[zhuangcorp]

12 minutes ago, ShipWalker said:

I enjoy the free sauna that is open to everyone on board but nobody knows about.

Where is the free Sauna?

[crystalspin]

8 hours ago, zhuangcorp said:

Particularly the free ones, but what are your favorite daily activities? I see a lot of trivia, photo opportunities, etc. Not sure if they are worth it to go. 

Order a latte, watch ocean, read from Kindle, order a boat-drink, watch ocean, read from Kindle, order a rum-and-diet-coke, watch ocean, read from Kindle. You get the drift.

[albingirl]

Eat, drink, read, and nap.  All good. Oh, forgot about that walk on the Promenade.

[RAS4331]

Go to afternoon tea, for sure. If you’re on a ship with a Dutch cafe, then instead of afternoon tea you can sit by the window in the cafe enjoying a beverage and a giant cream puff or some other delightful treat.  

 

I did some of the morning class-type activities like origami, which was ok but not anything extraordinary. I think it depends on how engaging the instructor is.  Our instructor was just going through the motions.  On my first HAL cruise I went to a cooking demonstration and computer classes, which I loved but I’m not sure if they’re offered anymore.

 

My favorite thing to do is nab a good seat in the crow’s nest, put my feet up and read my book or do a puzzle while enjoying the fabulous view.  If I’m there when trivia starts, I always participate.  I’m somewhat of an introvert and not much for mingling, but trivia is one of the times that I do enjoy chatting with others.

[albingirl]

One thing I miss is the cooking demos in the culinary art center.  I was an avid follower and attended every day, especially on transatlantics.  They gave out samples, too, which were great.  On those long cruises, there were plenty of activities for everyone, including in-depth lectures.  The Caribbean cruises, by contrast, don't really have as much to do.  Bingo just isn't my thing.

[KroozNut]

Cruising!